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Wednesday, June 20, 2001
Carolina Hurricanes
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First-round picks: No. 15
2000-01 record: 38-32-9-3, 88 points (17th overall)
What they need
The 'Canes could still use youth and depth at the forward position, even with the emergence of Jeff O'Neill and Shane Willis. In addition, the club has a patchwork lineup on defense. Goaltending is also a need. Tyler Moss proved last season he is not the answer as the backup to Arturs Irbe.
In the system
Carolina did not have a first-round pick last year, so it couldn't immediately address its needs at forward. With that in mind, a pair of young defensemen head the list of Carolina prospects. David Tanabe (16th overall in '99) stuck with the parent club last season. The former University of Wisconsin standout appeared in 74 games for the 'Canes last season, with seven goals and 29 points. Another defenseman still attempting to make the big club is Nikos Tselios (22nd overall in '98), who has spent the past two seasons playing in the minor leagues after a standout career in the Ontario Hockey League.
Two forwards to look out for down the road also come from the OHL. Right winger Jeff Heerema (11th overall in '98) will get a long look in camp this fall, while fellow right winger Josef Vasicek (91st overall in '98) notched eight goals and 13 assists in 76 games as a rookie with the Hurricanes last season. Finally, left winger Tomas Kurka (32nd overall last year out of the Ontario League) could make an impact soon.
Recent draft history
Three of Hartford/Carolina's last four first-round picks have been defense-oriented (three defensemen, one goaltender).
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