2013: Elias Lindholm (F) 5th Overall 818 GP 218 G 339 A 201 PIM
The Hurricanes really messed this one up. Lindholm has become an all-star and 40-goal scorer. Unfortunately, this all happened after the ‘Canes traded him away. This was a classic case of a player who was rushed to the NHL before he was ready and had his development hindered as a result. I do believe the Hurricanes let him go too soon as he was starting to show more promise, posting back-to-back 40-point seasons before he was shipped up to Calgary along with Noah Hanifin. The trade to Calgary netted the Hurricanes Dougie Hamilton, Michael Ferland, and the rights to Adam Fox. I did not love the trade at the time and as time progresses, it is honestly getting worse. Not retaining any of the players in return for longer than a couple of seasons. Fox has turned into one of the best defensemen in the NHL and Lindholm has become a consistent point producer in the years since. Other options the Hurricanes missed on include all-stars Bo Horvat (9th Overall) and Josh Morrisey (13th Overall), as well as other impact players such as Sean Monahan (6th Overall), Darnell Nurse (7th Overall), Rasmus Ristolainen (8th Overall), Valeri Nichushkin (10th Overall), Nikita Zadurov (16th Overall), and Shea Theodore (26th Overall).
Note: I was shocked that Shea Theodore has never been an all-star. Also current Hurricanes winger Jake Guentzel was drafted in the 3rd round (77th Overall)