3 Carolina Hurricanes Draft Target If They Change Back to Round 2 – Hockey Writer – Carolina Hurricanes

We are 17 days away from the 2025 NHL admission draft. Which one It is scheduled to be held in Los Angeles, California from June 27 to 28. The Carolina Hurricane once again won the draft pick in the late stages of the round 1 and took the 29th draft pick. However, it is well known that the Hurricane will add some additional draft capital later in the draft. In the 2024 draft, they won the 34th and 50th votes from the Chicago Blackhawks from the first round of the draft.

If the Hurricanes want to exchange the draft picks for some draft picks in the second round, they should call it Seattle Cleken. Kraken has the 38th and 57th picks (through Toronto Maple Leaf) and the 8th pick. However, adding a second draft pick might be something Kraken might be interested in getting. The Hurricanes will receive two draft picks in the second round, not yet. If this deal does happen, should the Hurricane target a draft pick of 38 and 57?

Jack Ivankovic

Jack Ivankovic, 18-year-old goalkeeper from Brampton Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), is dedicated to playing for the University of Michigan in the 2025-26 season, a team for many draft articles. Ivankovic was ranked fourth among North American goalkeepers by NHL Central Scouts.

He just finished his season with Steelheads, where he scored a 25-12-5 record, 3.05 Goal Average (GAA) and .903 Percent Savings (SV%) in 40 games. In the Calder Cup playoffs, he scored 1-3-0, with GAA of 4.87 and 0.877 SV. Despite the drop in playoff numbers, he has had a great overall season after taking over the starting job.

At 6 feet and 179 pounds, Ivankovic is a sought-after elite. He may be considered a short goalkeeper, but he has a long resume for the Canadian team. Among U18 world juniors, he scored 6-0-0, with GAA of 1.05 and 0.961 SV. But in his U20 world youth, he entered the network for Canada’s infamous Latvia losses, even if he wasn’t the reason they gave up on the game. This is his only game, ending with 1.85 GAA and 0.923 SV%.

Related: 2025 NHL Draft Guide

Ivankovic stands out because his angle and tracking are at the elite level. He also has a much better job of beating hockey through the screen than a goalkeeper.

Ivankovic is reasonable in position. He wouldn’t tend to toss and try to stop the puck. He just saves it in the right place. He happened to be at the shooter, embracing the post at the right angle, making it easy to save the shot from any angle. Ivankovic’s rebound control and hockey coverage are spectacular.

The Hurricane needs to increase the depth of the goalkeeper. Ivankovic should rise on that list to consider whether they do chase the goalkeeper in the second round.

Filip Ekberg – LW, Ottawa 67 (OHL)

Swedish striker Filip Ekberg deserves to target No. 57. The 5-foot-10-inch, 168-pound product was completed this season in OHL’s Ottawa 67 season, recording 16 goals and 45 points in 53 games. In 19 matches for Sweden in international matches, he scored 15 goals and 27 points, including 18 points in the U18 world junior. Ekberg is ranked 178th in NHL Central Scouting, but is expected to be selected in the second round mid-term.

Ekberg’s scoring ability is a topic of U18 world junior, where he leads the game with 10 goals and 18 points. His quick hands, volatile footwork, high-end awareness and excellent speed made him soar in the draft rankings. He looks forward to the flow of the game and always finds ways to give himself time to do the right game. In the offensive zone, Ekberg always finds those crossed pass lanes that create opportunities.

Ekberg held the puck in his hip pocket, allowing him to play different games immediately and somehow bring the puck to his intended goal. His hockey IQ was underestimated because he saw the next game before picking up the others. His fast foot and speed make him firm in all areas of the offensive zone.

Related: Hurricanes Can Benefit from Overall No. 29 drafting Cole McKinney

What made Ekberg hold tightly was his patience. He holds the puck, which forces the defense to bite, and when they do, he pays. He might be that surprising left wing, sneaking in the system to the right.

William Horcoff – C, USNTDP/U. Michigan

William Horcoff of the U.S. National Team Development Program participated in part of the 2024-25 season at the University of Michigan. NHL Central Scouting is ranked 24th in NHL Central Scouting in 4 goals and 18 games this season. He also scored eight goals and 14 points in 28 games for the U18 National Development Team. The 6-foot-4-inch and 181-pound left shot center has built its own game and active reading in the defensive area. Horcoff is a more defensive center than teammates like Cole McKinney or Jack Murtagh.

Korkov used his coverage to provide him with more blockages. Additionally, his strength improves his destructive quality when defending the hockey area. His figure gives him an advantage in forcing the hockey vehicle outside instead of having them sneak up on him. He then uses his body to harness the internal positioning and takes time to shoot from his opponent.

He also had some offenses in the game. Horcoff is a skilled organizer who uses his size and scope to leverage time and space to force his opponents to make mistakes. He is the preferred network and factor type player in the offensive zone, such as Stefan Noesen in the Hurricane. Carolina’s Mark Jankowski takes the position, but adding dimensions to the center will never hurt. Horcoff may be from the end of the first round to the second round, probably the player the Hurricane is looking for.

Maintain the 29th NHL draft pick or trade?

As we all know, the hurricane traded in the first round, the most recent in 2024. Will the upcoming draft in Los Angeles be repeated? This may be the case, considering their history. They currently have no draft picks in the second round, but by trading their 29th draft picks, they have a chance to catch two. Only time will tell if they will be a first-round pick or trade for more draft assets.