While most of the hockey nation is biting their nails at the heart-pounding conference finals series, many teams have been planning and formulating strategies for the upcoming 2017 NHL draft. The Carolina Hurricanes hold 10 total picks, including the No.12 overall pick with three second-round picks, two third-round picks, with one pick apiece in the final four rounds.
The fact that Carolina has 10 picks is already a good start, but then adding that there are no major holes that need to be urgently addressed in the starting roster is the perfect brew for progress.
Despite missing the playoffs, the Hurricanes played exceptional hockey at the end of the year with every player contributing. Past first-round draft picks have started to step up and all the wheels seemed to start turning for a team that has struggled in the past few years.
This gives Carolina ample room to work with and as they can choose to focus on developing players in their affiliate teams as there is no pressure on finding any starting players.
Going into the 2017-2018 season the Hurricanes have the fourth-most cap space in the league with an estimated $45,605,832. Couple that with Derek Ryan and Jay McClement being the only notable free agents the team has a chance of losing, Carolina has little to worry about. Both of these free agents would be easy to re-sign but any of those 10 picks could be used to draft replacements.
To further Carolina’s fortune, the Charlotte Checkers, the Hurricane’s AHL affiliate, made the playoffs this season and eventually lost to the Chicago Wolves in five games in the first round. While head coach Bill Peters is using his draft picks to create success for the Canes, the future NHL talent on the Checkers are getting playoff experience and playing well, which is just more good news for the Hurricanes.
The starting line rotations shouldn’t change too much over the off-season, building more cohesion between players that found a real connection this past season. Newly signed goaltender Scott Darling adds yet another variable to a winning equation that Peters hopes to accomplish this season.
A goalie will most likely be drafted at some point, as the Hurricanes lose long-time goalie Cam Ward at the end of the season. With three second-round picks, general manager Ron Francis has an array quality players to choose from at any position. Two of these picks are from the trading of away of Eric Staal and Ron Hainsey, both moves that fans questioned at the time of their happening.
In fact, seven out of their 10 picks come from player trades, further proving Francis’ decisions are making the difference for this club.
A solid roster, a prosperous looking development team, and little pressure put Carolina in the position to ascend to the top of the NHL and reach the playoffs once again. It all starts with taking advantage of the upcoming draft.