5. 2004- Giving the Home Fans a Show
With the 2004 NHL Entry Draft emanating from the RBC Center in Raleigh, the front office decided to give their fans a show. After future legends Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin were selected first and second, and Cam Barker was selected third, the Hurricanes traded up to snag the 4th pick, sending the 8th and 59th picks to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Hurricanes selected Canadian winger Andrew Ladd with the 4th pick. His time in Raleigh was short, spending two-and-a-half seasons with the Hurricanes, but he won a Stanley Cup in his rookie season, scoring a goal and an assist in the Stanley Cup Final. Ladd's best days came after he left Raleigh, winning another Cup with Chicago and becoming the captain of the Thrashers.
While the team might've been better off selecting Blake Wheeler, who went 5th to Phoenix, the Canes easily got the better of the deal. Columbus selected Alexandre Picard and Kyle Wharton with their picks. It wasn't the flashiest deal in the world, but the trade netted them a role player on the 2005-06 team and gave the home fans a cool memory.