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Revisiting the Carolina Hurricanes 2010 Draft Class

By Alex Ohari

RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 31: Carolina Hurricanes Left Wing Jeff Skinner (53) during the 2nd period of the Carolina Hurricanes game versus the New York Rangers on March 31, 2018, at PNC Arena (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 31: Carolina Hurricanes Left Wing Jeff Skinner (53) during the 2nd period of the Carolina Hurricanes game versus the New York Rangers on March 31, 2018, at PNC Arena (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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1st round, 7th overall: F Jeff Skinner

It should go without saying, but obviously, Jeff Skinner turned out to be a phenomenal pick by the Carolina Hurricanes. They selected him seventh overall in 2010 (2 picks after NYI selected Nino Neiderreiter 5th overall) after he put up a 50-goal season with the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL, and added 20 goals in 20 playoff games.

Skinner was hailed as the best goal scoring threat in the draft, and was widely lauded for his skating ability. As you might remember, Skinner went on to have immediate success as a Hurricane, jumping straight from the draft onto the roster and his 31-goal, 63-point rookie season as an 18-year old got him an All-Star game invite and a Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year.

RALEIGH, NC – JANUARY 12: Carolina Hurricanes Left Wing Jeff Skinner (53) skates during a game between the Washington Capitals and the Carolina Hurricanes at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC on January 12, 2018. Washington defeated Carolina 4-3. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – JANUARY 12: Carolina Hurricanes Left Wing Jeff Skinner (53) skates during a game between the Washington Capitals and the Carolina Hurricanes at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC on January 12, 2018. Washington defeated Carolina 4-3. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Unfortunately, that rookie season was the pinnacle of Skinner’s career with the team. Though he would go on to eclipse those 31 goals, he was visibly inconsistent, and could never lead the Hurricanes into the playoffs – and has yet to play a playoff game in his 9-year career. Despite the lack of team success, Skinner scored 204 goals for the Hurricanes, and his 244 career goals trail only Tyler Seguin (262) in the 2010 draft class.

With a 40-goal season, as well as 3 30-goal seasons under his belt, Skinner has easily lived up to his draft status. Only Seguin and Taylor Hall have more career points than him from that draft class.

Pick Grade: A

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