SenShot 2014 NHL Mock Draft Picks 6-10

7  Carolina Hurricanes

Dec 12, 2013; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Carolina Hurricanes head coach Kirk Muller on his bench against the Calgary Flames during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

The Hurricanes missed the playoffs after sludging through a season where injuries and sub-standard play dictated another playoff whiff.

There is a changing of the guard in Raleigh, with Jim Rutherford first moving up and then out of the organization and new GM Ron Francis taking over.   He quickly relieved Kirk Muller of his coaching duties and has yet to name a replacement.

The Hurricanes weakness is up front, most notably on the wing.  Perhaps this is the point for a sleeper pick, and that would be Nick Ritchie from the Peterborough Petes of the OHL.

Ritchie is a tough, talented power forward who will give you 20-25 goals and can also drop the mitts when required.   Some question his potential to score at the NHL level, but 40 goals in 61 OHL games is nothing to sneeze at.