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Franchise Player
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Calgary
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A few prospects of note if we're dealing with Carolina (other than Nikishin or Ryabkin):
-RW Fyodor Avramov (6'3",205lbs): Drafted in the 6th-round of 2024, 19 year-old Avramov is a big, strong power-forward who loves to punish opponents physically, and can bully his way around the ice. He can beat checkers by plowing through them, or by stickhandling around them with his well-developed puck-skills. He's an intimidating presence in front of the net, and exhibits good hands in-tight, but his most impressive asset is his hard shot, and lethal release. He played in 3 levels of hockey in 2024-25 (11 points in 8 MHL games) , and has 4 points in 2 games so far with Kapitan Stupino of the MHL this season.
-LW Alexander Perevalov (6'0",194lbs): 21 year-old Perevalov played the whole 2024-25 season in the VHL, Russia's second-tier pro league, and put up an impressive 26gp/8g/15a/23pts,+17, 6 PIM for Metallurg, after being sent there from Omskie Krylia (21gp/3g/3a/6pts,-8, 2 PIM). In his draft year, in 2021-22, he amassed a rather jaw-dropping 50 points in 42 games for Loko Yaroslavl, and was selected in the third-round. Though he leans into his slick playmaking abilities, and possesses sharp instincts and vision, he is also inside-driven and more than willing to attack the net. Like most Russians, he can stickhandle in a phone booth and can outpace opponents with his quickness, or outrun them with his blazing top-gear.
-LD Alexander Siryatsky (6'4",183lbs): I was a fan of the now 19 year-old Siryatsky in his draft season (he's grown two inches!), and he is still flashing the two-way potential that got him noticed by scouts. Whether he's playing in the KHL, or in the MHL, he exhibits a very mature, near-flawless defensive game, with the smarts and awareness to kill rush after rush, and to separate man from puck on the cycle- he's already elite in his own-zone amongst his peers. There's plenty of potential in the other end of the rink too, as he's not averse to carrying through exit and entry on occasion, and can run the play from the line with calmness and poise. Siryatsky is a solid skater and puck-mover, and has the puck-skill to deke and dangle through traffic when needed.
-LW Alexander Rykov (5'11",196lbs): The 20 year-old Rykov may have a better NHL floor than many of his comrades, as he has always played a mature 200-foot game, and keeps things simple. Every year since he was drafted in 2023, he has played in 3 levels of hockey in Russia- and his numbers in the top-2 pro leagues (14 points in 22 VHL games last season) are pretty good, but he could probably get his foot in the door in the NHL with how good he is defensively, and how well he drives play in transition. Rykov is a remarkably smooth skater, but still needs work on his explosiveness and top-speed- he can still stickhandle through traffic with ease, though. He might make a good third-liner in the NHL.
-LW Andrei Krutov (5'11",181lbs): Krutov wowed scouts in 2024 with his high-end puck-skills, and his ability to make defenders look foolish with his ability to fake, deke, and dangle his way through them with regularity. He put up 50 points in just 41 MHL games in his draft year, and though he is mostly a finesse player, he's not afraid to play through contact, cut inside, or go to the net. He can make plays, but he's far and away a goal-scorer right now, with soft hands in-close, and a lethal release, together with a built-in ability to find seams of space to work within. He contributes ok defensively, and can move the play through transition, but he needs to get bigger and faster. Boom-or-bust player.
-LW Nikita Artamonov (5'11",192lbs); Carolina loves their Russians, and other than Nikishin or Ryabkin- Artamonov might be their best prospect from that nation. I thought Artie should've been drafted in the late-first round of 2024, but he lasted until pick # 50- despite the fact that he played almost his entire draft season in the KHL (23 points in 54 games, which is 6th-best all-time for a U-19 player in that league). Artamonov is a nearly elite-level playmaker, with sublime IQ and vision, who reads the play better than most in order to make decisions at high speeds; his hands and his shot are also dangerous weapons. He contributes in all areas of the ice, and is often said to be the hardest-working player on either team in any given contest.
-LD Kurban Limatov (6'4",192lbs): In another few years, Limatov could be the next Nikishin. Drafted this summer, Limatov's 23 points in 46 MHL games are 11th-best all-time for a defenseman in that league. He's still a bit raw, and though he skates very well for a player of his size- he could stand to add a bit of explosiveness, and a quicker top-speed. He handles smoothly and calmly, showing smarts and poise in his puck-movement, with plenty of deception in his feet and hands to throw attackers off. With high-end offensive awareness, and plus-level playmaking skill, he runs the offense for his team from the backend, but is quite active in joining the rush, or pinching in from the point to create offense- he also owns a hard and heavy shot. He needs a bit of work on his positioning, and his decision-making with the puck in his own-end, but he likes the physical game, and can be a bit mean at times.
-LD Roman Shokhrin (6'5",198lbs): He may be a behemoth, but 2024 6th-rounder Roman Shokhrin moves like a figure skater, with uncommon speed and maneuverability for a player of his size- he's an amazing skater. Couple that with his smooth handling, and his well-developed passing skill, he is a valuable puck-mover and transitional player, with an underrated offensive side (17 points in 36 MHL games last year with Loko Yaroslavl). With his size and reach, he's an intimidating physical threat, but he could use his size better- he does most of his work with solid positioning and an active stick. He's still quite raw, and needs work on his decision-making in the defensive zone with the puck.
-RW Gleb Trikozov (6'1",192lbs): The 21 year-old Trikozov (drafted 60th-overall in 2022) put up 85 goals and 80 assists for 165 points over 156 MHL games in his junior career- which puts him 17th all-time in that league. He has middle-six NHL potential, but his first AHL season last year was limited to 20 games due to injury, and only 3 points- it was nothing short of a disaster. Trikozov is extremely well-rounded, plays a tight 200-ft game, and can contribute in any situation. He sees the ice extremely well, owns high-end anticipation and awareness, and can deploy a hard and heavy wrister with a lethal release to fool goalies.
-LD Noel Fransen (6'1",194lbs): Fransen was drafted in the third-round of the 2024 Draft, but his numbers were first-round worthy- 44 points in just 45 games, which ranks as the 4th-best season by a U-19 defenseman all-time in the J20. Fransen's skating is top-notch, and he uses it to his advantage in transition, and on the attack in the offensive zone- he's a solid puck-mover by pass, or by carry. He's a fine playmaker, with excellent vision and awareness, as well as well-developed passing skill, and a hard shot; he's not afraid to join the rush, or activate into the play to create offense. Scouts wonder if his defensive game is not detailed enough to play top-4 minutes in the NHL, and some see him as a bottom-pairing, powerplay guy. I like him a lot more than that.
-LD Simon Forsmark (6'2",201lbs): Drafted in the 4th-round of the 2022 Draft, 21 year-old Simon Forsmark was one of my dark-horse favorites that year- putting up an eye-popping 27 points in only 22 games. He has continued to produce, piling up 23 points in 49 SHL games last season- which put him 17th in D scoring, and 21st all-time for defensemen 21-and-under in that league. Though he has issues with pace, and his skating is far from elite, Forsmark is a quality puck-mover who sees the ice very well, and is a solid two-way player with poise, patience, and high-end vision and awareness. In the offensive zone, he is not afraid to activate, and owns a bullet of a shot.
-RD Dominik Badinka (6'3",205lbs): The 'Canes have always been a team that revolved around their defense, and this is another top-quality rearguard in their system. He was drafted 34th-overall in 2024, and for good reason; Badinka is a valuable contributor in all three zones, with an ability to anticipate the play at an elite level. In the defensive zone, he already plays like a seasoned veteran, with play-killing proficiency against both the rush and the cycle, immaculate retrievals and breakout plays, and sound first-passes to turn the play around. He is physical, dominates along the walls, connects with huge hits, and is a bulldozer in the crease. He can embarrass defenders with his wide array of one-on-one moves and deception, and shows calmness and poise in running the play from line- but he will pinch in deep if he sees a clear opportunity. Awesome player, who will get his foot in the door just based on his size, physicality, and stellar defensive play- but there's potential for more.
-C/LW Oskar Vuollet (5'11",183lbs): Vuollet (drafted in the 5th-round in 2024) has always been ahead of the pack numbers-wise thoughout the Junior ranks, but he is finding offense harder to come by in the pros. He has a high-end brain, with exceptional IQ and awareness that makes him a threat on, and off the puck, and his puck-skills and deceptive abilities give him an advantage against younger opponents. His shot is NHL-quality, and he can thread the needle through the smallest holes- he was 5th in J20 scoring in his draft year, with 29 goals and 61 points in 41 games. He skates well, but needs to get faster and more explosive, and he needs work in the defensive zone. Could be a boom-or-bust player.
-RW Justin Poirier (5'8",185lbs): Short in stature, but built like a fire-hydrant, Poirier is a volume shooter and high-end sniper with an elite shooting arsenal, gifted with a goal-scorer's ability to find open pockets of space around the net to strike. He's feisty, aggressive, and plays an intense, agitating, high-energy game that sees him get under his opponents' skin on a nightly basis, and has a surprising physical dimension- he throws hits, works the boards, gets his nose dirty in front of the net, and battles for loose pucks. He's strong and stocky, and his low center of gravity makes him hard to knock off the puck, but he also owns very well-developed stickhandling skill to be able to weave through traffic. Poirier's skating has improved, but he must continue to add power to his lower-body in order to become more explosive, and his edgework and agility still need improvement. 51 goals in 68 games in 2023-24, to go with 43 in 58 last year (18 goals in 17 games in the 2024 QMJHL Playoffs with Baie-Comeau, to lead all skaters in goals and points).
-LHC Charlie Cerrato (6'0",194lbs): Passed over in two drafts, Cerrato was finally taken in 2025, at 49th-overall- after a stellar freshman season at Penn State, where he amassed 42 points in just 38 games. Cerrato is remarkably well-balanced skill wise, with speed and intelligence, and is a mature, responsible two-way player who already plays NHL-quality defense. He's intense and hard-working, quite fiery, and very physical- he's got everything you want in a middle-six C.
-RW Felix Unger-Sorum (5'11",172lbs): 19 year-old Unger-Sorum had a tough rookie season in the AHL, while getting acclimated to life on-and-off the ice in North America- registering only 20 points in 61 AHL games with the Chicago Wolves. He's a solid two-way winger with a fairly well-rounded skillset, and good IQ and awareness, but needs to get stronger and faster. He has put up great numbers in international play, along with good showings at the U-18's (10 points in 7 games), and in two editions of the WJC (16 points in 14 games).
-RD Aleksi Heimosalmi (5'11',181lbs): I really liked Heimosalmi back in his draft year, in 2020-21- he was 9th in scoring for D in Finland's U20 league (1st for U-18 defensemen) with 21 points in 35 games, and was tied for top-spot amongst blueliners in scoring at the U-18 Tournament with 8 points in 7 games. In his final year in Finland (2023-24), he was first in scoring by U-21 defensemen in the top-tier Men's Liiga, with 16 points in 47 games. Last year, he sadly posted 56gp/5g/9a/14pts,-29, 26 PIM with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL, showing that he still needs upgrades to his strength and speed. He is a smooth skater, and a cerebral playmaker, who can contribute defensively with his stick and his positioning, but he isn't all that physical. He is a sound puck-mover, calm and poised with the puck, and valuable in transition.
-RW/C Bradly Nadeau (5'11",172lbs): Nadeau was taken 30th-overall in the 2023 Draft, and might be the 'Canes third-best prospect, putting up an incredible 32 goals and 58 points in 64 games in his rookie year in the AHL with the Wolves. Nadeau was drafted out of the BCHL's Penticton Vees, where he stockpiled an enormous 113 points in just 54 games, with 45 goals; he then produced another 17 goals and 35 points in 17 playoff games- en route to a Championship. Nadeau's calling card has always been the supernatural velocity he gets on his lethal release- his shot is truly special, and he can score from anywhere in the offensive zone. According to scouts, his playmaking has taken several steps forward, making him even more dangerous and unpredictable. He is confident with the puck, unafraid of playing in traffic, undeterred by contact, and more than willing to go to the greasy areas to score or create offense- even despite his smaller stature. Nadeau works hard all over the ice, and is useful in all situations, but needs a bit of a tweak in his skating, and his defensive play.
Last edited by Sandman; 09-08-2025 at 02:36 AM.
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