When the Carolina Hurricanes stepped to the podium during the first round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, then-GM Ron Francis had defense on his mind. The selection of Haydn Fleury with the seventh overall pick looked to be a solid one.
On paper, the then-seventeen year-old stood 6’3″ and weighed 201 pounds, and looked as if could provide a physical presence on the Carolina Hurricanes blue line for many years to come. During the 2013/14 season Haydn Fleury scored 46 points in 70 games ( 8 goals and 38 assists) for the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League. With that strong performance during his draft year, scouts and pundits hailed Fleury as a solid pick at number seven. With those physical attributes and soft hands, Canes fans were filled with excitement of what the future held for this young defenseman.
Fast forward to 2018, and Carolina Hurricanes fans are still waiting to see exactly what Haydn Fleury will develop into. He remains with the Charlotte Checkers after failing to make a significant impact with the Canes during 67 games in the 2017/18 season. While Fleury ranked fourth on the team in blocks with 94 last season, he only tallied 8 points, all on assists. Fleury made the Canes’ opening night roster this season but has only appeared in 12 games. registering a single assist. It is also worth noting that only one skater, Steven Halko, has played more games for the Carolina Hurricanes without scoring a goal (155, to Fleury’s 79).
This leads us to a serious question: has the opportunity for Haydn Fleury to make an impact in Raleigh passed him by?
With players like Jake Bean, Roland Mckeown, and Trevor Carrick all making their cases for call-ups, and a loaded blue line in Raleigh, it seems as if Fleury will be on the outside looking in.
What are the alternatives for a player of his caliber? The Canes do not have much time until a decision must be made on whether or not to pull the plug and label Fleury a bust, or re-sign him and continue to attempt to develop him into an NHL caliber defenseman; Fleury is in the last year of his 3-year entry-level deal, which pays him $863,333 annually.
While it is tempting to label Fleury as a bust, that would not be fair. In 79 games he has totaled just 9 points, all through assists. However, he has often been paired with the offensive-minded Justin Faulk, and has been relegated to playing stay-at-home defense to complement Faulk’s attacking style. This has likely hindered his development, and not particularly harnessed his abilities.
Contrary to that belief is that since Rod Brind’Amour has taken the reins, Fleury has spent most of his time either in the pressbox or in Charlotte, leaving fans to wonder if the young defenseman is not in the fiery coach’s future plans, or is simply not developing as fast as the team would like.
The verdict on Fleury remains out, yet the decision must be made soon. Does the team choose to be a little more patient with their one-time first round draft pick, or let him walk and risk him turning into the star he was once thought to have become here?