Canes reach into KHL with 12th pick

RALEIGH, NC- The Caroline Hurricanes were a breath away from backing into the NHL playoffs. There talented roster seemed to finally live up to their potential down the stretch. The boast a solid core of young defensemen, who will no doubt continue to improve next season, as well as one the more exciting wingers in the Eastern Conference not named Patrik Laine. They also have a playoff caliber AHL affiliate in the Charlotte Checkers that typically indicates depth. Finally, they have the fourth most cap room available giving them some flexibility to fill in the gaps with free agents. That is the good news.

The bad news is they are a few centers short of being truly competitive. They also will be relying on a former backup goalie in Scott Darling to step in and be a legitimate starter right away. Ask the Dallas Stars how that has worked out for them sometime. Free agent Teuvo Teravainen was a disappointment last season and Lee Stempniak and Jordan Stall are not the players they once were.

That leaves GM Ron Francis with a tall order. Based on the moves he made at the trade deadline, he intends to make a splash in this year’s NHL Draft. Francis traded away veterans for draft picks. The Canes will have 10 picks in this draft and if the quality is lacking, they will settle for quantity. Much has been made of this year’s draft pool supposedly being week, but that is simply a byproduct of not having an Austin Mathews or Connor McDavid to talk about. This draft class is filled with players that could play a very long time in the NHL.

With so many picks, it seems likely that the Canes will simply pick the sweetest fruit available when it is their turn to pick. PHN’s mock draft had an early run of centers and the best defensemen in the draft have packed their bags already. That doesn’t mean that all the gems have been mined. When it’s his turn, Francis could see one of the best skaters still available on the board. That skater hails from overseas, to Mother Russia.

Klim Kostin would not be available this far down in the draft if not for teams having to draft to fill specific needs. Kostin, who plays wing and center, spent that last season playing professional hockey with Dynamo Moscow in the KHL. He was the captain when Russia won Silver at U17 Worlds.

With the Canes having a left wing heavy roster, Kostin would most likely move to his off wing or center one of the bottom two lines. At 6′ 3”, 200 pounds, he brings size and skill to a team that could put his versatility to good use. Lastly, he is the top rated European skater by NHL Central Scouting. If Kostin is still available, Francis will most likely make the following announcement at the upcoming draft in Chicago.

“With the 12th overall pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, the Carolina Hurricanes select, from Penza, Russia, Klim Kostin of the Moscow Dynamo KHL”