OK, OK, Carter Ashton may be a first-round reach at No. 27 for the Canes, and, who knows, Zach Budish could be available in the second round.
So what about ... Drew Shore?
Once again, he has the size (6-3, 190) that the Hurricanes are looking for in the draft. He's a hard-working, bruising center. The word on the Denver native is that he's tough in those "dark areas" coaches like to talk about and a physical presence on the ice.
NHL Central Scouting has him rated 28th among North American skaters. International Scouting Services rates him 18th.
A member of the U.S. National Team development program, Shore had 17 goals and 32 assists in 62 games, and a team-high 17 points in 17 international games. He helped Team USA win the gold at the 2009 Under-18 IIHF World Championships.
Shore, who said he grew up a Joe Sakic fan, plans to attend the University of Denver this year.
"That's not a strike against them in our eyes," Tony MacDonald, the Canes' director of amateur scouting, said about a prospect opting to play college hockey. "If we think they have a future with us, if we think they're good enough, we believe they'll be ready with two years of college competition."
MacDonald noted the progress made by defenseman Jamie McBain, the Canes' second-round pick in 2006. McBain played three seasons at Wisconsin, was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award this past season and will get a good look in the Canes' preseason training camp this year.
"The player we take at 27 probably will be three to five years away from being in our lineup," MacDonald said. "We're trying to project ahead to what our needs will be."
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
Negotiations Proving Difficult
Thu, 06/25/2009 - 14:50 — Sun"As July 1 draws ever nearer – next Wednesday, to be exact – Hurricanes General Manager Jim Rutherford isn’t feeling overly optimistic about how negotiations with the team’s unrestricted free agents are progressing.
Based on what was said at the conclusion of the season, it seemed as though Erik Cole and Chad LaRose, the team’s top two internal priorities, would be back in the fold with time to spare. However, there is still some considerable ground to make up before that happens. "
http://hurricanes.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=431678&cmpid=rss-branecky
Oh beans !!
Thu, 06/25/2009 - 19:05 — esteban1949While i understand the business side of Hockey, and while Both Cole and laRose both helped the Canes down the stretch into the playoffs and everything. But and i realize what all of us, and myself included are reading just one side of this issue, But I'll be frank...I love Chad LaRose's work ethic and fire he beings day after day...and unless the guy was dead, he wouldn't quit, but if i was Mr. K ( team owner) & JR... i wouldn't offer LaRose say double his salary from last years contract. I'd say go with a million one hundred grand, but put let him know if you want 1.625 million dude...then we need to see you go from 19 goals to 25 + ..if that is NOT good enough guy...then we love ya, we thank you for your efforts...but don't let the door hit you on the way out. And as far as Cole goes...i am not even going to speculate or even hazard a 50-50 chance type of guess...as i really didn't keep tract of him after he got traded off...when he returned he was HOT, but something cooled him off...Not that he didn't bust his chops, as he did, but it seemed that several defenders on the other teams had his number and countered alot of his moves that made him look flat & ineffective after the first 4-6 weeks of his return to the canes...so again, I am like totally bummed out about LaRose, but again i see and understand this haggling and bargining back & forth crap called negotiations, but still, after reading that article...took the wind out of my sails...Gee it looks like i forgot that in the business end of Hockey..a fans expectations are a whole lot different than the reality of it huh ?ifChad LaRose ends up leaving, I'll still keep his jersey, probably have it framed, and even take a peek at what ever team he'd be with to see how he is doing...but other than that...Love ya pal...but i am still a Caniac...not a Larose fanatic...
Go Canes !!
Shore/Budish
Thu, 06/25/2009 - 11:40 — GoShelfThe problem I have with Shore & Budish is the leauge they play in - Shore plays in USDL & Budish plays in essiantially high school hockey. I'd rather have a kid whose played in CHL against better competition or a kid whose played some professional in Europe. While college is a good route to the NHL, the best players in the NHL (by points) come from either the CHL or Europe - 3 of the top 20 came from college.
i agree with
Thu, 06/25/2009 - 10:49 — esteban1949What Tony MacDonald says...he, as well as others picked,drafted, or signed by the canes are the players on the bench for tomorrow...
Thanks Chip !! appreciate the efforts... Seen any " Black Aces" lately ?? :-}
Go Canes !!!