When drafting prospects, the Carolina Hurricanes always manage to make something out of nothing. Few organizations turn mid-to-late-round picks into contributing NHL players better and more frequently than they have over the last decade-plus. Some are still with the team, while many others are doing it away from Raleigh.
Accumulating draft picks is a favorite pastime of the front office. They turned the 29th pick in this year's draft into three second-round picks like it were magic. Even if it's understood that they'll trade out of the first round, the Canes still find ways to surprise everyone. However, it'll take an incredible amount of magic for them to make something out of their current predicament next season.
The Carolina Hurricanes currently have 3 draft picks in the 2026 Draft
Combining old moves, trades at the draft, and deals completed on Monday and Tuesday, the Hurricanes have almost no draft capital for next June's draft. They currently hold a first-round pick and a pair of sixth-round selections, their own and Toronto's, from a deal made to send Cade Webber's signing rights to the Maple Leafs.
The team traded one of their first-round picks and a second-round pick to acquire K'Andre Miller on Tuesday. Their third-round pick netted them Shayne Gostisbehere at the 2023 deadline. Carolina sent their fourth-rounder as part of the Mikko Rantanen trade to Colorado. Mark Jankowski was acquired with their fifth-round pick last season, and Cayden Primeau came over on Friday for their seventh.
While 2026's class is good, not having many picks isn't bad
Throughout the draft last weekend, many experts and analysts talked about the depth of next year's draft class, headlined by presumed #1 pick Gavin McKenna. Odds are, the Carolina Hurricanes won't be in the running to draft him, at least, that's the hope. Not to beat a dead horse, but the Hurricanes will probably trade out of the first round again.
If the Hurricanes want to make trades, they likely won't be dipping into their 2026 picks. Fortunately, the Hurricanes hold a pick in every round of the 2027 Draft, for now, including two picks in the third and fifth rounds. They also have Dallas' first-round pick in 2028 and a prospect pool to pick from. Not having picks feels weird for this organization, though it's far from the end of the world.
Creativity and making something from nothing are staples of the Hurricanes' front office. They're going to finagle their way into a good spot, one way or another. I don't think anyone is overly concerned about the Hurricanes not having draft capital, nor will they receive any sympathy from the rest of the league. It's not really an issue. It's just not a situation we're used to seeing.