A Look At The 5 Carolina Hurricanes Pending College Free Agents

F David Cotton – Boston College

Back in 2015 when the Hurricanes selected David Cotton with the 169th overall pick in the draft, he was viewed as a long-term project. Now, the Canes eagerly await to reap the benefits of Cotton’s development nearly five years after selecting him.

Cotton, who’s the captain of the Boston College hockey team, has exploded as an offensive threat in recent years and plays a committed 200-foot game. He’s 6’3, 205lbs, can play both center and wing, and has scored 75 points over 71 games in his past 2 seasons there.

Prospect scout Scott Wheeler has expressed optimism in Cotton’s game:

"“One of the better forwards in the NCAA these days, Cotton blends size with a well-rounded offensive game to make small plays all over the ice and drive play without being the most skilled player in the world. He can get to the net and score in tight. He can score from the slot with a hard wrist shot. He can drift wide and make the odd play through the middle of the ice as a passer. He can play the chip-and-chase game to make things happen on the cycle and spend shifts in the offensive zone. …”"

He continued:

"“The Canes should (and likely will) sign him and give him an opportunity in the Checkers’ top nine next year. I’m not sure where he fits in an NHL lineup just yet but there’s potential there.”"

Cotton’s season at Boston College is still underway, as his team qualified for the playoffs and are considered among the favourites for the Hockey East Championship. Because of that, we likely won’t get clarity on Cotton’s future until after his season concludes, which could be a bit of a ways away yet.

Some people had wondered about Cotton potentially not wanting to sign with the Canes when he returned to Boston College for his senior season, and assumed he’d want to walk into free agency and pick his destination. Cotton cleared the air before the season:

"“By no means was my decision about Carolina. My decision was solely based on my wanting to establish a legacy here at Boston College. Earlier I was elected captain and that’s a pretty select group, so that was the main reason” Cotton said about his decision."

At the 2019 prospects camp, coach Rod Brind’Amour expressed optimism in Cotton eventually signing with the team.

"“The hope is when he gets done he’ll want to sign with us based on the relationship we have with him and him wanting to be here” Rod said."

Cotton has been pretty complemental about the organization during his four years at prospect camp, where he was also named one of the two team captains in the 2019 edition. After the camp ended, Cotton said the following about Carolina:

"“You know, just every time you get to put on that white and red [Hurricanes] jersey, and see the logo on it, it kind of all just hits you at once that like wow, I’m here. And that’s a feeling that won’t go away for a while … it’s extremely special for me.”"

Hopefully, when his season concludes in the coming weeks, Cotton will hold true to his word and sign with the team that had enough faith in him to make his draft-day dream come true way back in 2015. If not, he’s sure to have plenty of potential suitors in free agency, and the Hurricanes will get no compensation should he walk on or after August 15th.