Projecting the Chicago Wolves Roster

Welcome Back!

Yes, I know it has been a while since I last had anything out but you have to forgive me, school and the prospect season winding down means that I don’t have a ton to write about. But, with the recent news that the Carolina Hurricanes and Chicago Wolves are back to being re-affiliated means that I can look ahead to next season and give some thoughts on players that should be with the Wolves.

Now, this is by no means a definitive list. I think some of the younger guys like Scott Morrow, Bradly Nadeau and Jackson Blake could easily see some time with Chicago to get more ice time or a better taste of life as a pro. But honestly, I do think those 3 have a great chance to make the NHL roster next year, especially since the turnover on the roster will probably be immense. This is more so going to look at the guys I’d expect to play with the Wolves the entire year, starting off with the forwards.

Forwards

Maxime Comtois - Even though he isn’t signed for next year, I wouldn’t be entirely surprised to see him stick around with the Wolves. He played in an NHL game for the Canes this year and he could fill the “Stefan Noesen” role in which he can just go off and look to find an NHL contract.

Ryan Suzuki - Finally, a fully healthy season for him in which he carved out a full time top 6 role for the Springfield Thunderbirds. Going into next year for the Wolves, unless they sign a more experienced center, I can see Suzuki claiming that 1C role with substantial time on both the power play and penalty kill.

Noel Gunler - A super disappointing season for all parties involved, coming back to North America to get consistent minutes would be perfect for Gunler and I do expect him to return.

Felix Unger Sorum - I think Unger Sorum makes the decision to send him to the AHL real tough for the coaching staff but I wouldn’t be entirely surprised to see him get extended time in the AHL to get acclimated to the North American game as well as the physicality, even though he probably doesn’t need it. If he does play in the AHL, don’t be surprised to see him quarterback a power play, something he has done for the Swedish National Team.

Justin Robidas - A good start to his first professional season for Robidas that came to an end too quickly due to injury, Robidas should see some time in the AHL next year. Can’t stress how promising it was to see his play translate from Junior to the ECHL before going down with injury (27 points in 32 games).

Blake Murray - A funky season for Murray, who eventually did find his footing with the Allen Americans in the ECHL by getting a near point per game when he did arrive. Murray should have a role with the Wolves, whether that be on the wing or in the middle of the ice.

Callahan Burke - Another guy, like Comtois, who ended up playing an NHL game with the Canes that I can see sticking around with the Wolves to be one of the helpful vets for the young guys, as well as a solid lineup presence.

Juha Jääskä - The easiest one to project, Jääska was signed for next year and he will more than likely play the entire season for the Wolves. Think former Wolf Malte Stromwall in terms of what he will bring, besides maybe the shot.

Gleb Trikozov - Cannot describe my excitement for Gleb, the now former captain of Omskie Yastreby, to come to North America and play. His shot is lethal and his playmaking is also solid, so expect him to have a big role on the power play.

These 9 guys are the ones that I fully expect to get AHL minutes next year and if I was projecting a lineup, it would be something like:

Jääska-Suzuki-Comtois*

Trikozov-X-Unger Sorum

Gunler-Robidas-Burke*

X-Murray*-X

• * - if re-signed

Remember folks, this is all speculative and is completely bound to change in the summer when free agency rolls around. But for now, this is something that I thing could work.

One last note: Don’t be surprised if a familiar face shows up on the Wolves squad next year

Defense

Ronan Seeley - One of the more steady defenders who finally gets to hang out and practice with the NHL squad, Seeley will probably be a top 4 defender for the Wolves who plays bigger minutes on the penalty kill.

Dylan Coghlan - I know that he isn’t signed for next year but talk about an AHL all star that all teams love to have in their system. Coghlan would be a huge help for the Wolves and I think he might stick around.

Domenick Fensore - Talk about a first pro season for Fensore, who produced at nearly a .5 PPG rate for the Wolves and over a point per game for the Norfolk Admirals. He should get plenty of minutes for the Wolves, including quarterbacking a power play unit.

Aleksi Heimosalmi - A player that hasn’t played in North America yet but I would bet would succeed. Heimosalmi’s skating is next level for his age and would easily propel him to playing good minutes in the AHL, if he does come over.

Anttoni Honka - Look, at this point Honka is in a make or break spot. He has shown everything he can in Liiga and needs to have another full year in North America to earn another contract. He has all the offensive talent in the world but he needs to show that he can do it in North America.

Griffin Mendel - I truly don’t know if Mendel gets re-signed but his play was encouraging enough to have another AHL shot.

Ty Smith - Another guy that isn’t signed for next year who I wouldn’t be surprised if the Canes let walk because they already have some guys that fill this role, but Smith would be a nice veteran type addition to the Wolves if he did stick around.

If I was guessing what the defense could look like:

Seeley-Coghlan*

Fensore-Heimosalmi

Mendel*/Smith*/X-Honka

• * - if re-signed

Goaltender

Ruslan Khazheyev - Another player that I am just ecstatic to get a chance to see play in North America. Khazheyev will probably get the Kochetkov treatment, in which he will have a veteran goalie ahead of him but will get plenty starts.

Spencer Martin - This hinges on Martin getting through waivers but I suspect that is why the Canes re-signed him, to be that veteran 3rd goalie that is a workhorse starter in the AHL but good enough to play in spot NHL games when needed.

Yaniv Perets - Perets will play in AHL games next year, but I don’t think it will be an overwhelming number of games.

Rotation should be 1. Martin 2. Khazheyev 3. Perets

Again, this is all just speculative but these are the guys I’d expect to see on the re-inaugural Carolina Hurricanes affiliated Chicago Wolves team. This is all subject to change of course but I just wanted to give some sort of insight into what the team could look like.