A Look Into The Hurricanes Big 5– not including Tyler Seguin
Sean Couturier - TRADE
Center
Born Dec 7 1992 [20 yrs. ago] -- Phoenix, AZ
Height 6.03 -- Weight 197 -- Shoots L
2012-13 Philadelphia Flyers NHL
GP 46
G 4
A 11
PTS 15
PIM 10
+/- -8
Couturier was the final piece in the Hurricanes rebuild that seen the GM send away three first line players to only acquire elite ECHL prospects in return (Tavares, Seguin and . Couturier). The move pretty much left the ‘Canes as the skid mark of the CPHL.
After moving Vincent Lecavalier for the young prospect ‘Canes GM also did another questionable decision by signing the green prospect to a CPHL to play out the season with the pro team rather then playing out his remainder two season left on his ECHL entry deal. A move that was questioned by his peers, and maybe even proven correct as Couturier only went on to score 4 goals for the NHL Flyers. The move however was never made with any regard to what type of success Couturier may have in the NHL but rather trying to understand and get the advantage of players 2nd contracts. A move until that time will be hard for the Organization to reflect apron and gauge their decision.
Couturier filled the 4th line role for the Hurricanes and produced 8 G and 5 A in 85 GP.
Griffin Reinhart - DRAFT
Defense
Born Jan 24 1994[19 yrs. ago] -- West Vancouver, BC
Height 6.04 -- Weight 202 -- Shoots L
2012-13 Edmonton Oil Kings WHL
GP 59
G 8
A 21
PTS 29
PIM 35
+/- 30
Looking through the history books I’m not sure how the ‘Canes acquired the 9th overall pick to draft Reinhart entry draft. All that I am certain of is that Reinhart was a plesant surprise why he dropped in the CPHL draft and pretty much fell to the Hurricanes.
Mid-way through the 2012-13 season the Hurricanes GM, in an attempt to brush of the some of the stick from the current squad, had placed Reinhart on the trade block, which in turn attracted much attention throughout the CPHL. Fortunately for the organization the desperation of the Gm was obvious enough that GM’s circled the team like vultures resulting in a much lower trading value that caused the GM to not pull the trigger. A move, that would have continued to place the organization stuttering with its ongoing rebuild.
Mikhail Grigorenko - DRAFT
Center
Born May 16 1994 [19 yrs. ago] -- Khabarovsk, Russia
Height 6.03 -- Weight 200 -- Shoots L
2012-13 Quebec Remparts QMJHL
GP 33
G 30
A 24
PTS 54
PIM 8
+/- 10
2012-13 Buffalo Sabres NHL
GP 25
G 1
A 4
PTS 5
PIM 0
+/- -1
The Hurricanes went out on a limb and drafted Grigorenko 2nd overall in the CPHL draft. Leading up to the entry draft Grigorenko was a cold name that many GM’s had falling quite low in the rankings. The Hurricanes badly need centermen depth and this was a gamble that the organization is hoping will cash in long term. The high selection was easily corrected once Griffin Reinhart was selected with their second pick. Each player could easily be switched to more mirror the NHL draft
Mark Jankowski - TRADE
Center
Born Sep 13 1994 [18 yrs. ago] -- St. Catharines, ONT
Height 6.03 -- Weight 175 -- Shoots L
2012-13 Providence College H-East
GP 34
G 7
A 11
PTS 18
PIM 10
At the end of the day, I’m a sucker. Once the NHL draft concluded I quickly realized that I screwed up not drafting Jankowski. I figure he would fall much lower in the NHL draft and rot away on someone’s roster for a few seasons where I could simple acquire him cheap. That all went out the window once the Flames drafted him.. Canes sent young winger Tyler Ennis and defender Jarred Tinordi to acquire Jankowski’s rights. A really tough deal to make as Tinordi had been the Hurricanes long term plans and a favourite of the GM. But due to a personal connection to relatives in the Jankowski family I was obliged to pay the cost
Jack Campbell - TRADE
Goalie
Born Jan 9 1992 [21 yrs. ago] -- Port Huron, MI
Height 6.02 -- Weight 199 -- Shoots L
2012-13 Texas Stars AHL
GP 40
W 19
L 13
OTL 3
SV% .905
GGA 2.65
Ouch, The Hurricane organization has always been low in quality goaltending depth, the reason why is because they have never paid the high cost for such a position. Ironically the ‘Canes traded away their only elite goalie in
Henrik Lundqvist to the Maple Leafs ina lopsided deal. The idea of acquiring Campbell was to build future goaltending depth. The Canes acquired Campbell from the Wild in a deal that sent the Wild NJ’s 1st and Carolina’s 2nd in the 2011 draft. Unworthily for the Hurricanes the Devils pick ended up being the 2nd Overall selection in the 2011 Entry Draft.
Since that day Campbell stock hasn’t exactly attracted the good kind of attention. Still for a goaltender he has many years before one should expect to see any upside but for a pick that could have been Huberdeau or Nugent-Hopkins…. All you can do is shake ones head and move on
'Canes Future Watch
