LOS ANGELES -- No Ryan Johansen. No Mikael Granlund, Alexander Burmistrov or Nino Niederreiter.
While the NHL invited "top prospects" for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft to a media availability today, none of those forwards -- all being eyed closely by the Canes as a potential first-round pick at No. 7 -- were there.
Burmistrov has been interviewed in L.A. by the Canes. So have defenseman Cam Fowler and Brandon Gormley. Forward Brett Connolly said he was scheduled to meet with the Canes at their Hollywood hotel on Wednesday but that it was cancelled.
"They said they had all the info on me they needed," Connolly said.
The Canes have 11 picks and general manager Jim Rutherford said today the team might be tempted to package some of its second- and third-rounders to secure a second, lower pick in the first round. He also said of such a deal, "I don't want to do that" and called it a remote possibility.
Rutherford did make one thing clear today: if one of the top three defenseman are available at No. 7, the Canes could be hard-pressed to pass on him. But he thinks the big three -- Erik Gudbranson, Fowler and Gormley -- all will be taken in the first six picks.
If so, look for the Canes to take a forward, likely a center, in the first round. That could be Johansen, if he's available. There also appears to be added interest in Burmistrov.
Connolly, sidelined much of last season with a hip injury for Prince George (WHL), has been deemed the "wild card" for the first round and doesn't disagree.
"Not playing all year, they can definitely put me in that category," he said. "I'm not worried about it at all. I'm going to go somewhere in that range of one to 10."
Connolly said one highlight of his visit to L.A. for the draft was winning a home-run derby in batting practice Wednesday before the Angels' game. He said he was the only one to hit one, nailing a 330-footer down the left-field line, only to have the other prospects renege on their supposed $50 bet on the winner.
"They say they didn't shake on it," he said, smiling.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
Chip, has Rutherford
Fri, 06/25/2010 - 11:41 — jgrant641Chip,
has Rutherford commented on the Versteeg rumors?
that would be a great move.