Haydn Fleury 2014 First Rounders: Will They Make It?
Around the NHL training camps open today and many 2014 draft picks will be in attendance trying to crack an NHL roster instead of being sent back to junior. One of those players in attendance is 7th overall pick Haydn Fleury.
Prior to Draft
Before being taken 7th overall in the NHL draft, Haydn Fleury made his junior career in the WHL with the Red Deer Rebels where he fine crafted his defensive game. In his last season with the Rebels he recorded a respectable 46 points in 70 games while holding down the blue line and acting as alternate captain.
He also laced up for Canada at the U18 World Juniors where he had 1 point in 7 games helping Canada bring home the bronze medal from the tournament. He was named the top defenceman of the tournament as well as one of three of Canada’s best players at the tournament.
He laced up for Canada again at the Ivan Hlinka tournament where he was able to bring home the gold recording 1 point in 5 games. He was a member of team Cherry for the CHL top prospects game leading up to the draft.
Fleury was limited to just one post season game with the Rebels due to an injury.
The Carolina Hurricanes stepped up to the podium to draft Haydn Fleury 7th overall in the 2014 draft.
Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes are another team that knows just how harsh the NHL can be if you don’t have the right parts. The Hurricanes were atop the NHL in 2005-2006 when they won the Stanley Cup, 8 seasons later and they can’t crack the postseason as their team falls to pieces.
Despite have both Jordan and Eric Staal, Jeff Skinner and Cam Ward between the pipes things haven’t been great for the Hurricanes as of late. However, they’ve brought in some key parts for this upcoming season to improve their squad. Zach Boychuk should get a better crack at the Hurricanes roster, if Alex Semin is healthy that will be a huge boost and if either Brock McGinn or Victor Rask can crack the roster their will be added forward depth.
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The biggest problem for the Hurricanes last season was their inconsistency and they need to find some consistency in a hurry if they hope to get back on track. Whether it’s between the pipes or with the offence, something needs to click because this team does have some solid talent.
The question is whether or not their blue line has what it takes or if there is room for a new prospect in town. When you take a look at their current blue line and see names like Andrej Sekera, Justin Faulk, Ryan Murphy, Tim Gleason and John-Michael Liles, you don’t exactly see a star studded blue line. You see a blue line with veteran guys who have been around the league and are trying to once again find a home aside from Murphy and Faulk.
One has to think Murphy will be a lock to crack the team after his impressive development and being a late cut last season. He’s ready to make the jump for his rookie season, do the Hurricanes really want two young, rookie defenceman on their blue line when they need to find consistency and shut down the holes?
Will he play his rookie season in 2014-2015
During the prospect tournament Fleury tallied 3 assists and played as the Hurricanes top defenceman. While he’ll be in for a long and hard training camp I think Haydn Fleury gets sent back to juniors for another year of seasoning while the Hurricanes focus to improve their defence with veteran presence.
It takes defencemen a little longer to grow into form and I can’t see the Hurricanes rushing this guy into the NHL when they’re struggling to find their identity.