When it comes to acquiring high-end prospects in the NHL Entry Draft, the Carolina Hurricanes have not picked within the top 10 since 2018 when they selected Andrei Svechnikov at second overall. Even more so, they took Seth Jarvis 13th overall in the 2020 draft but the pick was originally from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ever since head coach Rod Brind’Amour, owner Tom Dundon, and now-former general manager Don Waddell ran the show in Raleigh, the team has been picking later and later in the draft. However, the Hurricanes’ scouting staff have been finding gems in the late first round and even later in the draft.
That being said, as we draw closer to the 2024-25 season, who are the top five prospects for the Hurricanes, and can at least one of them make the roster if possible?
Hurricanes’ Top 5 Prospects
5. Scott Morrow, D
Some might not consider Scott Morrow as a “prospect” after playing two games for the Hurricanes during the 2023-24 season. However, he will still be classed as a rookie if he plays next season in Carolina while having two seasons left on his entry-level contract (ELC). Morrow is set to be a restricted free agent (RFA) after the 2025-26 season but that is something that is not on the forefront of his mind or the team. There is a good chance that the 21-year-old Darien, CT native will start the 2024-25 season with the Chicago Wolves in the Americans Hockey League (AHL) with the Hurricanes’ defensive pairings pretty much set in stone.
It makes sense to have him start in the AHL instead of making him the 7th defenseman when he needs to log some serious ice time in his first full professional season. Starting in the AHL is not a bad thing, especially under Wolves’ head coach Cam Abbott who has some bona fide NHLers that he developed with Rogle BK in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) before coming back to North America. While Morrow’s offensive game is already there, being in Chicago will help him develop his defensive game. Furthermore, it will give him time to get more physical and be more active with his stick.
4. Jackson Blake, RW
This is where things get interesting because you could flip the next two spots within the top five for the Hurricanes prospect list. Fargo, ND native Jackson Blake had a career to remember at the University of North Dakota where he tallied 38 goals, 64 assists, and 102 points in 79 games for the Fighting Hawks. The 21-year-old right-winger played in one game for…
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