16 Thoughts: The Wait is Over

A lot quicker than I really thought

Welcome back to 16 Thoughts, a series a kin to Elliotte Friedman’s 32 Thoughts but cut in half due to only talking about Carolina Hurricanes prospects. A lot to get into, so let’s dive right in.

Firstly, I’m giving a shoutout to Matt, who just started writing again. Go to his Substack and like his stuff.

1. 5 years ago, the Canes drafted Alexander Nikishin. After 3 dominant seasons with SKA, the Canes finally signed Alexander Nikishin. It was bittersweet for me because it was a day that was built up so much in my head and when that day finally came, that day being his release from SKA, I was shocked it actually happened. I’ve watched a LOT of SKA games over the past 3 years and it’s not hyperbole that this is the most hyped prospect in Canes history, and for good reason.

2. It’s rare that a team can add a player that has been playing as a top 2 defenseman in a senior league, even rarer that the player is under the age of 24. Even RARER that the team getting him is in the midst of competing. It’s a monumental moment and I can only wish Sasha the best going forward. Very excited to see him in the NHL (or the AHL?).

3. The AHL being his first game in North America wouldn’t be a bad thing. The Wolves are already in the playoffs and I doubt they would complain about adding a player of his caliber for a game or two.

4. News of Nikishin getting his US visa approved was great. Obviously the waiting is getting to people, but patience is an art form that is slowly losing itself in this society. He’s close to be in North America, so take solace in that.

5. Speaking of foreign players and the Chicago Wolves, I mentioned it a few times by Joel Nystrom didn’t look a lick out of place for the Wolves blueline. His skating is such a huge advantage for him as not many guys in the AHL can skate at the level he does. He did get some spot power play work, which I like, even if it didn’t amount to anything. Really looking forward to seeing his confidence continue to grow with more time in Chicago

6. Lastly, with foreign players and Chicago, thank you to Vivi (@aholuvr) and Maggie (@maggiesketchess) for giving us all the information that Dominik Badinka has made it to Chicago. It was only a matter of time, as it was widely reported that he was going to play in Chicago in the upcoming seasons. Interested to see if he gets in a game this season.

7. Well, who would’ve thought that he would more than likely make his debut this season after the Canes called up a ton of guys. Should be a fun time.

8. Bradly Nadeau continues to be a historic U20 AHL player. Just the 6th player in the last 80 years to score 30 goals as a U20 player, the first one in almost 20 years. He’s scored in almost every way you can imagine and has just been on a torrid pace since World Juniors.

9. He deserves the call up. One of the best U20 scoring AHL seasons in 20 years. Again, it’ll be real hard to envision a Canes lineup without Nadeau next year.

10. Once again, Charles-Alexis Legault continues to prove that he has real NHL potential. His overall play is so mature for his age and experience that it’s hard to fathom that he was drafted as a double overager.

11. Domenick Fensore making his NHL debut is the coolest thing to me. He’s another guy, like Robidas, who is going to beat the “short player” allegations and play at least a game in the NHL. He’s also earned this call up, due to improving everything about his play over the last season. It’s still weird to think that this is his first full season in the AHL.

12. Revenge of the tall, left-handed, Russian defenseman as all of the guys that I talked about a few months ago in Timur Kol, Alexander Siryatsky, and Roman Shokhrin have all carved out roles with their respective teams.

13. Timur Kol was a tweener all year for SKA, either being the 7th defenseman for the KHL team or getting bonkers time with MHL side SKA-1946. His defensive game is good, he skates well for his size, and his offense is developing.

14. Alexander Siryatsky has developed into a really solid shutdown defenseman while playing his offside during most of their playoff games. His time on ice has increased over the last month and it’s for a good reason, because he’s good.

15. Roman Shokhrin is a very strong even strength defenseman. He has potential on the penalty kill and maybe on the power play, but he’s very solid at even strength. It’s kind of funny that every single one of these guys have been playing 2RHD over the past month.

16. It was really neat to see some different Russian Hurricanes prospects get named to the Russian National Team for the Tour in the upcoming weeks. It’s even cooler that it’s guys that you, or honestly I, would expect. Those two being Vladimir Grudinin and Stanislav Yarovoy. Now, it is just an invite to the selection camp but I wouldn’t be shocked if either guys make the roster.