Today’s version of Daily Cup of Joe offers an eclectic mix of Carolina Hurricanes thoughts that have piled up without making it into another article.

 

Andrei Svechnikov and the potential to trade the #2 overall pick

In some circles, I think too much is being made about the Hurricanes’ potential to either bypass Andrei Svechnikov or just trade the pick altogether. Who the Hurricanes like at #2 will not be revealed until draft day, but my checks from people who scout draft-eligible players leans heavily in favor of Svechnikov. If the experts are that overwhelmingly in favor of Svechnikov, I do not see the Hurricanes getting cute with this pick. In addition, I think the rumblings and rumors that will only intensify that say the Hurricanes will consider trading the #2 overall pick are overblown. Every team says this yet, these high picks are rarely actually traded simply because the asking price is exorbitant. I will be surprised if the Hurricanes are any different. The desperately needs another elite or at least near-elite forward to boost their scoring. Andrei Svechnikov offers a high probability of finding this in the form of an 18-year old player. Do we really think the team is going to trade that draft pick to add a #5/#6-ish forward who is 5-8 years older and already playing on an expensive contract?

My 2 cents on the odds: Odds that the Hurricanes draft #2 and take someone other than Svechnikov=> 10 percent. Odds that the Hurricanes trade the #2 overall pick=> 2 percent.

 

The Charlotte Checkers are off to a good start in the second round of the AHL playoffs

After dropping the series opener 2-1 to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the Checkers rebounded in game two with a resounding 6-0 win. Alex Nedeljkovic earned the shutout, and Janne Kuokkanen led the way offensively with two goals. The Checkers return home for the middle part of the series with games in Charlotte on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. The Hurricanes ECHL affiliate, the Florida Everblades, are also still alive in the playoffs.

 

Sebastian Aho in the World Championships

Sebastian Aho and line mate Teuvo Teravainen are off to fast starts in the 2018 IIHF World Championships. Aho tallied two goals and two assists in Finland’s 8-1 drubbing of South Korea after two goals and four assists in another lopsided 8-1 win over Latvia. Teuvo Teravainen’s eight points in two games is only two behind Aho. Needless to say, the duo is off to a fast start, but the bigger tests await once Finland is matched against higher-end teams.

 

Go Canes!

 

 

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