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The Carolina Hurricanes are Draft Lottery and Playoff Longshots

By Charles Taylor |
Mar 11, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defensemen Brett Pesce (22) goes over the boards on a line change against the Toronto Maple Leafs at PNC Arena. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defensemen Brett Pesce (22) goes over the boards on a line change against the Toronto Maple Leafs at PNC Arena. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

The Carolina Hurricanes won’t win the 2017 NHL Draft lottery or make the playoffs, but that isn’t a concern.

It is a tale as old as time. A song as old as rhyme. The Carolina Hurricanes quest for that elusive and beautiful playoff hockey sure has been a beast to complete. At the same time, the Canes always seem to be just good enough to never stand a chance at winning the draft lottery. It is a tiring trend.

The trend will continue this off-season (pending the miraculous), but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing for the Carolina Hurricanes. This summer looks to be a weird one in the NHL. The inclusion of a new team in Las Vegas, a ‘weak’ draft class, and lackluster free agent market will make this off-season different for sure. Carolina is in a position to capitalize.

For one thing, the draft lottery is substantially weaker this year. Probably the weakest since 2012 when Nail Yakupov went first overall. Nolan Patrick and Nico Hischier are both high quality prospects sure, but neither are poised to take the league by storm like recent top picks. The Canes really aren’t missing out comparatively.

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After those two, the scouting lists are scattered. There is a 2nd tier with Owen Tippett and Gabriel Vilardi, but after that its looks like every man for himself. Just look at the difference in rankings between ISS Hockey and the NHL’s Central Scouting Mid-term. This bodes well for the Hurricanes.

Since they will probably draft around 10th overall, players will fall right into their lap. Given that the quality of player from rankings 6 to 15 are so interchangeable, there is no real value in sliding further down the standings.

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The Canes also hold the most picks in the draft, giving them loads of options. Discounting the skewed nature of 1st round pick values (this year’s 1st round has different values than previous drafts), the Hurricanes hold the most value in the 2017 draft.

While it is annoying the Hurricanes remain fickle about either making the playoffs or winning the lottery, this year it isn’t a problem. The Canes have no real reason to tank this last month. It probably serves them better to fight for the playoffs. At the very least they will get some momentum into next season.

It isn’t fun to miss out on the playoffs. It never is. Canes fans must look forward though. This summer has the makings of being a big one in Raleigh. With so much cap room and so many picks, it would be unimaginable that something big doesn’t happen.

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So, when Carolina sits in hockey’s no man’s land at the end of the season, don’t be alarmed. The season itself may not end how it was supposed to, but there is real reason to be happy about off-season 2017.

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