by me
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Actually, I do not own Jim Rutherford or Paul Maurice. I do own Parker Addison, though, and anyone else you might not recognize as a member of the Carolina Hurricanes organization.
Summary: There is discussion as to who the Hurricanes might take in the draft this year.
Notes: I know ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about the scouting procedures of NHL scouts or the methods in which the select players or who's involved. So I'm sorry for all the inaccuracies that might occur - I suppose I'm kind of hoping you guys might not know that stuff either. I can't seem to change the way I've got it in my head, though...
�So, I�ve got something you might like.�
�Oh, really?� Jim Rutherford, general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes put his hands behind his head and leaned back in the desk chair as his head of scouting took a seat opposite him.
�You may not like it at first. But just hear me out.�
�Go ahead.�
�I�ve found a first round pick for you.�
�I thought we�d DECIDED on a first round pick. The goalie?�
�He�ll be around in the second. So will this kid, but I think we should take him first.�
Jim sighed. �What�s his name?�
�Addison.�
�Never heard of him. Where does he play?�
�Um, Atlanta.�
�Atlanta, GEORGIA?�
�Yes.�
�You want me to draft a kid in the FIRST round that�s playing in the fucking baby league?�
�Jesus, Jim. Hear me out. First. I�ve seen him play. Three times. It�s the real thing, Jim. He�s got great speed, great moves, great shot. He�s got a presence on the ice that everyone respects. Six feet, and in good shape now. We can get him to put on some weight. Second. His coach is Frank Brown � you�ve heard of him? He holds the kid with utmost respect. Third � and perhaps most important � he�s local.�
That made Jim sit forward. �Local?�
�Born and raised in Raleigh, Jim. Do you know what it would do for your public relations to draft a local kid?�
Jim shook his head. �Maybe, but we�ve prided ourselves on making good draft choices. I don�t want to take someone who is not a first-round caliber pick 25th overall.�
�Jim, I honestly believe this is a good choice. He�s under the radar of most people. But I�ve had scouts on him since their first game. I don�t think he�s even close to his full potential and he�s damn good right now.�
�Is everyone in agreement on this?�
�Every scout who�s seen him agrees. Listen, I saw the kid score a natural hat trick in just over 4 minutes after playing 56 scoreless. He didn�t leave the ice in the last five of the game. Endurance and leadership. We think no one�s seen him, but that he�s top-notch talent-wise.�
�Then why not hold off until later rounds, if no one knows who he is?�
�Not worth losing him. And it goes back to public relations. People watch the first round, they�ll SEE if you draft a kid from Raleigh. If we wait until the fourth, it might go unnoticed, and that would defeat part of the purpose.�
Jim sighed again. �I�ll think about it. Get me some tape of him.�
The scout handed over a VHS tape. �Already got some.�
Jim took it and dismissed him. His next meeting was with his head coach. He could make Paul watch the tape and go from there.
Two days later, Paul handed the tape back. �I like him.�
�You like him?�
�I do.�
�Do you like it?�
�What�s �it�?�
�The idea of taking him 25th overall?�
Paul shrugged. �The draft pool isn�t great. Our need for a goalie isn�t humongous. I like the kid. I read the scouting reports, too. Our scouts love him.�
�So you�re ok with this?�
�I�m comfortable with this decision. I like this decision. I hope you have people talk to his parents and, you know, him, before it�s final, but I like it.�
Jim rolled his eyes. �No shit, Paul.�
Maurice grinned at him and left the office.
TBC...