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The Carolina Hurricanes Top-5 Prospects |
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The Carolina Hurricanes are a team with a lot of depth in terms of prospects to go along with a pretty young roster in general. While they have some very promising high end guys, it's the depth that really shines through. That and their new decision to become an unofficial member state of the EU. They have quality prospects at forward and defense, yet they still have that Achilles Heel. Goaltending. Not just at at pro level, but the prospect level. Goalies are always a rough one (unless you're the Ducks I suppose), but few teams have whiffed like the Canes have in the last decade.
5.Valentin Zykov - Left Winger, 6'1 225lbs, 23 Years Old, 37th Overall, 2013, Charlotte Checkers in the AHL
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The once draft pick of the LA Kings seems to be proving an old adage bandied about around hockey that the "third year as a pro is the most important year." This applies to the NHL and AHL. Zykov more than doubled his previous goal total and lead the AHL with 33 goals. It's been 5 seasons since Zykov was the CHL and QMJHL Rookie of the Year. A player who mixed a grinding physical two-way game with a touch of creativity and strong shooting ability. Since then he has had solid years in the Q, a disappointing first season as a pro and a mediocre sophomore season. Why is he then considered a good prospect? His game translates to the NHL really well. He knows how to get to the net, he is strong on the forecheck and he has that goal scorers knack of finding ways to get it done. He's shown some flashes of this in his briefs stints in the NHL.
Next season I think Zykov will make the Hurricanes in a third line role. He has proven all he needs to in the AHL after leading the league in goal scoring. I don't expect him to ever be a huge goal scorer in the NHL, but I can see him being a solid secondary piece. A guy who can play in the top-6 if needed or fill in more comfortably as a dangerous depth player. A 15-20 goal area player.
Potential : 3rd Line Goal Scorer
4. Aleksi Saarela - Centreman/Left Winger, 5'11 198lbs, 21 Years Old, 89th Overall, 2015, Charlotte Checkers in the AHL
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Saarela joins the Finnish cast and crew of the Hurricanes. He was originally drafted by the New York Rangers in the Eric Staal trade. Saarela has had a strong domestic career in Finland as well as some impressive showings internationally. He had an impressive 10 points in 9 games when he came off loan last year to play in the AHL and followed that up with a strong rookie campaign. He has played centre a lot, mainly internationally, but he has played quite a bit on the wing. With his size, I think he will end up a winger in the NHL.
He's a shooter first and foremost and has shown that throughout his career. He uses his speed a lot to cut into the centre. A bit dangerously with his size, but you have to love the willingness.
With the Hurricanes roster all but set, he would really need to blow the doors off to make the team. Look for a big year in the AHL.
Potential : Top-6 Winger
3. Jake Bean - Left Defenseman, 6'1 172lbs, 20 Years Old, 13th Overall, 2016, Tri-City Americans in the WHL
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Bean is a very boom/bust prospect in my mind. He is an explosive offensive defenseman that can run roughshod over opponents when he's on his game and can give it all away with a misread the next moment. It's the live by the sword and die by it mentality. In his 219 games in the WHL he had 196 points. Including a 24 goal season (helped by Travis Sanheim). He's a fantastic puck mover and lethal PP QB. With great vision and a hard shot, he looks poised to be a strong offensive contributor in the NHL.
Defensively it's a bit interesting because if you watched him in either of the U20's he participated in for Canada he was a very different player than in the WHL. He wasn't making end to end rushes and he wasn't playing with reckless abandon. He still made some gaffs, but they weren't as noticeable and he didn't have to be the main force of scoring. This is the development curve that will make or break Bean in the NHL. Can he play a calmer game? Or will that calmer game ruin what is extreme raw talent?
Next season Bean turns pro and will start with the Checkers. With the Canes defense pretty much set aside from a potential Faulk deal, it's likely the Checkers defense will be pretty full. I think it will be a good test to see how his game translates against professionals. With the likes of Trevor Carrick and Roland McKeown likely taking up the majority of PP time, we'll see how Bean can do.
Potential : Top-4 PP QB
2. Martin Necas - Centreman, 6'1 174lbs, 19 Years Old, 12th Overall, 2017, HC Kometa Brno in the Czech Extraliga
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Necas was already a very interesting player when he was drafted. He was one of the highest scoring draft eligible players to come out of the Extraliga in a long time. Unlike a lot of Czech or Slovak players, Necas remained in the Czech Republic to play against men 17. He won the Extraliga on the back of his 15 points in 47 games campaign and had solid showings at the U18 and U20 tournaments. Going into this season he was a bit of a wildcard in terms of how strong a prospect he really was. Sitting here now it's apparent the Canes have a player here.
Necas won the Extraliga Player of the Year as his team went on to win the Championship. He scored 11 points in the U20's tying Mittelstadt for the tournament lead. He also represented the Czech Republic in the World Championships and had a respectable 5 points in 7 games. A fantastic season and one that he will hope to piggyback into a full time spot with the Canes.
He's an explosive skater that will fit well into today's NHL. He has fantastic vision and really knows how to get shooters the puck. He's a competent defensive centre for one so young, but will really need to gain some size to handle a more physical league.
Next season there are three options. He can make the Hurricanes out of camp. He can be sent to the AHL. He can be sent on loan again to the Czech Republic. I think the latter is the least likely. Depending on the size he shows up to camp and the performance of many of the other older forward prospects the Canes have waiting in the wings will likely to determine where he fits in. One thing is certain though, the thought of Necas passing to Svechnikov is very appealing.
Potential : Top-6 Playmaking Centre
1. Andrei Svechnikov - Right Winger, 6'2 187lbs, 18 Years Old, 2nd Overall, 2018, Barrie Colts in the OHL
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Much like Dahlin in my previous blog, this is a no brainer. The second overall pick in 2018 was the only legitimate contender to knock Dahlin off his throne and a mix of Dahlin's brilliance and an injury made Svechnikov a lovely consolation prize...especially considering the Canes really don't need defense.
Svechnikov is poised to be the best natural goal scorer since...well 2016 thanks to Matthews and Laine both being ridiculous. In the OHL his 40 goals in 44 games pops right out at you. It makes you wonder how he fared historically in terms of draft eligible OHL goal scorers. It may shock you, but his 5vs5 goal production is the best since in over two decades. Ahead of Stamkos, McDavid, Tavares et all. I want to stress this is goal scoring. Looking back to his pre-draft year in Muskegan in the USHL he also scored on the pace of players like Eichel and Matthews. All this to say that Svechnikov looks like he can finally deliver the elite offensive punch the Canes have missed since Eric Staal's heyday.
He's fast, he's powerful, he can score from anywhere and he can use his size to great effect including being a physical player. While it's unfair to expect Svechnikov to enter the league with the same level of goal scoring prowess as Matthews or Laine who both had the best rookie scoring levels since Ovechkin; I think he can score in the 30-35 range this season if he's given a chance.
Potential : Rocket Trophy Contending Winger
Thanks for reading. Hello Bingo!
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