Draft Prospect Lawson Crouse

Power forward Lawson Crouse is widely regarded as a top ten prospect in the 2015 NHL Draft. He is an impressive physical specimen at 6-4 and 212 pounds and 18 years old and plays with a physical edge and toughness that the Hurricanes lacked last season. He doesn't mind dropping the gloves when he feels it is necessary and the Hurricanes could also use some of that.

He spent the last two seasons with the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League. He didn't exactly set the league on fire with his scoring (51 points in 56 games) but neither did Kingston as a team. He played his way onto the Canada team for the World Junior Championships and helped them win the Gold Medal. He is considered an excellent penalty killer and would add to the Hurricanes penalty killing unit that was the fourth ranked in the league last season.

In an interview with Chip Alexander of the News and Observer, Hurricanes director of amateur scouting Tony MacDonald described Crouse as a "physical specimen and will get even bigger and stronger" and that he plays "a power game." Doug Gilmour, former Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs and current General Manager of the Kingston Frontenacs said in an interview recently "He's a big body. He can skate, he's got a pro shot-his release is phenomenal." Sportsnet's Jonathan Willis compared him to Milan Lucic of the Boston Bruins at this stage in their development.

Gilmour also credits Crouse with another skill that can't be measured on any stats sheet and that is the ability to be a leader. Gilmour said he is great in the clubhouse and "he is going to be a great leader." Crouse picked up the nickname "The Sheriff" from his teammates.

Several mock drafts have Crouse going with the seventh pick to the Philadelphia Flyers but the Hurricanes are taking a serious look at Crouse. The Hurricanes need players that are NHL ready and they need to improve on the 27th ranked offense. Crouse would provide the physical presence they need in front of the net and he is one of the few power forwards available in the draft. Crouse should be available with the fifth selection.