Report: Hanifin plans to make decision on deal with Hurricanes within couple of weeks

Noah Hanifin's first steps into the professional hockey world are going well at developmental camp, but the defenseman, drafted fifth overall by the Carolina Hurricanes, has yet to make a decision on where he'll play next season.

"Obviously it’s a big decision, and you don’t want to rush anything," Hanifin told Chip Alexander of The News and Observer. "What I got at BC this year helped me a lot, and I don’t want to hurt them in any way by waiting until the last minute to make a decision. I want to make the decision as soon as I can."

Hanifin, 18, will make his decision between returning to Boston College or playing in the pros next season sooner rather than later, Alexander reports. Hurricanes general manager Ron Francis reportedly hoped to sign Hanifin to an entry-level contract before prospects camp.

The Boston native was drafted behind Connor McDavid (Edmonton), Jack Eichel (Buffalo), Dylan Strome (Arizona), and Mitch Marner (Toronto) in June's NHL draft.

McDavid, Eichel, and Strome have already agreed to entry-level deals.