Carolina Hurricanes Draft Nine

The Carolina Hurricanes made nine selections on draft day 2016 and added six forwards, three defensemen, and a goalie. It would be a surprise if any of those draft picks made the Carolina Hurricanes roster to open the 2016 season. Defenseman Jake Bean from the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League was the first selection in the first round, #13 overall, by the Carolina Hurricanes. He is added to the stable of young defenseman on the Hurricanes roster and in their system.

Right Wing Julien Gauthier from the Val-d'Or Foreurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League was the Carolina Hurricanes second pick of the first round at #21. He has the size at 6'4" and 225 pounds that the Carolina Hurricanes lack. Gauthier will make the Carolina Hurricanes roster sooner rather than later.

NHL Draft 2016

The Carolina Hurricanes stockpiled draft picks for the 2016 National Hockey League Draft to the tune of ten picks in the seven round draft with seven of those picks in the first three rounds, three picks in the first 43 and two of those being in the first round. The Hurricanes do not make their first selection until pick #13. An NHL ready player will not be available at that draft position. The Hurricanes could go in any direction.

The Carolina Hurricanes have a "draft the best player available" philosophy but I believe the Hurricanes need offense. The Hurricanes have ranked near the bottom of the league in goals scored for the past couple of seasons and after trading franchise player Eric Staal this season, the Hurricanes need offense. Most NHL experts agree as all of the mock drafts I have seen have the Hurricanes drafting forwards in the first round. The Hurricanes were on the cusp of making the Stanley Cup playoffs last season.