Sitting in the 13th position in this year’s NHL Entry Draft the Carolina Hurricanes have a lot on their minds.
They need to pick or acquire offensive talent to bolster their near anemic output from the 2015-16 season; they scored all of 196 goals. They yielded 221 goals on the season.
Despite playing well over long stretches of the season the club missed the playoffs for a 
seventh straight season.
Between trades and other moves by their general manager, Ron Francis, the Hurricanes have seven picks in the first three rounds.
Add to the draft pressures the rumors that the Carolina Hurricanes are a target for franchise relocation (Las Vegas?) and Francis has his work cut out for him this Entry Draft.
Carolina is flush with young defensemen from previous drafts and in fact, worked three rookie d-men into the lineup last season.
So the Canes need to look at the forward positions to gain some skill and youth.
“I’d be lying if I didn’t say we needed to add some skill,” Hurricanes general manager Ron Francis said Thursday. “We struggled to score some goals at the right time.” “I’d be lying if I didn’t say we needed to add some skill,” Francis said Thursday on NHL.com. “We struggled to score some goals at the right time.”
But with so many picks in the first three rounds, Francis is being wooed strongly by other teams.
“We’ve talked about some firm things, yes,” he said. “We’ve talked about some firm things, yes,” Francis said on NHL.com.
While speculation is the grist for fun stories Pro Hockey News is looking at the Canes to take advantage of the draft for what is valuable, young talent.
Francis has said that his club is on the right track and the team is pleased with progress. Trades may take place for a lower pick but not this high.
The power play was dreadful at 16.8% efficiency and the penalty kill succeeded at a rate of 84.3%, good for sixth in the league.
Just outside of the top ten draft picks the Hurricanes will have choices but a centerman able to setup goals would be welcome.
Clayton Keller is a centerman with the USHL U18 National team and still available at 13.
In 23 games with the team this past season, Keller scored 13 goals and 37 points. and was a +16.
Keller made noise this year at the IIHF World Under-18 Championship. His skating skills include good speed and quick acceleration. He has good hands for passing and quick shots.
He has been recruited by Boston University.
He is projected at 10-15 in this year’s draft and Pro Hockey News expects to hear the following announcement from GM Ron Francis.
“With the 13th pick in the NHL Entry Draft, the Carolina Hurricanes select Clayton Keller of the USHL.”
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