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Carolina Hurricanes: Top 5 Potential Hidden Gems in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft

By Matthew Nidiffer

DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: The jumbotron shows Andrei Svechnikov react after being selected second overall by the Carolina Hurricanes during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: The jumbotron shows Andrei Svechnikov react after being selected second overall by the Carolina Hurricanes during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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KELOWNA, BC – DECEMBER 18: Hugo Leufvenius #14 of Team Sweden warms up with the puck against the Team Russia at Prospera Place on December 18, 2018 in Kelowna, Canada. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images)
KELOWNA, BC – DECEMBER 18: Hugo Leufvenius #14 of Team Sweden warms up with the puck against the Team Russia at Prospera Place on December 18, 2018 in Kelowna, Canada. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images) /

4. Hugo Leufvenius

I know. The first word to pop up in your head was, ‘Who?’, right? (Spoiler: You’re gonna be thinking that a lot whilst reading this). Mine, too. Until I did a bit of research on this guy. Hugo Leufvenius is a versatile, Swedish-born, left-handed C/LW who can make plays like it’s nobody’s business. Leufvenius is projected to be picked close to 160th overall or so this year.

I’m not kidding, either. The young forward had 37 goals and 44 assists for a combined 81 points in 66 games played with the Sarnia Sting during the 2018-19 season. Now, before I conjure up nightmares of Nail Yakupov, there is a bit of a balm about Leufvenius that can soothe the Sting (see what I did there?) that Yakupov left on the NHL a few years ago.

Leufvenius scored 2 goals and 3 assists for a combined 5 points in 5 games played with the Sweden U20 team this past season as well. Leufvenius is smart, fast, and has hand-eye coordination for days. His passing is near unparalleled at the OHL level, and he knows how to score to boot. He may, after all, turn into another Yakupov. Yakupov’s numbers were better, and had far more hype surrounding him.

This prospect, however, has an entirely different aura about him. He wants to win. He shows more heart in his game than I had ever seen from Yakupov. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Leufvenius’ name on various scoresheets in the NHL by the time Seattle’s team begins contention in 2021-22.

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