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Carolina Hurricanes: A Look Ahead at the Seattle Expansion Draft

By Austin Isham

SEA ISLAND, GA - DECEMBER 04: (L to R) Adrian Hanauer, NHL Seattle franchise Vice-Chairman David Wright, Jay Deutsch, Jerry Bruckheimer, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, NHL Seattle franchise majority owner David Bonderman, Len Potter, and NHL Seattle franchise President and CEO Tod Leiweke pose for a photo during the NHL Board of Governors Meeting on December 4, 2018 in Sea Island, Georgia. The NHL Board of Governors approved expanding to Seattle, making the franchise the 32nd team in the league. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
SEA ISLAND, GA - DECEMBER 04: (L to R) Adrian Hanauer, NHL Seattle franchise Vice-Chairman David Wright, Jay Deutsch, Jerry Bruckheimer, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, NHL Seattle franchise majority owner David Bonderman, Len Potter, and NHL Seattle franchise President and CEO Tod Leiweke pose for a photo during the NHL Board of Governors Meeting on December 4, 2018 in Sea Island, Georgia. The NHL Board of Governors approved expanding to Seattle, making the franchise the 32nd team in the league. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – APRIL 15: Haydn Fleury #4 of the Carolina Hurricanes fires a slap shot in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Washington Capitals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 15, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – APRIL 15: Haydn Fleury #4 of the Carolina Hurricanes fires a slap shot in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Washington Capitals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 15, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Verdict

There will certainly be numerous changes on the Hurricanes roster from now until the 2021 offseason and it is hard to predict how exactly players will progress. Based on this list, however, Haydn Fleury seems like the best option for Seattle.

Having a well rounded core of top four defenseman is vitally important for a team to be successful in the NHL. Should he reach his potential Fleury should make a solid stay at home shut down defenseman although lacking any real offensive flair to his game.

With Slavin and Pesce signed long term at bargain deals it is hard to see any of them being exposed. Hamilton, although needing a new contract in 2021, has fit in well on the blue line this past season and provides the team an offensive dimension the other two currently lack, but that is not say they won’t develop.

While losing Fleury would hurt the Hurricanes if he reaches his potential, there should be enough in the pipeline to take his place in a few years. Players like Jesper Sellgren, Jake Bean, Roland McKeown, and Domenick Fensore all could find themselves on or competing for a roster spot by 2021. No matter who Seattle decides to take, the Hurricanes will definitely lose someone off of their NHL roster this time around.

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Who do you see Seattle taking in the 2021 expansion draft?

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