Carolina Hurricanes Prospects: Right Defense

"We like this group" - Canes Prospects

Welcome to week 4 of this series where I go through the Carolina Hurricanes prospect farm, pick out a position group and update everyone on these players. These updates will consist of how they played this past season, what strengths and weaknesses are in their game, and a projected (if there is one) NHL timeline. These lists will also be a ranking of the position as well, with players listed higher being the guys closer to the NHL and with more potential. This week we will be looking at the right side of the defense.

The right side of the defense is not that deep quantity-wise, only having 6 prospects within the group itself. But the quality is very solid, with 3 or 4 of them having a good shot to play NHL games in the future.

1. Scott Morrow

The messiah of the right-handed defenseman prospects, Scott Morrow is NHL-ready by all accounts. Some were shocked not to see him sign with the Canes after his sophomore season with UMass, but it’s very obvious that Morrow might’ve needed that Junior season. While his point production might’ve gone down (by one point) from 31 points to 30, 6 goals and 24 assists, Morrow’s defensive game took that big jump that was absolutely necessary to him for his success in the NHL. Also, his power play deployment could’ve played a role in the very slight point decrease, as about halfway through the year, Morrow was used as a net-front presence instead of from the bumper or up top like he was used to.

Morrow’s offensive game jumps out at you in bounds. His skating can generate open shooting lanes, in which Morrow is not afraid to shoot by any means, as seen by him averaging 3 shots a game at the NHL level. His ability to cleanly break the puck out of his own zone and lead a transition chance is something the Hurricanes just don’t have currently, besides maybe Dmitry Orlov. Morrow’s ability to distribute is also second to none, shown by his ability to lead a power play at UMass (before the change) and getting a chance to run a power play for the Canes in game 82. His hockey IQ flashes when he has the puck on his stick, always knowing where a player is at a certain time and having the ability to get the puck to that player, no matter what.

There’s not an easy way to describe how Morrow’s defensive game has taken strides besides just describing it. He’s become much more physical to players driving with the puck, normally using his frame to just bully them off the puck. His brain has also gotten quicker at reading plays happening and his stick usually helps him more than it hurts him. Everything has just improved since that sophomore year, which has led to him becoming an NHL defender, and probably an everyday defender as well.

Morrow’s drawback currently is still that defense. It has gotten better over time but it’s still got room for improvement to get him over the hump. Also, his decision-making can be slightly questionable at times, but that could be attributed to just not having that experience at the NHL level just yet.

Overall, Scott Morrow is an exceptional talent. He projects as a perfect 2nd pairing right-handed defenseman who can handle quarterbacking a team’s top power play at a high level. If he can keep improving defensively, Morrow can be something special. I see Morrow as an NHL regular next season.

NHL Timeline: 2024

2. Charles-Alexis Legault

The prospect that would’ve won the Most Improved Canes Prospect Award if the Prospect Awards were a thing, Charles-Alexis Legault grew his stock a ton in his sophomore season with Quinnipiac. Going from 9 points total in his freshman season to 9 goals and 15 assists for 24 points in 39 games, Legault found some offense to compliment his already established defensive game.

Legault already has a defensive game well ahead of his offense. His IQ jumps out when the puck is in his own zone, being able to cut off passes with his longer reach and anticipation. His size, standing at 6’3, 207 pounds, also is something Legault uses effectively, cutting off players on the boards before they have the time to do anything. His offensive game finally started to shine through in the latter part of the season, with his shot finding its way through traffic more, as well as Legault becoming a much more effective puck mover. He also loves to help in transition, often starting or trying to lead a rush up ice. Legault’s skating is also good, with his edgework shining through, especially on defense.

The one downside with Legault is that the offense might not stick or be that consistent. I was ecstatic when he found that part of his game later in the season but is it going to be more consistent at the NHL level or is Legault going to be more of a pure shutdown defender? Those aren’t bad to have at all, but you would love to have complimentary offense to the defense already present.

Overall, that sophomore season for Legault did wonders for his development. He was already lauded for his defensive ability being ahead of the game but the offense coming through was amazing to see. This led him to get an entry-level contract with the Canes and I expect we will see Legault play heavy minutes with the Chicago Wolves this upcoming year.

NHL Timeline: 2025+

3. Joel Nystrom

A common trend amongst Canes draft picks that play defense is that they are all strong skaters and that’s no different for Joel Nystrom. The 22-year-old has carved out a nice role with Farjestad in the SHL, playing the majority of the year on the top pairing along with getting penalty kill and power play time. Posting career highs in games played, goals, assists, and points this year (8 goals, 18 assists for 26 points in 51 games), Nystrom had a killer year.

Nystrom’s skating is something special. A real combination of edgework, straight-line speed, acceleration, and the ability to change direction at the drop of a time make him a valuable blue liner. Nystrom is also valuable in his passing ability, which has grown in leaps and bounds since his draft year. Combine that with his shot finding twine more and his defensive game being sound at a young age and you get a perfect prototypical 2nd or 3rd pairing defenseman. Shockingly as well, Nystrom has grown 4 inches since his draft year, going from 5’10 to 6’2 and adding about 10 pounds onto his frame.

Something that Nystrom could work on to become a full-time NHL player down the line would just be staying consistent more often. His play is usually at a high level but can sometimes dip, which in honesty is rarer for him. If he could also add a little more bulk onto his frame, that would also help him out.

Overall, I am impressed with Nystrom’s growth. I was a large fan of his game when he was in North America for the Prospect camp and I’m encouraged by his 2023-24 season. Nystrom signed his entry level contract this offseason but will stay with Farjestad for the 2024-25 season. I can see Nystrom fighting for an NHL spot at the start of the 2025-26 season if he continues his upward development.

NHL Timeline: 2025+

4. Aleksi Heimosalmi

The strongest skater within the Canes group, Aleksi Heimosalmi is ready for North America. He spent the past season with Assat, his boyhood club in Liiga, and amassed 2 goals and 14 assists for 16 points in 47 games. The assists and points are career highs for Heimosalmi, while the 47 games played draws even with his first year with Assat.

As mentioned before, I would say that Heimosalmi is the strongest skating defenseman in the Canes system. He’s smooth, powerful and decently fast going laterally and backwards which is perfect for the way the Canes play. I’d say his offense and defense grade out equally, both having strong fundamentals. His passing is pretty good and he’s not afraid to shoot, while his defense is sound, never doing too much.

The biggest downside with Heimosalmi is just the ceiling of his development. I do worry and wonder that he might never become a full-time NHL player, even with the skating he poses being that of a high-end NHL defender. The other skills just haven’t shown enough at this point and I do not know if it will ever become enough.

Overall, I do like Heimosalmi’s abilities. I think his skating carries him at times but I think if he can develop those other skills, he has a solid chance to have a longer NHL career. Heimosalmi should be in North America this year, either with the Chicago Wolves or in the ECHL.

NHL Timeline: ???

5. Anttoni Honka

If you ever wanted to watch a trigger-happy, pure offensive defenseman, I have just the Fin for you! Anttoni Honka is the living embodiment of a 50-foot offensive player that just so happens to be playing defense, which he has made great strides in since his draft year. After spending the 2022-23 season with the Chicago Wolves and being a .5+ point per game scorer, Honka spent this past season with JYP in Liiga and had a respectable season, posting 2 goals and 21 points for 23 points in 48 games after arriving late due to not having an affiliate in North America and trying to find a team for him.

The most loving way I can describe Honka’s strengths is by giving him the NHL comparable of Tony Deangelo. His skating flashes, being able to create separation at the blue line to get open shots, and let me be 100 percent clear, Honka loves to shoot. I don’t know if it’s a recent development but over his last 10 games for JYP, he averaged 6 shots a game! 6! Nathan Mackinnon averaged 5 per game throughout the whole NHL year! Honka is offensively gifted at basically everything, becoming the number 1 defenseman for JYP super quick after joining and running their power play at a decent rate (JYP was also not very good this year).

The most loving way I can describe Honka’s weaknesses is by giving him the NHL comparable of Tony Deangelo. His defense is incredibly shaky at times, sometimes downright bad. He has made strides since coming to North America last year and stayed steady at JYP, but it’s still not NHL-ready. Honka also has smaller size for a defender, standing at 5’11 and 181 pounds.

Overall, I don’t really know what to make of Honka at this point in his development. The best thing for him would’ve been another year in North America to truly judge where he’s at but sometimes, things happen. Seeing as he’s already 23 years old, it might be make-or-break time for Honka, who should have a nice role with the Chicago Wolves this upcoming year.

NHL Timeline: ???

6. Bryce Montgomery

The biggest of the right-handed defenseman (standing at 6’4, 216 pounds), Bryce Montgomery has had a very interesting development so far. After a 3 season-ish stint with the London Knights of the OHL, he would then play in the USHL for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders last year. Montgomery spent last year with the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL, posting 4 goals and 8 assists for 12 points in 42 games.

Bryce’s MO is defense. He’s a lengthy player who understands how to use that reach to block both passing and shooting lanes, either with the body or the stick. He also will never shy away from just erasing someone who has the puck. His skating is good, which is amazing for a man of his size. Montgomery’s offensive instincts also impress me, knowing when to go and pinch or when to let the puck explode off his stick.

One thing that Montgomery could work on to take his game to the next level would be working on consistency offensively. The one thing with his offensive game is that it shows up in bursts and flashes rather than consistently.

Overall, with the size and skating that Montgomery possesses, I come away impressed. He’s handled the jump from junior hockey to professional hockey very well and even got to spend some time with the Providence Bruins during their Calder Cup run in the AHL. I think Montgomery has a chance to play some AHL next year but I do expect him to kind of yo-yo between Norfolk (or a different ECHL affiliate) and Chicago.

NHL Timeline: ???