The Carolina Hurricanes waited almost four hours to trade their pick on Friday night, but we all knew it was coming. The 31st pick turned into the 42nd and the 57th picks after they struck a deal with the Nashville Predators shortly before 11:00 pm EST. Now, the Hurricanes are primed to make two selections to start the day on Saturday.
Because only 32 players can call themselves first-round selections, there's a litany of talent remaining for the Hurricanes to pick from. Below are eight players that I'm keeping my eye on in the second round as we prepare for the start of Day 2 of the 2026 NHL Draft. It's going to be a very long day for many, but these eight should have new homes by the end of the round.
1. Niklas Aaram-Olsen
Let's start with the player that I had the Hurricanes taking in my mock draft on Friday morning. Granted, I had the Canes selecting him with the 36th pick, not the 42nd. I still think there's a chance that he slides a little further down the board to the Canes at #42, but his scoring and sniper-like shot could be enough for a team to swoop in and snatch him before Carolina gets the chance.
2. Ryan Roobroeck
Like Aaram-Olsen, Ryan Roobroeck has been blessed with the "boom or bust" label. I thought there was a chance he might sneak into the first round because of what he can do with the puck on his stick. However, he's not the strongest skater in the world, and there are questions about how engaged he is away from the puck. In the second round, he could be worth the gamble for Carolina.
3. Xavier Villenueve
Following the first round, many people have Xavier Villenueve as one of the best players available, which could make him a popular pick-up for someone at the very beginning of the second round. Elite Prospects labeled him as one of the most dynamic players in the draft, boasting some of the best skills from the blue line. If he falls to #42, which I highly doubt, the Hurricanes need to jump on him.
4. Samu Alalauri
Finland isn't exactly known for pumping out top-tier defensemen, but there is some hope that Samu Alalauri could buck that trend. He's a good skater whose game features a wide range of skills. He can get the job done offensively, posting 25 points in 40 games in Finland's U20 league. He can also shut you down defensively. Finding either with a little more consistency could make him a worthwhile pick.
5. Simas Ignatavicius
The big American-born Lithuanian is another player who could have his name called early in the second round. Simas Ignatavicius boasts a well-rounded game that likely won't be the flashiest in the world. I don't think he'll be a regular on highlight reels for his offensive game, but Ignatavicius will put in the work on the forecheck to create chances for himself and his team, whichever one picks him.
6. Casey Mutryn
Casey Mutryn was another player that I thought could find his way into the end of the first round on Friday. He's big at 6'3". He can produce, scoring 46 points in 62 games for the US National Team Development Program. Most importantly, he's not afraid to be physical, sporting one of the top physical profiles in the class. He might be gone before Carolina picks, but he'll be one to watch.
7. Mathis Preston
If you blink, you might miss Mathis Preston on the ice. Labeled as one of the fastest skaters in the class, Preston's size (5'10.75") will be the thing that keeps him on the board longer than he probably should be. That being said, he's super fast and super skilled with the puck. He can shoot it with the best of them, even if his numbers don't always reflect it.
8. Rudolfs Berzkalnz
Another player from my Friday mock, I remain steadfast in my thought that he might not be taken until late in the second round. However, assuming the Hurricanes don't trade the 57th pick away to add more picks in the following rounds, Rudolfs Berzkalnz would be less of a reach then. He profiles as a shutdown center, which the Canes will potentially need with Jordan Staal at the end of his career.
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