DALLAS --The Carolina Hurricanes are all but locked in on Andrei Svechnikov with the second overall pick in the NHL Draft this weekend in Dallas.

• Svechnikov scored 40 goals in 44 games for the Barrie Colts
• The NHL Draft begins Friday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m.
• Svechnikov is the number one rated prospect for North American skaters

Hurricanes President and General Manager Don Waddell feels the 18-year old from Barnaul, Russia is a generational type of talent and one that could step into the Hurricanes line-up next season.

"He's a man already," Waddell said during an interview with sports director Mike Solarte Wednesday. "He's 6 feet 3 inches, 195 pounds, very strong.  He doesn't look like an 18-year-old player that's for sure.  It's hard for 18 year olds to play in the League, and we'll be careful with him, but we think he'll be able to jump in and play right away."

Svechnikov scored 40 goals in 44 games for the Barrie Colts in the Ontario Hockey League's regular season and then posted five goals and 11 points in the Colts eight playoff games.

Svechnikov is the number one rated prospect for North American skaters, as determined by the NHL Central Scouting.

The NHL Draft begins Friday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m. in Dallas.