Continuing with the trend for the past few days, Tuesday offers another set of two 2017 NHL Draft articles this time featuring insight on potential draftees from the Western Hockey League.
The companion article for today can be found HERE.
And a complete, clickable menu of all Canes and Coffee 2017 NHL Draft coverage can be found HERE.
About the Scout/Writer
Paul Figler is the Co-Founder of DUBNetwork (Twitter=@dub_network) which is an independently-run, all-encompassing news source for everything Western Hockey League. Paul (Twitter=@RDFigs19) also runs WHLStats.
Scouting the Western Hockey League for the Hurricanes 2017 NHL Draft
Note the clickable links with player profiles at DUBNetwork.
Canes and Coffee: For a mock draft, who do you see the Hurricanes taking at #12 overall?
Paul Figler: Should he be available, Jusso Valimaki would be a great fit for the Hurricanes. The left handed defenseman was over a point per game pace this year for the Americans, and he is mature and responsible. Another good fit if the Hurricanes prefer a forward could be Lias Andersson of HV71 from the Swedish Hockey League.
Canes and Coffee: Which WHL could be relevant at #12 in the first round? What are the pros and cons of each player?
Paul Figler: I don’t see a WHL fit unless they want to go a little off the board and take someone like Michael Rasmussen. The con here is that he does not score a lot of points 5v5 (43% of his points this year came at 5v5). He is your typical power forward though if that is something that Carolina needs in the next 2-3 years.
Canes and Coffee: Which couple of WHL players do you like in the second round which is currently scheduled to be a busy one for the Hurricanes who currently have three second-round selections?
Paul Figler:
Kailer Yamamoto, Right Wing, Spokane Chiefs
Nikita Popugaev, Left Wing, Prince George Cougars
Cale Fleury (brother of Haydn), Defenseman, Kootenay Ice
Kole Lind, Right Wing, Kelowna Rockets
Aleksi Heponiemi, Center, Swift Current Broncos
Stelio Mattheos, Center, Brandon Wheat Kings
Jaret Anderson-Dolan, Center, Spokane Chiefs
Stuart Skinner, Goalie, Lethbridge Hurricanes
Canes and Coffee: Which couple WHL players do you like in the third round where the Hurricanes currently have two picks?
Paul Figler:
Morgan Geekie (overage player), Center/Right Wing,Tri-City Americans
Jarret Tyszka, Defenseman, Seattle Thunderbirds
Josh Brook, Defenseman, Moose Jaw Warriors
Ian Scott, Goalie, Prince Albert Raiders
Canes and Coffee: Which 3-5 WHL players who you really like who might be available in middle to later rounds (rounds 4-7) of the 2017 NHL draft?
Paul Figler:
Lane Zablocki, Center, Red Deer Rebels
Austin Pratt, Center/Left Wing, Red Deer Rebels
Tyler Steenbergen (overage), Center, Swift Current Broncos
Kyle Olson, Right Wing, Tri-City Americans
Jordy Bellerive, Center, Lethbridge Hurricanes
Giorgio Estephan, ,Lethbridge Hurricanes
Nick Henry, Right Wing, Regina Pats
Canes and Coffee: Do you have any additional thoughts on the 2017 NHL draft as relates to the Hurricanes?
Paul Figler: With the Hurricanes drafting defensemen in the first round the last few years, going with a solid forward might be in the team’s best interest.
Canes and Coffee extends a huge thank you to Paul Figler from DUBNetwork for generously sharing his ‘from the rink’ insight on Western Hockey League draft prospects who could be part of the Carolina Hurricanes 2017 draft class!
