A Closer Look At The Hurricanes’ 11 Draft Picks
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 17, 2010 4:00 PM EDT
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Heading into next weekend’s NHL Entry Draft, no team currently has more selections than the Carolina Hurricanes. On top of being slotted seventh overall in the first round, the Canes are poised to pick five more times in the next 80 picks, including three second-round choices, and 11 selections overall.
But how did GM Jim Rutherford & Co. go from a team that used just 11 total draft picks the past two entry drafts to having that many picks in 2010? Here's a look at how Carolina set itself up to be one of the biggest players in next weekend's draft.
Pick 1: First Round, No. 7 overall
Carolina was poised to own one of the top two or three picks for most of the season, but a late-year push led to Carolina finishing 24th overall in the NHL. The draft lottery was won by Edmonton, the league's worst team in 2009-10, leaving the Hurricanes with the seventh overall pick.
Past history: The Carolina franchise (both in Raleigh and as the Whalers) has never selected seventh overall. Since the post-lockout draft in 2005, the seventh overall picks have been: 2005 — Jack Skille (CHI); 2006 — Kyle Okposo (NYI); 2007 — Jakub Voracek (CLB); 2008 — Colin Wilson (NSH); 2009 — Nazem Kadri (TOR)
Best ever No. 7 pick: Bernie Federko, STL, 1976
Pick 2: Second Round, No. 37 overall
The first of Carolina's three second-rounders, the 37th pick is the Canes’ original pick.
Past history: The franchise has also never selected 37th. Here are the last five players to go 37th overall: 2005 — Scott Jackson (STL); 2006 — Yuri Alexandrov (BOS); 2007 — Stefan Legein (CLB); 2008 — Cody Goloubef (CLB); 2009 — Matt Clark (ANA).
Best ever No. 37 pick: Mats Naslund, MTL, 1979
Pick 3: Second Round, No. 46 overall
The Hurricanes acquired this pick from Ottawa, along with defenseman Alexandre Picard, in exchange for Matt Cullen on Feb. 12, 2010.
Past history: The franchise has chosen 46th once, selecting Mike Zigomanis with the pick in 2001 draft. Zigomanis played a total of 57 games with Carolina in three NHL seasons, splitting time between the AHL affiliate in Lowell and Raleigh in five seasons before being dealt to St. Louis as part of the trade deadline acquisition of Doug Weight in 2006. On top of a brief stint with the Blues, Zigomanis also played with Phoenix and Pittsburgh before leaving for Sweden after seven games with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies this past season. Here are the last five players to go 46th overall: 2005 — Dustin Kohn (NYI); 2006 — Jhonas Enroth (BUF); 2007 — Ted Ruth (WSH); 2008 — Colby Robak (FLA); 2009 — Robin Lehner (OTT).
Best ever No. 46 pick: Darren McCarty, DET, 1992
Pick 4: Second Round, 53rd overall
The final of Carolina's three second round picks, the Hurricanes acquired this selection, originally owned by Buffalo, from San Jose in exchange for defenseman Niclas Wallin and the Canes fifth round pick in this year' draft on Feb. 7, 2010. San Jose acquired the pick from Buffalo, along with the Sabres’ second in 2009, for defenseman Craig Rivet and the Sharks’ seventh-round pick in 2010 on July 4, 2008.
Past history: In 1991, Hartford selected high school forward Todd Hall 53rd overall. Hall played college hockey at both Boston College and New Hampshire, but never made it to the NHL, playing the majority of his six professional years in the minors in the AHL. In his first pro season in 1996-97, he split time between the AHL's Binghamton Whalers and ECHL's Charlotte Checkers. Here are the last five players to go 53rd overall: 2005 — Andrew Kozek (ATL); 2006 — Mathieu Carle (MON); 2007 — Will Weber (CLB); 2008 — Travis Hamonic (NYI); 2009 — Anton Rodin (VAN).
Best ever No. 53 pick: Nicklas Lidstrom, DET, 1989
Pick 5: Third Round, 67th overall
The first of Carolina's two third-rounders, the 67th pick is the Canes’ original pick.
Past history: The Whalers picked 67th in both 1981 and 1982. In ’81 they selected forward Mike Hoffman from Brantford of the OHL. Hoffman played a total of nine games with the Whalers in three different seasons, spending the majority of his career in the minors. The 1982 pick was much more fruitful, landing Hartford legendary nasty defenseman Ulf Samuelsson. Samuelsson played a total of 1,212 regular and postseason NHL games, spending the first six and half seasons with Hartford before going to Pittsburgh as part of the blockbuster trade that sent him and Ron Francis to the Penguins. Samuelsson played 16 seasons with five teams, spending four and half seasons with Pittsburgh followed by four years with the Rangers, plus brief stints with the Red Wings and Flyers. Here are the last five players selected 67th overall: 2005 — Kris Russell (CLB); 2006 — Kirill Tulupov (NJ); 2007 — Spencer Machacek (ATL); 2008 — Marc-Andre Bourdon (PHI); 2009 — Josh Birkholz (FLA).
Best ever No. 67 pick: Mark Recchi, PIT, 1988
Pick 6: Third Round, 85th overall
Carolina acquired this pick from Vancouver in exchange for defenseman Andrew Alberts at the trade deadline on March 3, 2010.
Past history: The franchise has picked 85th once, when Hartford selected Oshawa Generals forward Ian MacNeil in 1995. MacNeil toiled in the minors for more than five seasons before playing two NHL games with Philadelphia in 2002-03. After that he bounced back and forth between the AHL and several different European league teams. Here are the last five players selected 85th overall: 2005 — Ben Bishop (STL); 2006 — Tom Sestito (CLB); 2007 — Brent Sonne (STL); 2008 — Brandon McMillan (ANA); 2009 — Cody Eakin (WSH).
Best ever No. 85 pick: Peter McNab, BUF, 1972
Pick 7: Fourth Round, 105th overall
The 105th overall selection was acquired from Anaheim, along with goalie Justin Pogge, for defenseman Aaron Ward at the trade deadline on March 4, 2010. The Ducks had received the pick from Boston two days earlier for defensive prospect Steve Kampfer. Coincidentally, both Ward and Kampfer played their college hockey at the University of Michigan. Furthermore, Carolina traded their original fourth round pick (97th overall) to Boston, along with Patrick Eaves, to reacquire Ward last offseason on July 24, 2009.
Past history: The Hurricanes picked 105th in 2008 and selected defenseman Michal Jordan. Jordan just completed his junior career with the Peter Karmanos-owned Plymouth Whalers and signed with Carolina in April. The blueliner will likely play for Carolina's new AHL affiliate in Charlotte next season. Here are the last five players selected 105th overall: 2005 — Keith Yandle (PHX); 2006 — Niko Snellman (NSH); 2007 — Bradley Malone (COL); 2008 — Michal Jordan (CAR); 2009 — Justin Weller (PHX).
Best ever No. 105 pick: Yandle, PHX, 2006
Pick 8: Sixth Round, 157th overall
The Canes do not hold a fifth round pick (their original pick was dealt to San Jose in the Niclas Wallin deal, while a fifth-round pick acquired from Nashville as compensation for Carolina being unable to sign Darcy Hordichuk after the team traded for his rights two offseasons ago went to Phoenix in exchange for Jared Staal last month), and this, the first of their two sixth round picks, is their original pick.
Past history: In 1989, the Whalers used the 157th overall pick to select forward Raymond Saumier from Trois Rivieres of the QMJHL. Saumier played just 56 games with the AHL's Binghamton Whalers in 1989-90 and was out of competitive hockey by 2000. Here are the last five players selected 15th overall: 2005 — Fredrik Pettersson (EDM); 2006 — Brent Gwidt (WSH); 2007 — William Quist (EDM); 2008 — Cameron Atkinson (CLB); 2009 — Evan Bloodoff (PHX).
Best ever No. 157 pick: Randy Burridge, BOS, 1985
Pick 9: Sixth Round, 167th overall
The 167th pick was acquired by Carolina, along with prospect Cedric Lalonde-McNicoll, from Colorado in exchange for veteran Stephane Yelle and 2006 third round pick Harrison Reed at the deadline on March 3, 2010.
Past history: The franchise has never selected 167th overall. Here are the last five players chosen 167th overall: 2005 — Joe Fallon (CHI); 2006 — Juraj Simek (VAN); 2007 — Johan Haruj (TB); 2008 — Joel Chouinard (COL); 2009 — Anton Blomqvist (CLB).
Best ever No. 167 pick: Dan Hinote, COL, 1996
Pick 10: Seventh Round, 187th overall
This pick is Carolina's original seventh round selection.
Past history: In 1994. the Hartford Whalers selected forward Tom Buckley out of St. Joseph's (N.Y.) High School with the 187th pick (then an eighth rounder). Buckley played for the OHL's Detroit Jr. Red Wings/Whalers for two seasons and then spent eight seasons in the minors, splitting time between the ECHL and AHL. He played his last two season with the Florida Everblades, retiring following the 2003-04 season as the holder of several Everblades records. Here are the last five players selected 187th overall: 2005 — Andrei Zubarev (ATL); 2006 — Devin DiDiomete (CGY); 2007 — Nick Eno (BUF); 2008 — Sean Collins (CLB); 2009 — Steven Anthony (VAN).
Best ever No. 187 pick: Mark Osiecki, CGY, 1987
Pick 11: Seventh Round, 206th overall
Carolina acquired this pick, their final selection, from Washington in exchange for forward Scott Walker at the trade deadline on March 3, 2010.
Past history: The franchise has never selected 206th in the draft. Here are the last five players selected 206th overall: 2005 — Josh Meyers (LA); 2006 — Viktor Sjodin (NSH); 2007 — Dan Gendur (VAN); 2008 — Patrick Johnson (MTL); 2009 — Ben Sexton (BOS).
Best ever No. 206 pick: Anton Khudobin, MIN, 2004
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How exactly did you manage to find a picture with two players who were drafted at slots the Canes have?
I just wish JR would have given up Ray Whitney for Lent.
Luck. I was just going to use Yandle and saw the very last pic had Wilson in it.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 17, 2010 5:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Serendipitous.
http://www.prosportsblogging.com
by Great Ice-Pectations on Jun 17, 2010 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Future Considerations "Potential Busts."
This article discusses some of the risks inherent in selecting young, talented players; and the article identifies several of the players we have discussed at CC as potential busts. It’s a thought-provoking article.
So the Lightning took Vladamir Tarasenko in SB’s mock-Draft leaving Connolly wide open for us… But do we take him?
Connolly
Until he was injured he was often spoken of as potential #1 or #2 with Hall and Seguin. The world juniors was to be his first real test after recovery and he was just ok. I’m glad I’m not making this call since my guess is JR will either be the smartest man in the room or the dumbest, depending on whether or not Connolly has chronic hip issues long term.
Amongst former pro hockey players one of the more common surgeries later in life is hip replacement. 15 years ago i played golf with a former member of the BC Trail Olympic champion ice hockey team (back when you truly had to be an amateur to compete). He told me that of the 20 man roster 16 had hip replacements. Modern training methods have made this a much lower occurrence but if you analyze the motion of skating you can see the extra stress it puts on the entire hip joint.
NHL teams have the right to interview players before draft day and they can request medical information. If i were sitting at 7 and I thought Connolly could be available, I would be having medical experts go over whatever information is available. If big question marks remain I’d pass.
Increasingly Niederreiter interests me. I got to see tape of his entire game with Switzerland against the Russians and he was one of the best players on the ice. Overall I thought he was the reason Switzerland did so well at the WJC. He is 6’3" yet one of the youngest players in the draft. Not only does he look ready for the next level but there may be major upside to his game. Reports say he also has a great attitude.
You mean the U18s, not the U20 World Juniors, right? Because he didn’t play in the World Juniors over Xmas (U20).
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 18, 2010 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Not to give anything away but as Carolina GM for the day, I’m tired of seeing my players on the injured reserve list all the time. Although I must say, Connolly would probably fit right in here.
I prefer to select someone who at least starts out his career healthy.
That is just my opinion. Luckily I’m not the one who makes the real choice.
Editing Manager of CanesCountry.com
Why Take a Chance?
I think Bob has hit an important point. Picking #7 is a tremendous advantage for a team like the Hurricanes that has significant talent on the team. There is no reason to take a chance on a player if the player has any risk of a short career due to a pre-existing condition. I am leaning toward Johansen and Niederreiter, and then Burmistrov. I think the Hurricanes are tempted by Skinner and Granlund.
As a side note, for me it seems obvious that obtaining Nathan Horton for a reasonable trade would be a sea change for the Hurricanes. He could play on the first line with Staal and the tandem could be outstanding.
On that side note, it is unlikely that the Canes org is going to take on Horton’s ridiculous contract of $4M/$4.5M/$5.5M over the next three years for so little production.
We need to lose salary, per CC’s Unofficial Salary Chart, which already has us at the season budget with an unfilled roster, not add salary.
HORTON AND STAAL
I can’t argue that it is an unlikely situation for the Hurricanes to take on salary. What I can see, however, is the chance to get a top tier elite talent to go with Staal on the first line. A line of Horton/Staal/Ruutu or Horton/Staal/Jokinen has the potential to score 100 goals. It is all potential and Horton’s productivity has not been that of an elite talent. On the other hand, for those who say Staal needs somebody on his line who has as much physical talent has Staal, there are few players who have more physical talent than Horton.
It’s that very inability to add (insert talented name here) that is going to make this more of a rebuild year than a rebound year, I’m afraid.
Whether it was Patrick Sharp or Nathan Horton or whoever that was the missing piece, we’re not going to be able to afford it this year…except, at the deadline, if we’re playoff bound.
So, that’s our hope, that we are such a team. Then, and only then, are we going to see that elite winger added to Staal’s line. Some UFA on a non-playoff team that wants to make a run.
That fractional salary, financed by playoff revenue, is affordable under the budget.
But, not now.
Been doing some research on Nino Niederreiter and hes now my favorite choice for our pick.
big strong body with a good combination of sniping and power. his style has been compared to the style that erik cole played ( i say played because I haven’t seen cole be effective in a long time :( )
hes also famous for his one handed goal in a skills competition
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZkxg0A2Y8M
EL Nino!!!
Considering that Hall, Seguin, & the top 3 D are gone in the SB mock draft. Please draft Nino. At 17 (the youngest player available) with his size & skill which is already considered at NHL level he would look great on Staal or Sutter’s wing in a year or two. One more year at Juniors should help him round out his game. He is also defensive responsible, which is normally considered a weakness in most young players.
A couple years ago we drafted a smart, big, good defensive forward named Sutter. Nino seems to be of that mold with a little bit better offensive skill. :)
Just say no to Connolly at #7…his injury history scares me. I would take Connolly mid to late first round at the earliest.
Take a Center..
The question is which one? I’m more confused than a week ago (old-age??) Skinner, Johansen, Granlund- not sure… pick one!
I think Connolly, Nino, or Johansen should be the pick. Connolly has probably the highest talent level, Nino’s probably the most ready to play, and Johansen has tremendous upside.
One thing to consider about Nino is how much of an advantage is it that he was so much bigger than the rest of his competition. He’s still big, but won’t be that much bigger in the NHL.
Triple Gold Juice - It's Potent and Guaranteed to Help You Score!
by PackPride17 on Jun 19, 2010 9:42 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
NEW MOCK DRAFT AT MYNHLDRAFT
http://www.mynhldraft.com/NHL-Mock-Draft/
Interesting mock draft. Some people here will be dancing in the streets because it shows Gormley being taken at #7.
BURMISTROV IS GETTING BIG LOVE FROM SOME SCOUTING SERVICES
It is interesting to see how some scouting services start honing in on players. From what I am reading, some scouting services are starting to dish out big love for Burmistrov.
- Carolina Hurricanes
* © Alexander Burmistrov – (Barrie Colts, OHL) – ( CH view – Best word to describe this guy is fast. Although not only is he fast he’s great with the puck at top speeds. )
He’s like a water spider out there on the ice. Light on his feet, but he’s got a venomous strike like a snake when he goes on the offense. Speed and agility, great fakes and he’ll bring players, fans, alike out of their seats. I’d compare him with a (Alexei) Kovalev, (Sergei) Samsonov or (Maxim) Afinogenov."
– E.J. McGuire, Director of Central Scouting
Burmistrov has shown scouts some great passing ability, a keen hockey sense, and an undeniable work ethic. The fact that he seems to have that Alex Ovechkin-esque “Go 100 percent on every shift” philosophy should help him get off the board first among European-born draft prospects.
http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2010/05/24/alex-burmistrov-2010-nhl-draft-profile-and-scouting-report/
There’s a lot to love about Burmistrov, but none of those links are scouting services. Burmistrov is one of the biggest reasons why Barrie dominated the Eastern Conference of the OHL this year, and he’s the kind of guy your eyes are drawn to when he’s on the ice. None of those links paid enough attention to his defensive abilities, which are surprisingly good. I say “surprisingly” because he is, after all, a Russian. He was clearly one of the top five best skaters in the OHL this past season, has a solid wrister, sees the ice really well and always seems to be in the right place at the right time. Next year should be a huge breakout year for him, and I’d be shocked if he’s not in the top 5 in the OHL in scoring (unless he’s in the NHL).
Red Line Report on Burmistrov
16. Ottawa — Alex Burmistrov.
He’s the last of the premium offensive
talents left on the board, and the lowest risk
of the Russian "sign-ability" cases. He’ll be
a great two-way pivot centreing the second
line behind Spezza in a couple of years.
http://www.redlinereport.com/mocdraftguide1.pdf
I find this report interesting because it would mean Burmistrov would be available at #15 if the Hurricanes traded their #7 for Blake Wheeler and Boston’s #15. Also, Red Line Report has the Hurricanes taking Ryan Johansen. I think if the Hurricanes stick at #7, Johansen or Burmistrov look like their pick.
Central Scouting Service is the NHL's Scouting Service
He’s like a water spider out there on the ice. Light on his feet, but he’s got a venomous strike like a snake when he goes on the offense. Speed and agility, great fakes and he’ll bring players, fans, alike out of their seats. I’d compare him with a (Alexei) Kovalev, (Sergei) Samsonov or (Maxim) Afinogenov."
– E.J. McGuire, Director of Central Scouting
I just used this link that quoted E.J. McGuire who is the director of CSS.
Here’s a link from www.nhl.com
http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftprospectdetail.htm?dpid=2471&tab=scr
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