Carolina Hurricanes: 10 Reasons to be Excited for 2015-2016 Season

#1 – Noah Hanifin

Number 1 on this list is fittingly the Hurricanes 1st round draft pick from this year’s draft back in June. Noah Hanifin was drafted 5th overall by the ‘Canes which might be a huge steal. Hanifin was the second youngest player ever to play at Boston College and a leader on the United States’ blue line in the the World Junior Championships. He has been compared to guys like Duncan Keith and Drew Doughty.

At Carolina Hurricanes Prospects Development Camp, he signed an entry level contract, signaling to many he is going to make the jump to the NHL this fall. He still has to get through training camp, but all indications point to him making the roster for opening night.

Justin Faulk proved this past year that he can be an elite defenseman on a consistent basis, even at age 23. The idea of adding another defenseman that projects to be better than Faulk is right now should make ‘Canes fans drooling at the mouth. It looks like the blue line is set for the next decade.

To be fair, Hanifin has never played an NHL game and could very well play most of the year with the Charlotte Checkers. But, it looks very likely Hanifin will make his NHL debut sometime this season. Having the chance to see Hanifin suit up for the ‘Canes will be a big event for Caniac Nation, one everyone is looking forward to.

More on Noah Hanifin –> here