The NHL Draft happens today, which seems crazy because the Stanley Cup was awarded this week too and then there was the NHL Awards and also free agency is almost here too and it all feels very cramped.
Anyway, the Canes hold nine picks in the draft this year (although as we've seen in the past, that number may balloon before the week is done).
The first round of the draft will start Friday night at 7 p.m. EST.
Carolina holds the 27th overall pick in the draft and will be looking to see if they can find another hidden gem like last year with Bradly Nadeau at 30.
The draft is fairly wide open after the first 10 or so picks, so it's hard to say in which direction the Canes will go.
There's definitely a need for centers and defensemen in the system right now, but you never want to pass up on talent just for position.
Here's some of the potential names that could be the next Carolina Hurricane:
- Nikita Artamonov - LW, KHL
- Cole Beaudoin - C, OHL
- Emil Hemming - RW, Liiga
- Yegor Surin - C, MHL
- Trevor Connelly - LW, USHL
Beyond the first round, the Hurricanes still have their pick for every round, and additionally also hold sixth round picks from both the Toronto Maple Leafs' (acquired for retaining salary on Ilya Lyubushkin) and the Ottawa Senators' (acquired for Jamieson Rees).
Carolina currently hold picks number 60, 92, 124, 156, 168, 184, 188 and 220.
But as we've stated, they are very likely to trade down and potentially build on that amount.
More swings of the bat, if you will.
The organization is very open to boom-or-bust types of players.
They want to try and land stars and aren't afraid to strikeout a few times to land one.
It's looking like that strategy will pay off in the future, so I'm sure we'll see the Hurricanes continue with it.
The draft is fast approaching and while things can change in an instant with trades and the like, the Canes seem set to pick up some more good pieces for the future.