4. 1997- The First Draft Day
For the first time under their new identity, the Carolina Hurricanes walked into Pittsburgh for the 1997 NHL Draft. Despite a lackluster season during their final campaign in Hartford, the Hurricanes weren't slated to pick until 23rd overall after sending their 1997 1st-round pick to Boston in 1994 as part of a package for Glen Wesley. They wouldn't hold onto the 23rd pick either.
Instead, they shipped it to San Jose to move back five spots and added a 3rd-round pick in 1998. The Sharks selected defenseman Scott Hannan, who played a 16-year career of over 1,000 games. With the 28th pick, the Hurricanes selected Brad DeFauw. His time in the NHL was short, playing just nine games in 2003, but his debut was particularly memorable.
The real impact came with the 1998 pick. At 71st overall, the Hurricanes selected future mainstay Erik Cole. It's well-documented how good Cole was during his days with the Hurricanes. He was part of all three long runs in the postseason in 2002, 2006, and 2009, playing 557 games with the organization over nine seasons. Not bad for your first draft in a new place.