The Carolina Hurricanes made the right decision Wednesday sending rookie forward, Jack Drury, back down to the AHL.
It is never ideal to head to the minors, but this is a good thing for Drury and the organization.
For one, it shows the organizational depth the Hurricanes possess but also that the NHL squad is playing well enough to not have space for the promising youngster.
The return of Teuvo Teravainen and Sebastian Aho to the lineup from injury has provided the NHL depth envisioned by Don Waddell in the off-season.
The last piece to Waddell’s puzzle will be the debut of the acquisition Max Pacioretty, which means someone else will have to be removed from the starting lineup.
The competition created by depth is a benefit to the organization, but the bonus is spreading the talent to the AHL.
The 2022 Calder Cup Champions are having a rough season, sitting in last place with 23 points.
In no way will Drury’s arrival turn the entire season around immediately, but it will certainly improve the chances of getting out of the cellar.
Also having a player like Drury on the team will help other players on the roster excel, whether it is his line mates or other players learning from his experiences in the NHL.
Individually it will be a great opportunity for Drury as long as he can handle the back and forth of a young call-up.
After playing a secondary role with the Canes, Drury has direction and an idea of what it takes to play in the NHL. He will have an opportunity to hone those skills while continuing to develop his offensive creativity.
Drury will leave after his longest stint in the NHL with 21 games played and 2 points.
The leading point producer in Chicago is Jamieson Rees with 20 points. Vasily Ponomarev leads the team in goals with 9.
Time will tell the response from Drury, but this is a player that is sure to be a big part of this organization for years to come.