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Carolina Hurricanes: Updating the 2019 Draft Class – Part 1 of 3

By Alex Ohari

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 21: Ryan Suzuki reacts after being selected twenty-eighth overall by the Carolina Hurricanes during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 21: Ryan Suzuki reacts after being selected twenty-eighth overall by the Carolina Hurricanes during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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ST CATHARINES, ON – OCTOBER 11: Ryan Suzuki #61 of the Barrie Colts skates with the puck during the second period of an OHL game against the Niagara IceDogs at Meridian Centre on October 11, 2018 in St Catharines, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
ST CATHARINES, ON – OCTOBER 11: Ryan Suzuki #61 of the Barrie Colts skates with the puck during the second period of an OHL game against the Niagara IceDogs at Meridian Centre on October 11, 2018 in St Catharines, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

C Ryan Suzuki (1st round, 28th overall)

Ryan Suzuki, brother of Montreal Canadiens forward Nick Suzuki, was the first round draft choice by the Canes, at 28th overall. He was projected to go in the middle of the first-round, so Carolina was elated that he dropped to them at the end of the first.

Scott Wheeler ranked him #1 amongst Carolina Hurricanes prospects, and said the following about him:

"“[Ryan Suzuki] is ridiculously skilled, and that made him my No. 16 prospect, so the Hurricanes knocked this one out of the park at No. 28. The reward will be significant once (or if) he puts it all together. Suzuki is one of the best playmakers in the draft.”"

After putting up a stat-line of 25 goals, 50 assists and 75 points in 65 games last year, he had a tougher start to his season in Barrie this past fall. He suffered a very serious eye injury early in November, and as a result missed almost 2 months recovering from it.

The Barrie Colts, Suzuki’s initial team, made a decision to trade off a majority of their veterans, so Suzuki was shipped out to the Saginaw Spirit. Since arriving in Saginaw; playing alongside top 2020 draft prospect Cole Perfetti, Suzuki has 9 goals and 25 points in 15 games. Those 25 points surpass the 23 he had in 21 games for Barrie earlier in the year.

An exceptional playmaker with sky-high hockey sense, Suzuki’s inconsistency and sometimes his effort level is the only criticism scouts have had of his play. I’ve personally seen him live in Ottawa on multiple occasions – I’d say he needs to add some strength as well (he gets pushed around in the faceoff dot). But his skill level is blatantly visible when he’s out there.

Moving forward, Suzuki has all the tools to be a creative, playmaking center for the Hurricanes in the future. He has half-wall potential on the powerplay, and should he develop properly, he will likely slot in as the 2C behind Sebastian Aho for the Carolina Hurricanes someday down the road. He’s got a ways to go, but has very good upside.

Estimated NHL arrival: 3 years away

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