June 22, 2012 6:42 PM
They waited until the last possible minute, but the Hurricanes finally made the draft splash many had been expecting.
Immediately after being put on the clock to make their first-round selection at No. 8, the Checkers’ NHL affiliate instead chose to trade the pick to Pittsburgh as part of a package that landed center Jordan Staal. Staal, the younger brother of Hurricanes captain Eric and the older brother of Checkers forward Jared, was one of the top names rumored to be available as Carolina looked to add a premiere forward this offseason.
In addition to their first-round pick, the Hurricanes had to give up center Brandon Sutter, cousin to Checkers forwards Brett and Brody, and defenseman Brian Dumoulin. Dumoulin, 20, joined the Checkers for the team’s final three games of last season after winning his second national championship at Boston College but did not dress.
The Hurricanes’ decision to trade Dumoulin, their second-round pick in 2009, will have a bigger immediate impact on the Checkers than if they had chosen to draft a player at No. 8. The 20-year-old was expected to contend for a spot on the NHL roster next season, or perhaps more likely, become a big part of Charlotte’s defense in his rookie season.
"Dumoulin is a guy we like a lot," Hurricanes General Manager Jim Rutherford told the media in Raleigh via conference call. "He’s a guy that’s going to play in the league a long time and be a four or five defenseman, a solid guy. "
However, even with the trade, the Checkers still have six defensemen from last season under contract in Brett Bellemore, Michal Jordan, Justin Krueger, Rasmus Rissanen, Bobby Sanguinetti and Joe Sova. Additionally, rookies Austin Levi and Beau Schmitz each completed what should be their final season of junior hockey with the Ontario Hockey League’s Plymouth Whalers and will be strong candidates to play in Charlotte.
That depth, along with the presence of elite prospect Ryan Murphy, the Hurricanes' first-round pick in 2011, and other defenseman in the pipeline, could be what made parting with Dumoulin an acceptable risk.
"It wasn’t easy putting him in (to the deal), but we do have a lot of depth there," said Rutherford.
After trading their first pick, the Hurricanes still held nine picks on the draft’s second day, including two in the second round. For more on the possibility that one of those players could suit up for the Checkers, be sure to read our draft primer here. |
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