That pick, though, will actually be the 26th made in the first round, since the Arizona Coyotes forfeited their 2021 first-round pick (11th overall) and 2020 second-round pick after violating the NHL's combine testing policy.
In total, the Canes own nine draft picks over seven rounds, including three in the final round alone.
"We've done a great job over the years getting some elite players later in the draft - Aho, Slavin, Pesce. We've been able to identify some high-end players, who, if you go back and re-draft, these guys are going to be at the top of the draft," Assistant General Manager Darren Yorke said. "I know our group has worked extremely hard. We're excited for players who may be around when we may be picking in the first round, guys we'll be able to select that we're excited about."
Hurricanes 2021 NHL Draft Picks
The Canes have made the 27th overall selection once in franchise history: in 2009, when they drafted Philippe Paradis. That pick didn't exactly pan out, but there are plenty of recognizable names who were 27th overall selections: Joe Nieuwendyk (1985), Tie Domi (1988), Steve Staios (1991), Rhett Warrener (1994), Cory Sarich (1996), Scott Gomez (1998), John Carlson (2008) and Vladislav Namestnikov (2011), among others.
The Canes' most recent late-20s pick came in 2019 when they drafted Ryan Suzuki 28th overall. The team's most notable late first-round selection is goaltender Cam Ward, who the team drafted 25th overall in 2002.
The 2021 NHL Draft will take place virtually July 23-24. ESPN2 will carry the first round, which begins on Friday, July 23 at 8 p.m., while NHL Network will broadcast rounds 2-7 on Saturday, July 24, beginning at 11 a.m.
