Prospect Mailbag #5 - A Top 5 Ranking with NHL Comps and A Look Ahead with Defensemen
The timing on this one is comical
I always feel weird when it comes to questions asked about the trade deadline. My purpose with the Prospect account, alongside this Substack, is to be a hub of information and highlights and help introduce people to players that might play for the Hurricanes down the line. Asking me questions about “which ones are untouchable” or “who do you not want moved” are fair questions, it’s just a personal issue I have with it. That being said, I will still answer them, I just won’t going into complete detail as to why besides a baseline.
EDIT: I started writing this at around 3 pm EST on Friday. I almost scrapped this whole thing at 9 PM EST on Friday. As for Nils Juntorp, he is certainly a hockey player. Playing in the Swedish third division while also getting a few stints with Vasteras in HockeyAllsvenskan, he’s one of the hockey players of all time.
1. “Do Morrow and Nikishin truly look like they’ll be ready for NHL minutes next year or are we overhyping?” - jetstreamd1
Nikishin could step into the NHL right now and look really good. His game will translate with ease, the only part of his game that I worry about is him getting used to smaller ice and making quicker decisions.
Morrow looks like a veteran defenseman as a rookie at the AHL level. He’s gotten extremely comfortable with the in’s and out’s of professional hockey. I’d wager that he could be ready (if he isn’t right now) for NHL minutes next season.
Also, in regards to hype, it’s nearly impossible to overhype Nikishin. If everything translates, you are looking at a defenseman that can be the QB on a top power play unit. You are looking at a defenseman that can give you valuable penalty killing minutes. You are looking at a defenseman that can eat a ton of minutes and give you highlight reel hits (as long as they stay legal).
2. “How’s Gleb doing?” - caniacjake2
He’s still recovering from his injury. Haven’t heard or seen anything different.
3. “Which prospect (besides Nikishin and the baby Canes AKA Wolves) would you like to see sign with the Canes?” - HHandorf
Alexander Rykov. I’m very high on the player and think he has real middle 6/top 9 NHL potential. Is it a cop out because he mentioned wanting to come to North America on his draft night and his contract expires at the end of this season? Yeah, probably.
4. “Which prospects do you feel we’d regret moving in trade packages this deadline?” - Justin Rabon
I’ve seen Nikita Artamonov’s name get thrown out a few times and he would fit this category. See introduction if this answer isn’t entirely enough for you, reader.
5. “Who would you classify as untouchable ahead of the deadline (excluding Nikishin, of course)?” - Ben Huffman
Scott Morrow, Bradly Nadeau, Felix Unger Sorum. 3 guys that will be in the NHL within the next calendar year (probably), with 2 of them having the potential for taking big roles (Nadeau, Morrow).
6. “What kind of role, if any, do you expect both Seeley and Grudinin to eventually reach? Was thinking about who’s behind Nikishin in our prospect pool as LHD” - Nathan Wright
They both project as a 3LHD with penalty killing potential. Grudinin gets slightly higher marks because of his ability to be a power play QB.
As for the second half of your question, I would refer you to the article I did last week about the young Russian defensemen that were all taken in the 2024 draft. I think Timur Kol could be something in the future.
7. “Why do you think Jaaska has stayed up instead of Nadeau, FUS, or Suzuki getting called up?” - LS
Few reasons. One, Jaaska has the ability to be sent back down without worrying about waivers, Suzuki would have to be sent through waivers. Two, unless you are playing Nadeau or FUS in the top 6/9, you are wasting the player’s ability. Jaaska is the perfect 4th liner that can give you energy and forechecking. Three, Jaaska earned it. He was one of the best players since he joined the team and he deserved the call up. Not saying that either of the other 3 aren’t deserving, by the way.
8. “Who fits better into the Canes long-term future, Charles-Alexis Legault or Scott Morrow?”
Both. Morrow has legit top 4 potential that can run a power play and contribute on the penalty kill. Legault is a physical, shutdown defender that can be a top unit penalty killer and run someone over. The answer is both.
9. “Is Nadeau playing well enough to fill in some NHL minutes this year if there is an injury? Or does he still need some growing time?” - Thomas Wilson
I think he could, but like I mentioned earlier, unless you are playing him in the top 6/9, you are wasting the player’s ability.
10. “Could you make a top 5 list of Hurricanes prospects?” - Skot
I know that isn’t the entire question, but this makes it easier and it also allows me to elaborate more on players. To make it more interesting, I am going to count Jackson Blake as graduating from prospect status. I will also include little tidbits about the player and doing the one thing I despise the most, an NHL player comp. I see this as one of the easiest ways to introduce a prospect that someone might not watch until the enter the NHL and help them understand what they kind of play like. I will stress, these might not be entirely accurate.
#1 - Alexander Nikishin: One of the most dominant defensemen in KHL history. Great playmaking, heavy shot, incredibly physical, decently strong skater. Everything you want in a top pairing defensemen. Has the ability to run the top power play while also handling tougher matchups at even strength. NHL Comp: Niklas Kronwall with higher offensive potential
#2 - Scott Morrow: A strong puck mover while also having the skating ability to create zone entries and exits with confidence. Can quarterback a power play while also being an able penalty killer. NHL Comp: A lesser Kris Letang
#3 - Bradly Nadeau: A pure sniper with real 30-40 goal potential. Playmaking has continued to improve at the AHL level while his skating is above average. Learning how to penalty kill is a huge bonus. NHL Comp: Taller Alex Debrincat
#4 - Felix Unger Sorum: A super creative playmaker that has shown much more potential on the wing, but has value as a center. Can make passes not many NHL players can make and has the ability to change the pace of play. Might only score 10 goals a season at the NHL level, but his shot is decent. NHL Comp: Teuvo Teravainen if he shot the puck less than he did
#5 - Nikita Artamonov: Fierce forechecker that has shown the ability to score at a good rate. His play this season has shown a lot more of the offense that flashed at the lower levels. Skating is a plus and the playmaking is coming along. NHL Comp: High-end Michael Bunting