Hurricanes top pick Fleury knows he needs more 'man muscle' to compete at the NHL level
When the Carolina Hurricanes made Red Deer Rebels defender Haydn Fleury the 7th overall pick at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, they envisioned a big, two-way defender that could bolster their blue-line for years to come. In all likelihood, they weren't counting on Fleury to play a major role on their club next season, despite boasting a wafer thin defense-corps.
Fleury is intent on making the decision to send him back to the CHL as difficult as possible this fall, though.
"When you get drafted so high and you see top 10 picks make it the next year, that’s kind of one of your goals in the summer," Fleury told Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer this week. "I think at the same time I need to keep a level mind and realize not many 18-year-olds play in the NHL and it’s a big step, especially on defense."
"He's got some work to do," admitted incoming Hurricanes head coach Bill Peters, who cut his teeth with the notoriously patient Detroit Red Wings. "It’s going to be harder for a D-man than it is for a forward. We’re not going to be in a hurry. We’ll go step by step.
"I think he’s a mature enough young man that he knows it’s a process. He’s in the early stages of that process of developing from a junior-age player into a pro. He’s got some work to do."
Fleury seems to be aware of what he needs to do to improve, and beefing up and adding "man muscle" is likely to be key.
"The margin of error is smaller for defenseman [in the NHL] and the guys are a lot bigger," Fleury said. "The forwards are grown men, 220 pounds. When you’re playing junior you’re playing against guys who are 170 pounds. So every day you need to keep working and get stronger to be able to compete with those guys."
The 6-foot-3 defender also realizes that he needs to improve his offensive game and it's certainly true that his offensive resume pales in comparison with fellow first-round picks Aaron Ekblad, Juluis Honka and Anthony DeAngelo.
"[Rebels coach Brent Sutter] said if I want to play the way I played in junior I need to get better with the puck offensively, from the blue line down," Fleury said. "That’s something I’m really trying to work hard at. Just be more creative. Don’t take yourself out of a scoring chance. Just be a threat to score. But in the D-zone keep being hard on guys every second on the ice."
The Hurricanes only have six defenders currently signed to one-way NHL contracts, so there should be an opportunity for a player like Fleury to steal a job at training camp. If Fleury can round out his offensive game and graft that skill set onto his massive frame, and top-end skating ability - he'll surely have a shot to break camp with the Hurricanes, even if it's only for a nine-game cup of coffee.