It sure looked like the Canes might actually make their first round pick. The cameras went into the draft room, and we got to see the upper management of the Canes decked out in their matching grey tops. Despite the usual commercial break before the Canes picked (hat tip to Luke DeCock), the clock continued to run and the ESPN panel had to actually talk about the Carolina Hurricanes.
It was all for not.
Four hours after the start of the NHL draft that could have been done via email with rough technological moments and bits that just didn’t land, Commisioner Gary Bettman slapped the Trade Alert Buzzer to announce to everyone that Carolina had traded their pick to the Chicago Blackhawks.