"When you get into any draft, you're just trying to maximize the picks that you have," said Hurricanes Assistant General Manager Darren Yorke.
"We looked at our list and we looked at the different options. We decided that we had lots of players that we liked, and if we traded down, we can get more of them. It's about the opportunity to keep getting players that we are excited about."
The Hurricanes are not alone in their excitement based on the marks administrated by media analysts:
2021 NHL Draft Winners and Losers: Ranking Every Team's Day 2 Picks ($)
The Athletic, Scott Wheeler
Grade: No.1 Ranked Winners
"Loyal readers will know that the Hurricanes have a way of picking players that align with my board and the things I look for in my own work. So it was no surprise to me when they snatched Scott Morrow, my 33rd-ranked skater, with their first second-round pick. Morrow's a free-flowing, aggressive offensive defenceman who demands the puck. Shattuck head coach Ben Umhoefer, who has coached top prospects like Cam York and Jackson LaCombe, told me he believes Morrow's the most purely gifted defender to come through their storied program."
NHL Draft grades 2021: Corey Pronman evaluates every pick by all 32 teams ($)
The Athletic, Corey Pronman
Grade: B
"Carolina traded back a lot and ended up getting a lot of good players that I particularly like - albeit no true top prospect given the Hurricane's first pick was at No. 40. I can see Ville Koivunen and Aleksi Heimosalmi playing games, as well as Jackson Blake and Aidan Hreschuk."
NHL Draft grades 2021: Final grades, analysis for all 32 teams
Josh Bell, Sporting News
Grade: A-
"Surprise, surprise, the Hurricanes had a good draft. This year, some savvy trades turned the 27th, 59th and 123rd picks into seven selections. With those, they went all-in on upside, no matter the floor. High school defender Scott Morrow was their first pick and is one of the best skaters in the class with impressive transition and offensive skills. Finns Aleksi Heimosalmi and Ville Koivunen are two more prospects with high-end skill. Jackson Blake, Aidan Hreschuk, Justin Robidas and Robert Orr also look like strong contenders to be future NHLers." Best Selection: Aleksi Heimosalmi (44th)
2021 NHL Draft Results: Team-by-Team Grades for Notable Picks
Bleacher Report, Adam Wells
Grade: B+
