Carolina Hurricanes on the Clock: Reviewing Each Draft Since 2000

There's no doubt in the minds of the Carolina Hurricanes that Eric Staal has become the ultimate leader and icon for the 'Canes.

With 179 career goals and 235 career assists, Eric Staal's 428 points in just six NHL seasons have set him apart from the rest of the Hurricanes' franchise history in Raleigh.

Just imagine that such a leader, and, now, team captain, was once just another 18-year-old prospect, walking up to the podium to receive his new red-and-black jersey, given to him with the second overall pick in the first round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

The Carolina Hurricanes and longtime General Manager Jim Rutherford have certainly not had a lack of success in the NHL selection process. With just 20-or-so typical NHL roster spots available per team and only another 25 at the AHL level, it's remarkable how many draft picks, from the years since the franchise has moved to North Carolina, have made it all the way to the biggest ice hockey stage in the world.

Here's a look at each NHL Entry Draft since 2000 and how the 'Canes fared in it, looking back, as we head towards uncharted waters of the ever-important 2010 draft.

Pre-2000 Drafts

The first few drafts in Carolina's hockey history, from 1997 to 1999, were actually decently productive in the early years of the 'Canes organization.

Although the Hurricanes' top-four overall draft picks in the '97 and '98 drafts ended up playing a grand total of two games ever at the NHL level, these three drafts ended up producing future solid NHLers such as Erik Cole, David Tanabe and Josef Vasicek.

Cole has gone on to play 538 career NHL games, all but 63 of which with the 'Canes, and his 158 career goals have been enough to keep him still alive and working on the second line of the 'Canes roster. Now-retired Tanabe and Vasicek ended up combining for 909 career games, 12 seasons in Carolina, and 215 points for the 'Canes.

Pre-2000 Drafts

The first few draft in Carolina's hockey history, from 1997 to 1999, were actually decently productive in the early years of the 'Canes organization.

Although the 'Canes first and second round selections in the '97 and '98 drafts ended up playing a grand total of two games ever at the NHL level, these three drafts ended up producing future solid NHL-ers such as Erik Cole, David Tanabe, and Josef Vasicek.

Cole has gone on to play 538 career NHL games, all but 63 of which with the 'Canes, and his 158 career goals have been enough to keep him still alive and working on the second line of the 'Canes roster. Now-retired Tanabe and Vasicek ended up combining for 909 career games, 12 seasons in Carolina, and 215 points for the 'Canes.

2000 Draft

Without a first-round pick, the Hurricanes certainly had trouble getting the new millenium started off well. Beginning a very forgettable weekend with a very forgettable pick, Tomas Kurka, who played a total of 17 games with Carolina, only 80th-overall selection Ryan Bayda and 97th-overall selection Niclas Wallin ever even earned a NHL tryout.

Now with Pittsburgh and San Jose, respectively, Bayda and Wallin have scratched their names in NHL history with their Stanley Cup Championship in 2006. Other than that, though, there careers have been mostly lacking highlights.

Bayda is now a minor league player for the Penguins; Wallin is the extra-dressed defenseman with the Sharks. Despite playing in 179 games, Bayda only produced 40 points with Carolina and never established himself at all, while Wallin did manage to have 540 appearances but combined for a miserable 71 points and minus-61 rating.

2001 Draft

The 2001 NHL Entry Draft could definitely be regarded as one of biggest no-shows of any of the 'Canes' drafts. When the yearly prospect highlight is 46th-overall selection Mike Zigomanis, who played a whopping 57 games with Carolina, producing three goals and four assists, you know there wasn't much to talk about that year.

Indeed, Zigomanis eventually went on to play 189 career NHL games with the 'Canes, Blues, Coyotes and Penguins, far more than any other pick that year, but simply put, the picture to the left here is the only one available on Google Images of ANY of the 'Canes' 2001 picks in a Hurricanes jersey.

Enough said.

2002 Draft

Carolina only had four total picks in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, a small number compared to some of their quantities since then. But, in the end, it ended up making the world of a difference, setting the 'Canes up with former Conn Smythe-winning, Stanley Cup-holding, All Star goaltender Cam Ward.

Ward has now gone on to become one of the 'Canes' two franchise centerpieces, winning 138 games and posting a career 2.79 goals-against average and .905 save percentage. However, he's been at his best in the playoffs, winning six series in just two playoff berths and recording a sparkling 2.38 GAA and .917 save percentage.

So what if none of the other three picks never once played a single game in the NHL?!

2003 Draft

It took seven years of solid but not overwhelming drafts during the Hurricane franchise's time in Raleigh before the 'Canes finally struck gold.

And gold, in this case, was spelled S-T-A-A-L.

With the second overall pick in the entire draft, the Hurricanes selected Eric Staal, the first of three to-be NHL players out of the Thunder Bay, Ontario, family. In his first season with Carolina, Staal established himself as one of the Hurricanes' biggest prospects by putting up 31 points and not missing a game.

Now, as we look back on it, however, that seems like quite a under performance for the now-Team Captain and NHL superstar. In his next season, Staal rocketed to the top, scoring a whopping 128 points in 107 total games, and he hasn't let down since.

Although the Hurricanes were unable to find anyone noteworthy in their eight picks following Staal's selection, with only Danny Richmond (Chicago) and Tyson Strachan (St. Louis) still currently in the NHL out of the entire draft class (excluding Staal), the Hurricanes unimaginable find makes 2003 certainly a draft to remember.

2004 Draft

Unlike their previous counterparts, the Hurricanes made away with a solid, potential-filled, but definitely not star-studded 2004 draft class.

For the first time in the franchise's history in Carolina, all of their fourth-round-and-earlier selections have ended up being successes so far.

Fourth-overall selection Andrew Ladd scored 50 points in three seasons with the 'Canes before being traded to Chicago for Tuomo Ruutu, who was a Bronze Medalist this season and has developed into a gritty, all-around forward.

Second-round choice Justin Peters ended up developing nicely in the AHL level as well, and played very well in his first NHL stint this season, posting a 2.83 GAA and 6-3-0 record.

Also, third and fourth-round defensive selections Casey Borer and Brett Carson have also already seen fair time in the NHL and look to stay around as they develop with the Hurricanes organization.

So, yes, while 2004 wasn't able to bring a future juggernaut to the table, it was the first year where the 'Canes were able to find solid talent all the way through the fourth round with every pick. All in all, a very nice bookend to 2003.

2005 Draft

Some would say the 2005 draft, from the Hurricanes' perspective, was a wasted one. But that's not exactly the case.

Although Carolina never was able to come to terms with third overall pick Jack Johnson, who has gone on to become an Olympic-level defenseman, they, in the end, got their fair share's worth of Johnson. Trading him eventually to the Los Angeles Kings for prospect Tim Gleason, who is now a defensive partner of Johnson's on the Team USA squad, certainly paid off just as well.

Following Johnson's controversial choice, the Hurricanes failed to pick up anyone noteworthy until the sixth and seventh rounds, where they drafted center Nicolas Blanchard (192nd overall) and defenseman Kyle Lawson (198th overall). Both are currently with the soon-to-be-Charlotte Checkers of the AHL, and both (especially Lawson) can also be expected to see some time in the "majors" very soon.

2006 Draft

The 2006 NHL Entry Draft, much like the 2004 one, was a depth-filled one for the Hurricanes, who made off quite well considering their first pick was 63rd overall.

First selected was defenseman Jamie McBain, who, as it turns out, was an excellent early third-round steal. McBain saw his first NHL action this season, and was absolutely terrific, spending time on the power play and penalty kill as well as putting up 10 points and a plus-six rating in just 14 games.

30 picks later, following Harrison Reed (who was traded to Colorado at the 2010 trade deadline), came centers Bobby Hughes (now an Islander) and Stefan Chaput, as well as right wing Nick Dodge. None of those three players have reached the NHL level yet, but keep an eye especially on Dodge as the 'Canes move along.

2007 Draft

First there was Erik Cole...then Cam Ward...then Eric Staal...

...and now there might be Brandon Sutter.

Snatched up 11th overall, Sutter was a top player in the WHL and AHL for a few years before coming up to the biggest ice hockey stage in America. After a predominantly dormant first NHL season, with just six points in 50 games, Sutter broke through in 2009-2010.

Scoring 21 goals and 19 assists in 72 games played, Sutter was easily one of the Hurricanes' biggest weapons this year and also became the first NHL player in over a decade to score more than 20 goals with two or fewer penalty minutes. And, at age 22, who knows what else Sutter has in store for Carolina..?

However, Sutter wasn't the only notable from the 2007 draft. Third-round selection Drayson Bowman scored his two NHL goals (in one game, nonetheless) this past April, and fifth-round choice Chris Terry has been cited by several in the Hurricanes' organization as a bright, budding prospect.

2008 Draft

Much like Brandon Sutter from 2007, 2008's Zach Boychuk has quickly turned into a major Hurricanes forward prospect. Picked with the 14th choice in the first round, Boychuk has starred in the WHL (Lethbridge) and AHL (Albany) as well as in the World Junior Championships this past winter. Boychuk also saw his first NHL ice time this season, establishing himself as a humble team player and putting up nine points and a plus-one rating in 31 games.

Also coming in the 2008 draft along with Boychuk was Zac Dalpe, who could come up to the 'Canes for a short time as early as the 2010-11 year, goalie Mike Murphy (whose situation is about the same), and defenseman Michal Jordan, who was just recently signed to a three-year contract after finishing his time in the NCAA college hockey program.

2009 Draft

Due to its recent time, it's still hard to tell how well the 2009 NHL Entry Draft panned out for the Hurricanes. However, it's probably safe to say, for now, that there's definitely plenty of possibilities.

Although 27th-overall selection Phillipe Paradis didn't end up working out in the Carolina system, he was traded to Toronto in December for Jiri Tlusty, who, in most minds, is a far better prospect. Tlusty, despite some off-the-ice issues, had actually already played 74 games over three seasons for the Maple Leafs, and was quick to adjust to the Hurricanes' scheme, too, scoring a goal in his first shift with Carolina.

The 'Canes also acquired reputable wingers Matthias Lindstrom and Matt Kennedy, and defensemen Brian Dumoulin and Rasmus Rissanen.

Next Up - 2010 NHL Draft

The Carolina Hurricanes have had their share of ups, downs, steals and busts throughout the franchise's history at the NHL Entry Draft.

Is that common pattern likely to make a major turn for better or worse during the 2010 edition of the NHL Draft? Probably not...but we're still in for an interesting weekend sandwiched within a long and boring offseason. Following the conclusion of the playoffs, which unfortunately does not include the Hurricanes, June 25th and 26th at the Staples Center will write another slide in 'Canes "draft day" history.

Check back in the weeks before for a mock draft and preview, at least for the Hurricanes' outlook...but, in the meantime, leave a couple roster spots open for the next generation of Hurricanes prospects.