LastWordArmy
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NHL teams build their teams in many different ways. Some construct their clubs via free agency while others do it through trades. However, the main way teams create a roster is through the NHL Draft. Most years have maybe one or two players make the roster, but some years the general manager gets it right and gets a cornerstone or two for the franchise. The Last Word on Hockey is doing the best draft class for each team with the exception of the Seattle Kraken. Today we look at the Carolina Hurricanes best draft class.
Carolina Hurricanes Best Draft Class: 1982 (Hartford Whalers)
In 1982, the Hartford Whalers were still in the early stages of a new life in the NHL. They had just graduated from the WHA in 1979 and were having trouble adjusting compared to their other WHA alumni. A last-place finish in their division meant they would be missing the playoffs for consecutive years.
The team had just drafted future franchise centreman Ron Francis in 1981 and were now in desperate need of surrounding him with enough talent to vault the Whalers out of the basement and into consistent playoff contention.
The 1982 draft did exactly that.
The three major players selected in this draft class helped the Whalers go on to make the playoffs in seven consecutive seasons. On top of that, they had a first-place regular-season finish in the Adams Division in 1986-87. The team didn’t have much playoff success, but the talent identified in this draft kept the Whalers in the conversation of a very competitive division for several years.
Their contributions, plus the incredible value of all three players being selected in the third round or later, make the 1982 draft the best in franchise history.
A Complete Review of the players drafted is here.
Carolina Hurricanes Best Draft Class in History - LWOH
Carolina Hurricanes Best Draft Class: 1982 (Hartford Whalers)
In 1982, the Hartford Whalers were still in the early stages of a new life in the NHL. They had just graduated from the WHA in 1979 and were having trouble adjusting compared to their other WHA alumni. A last-place finish in their division meant they would be missing the playoffs for consecutive years.
The team had just drafted future franchise centreman Ron Francis in 1981 and were now in desperate need of surrounding him with enough talent to vault the Whalers out of the basement and into consistent playoff contention.
The 1982 draft did exactly that.
The three major players selected in this draft class helped the Whalers go on to make the playoffs in seven consecutive seasons. On top of that, they had a first-place regular-season finish in the Adams Division in 1986-87. The team didn’t have much playoff success, but the talent identified in this draft kept the Whalers in the conversation of a very competitive division for several years.
Their contributions, plus the incredible value of all three players being selected in the third round or later, make the 1982 draft the best in franchise history.
A Complete Review of the players drafted is here.
Carolina Hurricanes Best Draft Class in History - LWOH
