from Chip Alexander of the News & Oserver,

Is Andrei Svechnikov hitting the wall?

The proverbial wall, that is. That invisible barrier that rookies in the NHL inevitably encounter, physically and emotionally.

Svechnikov has been in the Carolina Hurricanes’ lineup since opening night. The Russian forward, the No. 2 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, has gotten a lot of ice time and been constantly tested as opponents gauge both the 18-year-old’s skills and his toughness -- a blindside hit by Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals comes to mind -- while probing for weaknesses in his game....

Svechnikov shrugs off the notion that the wear and tear of the NHL season is beginning to creep in and have an effect, saying Monday, “No, physically I feel great.”

But his offensive production has slowed significantly. Svechnikov has 11 goals, tied for second among NHL rookies, but the last came New Year’s Eve against the Philadelphia Flyers. The last of his eight assists came in the Dec. 14 game against the Capitals.

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