Carolina Hurricanes: Top 10 prospects entering 2019

10. Anttoni Honka

Acquired: 2019 NHL Draft (third-round pick)

Age: 18 (turns 19 in October)

Position: Defense

Stats: 6 games, 2 goals, 7 assists, 9 points (JYP U20, Jr. A SM-Liiga); 20 games, 2 goals, 7 assists, 9 points (JYP, Liiga); 7 games, 0 goals, 3 assists, 3 points, 5 postseason games, 1 goal, 2 assists, 3 points (KeuPa HT, Mestis)

Anttoni Honka is an extremely skilled defenseman. You might know his brother Julius, who plays for the Dallas Stars. They are similar in many ways. But honestly, I think Anttoni is better. He had immediate success in Liiga as an 18-year-old, even though it was in sheltered minutes.

Honka’s offensive upside is off the charts. His defensive is a work in progress, but I think if he can even be decent in the defensive zone, he’ll be an NHL-caliber defenseman because of what he can do with the puck. He’s absolutely fearless with the puck.

His ceiling is a top-four defenseman, but his floor is very low because, as I said, his defense is a work in progress. But I love that the Hurricanes gambled on him. They’ve had success gambling on skill in the past. They might have another big win with Honka.

9. Jack Drury

Acquired: 2018 NHL Draft (second-round pick)

Age: 19

Position: Center

Stats: 32 games, 9 goals, 15 assists, 24 points (Harvard University, NCAA)

I wasn’t a huge fan of Jack Drury coming out of the 2018 draft. But he had a very solid rookie season for Harvard. Drury quickly got trusted by the coaching staff. He’s a pretty good shooter and his playmaking is developing. Drury is quite trigger happy with the puck, as he’s not afraid to shoot it.

His offense upside, though, is limited. Drury’s shot isn’t that great and his hockey IQ doesn’t stand out to me. Still, he made some nice strides last season, so maybe he continues to get better. Drury’s ceiling is a third or fourth-line center. His two-way play should help him get to the NHL. I just don’t think he’ll be an impact player.