Hurricanes Draft Recap: 12 New Jerks join the Surge

Hurricanes walk into Vancouver with 10 picks and out with 12 new prospects.

We may not know how these players will turn out in the future, but on this day by most measures the hurricanes knocked this draft out of the park. A lot of wheeling and dealing done by GM Don Waddell lead to the Hurricanes increasing a league high 10 picks and walked out with 12 new prospects.

The value the Canes got out of those picks is the biggest story, from getting a top 10 prospect at 28th, to getting the number two goalie in the draft in the second round, to a major deal that adds a first round pick next year. the Canes managed to get their guys while bringing in value for the future.

Picks Break Down

First Round

(28) Ryan Suzuki, C, Barrie(OHL)

Elite scorer with a lot of potential to become a top-6 guy in the NHL. Some question about his complete level, but he’s got some time to disprove those rumors before making an impact for the Canes.

Second Round

(36) Pyotr Kochetkov, G, SKA-Neva St. Petersburg(Russia)

Top ranked EU Goalie in the Draft and number two goalie overall. Uses his size and athleticism to play an attacking style of goaltending. He’s not one to wait for the puck to come to him. Recently signed a contract in the KHL, so may not be immediately available.

(44) Jamieson Rees, C, Sarnia(OHL)

Highly skilled, great skating and hockey IQ. High Compete Level. Many have compared him to Rod Brind’Amour due to his combination of skill and intensity. That comparison should get any Canes fans giddy with excitement for what this guy can bring to the team.

Third Round

(73) Patrik Puistola, LW, Tappara(Finland)

Slightly undersized player with elite scoring ability. The kid can score, plain and simple. Working and finding a way to the front of the net is the name of the game for this prospect and that’s exactly how the Rod wants to play. Great value to get in the 3rd round.

(83) Anttoni Honka, D, JYP(Finland)

Offensive minded defenseman with an exceptional ability to start the breakout. Great ability with the puck and with distributing the puck. Lots of potential on the power play with this guy quarterbacking.

(90) Domenick Fensore, D, Boston University(NCAA)

An undersized defenseman who makes up for it with his compete level. While “compete level” has been a popular term with Canes picks this year, this guy is the epitome of the word. You don’t find many elite D-man prospects at 5’7″, 154 LB and the fact he is on that list is a testament to effort and skill he demonstrates in his game.

Fourth Round

(99) Cade Webber, D, Penticon Vees(BCHL)

A big, rangy defenseman. He’s a very raw talent, but has the frame and early signs indicating a good chance to develop into an elite defenseman in the NHL. Committed to Boston University, so has time to develop while competing at a hight level.

(121) Tuukka Tieksola, RW, Karpat(Finland)

Undersized prospect with high offensive potential. Great hockey sense. Dynamic ability to use his above average skating ability to get to right spot on the ice on any given play. if he can put on some muscle, could be another great Finnish forward for the Hurricanes.

Fifth Round

(152) Kirill Slepets, RW, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl(Russia)

Another undersized winger with great puck handling and skills. Needs some time in the weight room to develop his size. A lot opportunity to succeed once he’s learned to play with larger opponents.

Sixth Round

(181) Kevin Wall, F, Penn State(NCAA)

High Potential collegiate prospect. Has an elite shot, and is strong on the puck. Has a shooters mentality. Skating could be more explosive and he needs to work on being smarter on the defensive end.

(183) Blake Murray, C, Sudbury(OHL)

A prospect that needs some work, but has a high upside once polished. Doesn’t play with a physical edge and isn’t fast enough to make up for it at the NHL level. If he can develop strength, good potential to become a force in the offensive zone.

Seventh Round

(216) Massimo Rizzo, C/LW, Penticon Vees(BCHL)

Canes wrap up their draft by taking a small, agile winger. Rizzo has great lateral movement he utilizes to find openings in the defense and take advantage. His stick handling allows him to utilize his speed and lateral skating to skate circles around larger opponents.

Biggest Move

The deal that brought a conditional first round pick and a seventh round pick next year in exchange for taking on the contract of Patrick Marleau and a sixth round pick was definitely one of the biggest moves of the weekend.

The move is made even more of win when you realize the condition for the first rounder is that if it is a lottery pick , then the Canes will instead get a first round pick in 2021. The Canes have guaranteed that they will have two first round picks either next year or the year after. And all they had to do was take on a $6M Cap hit while they’re already $27M under the ceiling.

Biggest Steal: Patrik Puistola, LW, Tappara(Finland)

Getting a prospect like this at 73 is highway robbery. The Finn has an incredible scoring touch, but what really makes him stand out is his hands. According to most scouts his puck handling skills are the best in the entire draft.

His skating is noted as his biggest issue. Thats not to say he’s slow, though. He simply needs to tighten up his stride and move more efficiently on the ice. Once he removes the wasted effort from his stride, he seems destined to be an elite scorer.

Puistola was touted as a possible late first, early second round pick. Getting him at 73rd is incredible. The young Finn is a few years of coaching and development away from being a top 6 player in the NHL and an elite scoring threat.

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