Stankoven scored twice on seven shots and added an assist in Thursday's 6-5 preseason win over the Predators.
Stankoven looks ready for the regular season now. The 23-year-old had 44 points in 81 regular-season games in 2025-26, but it was his 16-point effort in 19 postseason contests that really turned heads. He won't be surprising anyone this year, as he's set to reprise the second-line role that he excelled in during the Hurricanes' run to the Stanley Cup championship last spring.