Carolina Hurricanes Forwards Phil Di Giuseppe and Brock McGinn Are Valuable Assets

Carolina Hurricanes wingers Brock McGinn and Phil Di Giuseppe are both important players for the franchise going forward.

The NHL draft of 2012 has become a good one for the Carolina Hurricanes. The Canes acquired Jordan Staal at that draft and picked Jaccob Slavin late in the 4th round. But today, it is the team’s two 2nd round selections from that draft we focus on. Both are important to the Hurricanes’ future.

Phil Di Giuseppe (38th overall) and Brock McGinn (47th overall) have each played over 60 NHL games. They have put up almost identical numbers, with Di Giuseppe having 4 more assists than McGinn. Stylistically, both play a physical, grinding game. Neither shies away from throwing a hit or attacking the net.

At the moment, each of them are battling for a permanent spot in the National Hockey League. The past two seasons, both have split time between playing in Raleigh and in Charlotte. Last year, Di Giuseppe spent more time with the Canes than McGinn. The reverse is true this season.

For their similarities, there is some uniqueness in their respective games. Di Giuseppe has better hands than McGinn and a better shot. On the flip side, McGinn has shown himself to be a heck of a passer. He also is more of a pest than his teammate. In both their careers, each has shown glimpses of where they can excel in the NHL.

Brock McGinn has seen the press box a few times in the last couple weeks, but his play was stellar about a month ago. He was one of the NHL’s stars of the week in mid-January. While McGinn slowed his roll, Di Giuseppe has performed exceptional of late. He has 3 assists in his last 3 games. He has been one of Carolina’s best forwards.