The Carolina Hurricanes have four draft picks in the first two rounds of this year’s NHL Entry Draft in June. When they traded Andrej Sekera to LA they got the Kings’ 24th pick this year.
This shot at a second first round pick is another testament to General Manager Ron Francis’ skill at transactions. At this year’s trade deadline he was able to deal unrestricted free agent Sekera to the playoff chasing Kings for a tremendous prospect in Roland McKeown and this draft slot.
Related Story: Hurricanes Prospect Roundup: Roland McKeown
Cardiac Cane has looked at most of the major prospect scouting sources, considered many of the mock draft results available online, and compiled lists of preferred choices for the Canes first four picks. This is the second of those four editorials covering the best options at each draft spot. You can read the first one here: Hurricanes Draft Options: Pick #13.
First Round – Pick #24
As we pointed out in our first Draft Options piece yesterday, the Hurricanes need forwards that can contribute and put points on the board, so there are two good European imports to fill that need below.
The Hurricanes prospect pool is chock-full of defensemen, but there are two really good-looking ones that should be available when the 24th pick comes around, so we included them as well.
Player rankings, stats and some scouting commentary is courtesy of the excellent work at DraftSite.com and EliteProspects.com.
German Rubtsov – Center – 6’1” 174 pounds
Born June 27, 1998, Chekhov, RU
2015-2016 Season: 28 games, 12 goals, 14 assists, 26 points – Team Russia U-18 (MHL)
German Rubtsov is a small forward that plays bigger than his slight frame. Scouting reports say it’s very hard to knock him off the puck when he has it, and when he is under pressure he’s very good at escaping it.
When he does lose control he’s quick to use his strong East-West mobility and active stick to gain it back. He’s good in the neutral zone, and has good positioning in the passing lanes when he’s back checking. A good player in all three zones.
Rubtsov is not a pure goal scorer, but he uses his puck control skills to make his line-mates look better. His ability to hang onto the puck until seams appear or passing lanes open is advanced, and would make him a great addition to a line with a goal-scorer.
As one scouting report indicated, his performance in the World Junior Challenge may have gone a long way in proving he’s a top-25 NHL propsect, especially when the Russians faced Team U.S.A. There’s a great compilation video available on YouTube from Ian Matheson that highlights some of Rubtsov’s skills and abilities during that tourney and over the last year.
He’s dominated in the Russian Junior League and at Under-18 tournaments, but it’s difficult to project how he’d fare with the size and speed of the NHL. He does appear to have all the skills to make it in the big leagues though. With a little more weight on his 6’1” frame he could be really good.
Carl Grundstrom – Left Wing – 6’0” 194 pounds
Born December 1, 1997, Umeå, SWE
2015-2016 Season: 49 games, 7 goals, 9 assists, 16 points – Modo Hockey (SHL)
Carl Grundstrom is the big, heavy and gritty forward that the Hurricanes need to compete, as Cardiac Cane pointed out recently. His name even sounds tough.
He’s definitely not a goal scorer, as his 16 points in 49 games this season would clearly indicate. Scouts though say he is a “team first” player who riles opponents whenever he can with his nastiness. He loves to crash the crease and stay there with a strong physical presence. The other teams just don’t like him when he’s on the ice.
Aside from the physical aspects of his game he shows a nice touch with the puck, and can make precise passes in traffic and through the neutral zone.
For the Hurricanes he would add the size and grit we need from a bottom-six forward, and add another very good weapon on an already good penalty-killing squad.
Markus Niemelainen – Defense- 6’6” 205 pounds
Born June 8, 1998, Kuopio, FIN
2015-2016 Season: 65 games, 1 goals, 26 assists, 27 points – Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
At 6’6” and 200+ Markus Niemelainen has the ability to knock opponents off the puck, and with a good, active stick he can pick it up and move it the other way. He has great North-South vision and mobility, and is very good at clearing his defensive zone with smart passes.
Scouting reports indicate that he can can contribute at the other end as well, as do his scoring stats, with 26 of his 27 points this season coming from assists. He shows great potential to become a good two-way NHL defenseman.
Like many European youngsters he is still adjusting to the smaller North American ice, but he improved with each game he played with Saginaw this season. He’s not yet 18-years old, and is still developing, but seems to have all the tools to become an NHL player.
Logan Stanley – Defense- 6’6” 209 pounds
Born May 26, 1998, Kitchener, ON
2015-2016 Season: 64 games, 5 goals, 12 assists, 17 points – Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Logan Stanley is another BIG defenseman who hasn’t yet turned 18, and loves to use his size by playing physical. Like Grundstrom he has become that nasty player that other teams dread when he’s on the ice.
He loves to clear his own crease, and with his mammoth size very few forwards in the OHL can challenge him when his mind is set. His good stick work and condor-like wingspan allow him to close gaps against opponents very efficiently.
Aside from his work in the D-zone he is a decent two-way defenseman, who can chip in offensively when it’s needed. Scouts who followed him say that his offensive game improved as the Spitfires season progressed, and he looked very good in their 1st round playoff series against the Kitchener Rangers.
At only 209 pounds he will definitely need to add some weight to his 6’6” frame, and his skating and mobility could use some more development. However, he does have the skills to garner Francis’ attention, and with the Canes current crop of defensemen there’s plenty of time to let him develop.
Next: Hurricanes Prospect Roundup: Sebastian Aho
So you’re General Manager Ron Francis for a day, and you get to pick which player gets the chance to be the next generation of the Carolina Hurricanes. Which one of these four do you choose with your 24th pick? Did we miss your choice on this list?
Let us know what you think in the comments below, or give us an earful on our Twitter feed or Facebook page. The Hurricanes next pick is in the second round at #43. Our decisions on what to do with it will be coming soon.