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Regrading the Carolina Hurricanes 2014 NHL Draft Part 1

By Jackson Villanova

RALEIGH, NC - APRIL 15: Haydn Fleury #4 of the Carolina Hurricanes shoots the puck 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 shoots the puck 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) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 15: Haydn Fleury #4 of the Carolina Hurricanes on defense during a 2-0 Hurricanes win over the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on October 15, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 15: Haydn Fleury #4 of the Carolina Hurricanes on defense during a 2-0 Hurricanes win over the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on October 15, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Haydn Fleury (1st round, 7th overall Pick)

Haydn Fleury at the time was the Canes 7th overall pick and the Hurricanes’ second consecutive top 7 pick with Elias Lindholm being the 5th overall pick in the draft before him. Early reports had Fleury as a player that could skate well and the ability to control the puck as well as plenty of offensive upside as shown below:

In todays’ game, those aspects of his skillset are still obvious. Fleury hasn’t seen his career takeoff the way he may have anticipated, nonetheless the left shot defenseman is still showing promise. Fleury has been exchanged back and forth between the Hurricanes AHL and NHL squads in the past 3 years.

When Fleury was able to have a nearly full season with the Charlotte Checkers in the 2016-2017 season, he produced 26 points which tied for 10th on the team. While they weren’t eye popping numbers, Fleury wasn’t necessarily known for his offensive game. It also didn’t help Fleury that after the 2016-2017 season the Canes blue line became better and better.

With the emergence of players like Jaccob Slavin, Brett Pesce, Justin Faulk and trades for players such as Dougie Hamilton, Joel Edmundson and Trevor Van Reimsdyk, the Canes suddenly weren’t devoid of talent at the defensive position. Signing Jake Gardiner this past offseason and Calvin De Haan the offseason before didn’t help Fleurys case.

With that being said, Fleury has put up 12 points, 123 blocks, 116 hits and 26 takeaways in 98 career games for the Carolina Hurricanes. Fleury has been playing mostly on a third line defensive pairing without receiving consistent NHL minutes, which means he hasn’t exactly been set up for success.

Fleury may need a change of scenery to produce more and just an opportunity with the canes because even though Fleury’s name has recently been rumored in trade speculation, people still forget this guy was a 7th overall pick with loads of upside.

Grade: B-

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