CHICAGO — Teuvo Teravainen has emerged as a steadying force for the Chicago Blackhawks during this rebuilding season, marking an impactful return to the team. His influence has been particularly noted by Jason Dickinson, one of his linemates.
“I aim to provide a sense of calm when we’re on the ice, but Teuvo brings a level of assurance that makes me think, ‘He’s got it, everything will be fine,’” Dickinson said.
After a slow beginning to the season, Teravainen has quickly become a standout player for Chicago, tallying four goals and 16 assists over his last 17 games. He contributed two assists during the Blackhawks’ unexpected 5-3 triumph over Vegas on Saturday. However, during a close 4-3 overtime defeat against Carolina on Monday, Teravainen was unable to score against his former team. The Finnish winger, who recently made the squad for Finland’s upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off, had previously spent eight seasons with the Hurricanes before signing a three-year deal worth $16.2 million with the Blackhawks during free agency.
Looking back at his time with the Hurricanes, Teravainen reminisced, “I have many fond memories from my days there. We had a consistent group for a long time, and I got to know everyone very well, especially since there were so many fellow Finns on the roster.”
Originally one of Chicago’s most promising prospects, Teravainen was picked in the first round of the 2012 NHL Draft and made his debut with the Blackhawks in 2014. He played a crucial role in their 2015 Stanley Cup victory but was traded to Carolina in June 2016 as part of a deal to alleviate the Blackhawks’ salary cap.
Once in Carolina, Teravainen flourished as a valuable secondary scorer, thriving in the team’s up-tempo playing style. He achieved career-high numbers, scoring 25 goals and providing 28 assists in his final season with the franchise, and set a personal best of 55 assists during the 2018-19 season.
Rod Brind’Amour, the head coach of Carolina, remarked, “Teuvo was outstanding for us. His skill set is remarkable, and he’s one of the smartest players on the ice regardless of the situation.”
Throughout his 12 seasons in the NHL, Teravainen has participated in the playoffs eight times but has not returned to the Stanley Cup Finals since his rookie season. The Hurricanes made it to the Eastern Conference Final in both 2019 and 2023. He characterized them as a “high-pressure team,” stating, “They force the opposition into mistakes, and when those turnovers happen, you’re bound to suffer the consequences. If it continues, it becomes exceedingly tricky to compete against.”
Though he struggled early in his second stint with the Blackhawks, where he had only three goals and three assists in 25 games, Teravainen’s recent performance has significantly improved, in part due to his partnership with the composed Dickinson and Ilya Mikheyev. “Our line has been playing really well together,” he commented prior to the game against Carolina. “We’ve faced some challenging matchups, but we’re managing to hold our own against top lines.”
While Teravainen elevates his game, the Blackhawks are still facing obstacles, as they exhibit a record of just 7-16-2 over their last 25 games, hinting at another tough season ahead. Nevertheless, his presence holds considerable value for the Blackhawks, extending beyond mere statistics.
“His composure is remarkable. He excels under pressure,” said interim coach Anders Sorensen. “He’s adept at identifying where pressure is coming from and positions himself well to maintain control of the puck. His approach serves as an excellent learning opportunity for the younger players on how to navigate such situations.”