Top prospects for Carolina Hurricanes

NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 31 teams throughout August. Today, the top five prospects for the Carolina Hurricanes, according to NHL.com.

Hurricanes 31 IN 31: [Season preview | 3 Questions | Fantasy breakdown | Behind the Numbers]

1. Andrei Svechnikov, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 2 pick in 2018 NHL Draft
Last season: Barrie (OHL): 44 GP, 40-32-72
NHL Central Scouting ranked Svechnikov as the top North American skater available in the 2018 draft, and he was the clear-cut No. 2 pick behind defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, who was selected No. 1 by the Buffalo Sabres.
The Hurricanes hope to get a boost offensively from Svechnikov after finishing 23rd in the NHL in scoring last season (2.74 goals per game). The 18-year-old from Barnual, Russia, has the size (6-foot-2, 188 pounds) and strength to play in the NHL.
Projected NHL arrival:This season

2. Martin Necas, F

How acquired:Selected with No. 12 pick in 2017 NHL Draft
Last season:Carolina: 1 GP, 0-0-0; Brno (Czech Extraliga): 24 GP, 9-8-17
Necas made his NHL debut with the Hurricanes on Oct. 17, 2017, before returning to the Czech Extraliga. The 19-year-old also played for the Czech Republic at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship, when he had 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in seven games (tying Buffalo's Casey Mittelstadt for the tournament lead), and the 2018 IIHF World Championship, when he had five points (three goals, two assists) in seven games.
With the Hurricanes' need for centers, Necas (6-1, 167) will get a longer look in the NHL this season.
Projected NHL arrival:This season

3. Valentin Zykov, F

How acquired:Trade from Los Angeles Kings on Feb. 28, 2016
Last season: Carolina: 10 GP, 3-4-7; Charlotte (AHL): 63 GP, 33-21-54
After three seasons in the American Hockey League, it's time for Zykov to take the next step and establish himself as a full-time NHL player. The 23-year-old led the AHL last season in goals (33) and power-play goals (17).
Zykov, who was selected by Los Angeles in the second round (No. 37) in the 2013 NHL Draft, didn't look out of place in 10 games with Carolina at the end of last season. He skated at left wing on the top line with Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen, and used his size (6-1, 224) and strength to score three goals.
Projected NHL arrival: This season

4. Warren Foegele, F

How acquired:Selected with No. 67 pick in 2014 NHL Draft
Last season:Carolina: 2 GP, 2-1-3; Charlotte (AHL): 73 GP, 28-18-46
Foegele made an immediate impact with the Hurricanes last season, scoring on his first shot and getting an assist in his NHL debut against the Ottawa Senators on March 26. The 22-year-old scored again the next game against the New Jersey Devils before being returned to Charlotte for the remainder of the season.
A strong skater with good size (6-2, 190), Foegele is expected to compete for an NHL roster spot in training camp.
Projected NHL arrival:This season

5. Adam Fox, D

How acquired:Trade from Calgary Flames on June 23, 2018
Last season: Harvard (NCAA): 29 GP, 6-22-28
The main question about Fox is whether the skilled puck-mover will sign with the Hurricanes. The 20-year-old will return to Harvard for his junior year, but general manager Don Waddell said he hopes to sign him after the season. Otherwise, Fox could play out his college eligibility and become an unrestricted free agent in 2020.
A two-time first-team CCM/American Hockey Coaches Association All-American, Fox (5-11, 181) led NCAA defensemen with 40 points (six goals, 34 assists), including 24 (two goals, 22 assists) on the power play, as a freshman in 2016-17. He had 18 power-play points (two goals, 16 assists) last season.
Projected NHL arrival:Next season