Another year, another mock draft

Obviously, this week we  are concentrating on the draft here and if you have not seen enough mock drafts already, (or even if you have), it's my turn to take a stab in the dark.  There seems to be more discussion and disagreement about the top choices then ever before as some scouts praise a prospect while others call them potential busts.

There are also rumors of trades, like always, and I will include a couple of possibilities in my mock.  Of course these could be totally off base, but it's still interesting to try to think about what might be possible scenarios that some general managers could be thinking about.

As we have done in the past, this Friday night and all day Saturday, we will have an open thread going here at Canes Country so there can be ongoing discussion as the draft progresses.  Cory and I will be hanging out at the PNC in the Hurricanes media War Room and we will be reporting on any interviews with Carolina's draft choices and any trades, as well as discussions with Ron Francis and Tony MacDonald.  We will be reporting about what we hear in the open thread and will answer any questions as they come up, (that we can).

Brian LeBlanc has media credentials for the event and will be covering the draft for us in Philadelphia from the draft floor.  All in all, we should have as much coverage as anyone out there, while the draft is happening.

Now, without further delay, my mock draft.

1.  We have a trade to announce......There has been much talk from Florida this year about trading their pick and this time they actually do it.  They find a partner in Calgary, who have several promising forwards in their pipeline, but not so much on the blueline.

The Calgary Flames trade Ladislav Smid, Sven Baertschi, and the 4rth overall pick to the Florida Panthers for the 1st overall and Steven Hodges.  The Flames go on to pickAaron Ekblad, with the hopes that he will anchor their suspect blueline for years to come.

2.  Buffalo Sabres - Sam Reinhart The Sabres continue to stockpile promising prospects and this player is projected by many to be another one.

3.  Edmonton Oilers - Leon Draisaitl I had the Oilers trading before they signed Nikitin.  Now they choose the best player on their list and hope they will not be disappointed.

4.  Florida Panthers, (From Calgary) - William Nylander - The Panthers swing for the fences with this pick and hope his tremendous skill outweighs his smallish size.

5.  New York Islanders - Sam Bennett The Isles were trying to trade as well but stick at this spot and choose Bennett, who could be a superstar.

6.  Vancouver Canucks - Jake Virtanen Vancouver hesitates here because Dal Colle is still available, but they love Virtanen and want to keep the hometown boy local.

7.  Carolina Hurricanes - Michael Dal Colle Ron Francis' phone is ringing off the hook here as many teams try to trade up to get this kid, but no one steps up enough so the Canes have a potential star fall in their lap.  (The Canes could very well use this pick as leverage to shed Ward's contract, but hopefully they do not trade for that reason alone here).

8.  Toronto Maple Leafs - Nikolaj Ehlers This kid has speed to burn and might be an NHL'r sooner rather than later.

9.  Winnipeg Jets - Brendan Perlini I still think Perlini is the safer pick than Ritchie, but we will see what happens on Friday night.  Either way it is probably splitting hairs here, at just one pick apart.

10.  Anaheim Ducks - Nick Ritchie The big kid just has too much potential to ignore and the Ducks take a chance.

11. Nashville Predators - Dylan Larkin Both Laviolette and Poile like Americans and what's not to like about this kid?

12.  Arizona Coyotes - David Pastrnak Yotes go off the board a bit with this pick, but the kid has a ton of skill.

13.  Washington Capitals - Haydn Fleury A bit of a change here as the Caps go after the highest rated defenseman left on the board.

14.  Dallas Stars - Jared McCann Skilled, two-way forward fits well here.

15.  Detroit Red Wings - Kevin Fiala Will the Wings go for this top-rated Swede?  Chances are.

16.  Columbus Blue Jackets - Kasperi Kapanen Jackets are very happy to see Kapanen still available at this point.

17.  Philadelphia Flyers - Alex Tuch The Flyers would have loved to trade up but will not complain about adding this big bruiser to their stable.

18. Minnesota Wild - Sonny Milano Another American who should fit in well with the Wild.

19. Tampa Bay Lightning - Ivan Barbeshev Came from Russia to play in the "Q" and impressed.

20. San Jose Sharks - Robby Fabbri Another smallish forward with a ton of skill who could make it big in the NHL.

21.  St. Louis Blues - Nikita Scherbak Blues hoping this Russian transplant who is a high scorer will mesh well with Vladimir Tarasenko.

22.  Pittsburgh Penguins - Josh HoSang Pens wanted to trade this pick but end up swinging for the fences with the out-spoken but super-skilled, winger.

23.  Colorado Avs - Jack Dougherty Avs takes the big, strong American defenseman.

24.  Anaheim Ducks - Travis Sanheim Another big, tough defenseman on the rise.

25.  Boston Bruins - Conner Bleackley Big forward seems to fit with Bruins culture.

26.  Montreal Canadiens - Julius Honka Very skilled defenseman, is a bit smallish.

27.  Chicago Blackhawks - Roland McKeon Defenseman with size who will have plenty of time to develop.

28.  Tampa Bay Lightning -  Nick Schmaltz American center who could develop into someone special.

29.  Los Angeles Kings - Thatcher Demko Top rated goalie in draft has time to develop here.

30.  New Jersey Devils - Ryan Collins Devils take American defenseman who will also most likely need time to develop.

In the second round or later, look for the Hurricanes to take a good long look at Plymouth Whalers goalie Alex Nedeljkovic.  His save percentage of .925 is one of the best in the OHL.  Also Plymouth defenseman, Josh Wesley has one of the best plus/minus stats on the young Whalers team and the Canes might pick him at some point.  With Mike Velucci in Carolina, I doubt that the Hurricanes will stop drafting Whalers.

The Carolina Hurricanes have selected defensive prospect Haydn Fleury with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

The Carolina Hurricanes have selected defensive prospect Haydn Fleury with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Fleury, 17, has spent the last three seasons playing for the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League. Selected with the No. 43 overall pick in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft, Fleury has accumulated 65 points in 140 games with Red Deer. Listed at 6'3, 203 pounds, Fleury is described as an imposing defenseman who is capable of playing in all situations. He has represented Canada on multiple occasions, including at the 2013-14 U18 World Junior Championship where he was named the tournament's best defenseman.

The ISS has the left-handed shooting defenseman ranked as the No. 12 overall prospect in this year's draft class and the second best defensive prospect behind Aaron Ekblad. The ISS describes Fleury as a reliable two-way defenseman who has promising upside in the offensive and defensive components of the game:

Next to Ekblad he is regarded as the best defensive prospect in this Draft class. He's big, mobile and intelligent positionally. Fleury is competent around the puck and makes sound and safe decisions consistently, in all three zones. He shows excellent understanding of containment physics around his own net and controls the middle lanes effectively with regularity. He is a mature and poised defender who can keep pucks in at the line, pinch in and join a rush or provide a big blast from the point when needed. He could still improve the consistency of his physical play and can still improve the quickness in his feet.

The Kapanen family added another member to the ranks of professional hockey, as Kasperi Kapanen was selected with the No. 22 overall pick by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

The Kapanen family added another member to the ranks of professional hockey, as Kasperi Kapanen was selected with the No. 22 overall pick by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Kapanen, 17, is a forward prospect from Finland who spent the last several years playing for KalPa of the SM-Liiga (beginning in 2010 as a member of the club's U16 team). Kapanen played for the major club in each of the last two seasons and spent 13 games with the team during the 2012-13 season.

Kasperi is the son of former NHL player Sami Kapanen, who was selected with the No. 87 overall pick by the Hartford Whalers in the 1995 Draft. Sami played in over 800 career regular season games in the NHL with the Carolina Hurricanes franchise (the club relocated from Hartford after his rookie season in 1996-97) and the Philadelphia Flyers. Sami joined KalPa during the 2008-09 season and has played with the club ever since. His brother, Kimmo Kapanen, is the club's general manager, which resulted in a family affair when Kasperi dressed alongside his father for his first game in January of 2013.

Kasperi was ranked as the No. 1 international skating prospect by the ISS in its year-end ranking. Listed at 6'0, 181 pounds, the right-handed shooting prospect is praised for his dynamic skill and explosive speed:

Battled through adversity this year whether it was injuries, a disappointing U18 team performance or being forced to lead the last place KalPa team in the SM-Liiga. His statistics with KalPa don't give a true representation of what he is able to produce as he had a limited supporting cast and was looked at to lead the offense as a 17 year old. He grabs your attention everytime he has the puck as his explosive speed, creativity and lethal offensive weapons show gamebreaker potential. His lower body strength and ability to maintain possession while being harassed by opposition checkers is excellent. Kasperi takes charge on the puck and displays the potential to be that go-to forward who can get the job done on the puck and puts a lot of pressure on himself to step into that role regardless of what team he's playing for.

Another day, another example of the new Canes under Ron Francis.

PHILADELPHIA - Yet again, Carolina Hurricanes GM Ron Francis went his own way on Friday night during the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft.

For the first time since taking Jack Johnson in the 2005 draft, the Canes spent their first-round pick on a defenseman who doesn't automatically have "puck-moving" in front of his name, drafting Red Deer defenseman Haydn Fleury with the seventh pick of the draft.  While it may have been a surprise to longtime Hurricanes fans to see their team draft a defenseman with a high draft pick, it didn't come as a complete shock to Fleury.

"I met with them during the year, at the combine, and again with them yesterday, so I kind of had a good idea," said Fleury. "But I didn't really know if they were going to take me or not."

Fleury, the second defenseman off the board after Aaron Ekblad was selected first overall by the Florida Panthers, compared his game to another former Panthers' first-round pick.

"I would [compare myself with] Jay Bouwmeester," he said. "A solid two-way defenseman that plays in all situations of the game, plays big minutes with St. Louis. Lots of offense, but very strong defensively as well."

Francis agreed with his new defenseman's self-assessment. "He's a big, mobile defenseman. He's got a lot of upside to his game."  However, it may be a while until Fleury realizes that upside, and Francis doesn't mind waiting. "You always want to be careful with young defenseman because they do take a little longer to develop. Sometimes you don't know what you have until they're 22 or 23."

Although Francis fielded a few phone calls about possibly moving the pick, they never went anywhere, and he said that was fine with the Canes' braintrust. "Coming into the draft, we had a game plan. We were comfortable with anyone who fell to us in our range."  Fleury fits the mold of the new Hurricanes that Francis is building, a bigger, more physical team that still has plenty of skill. "We talked about trying to get bigger. He's 6'3", 200 pounds, but he skates extremely well. It's not like he's a big, slow guy."

For Fleury, who was here with his parents and younger brother, being drafted this high is the thrill of a lifetime - but if you were trying to get a hold of him, good luck. "My mom took my phone from me. She said I didn't need to be on it." That said, Fleury knew right away who his first phone call would be to.

"My great-grandma. She's 99, back home [in Saskatchewan] watching."

The Hurricanes now have the chance to add to their depth.

After adding a piece to their blueline, where will the Carolina Hurricanes go on day two of the draft?  No goalies have been chosen so far.  Will the Canes select Josh Wesley?  Will they choose Anton Karlsson?

We will be talking about it here.

Nedeljkovic was OHL goalie of the year last season

The Carolina Hurricanes stuck to their drafting history when they picked Alex Nedeljkovic, a player from the Plymouth Whalers, in the second round on Saturday.   Obviously, Mike Vellucci, former GM of the Whalers had input into this decision.

Nedeljkovic was the draft's top rated goalie on several scouts' lists, including Craig Button, and was named goalie of the year in the OHL last season.  He was noted as the Whaler's most valuable player as well.

McKeen's Hockey says that the goalie is aggressive, has excellent balance, and has flat out stole games for the Whalers last season.  He also was the starting goalie for Team USA in the U18 World Championships and had a tournament best 1.84 GAA.

We will have more about Nedeljkovic along with interviews later.

With their third round pick, the Hurricanes select LW Warren Foegele.

After taking a defenseman and a goalie in the first two rounda, the Carolina Hurricanes nabbed their first forward of the 2014 NHL Draft, selecting Warren Foegele, a 6-1 left wing who is committed to the University of New Hampshire.

Foegele was a relative unknown heading into last season, but he flew up draft boards with a dynamic campaign that saw him score 58 goals and 107 points in 52 games with his high school, St. Andrew’s, in Aurora, Ontario. Part of that was Foegele’s growth spurt: according to McKeen’s Hockey Draft Guide, Foegele grew six inches and gained 30 pounds last offseason, going from an undersized winger to one with ideal size on the wing.

The knock on Foegele is he was dominant against lesser competition — he was twice passed over in the OHL Draft — but since he just turned 18 he will have plenty of time to develop.

You can read more on Foegele here from SBNCollegeHockey.com, plus a profile from TSN’s Bob McKenzie from back in January here.

Canes keep it in the family and take Glen Wesley's son in the fourth round

The Carolina Hurricanes picked another Plymouth Whaler, the second of this draft, when they selected defenseman Josh Wesley, son of Hurricanes great, Glen Wesley.  The young Wesley played most of his hockey while growing up in Carolina and is considered a "home-grown" prospect.

Wesley was rated at #115 by the ISS and is known as a tough defenseman who is still developing.  He is listed at 6'3 and 195 and will drop the gloves when necessary.  In his first season with Plymouth he had 2 goals and 6 assists.

We will have more on Josh in a bit.

Swedish forward Lucas Wallmark is selected in the fourth round (97th overall) by the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Hurricanes selected forward Lucas Wallmark with their second (97th overall) of back-to-back picks in the fourth round at the NHL Draft.

Wallmark, who will turn 19 in December, went undrafted in 2013 as one of the youngest draft eligible players despite being ranked No. 50 by ISS in their 2013 draft guide. ISS cited his offensive ability and hockey sense as pluses last year, and also responsible in all three zones. He was also deemed the fourth-best faceoff man in the 2013 draft by ISS. The knock on Wallmark seems to be his skating ability

Wallmark had eight points in seven games for Sweden at the Under-20 World Junior Championships last year — where he was arguably Sweden’s best player in the last couple games of the tournament — plus had 10 points in 41 games playing with Lulea of the SHL, Sweden's top league.

Jenkins rated 96th skater by ISS is "smart, two-way defenseman"

The Carolina Hurricanes finished up their 2014 draft much like they started it, with the pick of a young defenseman.

At number 187, the Canes chose Kyle Jenkins, who currently plays for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.  He scored 7 goals and had 18 assists last season.

Mark Seidel's report calls him a" very smart defenseman" who "always makes the best play".  He does need to get bigger and stronger to further his development. He shows some good offensive flair.

Kyle plays with another Canes prospect, Tyler Ganly, and was matched up with him on the second pairing for the team most of the season.

A little before noon on Saturday, Josh Wesley made history as the first player trained in North Carolina to be selected at the NHL Draft.

PHILADELPHIA - Seventeen years after the Carolina Hurricanes moved to North Carolina, the state has produced its first NHL draft pick.

Of course, Josh Wesley's pedigree is a little different than most, being the son of an NHL defenseman himself. But regardless, it was a watershed moment for hockey in the Old North State when general manager Ron Francis called Wesley's name with the Canes' first of two fourth-round picks, 96th overall, in the 2014 NHL Draft on Saturday.

For a kid who had Hurricanes paraphernalia on his wall growing up, it was a dream come true.

"I am absolutely so blessed to have this jersey on right now," Wesley said. "When I first walked in, I was in awe that I was actually here. And then when your name gets called, it's that much more special. I'm on cloud nine right now."

Wesley was one year old when he moved from Hartford to Raleigh. He was five when Canes senior director of communications Mike Sundheim started working for the team, a fact that caused Sundheim - who is not an old guy by any stretch - to simply shake his head in reminiscing about the young boy he first met when Wesley was in preschool.

And at ten, he was on the ice when his father hoisted the Stanley Cup after eighteen long years of waiting, an honor that he wouldn't mind having for himself.

"I had tears running down my face [in 2006]. I felt the connection of how hard it is to win the Cup, so to get the opportunity to play on the team, I'll work my tail off to help out the team in any way I can."

There had been widespread speculation that the Canes would draft Wesley, a 6'3", 195-pound defenseman who played last year for new Canes assistant general manager Mike Vellucci with the OHL's Plymouth Whalers.  When the Canes' two straight fourth-round picks came up without Wesley being drafted, their choice was easy.

Canes scouting director Tony MacDonald said that despite the public-relations aspect to drafting the son of a former player, the team made its decision based on Wesley's merits as a player.

"I wouldn't want to give the impression that it was only because [Glen] was a Hurricane and Josh was his son," said MacDonald. "I interviewed Josh myself in Toronto and found him to be an outstanding young man with some good physical tools. He's growing and developing as a player. He's got size and reach, and he's a competitive kid."

Even discounting Wesley's lineage, he fits in with Francis' game plan this year.  The Canes drafted seven players, all of whom are listed by the NHL as at least six feet tall. While some players will need to bulk up to handle the rigors of the NHL, the trend toward bigger players is unmistakeable.

Asked to compare himself to his father, though, Wesley said there are a few differences that Canes fans will notice that set him apart.

"My mom would say that we skate exactly the same," he said, no doubt providing Mrs. Wesley a bit of cover from having to pick one over the other. "He was a little bit more offensive when he was a lot younger, but he would tell me that I'm a little smarter defensively than he was at my age. He was a very special player who played 20 years, so to get that opportunity would be amazing.

Wesley's drafting is a validation of all the work the Canes have done over the past seventeen years to ingrain themselves in the local hockey development community.  In addition, it's further proof that the league's plan to grow the game in non-traditional markets in the 1990s is paying off.  Players like Jeff Halpern, a child of the '70s Capitals, and Jonathan Blum, Emerson Etem and Beau Bennett, legacies of the Gretzky-led Kings in the 1990s, are well known in hockey circles for their trailblazing.

Now, Wesley has the chance to add North Carolina to the list, and he didn't forget to thank the coaches who shepherded him through the youth programs in the Triangle while he was at the podium.

"Colin Muldoon, Mike O'Leary, a bunch of different coaches, helped me through so much," he said. "Coach Colin was the one who put me on D to start. They're always going to be there for you, trying to put you through to the next level. I got here from Raleigh, so that can speak volumes of how hard they're pushing guys."

Other North Carolina players, including Cary goalie Logan Halliday and Raleigh defenseman Trevor Owens, were eligible for this year's draft, but Wesley was the only one drafted.  Still, having multiple players from North Carolina on the NHL's radar is a testament to the state's nascent hockey development pipeline.

Despite sharing a name with one of the most popular Hurricanes of all time, Josh Wesley knows that this is his opportunity to blaze his own path. "I'm going to be proving that I can be my own player and not have to constantly be compared to him," he said. "There's going to be a little pressure playing under his banner, but I'm going to make myself my own player and just work hard all the time."

"We're two different people, and I'm going to play my own game."

With the 151st pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, the Buffalo Sabres select future Boston College Eagle Christopher Brown.

With the 151st pick in the sixth round of the NHL Draft, the Buffalo Sabres select Cranbrook School (Michigan) center and future Boston College Eagle Christopher Brown.

With #151 pick in 2014 #NHLDraft, #Sabres select Christopher Brown of Cranbrook School (Michigan). #Sabres2014Draft

— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) June 28, 2014

Though he's yet to suit up for the maroon and gold, Boston College fans should be quite familiar with Brown given his familial ties to the school. Christopher is the younger brother of Patrick, the Eagles 2013-14 captain who, after graduating, inked a pro contract with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Christopher and Patrick's dad, Doug, was an All-American at Boston College before going on to have a long pro career with the New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings. Brown is a two-time Stanley Cup winner, having won the Cup in consecutive seasons with the Red Wings in 1997 and 1998. At the time, he became just the fifth former Eagle to have his name etched on Lord Stanley's Cup.

Brown's uncle, Greg Brown, is BC's current associate head coach and an NHL Draft pick himself; also drafted by the Sabres in the second round of the 1986 draft. A two-time Hobey Baker Award runner-up, Brown remains one of the best defensemen in program history.

Christopher put up a gaudy stat line last season for the Cranbrook School, 26-58--84, against Michigan high school competition. He'll take his talents to the USHL next season, playing for the Green Bay Gamblers, before joining the program in 2015-16.

Here's the pick reaction from SB Nation's Die By The Blade:

With the Sabres having so many prospects in the system already and many more to come next year, Tim Murray seems to be using the later rounds to stash away promising high school prospects who might take three, four, or five more years to even sniff the NHL, giving the Sabres a bit more flexibility on how they want to construct their team and manage their entry level contracts.

While there are no former Eagles in the Sabres organization, Christopher joins a number of former collegians in Buffalo, including North Dakota's Drew Stafford and Wisconsin's Jamie McBain and Jake McCabe.

Congrats, Christopher!

The NHL Draft concludes with five current and future Eagles selected, the most since the program saw six selections taken in the 2005 draft. Next season BC will have eight NHL Draft picks on the roster. Milano, Tuch and Demko will join Ian McCoshen (Florida), Michael Matheson (Florida), Steve Santini (New Jersey), Chris Calnan (Chicago) and Ryan Fitzgerald (Boston) as roster players whose rights are own by NHL teams.

As the Vancouver hockey fan looked excitedly forward to what Jim Benning, and his scouting acumen would do on Draft day ( s ). We got such an interesting assortment of young talent, all at once, that even the punditry that we often rail against as "unfair" as we #embracethehate , all spoke so positively of his choices and moves.

Where's the fun in that ?

The truth is, there seemed to be a story for every one of these picks, as Friday's fireworks gave way to Saturday's restocking of the prospect shelves.

The players, as always, will make the choices for the team as prospect camps, Young Stars, preseason surprises and moves still to be made impacts dramatically change and improve last year's ( hopefully ) benchmarks for ineptitude.

We noted the Medicine Hat connections yesterday, and that familiarity could breed some interesting results along the way.  But aside from Jared McCann, we did not touch on the kids.

So, with the help of Google, Youtube, let's take a look at the haul that had the nattering nabobs almost all predicting that "well, they'll be out of the Top 10 in the Conor McDavid year".  Maybe they realized that, with his moves then, Trader Jim just filled his Cap Wallet for next week while getting better, traded the guy that wanted to go bye, and is doing it all while bringing in a class in the draft that looks like it will reflect well on GMJB's scouting acumen in the future. 18 Million makes it very interesting in the week to come when other teams are up against the Cap.

Predictively speaking, of course.  That is all you can really do in the crapshoot which the Draft can be. What a great bunch of stories in The New Class however :

# 6 overall - Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I assert to you that, while our man tried to get up into the stratosphere of the Draft that would have brought Sam Reinhart home, but was quite happy with the other Local Boy if the deal would not come together.  Mr Benning had everyone guessing so much, while knowing he would get himself a solid young winger either way.  The LW Michael Dal Colle or the "Local Boy" Jake Virtanen on the RW side...( almost everyone was able to predict things in this draft that went so by the book that Bob McKenzie nailed the Top 10 names, and had his list ( slightly out of order here and there ) predict 27 of the first 30 players taken this year. )..either way, the Canucks knew they would get someone who they had scouted and liked who plays exactly like they want to play. Meat and Taters Hockey was the quote, and by the looks of here...that is what we got.

Jake Virtanen looks to be the kind of player who will play the style desired and flourish doing it As a local kid and lifelong Canuck fan, he will be highly motivated to do so as well..  Of course, as this is Vancouver, where discussing a teenagers medical history with strangers in a coffee line is almost a required behaviour, there is "something".  In this case, it is a shoulder injury.  All along the way did their due diligence, and player, management and docs all agree it is something that should not be a problem, but if we did not have something to talk about... Let The Kid Play ? - Probably not in the next year, unless he heals like Deadpool and is able to dazzle at camp.  With a more conservative estimate, it is more likely he will go back to the Hitmen for one more year.  There is always the 10 game thing, if the timing can work out with his medical progression. Boom Or Bust ? - I have Trader Jim's back on this one. Virtanen or Reinhart was always the choice, depending on if Dale Tallon wanted Garrison, it seems. I like who we picked here.  The Local Boy Phenomenon is finally sated for a while. First new local prodigy in 1st Round since cam Neely in 1989. No pressure kid.

#24th overall - Yesterday's mentioned Jared McCann.  A player who is compared to Ryan Kesler, and thus got the welcome one usually reserves for Bieber or Dick Cheney here in LotusLand, at least from the Twitterati.  Even though it was only one quote, it was the #ItIsWhatItIs one, and Canuck Fans have never liked hearing that one. Perhaps we are just a bit sensitive after losing McCann's idol.  He probably would have loved to play with him soon. Crack The Lineup ? - Again, the players make the determination, but this is an NHL shot right here...

...and he will be motivated be a perceived drop down the rankings ( it was a bit of a drop, as Bob had him at #16 ). More Than Likely ? - Well, the kid himself said he needs "one more year of junior," and I think the team might agree.  But I do think he makes the team the year after his one. And hopefully plays like Ryan Kesler as he was making the Early 2000's Canucks team.

Saturday's Child Works Hard For a Living ( actually, Thatcher Demko was born on a Friday, which made him "loving and giving". I was born on the "lucky and happy and good and gay" day myself from that little ditty. )  But I think Thatcher Demko sounds great, and will work hard.

# 36th overall - With their first pick of the Saturday festivities, and two picks after the Flames took a goaltender at #34 ( Mason McDonald , and there were two more taken in the picks just after Demko ) the Canucks took the one that was the Top Ranked Goaltender, but who needs minor hip surgery already ( though he sounds just fine with it here ) That Thatcher Demko is from a hockey hotbed of San Diego differs him from Boston College alum Cory Schneider, but the freshman goalie that dazzled in the last Frozen Four was a player that SuperScoutGM reported he had seen in excess of ten times, living in Boston. He is big, ( 6'4", 192 lbs already ) and always square to the puck like the current Devil's #1 goaltender as well. Here Comes Our Young Goalie Savior Then ? - Well, not right away, he is a sophomore. Sometimes kids come out early, but this is more of a longer term gem. Will He Be Good ? - I love the goaltenders, and this one has quality all over him.  Barring some catastrophic regression, he will be playing in World Juniors for his Home and Native Land as well. But very happy with this pick.

#50th Overall - Which came from Tampa Bay in the Garrison deal, became Linden Vey instead...

#66th Overall - From Russia. Nikita Tryamkin Will Crush You. This was maybe my favorite pick of a day full of them. With their own 3rd round pick the Canucks took a player that may end up comparing to Zdeno Chara in the "Boston Model" that it looks like we are following.  He is massive, at 6'7", and a what has been reported from 228 lbs on his official numbers at NHL.com, to I think I remember 262 lbs from some article I cam across yesterday. He is a Mysterious Russian, who is signed in the KHL in Yekaterinberg for another two years ( but who Botch mentioned in his stories linked to yesterday as a decent possibility of getting finagled over here for training camp ) and can skate like this ( in the only Youtube that comes up when you search his name. ) for his size...

#Yowza ! Play Him NOw ! - We will see if he gets over here for the next camp, but if Trader Jim thought a guy like him was worthy of such a high pick, I am excited.  They would have scouted him a lot, and the kid was a big part of the 2013-2014 Russian World Junior Team as well. More Than Likely ? - Who knows, actually. KHL teams and this situation can be weird, but the player usually gets what he wants, and if he wants to get over here sooner than later, so much the better.  He is technically 20 years old, and farther along developmentally. Just depends on how badly he wants the NHL, and how soon.

#96th Overall - Epic Deep Cover Troll there Hurricanes.  With the Canucks missing # 96 from the portfolio, as it was part of the Zac Dalpe / Jeremy Welsh haul from the Carolina team, it opened the door for them to turn the knife in on that trade that seems to echo through Canuck history forever.  They took Glen Wesley's son Josh. The father was the guy that was picked with the draft pick thrown into the Cam Neely trade.

126th Overall - After long time Swedish Scout Thomas Gradin had pushed for Nylander ( who went to the Leafs two picks after Virtanen ) right up until the end, The Triumvirate decided to listen to the Canuck lifer and picked Gustav Forsling in the 5th round.  He was the 25th best Euro according to Central Scouting's last list before the draft, and is an offensive defenseman. He is 5'11", and a sturdy 176 already ( projects well for a guy his size at his age ). I like what Canucks Army dug up from Pronman on the young Swede.  Now Or Later ? - Who knows? Into the pipeline with you son !

156th overall - When you get to the 6th round, it is a lot more of a crap shoot in the NHL. Character is something the scouts make a big deal about.  Read this McKeen's Hockey before the draft story.  Kyle Pettit played on a stacked and loaded Erie Otter team last year, and while 6'4" and 200 lbs, is not thought of as as much of a "banger" as someone his size might.  I LOVE the way the McKeen's staff talk about him as a "definition of a pro" right now. "Welllll? We're Waiting..." - Ease up there Judge Smails.  Im going with McKeen's on this one for now, until I see him with my own eyes going forward.

Plus he's another Ginger, and the turn and smile is pure 1970's cheese. Like him already.  Will be a part of what looks like the Canucks very own ( Gaunce, Fox, etc... ) OHL team developing some chemistry along the way.

186th overall - If there is one player that may actually inspire that Movie Of the Week, it is Mackenzie Stewart. Check out this story from when he first made the Prince Albert Raiders as a 17 year old. Mackenzie was born deaf, and had numerous surgeries at a young age.  He is an A student along the way, and didn't start playing hockey until he was 12 years old.  At 6'3 " and 218 pounds on draft day, is definitely a big boy.  Playing in the rough and tumble WHL in 55 games, he had 5 goals and 4 assists, and 69 PIM. Oh, and check the discrepancy on his size here, though the WHL should be the most accurate, considering he still plays there.( 6'5" and 237 LBS!? )  Growing like a weed ! Will He Make It All The Way ? - I sure hope so.  You never know in that draft position level, but from the looks of things, he has a lot of drive. Maybe it will be enough.

So, there you have it.  There are a couple that we will just have to trust SuperScoutGM on, and a few that look like possible steals.  We get our first look mid September to see them in action. ( not counting the Grouse grind summer prospect testing coming up soon )

Of course, they have to play to get a feel for how GMJB did. Remember, the Penticton Young Stars tourney is September 12 to 15th. Set your internal hockey clocks accordingly.

Fleury could be franchise defenseman in years to come - RFA decisions to be made today

As you look around the internet, you don't see too much excitement about the draft selections of the Carolina Hurricanes.  There have been grades of "B" and "C", even though it will be years before anyone knows for sure how these players will turn out.

The Canes certainly didn't make a glamorous pick with their number one selection as some Caniacs might have wanted, but Haydn Fleury could be the franchise defenseman this club has needed since the move to Carolina.  Still just 17, (he turns 18 on July 8), Fleury still has some growing to do and could end up taller than his present listing of 6'3.

Fleury could be the type of defensemen that is too expensive for a small-market team to acquire in free agency.  You either draft and develop them, or go without.

The Canes needed another goalie in the system and why not go with the OHL goalie of the year in Alex Nedeljkovic?

The third round pick of Warren Foegele could be a sleeper, especially if he continues to grow.  (He supposedly went on a growth spurt last year and is listed at 6'1 now).  He works out with Gary Roberts in the summer and will again this summer, so all looks good on that front.

It's hard to argue about the drafting of Josh Wesley, for many reasons.  There will be a lot of local folk rooting for this kid to succeed.

The other picks will have a chance to develop and make the most of their opportunities.  It will be up to them on how far they will go.

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In other news, the Hurricanes are required to make a decision regarding their restricted free agents today.  Ron Francis said on Saturday that they would qualify Jiri Tlusty and continue to try to sign him, but he would not give the same confidence regarding the other RFA's.

That means Drayson Bowman, Zach Boychuk, and Andrei Loktionov may or may not be retained.  If they are not qualified by the team today, they hit the free agent market tomorrow.

Other lesser known RFA's also needing a decision are: Michal Jordan, Tommi Kivisto, Justin Shugg, Jared Staal, Aaron Palushaj, Rasmus Rissanen, and Kellan Tochkin.

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Francis also said on Saturday that the team would not be bringing back Radek Dvorak and Mike Komisarek, which is not surprising.  Brett Bellemore, Manny Malhotra, and Justin Peters would also be heading to market.

John Forslund said on 620 The Buzz this morning that both the Washington Capitals and New York Islanders were interested in Peters.   I'm sure the Canes want to sign him to a two-way deal, with Cam Ward seemingly, (definitely) returning next season.  Perhaps he will get a one-way deal elsewhere.

I'm not sure what Malhotra thinks he might get, it seems that much more than minimum would be expecting too much, unless he is looking at a specific location to live.  Bellemore on the other hand could be looking for a bigger payday than what Carolina wants to offer and just might get it.

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The Canes will be looking to add a fourth line forward or two when free agency starts tomorrow, as well as a "depth" defenseman, (according to Francis).  I asked the GM about what type of fourth line player he was looking to bring in, (enforcer?), and Francis said they are looking for someone to hopefully contribute on the penalty kill and play some minutes.

Daniel Altshuller will be reporting to Charlotte next season but with Mike Murphy signing in Europe and John Muse's status unknown, (do not see him listed at Cap Geek or on CH.com), they might need another goalie for the Checkers. (Collin Olson's status is also unknown but it appears that he will not be signed.)

We will be watching for and reporting anything new today and will have our annual open thread on free agent day, starting at noon tomorrow.

While it's expected to be quiet in Carolina, there will still be plenty to talk about as NHL free agency opens at noon today

Thomas Vanek, Matt Moulson, Mark Fayne, Dany Heatley, Brad Richards, and many, many more players will be signing new contracts starting today as NHL free agency kicks off at noon.

The Carolina Hurricanes are expected to take things slowly and look for the bargains, so it would seem that they will not be active today.  Ron Francis has scheduled a press conference at 2 p.m. at the PNC and will address the media at that time.  We will be there and will see what he has to say, but just Saturday the GM said that the team was not looking to make any major additions.

The plan is to add a fourth liner or two and a depth defenseman.

There will still be plenty to talk about though and we will be chiming in here throughout the day.  Feel free to discuss whatever comes up.

Happy Canada Day to our northern neighbors!

Cats make first strike in free agency by inking effective winger to $16M contract.

The Florida Panthers made their first move in free agency today, and it was a good one, by signing left wing Jussi Jokinen to four-year, $16 million contract.

The 31-year-old Jokinen, who was originally drafted by the Dallas Stars in 2000, is coming off a 21-goal, 57-point campaign with the Pittsburgh Penguins and has accumulated 414 points in 660 NHL regular season games.

Jokinen, who bagged a career-high 30 goals in 2009-01 with the Hurricanes, will be a welcome addition to the Panthers top six, giving either Aleksander Barkov or Nick Bjugstad a solid option on the flank.

Career Stats: Hockey Reference

Forward played 32 games for Colorado last season

The Carolina Hurricanes added some size and grit to their bottom six as they signed free agent, Brad Malone, to a two-year deal today.  Listed at 6'2 and 200 plus pounds, he is a bigger than average player who brings some physicality to his game.

The contract will pay Malone $700,000 the first year and $800,000 the second.  The team's presser is below:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 1, 2014

‘CANES AGREE TO TERMS WITH BRAD MALONE

Center played 32 games for the Avalanche in 2013-14

RALEIGH, NC – Ron Francis, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with center Brad Malone on a two-year contract. The deal will pay Malone $600,000 for the 2014-15 season and $700,000 for the 2015-16 season.

"Brad is a big, physical forward," said Francis. "He can play either center or wing and helps improve our team’s depth up front."

Malone, 25, appeared in 32 regular season games for the Colorado Avalanche in 2013-14, totaling three goals, two assists (5 points) and 23 penalty minutes. The Miramichi, N.B., native also made his Stanley Cup playoff debut, skating in six of the Avalanche’s seven games during their opening-round series against Minnesota. Malone (6’2", 207 lbs.) tallied 15 points (8g, 7a) and 75 penalty minutes in 35 games for Lake Erie of the American Hockey League (AHL) before being recalled by Colorado for the balance of the season on March 10.  

Colorado’s fifth selection, 105^th overall, in the fourth round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Malone has totaled four goals, five assists (9 points) and 39 penalty minutes in 54 career NHL games with the Avalanche. He has played 165 career AHL games with Lake Erie, notching 29 goals, 46 assists (75 points) and 263 penalty minutes. Prior to turning professional, Malone played four seasons for the University of North Dakota, helping the Fighting Sioux capture the WCHA regular-season and playoff championships and reach the Frozen Four during his senior year.

Waddell is named the President of Gale Force Sports and Entertainment and will be responsible for raising revenue

The Carolina Hurricanes announced today that Don Waddell was being named as the President of Gale Force Sports and Entertainment.  Team owner, Peter Karmanos, held a press conference at the PNC and introduced Waddell to the local media.

He will be in charge of the business side of things and will try to increase revenue.  The club has never been satisfied with corporate sales or sponsorship and Waddell's addition will probably focus in this area.

During the press conference Karmanos was asked about how he felt about his team and again he affirmed that he felt the team was "very, very, good".

The club's presser follows:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 1, 2014

HURRICANES NAME DON WADDELL PRESIDENT OF GFS&E

Longtime NHL executive joins Hurricanes’ front office

RALEIGH, NC – Peter Karmanos Jr., Owner and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has hired Don Waddell as President of Gale Force Sports & Entertainment.

"Don is a very experienced and well-respected hockey executive," said Karmanos. "He will bring a fresh approach to the business side of the Carolina Hurricanes."

Waddell, 55, comes to Carolina after spending the last three seasons as a professional scout with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Prior to joining the Penguins in January 2012, Waddell was general manager of the Atlanta Thrashers from the team’s founding in 1998, until 2010 when he took the role of team president. Waddell also served as executive vice president and co-chair of the executive committee of the Atlanta Spirit, the parent company of the Thrashers, the National Basketball Association’s Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena. He won the Stanley Cup as assistant general manager of the Detroit Red Wings in 1997-98.

Prior to becoming an NHL executive, Waddell helped build and guide two International Hockey League (IHL) franchises in San Diego (1990-95) and Orlando (1995-97) as those clubs’ executive vice president and general manager. While in Orlando, he was vice president of RDV Sports and served on the executive committee that oversaw the NBA’s Orlando Magic, the IHL’s Orlando Solar Bears and the company’s retail and aviation interests. Waddell was twice named IHL executive of the year (1992-93 and 1995-96).

Waddell played four seasons of Division I collegiate hockey from 1976-80 at Northern Michigan University where he majored in business management. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 1978, and spent three years with the organization. Waddell played more than nine seasons of professional hockey, spending the final years of his playing career as player/coach of the IHL’s Toledo Goaldiggers (1985-86) and Flint Spirits (1986-88). He also served as head coach of the San Diego Gulls in 1991-92, and was interim head coach of the Atlanta Thrashers on two occasions during his tenure with the club.

A native of Detroit, MI, Waddell has served in several capacities with USA Hockey during the past five decades. In October 2013, he was named international consultant with a special focus on player identification and interface with the U.S. National Junior Team and USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program. Waddell was the general manager for United States’ teams at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Italy, and the 2001, 2002 and 2005 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Men’s World Championships. As a player, he helped Team USA to the gold medal at the 1983 IIHF World Championship.

Hurricanes re-sign restricted free agent Jiri Tlusty to a one-year deal

The Carolina Hurricanes re-signed Jiri Tlusty to a one-year deal for $2.95 million on Tuesday.   The team had been working with the winger to try to get him back with the club and qualified him yesterday.

Tlusty is a key piece to the Canes' offense and his return is important for next season.

The club's presser follows:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 1, 2014

HURRICANES AGREE TO TERMS WITH JIRI TLUSTY

Winger notched 16 goals in 2013-14

RALEIGH, NC – Ron Francis, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with winger Jiri Tlusty on a one-year contract. The deal will pay Tlusty $2.95 million for the 2014-15 season.

Tlusty, 26, netted 16 goals and added 14 assists (30 points) in 68 games with the Hurricanes in 2013-14. The Slany, Czech Republic, native ranked tied for fourth on the team in goals and plus/minus rating (+2) and was eighth in points. He was also second on the team in game-winning goals with a career-high five.

Selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round (13^th overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Tlusty (6’0", 209 lbs.) has totaled 73 goals and 69 assists (142 points) in 344 career NHL games with Toronto and Carolina. He established career highs in goals (23) and points (38) during the shortened 2012-13 season with the Hurricanes, ranking tied for fifth in the NHL in goals that year. Tlusty has represented the Czech Republic in four major international tournaments: the 2005 and 2006  U-18 World Championships, the 2006 World Junior Championship and the 2013 IIHF World Championship.

Goalie played with Toronto Marlies most of last year

The Carolina Hurricanes added to their goalie depth with the signing of Drew MacIntyre to a one-year, two-way deal.  MacIntyre played 48 games for the Toronto Marlies last season and finished with a 29-15-3 record and .917 save percentage.

The 31-year-old will provide some veteran leadership for the Checkers and will also bring experience with him if he is needed in Carolina.

The club's presser follows:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 1, 2014

HURRICANES AGREE TO TERMS WITH MacINTYRE

Veteran netminder led Marlies to AHL conference final in 2013-14

RALEIGH, NC – Ron Francis, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with goaltender Drew MacIntyre on a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay MacIntyre $600,000 in the NHL or $250,000 in the American Hockey League (AHL) for the 2014-15 season, with a guarantee of at least $300,000.

"Drew had a strong season last year and provides veteran depth for our organization in net," Francis said.

MacIntyre, 31, was 29-15-3 with a 2.53 goals-against average and .917 save percentage in 48 regular season games for the AHL’s Toronto Marlies in 2013-14. The Charlottetown, P.E.I., native also appeared in two NHL games for the Maple Leafs, going 0-1-0 with a 2.53 goals-against average and .922 save percentage. MacIntyre (6’1", 190 lbs.) was 10-4 with a 2.08 goals-against average and .941 save percentage in 14 Calder Cup playoff games for the Marlies, helping Toronto reach the Western Conference Final before falling to eventual Calder Cup Champion Texas in seven games.

Detroit’s second selection, 121^st overall, in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, MacIntyre has played six NHL games with Vancouver, Buffalo and Toronto, registering a 2.41 goals-against average and .912 save percentage. He has appeared in 353 career AHL games, going 192-117-21 with a 2.43 goals-against average, and was named to the AHL’s Second All-Star Team in 2008-09 and 2007-08.