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Carolina Hurricanes What Could Have Been: Elite Players Selected Directly After a Canes Pick

By Austin Isham

DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 16: Erik Karlsson #65 of the San Jose Sharks fires a shot on goal against the Colorado Avalanche in the first period at the Pepsi Center on January 16, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 16: Erik Karlsson #65 of the San Jose Sharks fires a shot on goal against the Colorado Avalanche in the first period at the Pepsi Center on January 16, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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Connor Hellebuyck

The Carolina Hurricanes missed out on a real number one tendy

The first goaltender on this list, Connor Hellebuyck would have solidified the Hurricanes’ crease. Selected 130th overall in 2012, he was picked just after Brendan Woods.

Woods, like Boychuck, was a long time AHLer who was a big part of the several Checkers’ teams. Only appearing in seven NHL games he isn’t really much of a bust since he wasn’t drafted until the fifth round. A time where you are just hoping you can hit gold, it is common for teams to select a guy because of certain qualities they possess.

In Wood’s case, he was a big body who could play a physical game. Not ever expected to be much more than a fourth-liner at the NHL level had he reached his potential, it isn’t the end of the world that he didn’t pan out.

What stinks, however, is the fact that an All Star-Vezina caliber goaltender was available. Now I know the goaltending position is voodoo and it is almost impossible to predict which teenager will have success at the NHL level but Hellebuyck would have looked really nice in a Canes’ sweater.

The MVP of the Jets this season he has been the main reason they’ve been able to overcome the loss of pretty much their entire defense core. With 2.57 GAA and .922 save percentage he has performed well above what was expected of him. Just imagine a goalie with his skill level playing behind the current Hurricanes defense.

At 26 years of age, he is just beginning to enter his prime years. There is a strong possibility he could win the Vezina this season as the league’s top netminder.

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