Mailbag #31: Looking Ahead To The Draft

RALEIGH, NC. -We are already just two weeks away from the first round of the NHL Draft and in under three weeks, free agents will be free to sign with any team.
Playing until the last day of May will bring those things on quickly.
In looking ahead to both, let's take some questions surrounding those two events.

(Please Note: Some questions have been edited for clarity.)
The NHL Draft will be a success for the Carolina Hurricanes if \\\\\\\\\\. - @CaniacJohn
Well, first, isn't it nice to know that the team is not in a position where they'll be drafting inside the top 10 and needing an impact player that must contribute right away next year? Given the organization's history, that's certainly noteworthy.
With that being said, I think the answer to the question is the draft will be a success if the team continues to add to its already impressive stockpile of prospects.
How or when is that determined though?
There's an element of patience that is always needed with the draft. Does June 23, 2012 ring a bell to anyone? The franchise drafted Jaccob Slavin that day in the fourth round. Did anyone have any clue then that 10 years from then he'd be regarded as one of the best defenders in the league? Likely not. If they had, he'd have gone higher than #120 overall. Meanwhile, the number one overall pick from that year is no longer in the league.
The draft is just step one in the process. The development that transpires over the coming years matters much more.
July 7 & July 8 will be fun and exciting days for the club, but determining how much of a success it will be is something that can really only be determined a few years down the road.
Could we see a sign and trade for a first-round pick? - @\_Ryan\_34
Well, it's the draft, so I suppose anything is possible. (Insert shrug emoji)
Considering the depth the Canes have, especially in Chicago, do you think they trade a high draft pick or two for an immediate impact player? - @Adam\_ireland16
Fair question, but see the above answer.
I'm glad you brought up Chicago though. Their current Calder Cup run has provided many reasons to be optimistic for both Jack Drury and Jalen Chatfield and their potential to be in the lineup full-time with the Canes next year.
At this present moment, Drury has 21 points in 16 postseason games. Since TheAHL.com began keeping the number as an official statistic in 2005, only five rookies have had more. Some of those names? Jamie Benn, Alex Goligoski and Jeff Carter. Not bad company.
As for Chatfield, his consistent strong presence on defense, combined with not looking out of place during his times in Raleigh, lead us to believe he may be ready for a bigger role.
Of course, there's Pyotr Kochetkov, too. But with Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta under contract for next season, it remains to be seen where he'll be come October.
But back in terms of the question at hand, remember, no first rounder for the Canes this year (compensation for the Kotkaniemi offer sheet). Their first pick this year will be toward the tail end of the second. As far as the value that could fetch, that's to be determined.
How big will prospect camp be this year? Just recently drafted guys or also to include guys like Honka and Fensore who have missed the opportunity to have camps because of COVID-19? - @skinnedjeffrey
This is a brilliant question.
For those unfamiliar, the team's Prospect Camp had been an annual event prior to COVID-19. It allows both the 2022 draft picks, as well as other players selected in recent years, to come to Raleigh, showcase their talents and get more familiar with the franchise. The organization gets to look at how far they've come within a year while they were either away playing in juniors, the NCAA, overseas or elsewhere. Or, of course, getting to an established baseline with players just drafted the week before.
As the question alludes to, Prospects Camps obviously did not happen in either 2020 or 2021. The Canes' Hockey Ops staff will now once again learn more about players that haven't been to The Triangle in some time and the players themselves will get to see both how they stack up against their peers and establish familiarity with players whom they could be playing with in the future, in addition to learning more about the Canes.
The 2022 Canes Prospect Development Camp is currently scheduled to be the week of July 11, with a full listing of events to be released soon.
(Disclaimer: Not every draft pick from recent years participates. For example, Seth Jarvis, who spent the entire year with the big club, likely will not be in attendance.)
Update on Nino? We need to resign my dude. - @NCPride
While I don't have any knowledge on the Niederreiter front, what I can offer is an important reminder for all for the next few weeks.
Per the Merriam-Webster, here are the following definitions:
Resign - To renounce (something, such as a right or position) by a formal act
Re-sign - To rehire (someone, such as an athlete) by means of a signed contract

Closing Up Shop

Thanks to all who took the time to read and ask questions, as always.
Not a member of Twitter? We're always happy to take questions at [email protected] as well!
Canes Mailbags are powered by
Segra
.
Worth A Click:
Season In Review: The Forwards
How To Watch The Chicago Wolves In The Calder Cup Final
NHL Reveals Official 2023 Stadium Series Logo
Chicago Advances To The Calder Cup Finals; Canes Aim To Go Back-To-Back
CanesCast Episode 215: This Episode Needs A Title
Key 2022 Offseason Dates
CanesCast Episode 214: Whatever Makes You Stronger
Vibrant Canes Mural Completed In Downtown Raleigh
Photos of the Season: Best Celebrations
Canes STMs Leave Their Mark At Paint The Ice Event
Canes End Of Season Media Availability Videos
Canes Contract Tracker