MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #17 Carolina Hurricanes – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Prospect System Ranking – 17th (Last Year - 15th)
GM: Eric Tulsky Hired: May 2024
COACH: Rod Brind’Amour Hired: May 2018

Sitting atop the Eastern Conference and enjoying an eighth consecutive playoff appearance, the Carolina Hurricanes continue to operate as one of the NHL’s model organizations. The challenge, however, has been taking the final step, as they have yet to break through and capture a Stanley Cup during this sustained run of success. Despite consistently contending, Carolina has done an admirable job of maintaining long-term stability without significantly compromising its future. Their slight drop in the prospect rankings is largely due to recent graduations, most notably Alexander Nikishin, who has transitioned to a full-time role in the NHL.

The system is now headlined by Bradley Nadeau (11th). The sharpshooting forward has established himself as a legitimate offensive threat at the professional level, producing at roughly a point-per-game pace through more than 100 AHL games. His trajectory suggests he is closing in on a full-time NHL role and could soon graduate from prospect status. Following a similar path is 23-year-old Justin Robidas (183rd), who is also pushing toward an NHL opportunity and could compete for a roster spot as early as the 2026–27 season. Another notable riser is Ivan Ryabkin, the Hurricanes’ 2025 second-round selection. After a brief 25-game stint with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves, Ryabkin was assigned to junior and has been dominant with the Charlottetown Islanders, producing at an explosive rate of over two points per game in the QMJHL.

From a draft capital standpoint, Carolina remains in a relatively strong position. While their upcoming draft class sits with just four picks, the organization holds the Dallas Stars’ first-round pick and a future first-rounder in 2028, along with two third-round selections in 2027. For the Hurricanes, the foundation remains firmly in place as they continue searching for the final piece needed to push them over the top.

1. Bradly Nadeau, LW, Chicago Wolves (AHL)

   A year removed from a historic scoring season for a U20 player in the AHL, Bradly Nadeau is scoring at yet another historic pace for a U21 player. If Nadeau was able to play the rest of the AHL schedule and score at his current pace, he was on pace to be the first U21 player to score 70+ points in an AHL season since Artyom Anisimov scored 81 points in 80 games during the 08-09 season. Nadeau’s biggest task this season was to come in and show that he’s improving as a forward in all situations and not overly reliant on his one-timer on the power play. He’s not just scoring more points, but more points at even strength. He’s been one of Chicago’s most-used penalty killers this year after not being tasked at all with that responsibility last season. His +/- jumped from -20 to +16 in one year. Nadeau easily projects as a top six winger who can score 30+ goals a year and instantly improve a power play. Carolina is log-jammed with wingers, but he’s a talent you make room for.

2. Felix Unger Sorum, RW, Chicago Wolves (AHL)

   For a lot of skill guys, much of their performance comes from their confidence. Felix Unger Sorum is no different. With his AHL rookie-season jitters long behind him, Unger Sorum is having no sophomore slump. In just 11 more games, he has more than tripled his points. To be a high-end playmaker and play the way Unger Sorum plays, you have to have a certain level of poise, and Unger Sorum is starting to attain that. Like a lot of smaller, pass-heavy wingers, Unger Sorum is pretty contact-avoidant. He isn’t a player to ruffle any feathers, and his play is often neutralized against opponents who play a heavier style. Finding ways to still make plays through contact will be crucial in Unger Sorum’s development in getting to the next level. His style fits almost exclusively in the top six, maybe top nine, so it’ll be hard for him to get minutes in Carolina’s system in the near future. Another season with the Wolves is likely in store for Unger Sorum as he continues to refine his game against pros and waits for his turn.

3. Semyon Frolov, G, MHK Spartak Moscow (MHL)

   Frolov was off to an impressive start in the MHL this season before his injury in late October. His GAA and Sv% are back up to where they were with Togliatta last season when he was playing his best hockey. He is a freak athlete, able to make highlight reel saves and take away angles that most goalies would struggle with. An exceptional skater with extremely dexterous hips allows him to adjust on the move and effectively scramble and recover when play gets chaotic. With the freak athleticism comes a lack of fundamentals and technique. There are tendencies to overcommit and put himself out of position as well as issues with dropping too early or not getting himself set. The insane athletic ability helps cover up his weaknesses though, as poor angles and putting himself out of position leading to easy chances vanish with strong push offs and incredible extensions. When he is locked in, he is nearly impossible to beat. But games where he lacks focus leads to slow reactions and reads. If he can clean up his technique in the coming years, adding to his natural abilities, he can be a force in the NHL.

4. Dominik Badinka, D, Chicago Wolves (AHL)

   After a shaky D+1 year in the SHL that left more to be desired, Dominik Badinka has rebounded in his first year in Chicago. He’s still the large defender with outstanding mobility for a guy his size. He has the potential to be a two-way right-handed defenceman, a very coveted role in the NHL today. At times, Badinka can be prone to over skating the play and being scatterbrained defensively. Developing some patience for letting the play play out should help his game on both ends of the ice and put him in better positions than he tries to skate himself into all the time. It’s hard to imagine that Badinka’s floor is lower than an NHL third pairing. It’s not impossible that Badinka reaches the first pairing, especially with the players ahead of him in Carolina, but it’ll likely be as a support defender to a more offensive left-handed defenceman. Badinka will have at least a couple more AHL seasons to solidify his game and at that point, his projection will be much clearer.

5. Charlie Cerrato, C, Penn State University (NCAA)

   Cerrato has been on an upward trajectory for some time now, after being passed over in 2023 and 2024, before the Hurricanes took the swing. He’s a pro-ready forward who flies around the ice and is always one of the hardest working skaters on the ice on every single shift. His feet are always moving, and it has led to him becoming a difference-maker in the NCAA already. He was on pace to surpass his point totals from last season, but his injury prevented him from doing so. His playmaking and motor, as well as the smaller details in his game, project him as a future middle-six forward with some scoring upside. Continuing to buff out the rougher edges of his game will go a long way. But he’s already pretty close to being pro-ready and it really shouldn’t surprise anyone if he competes for an NHL role next season.

6. Justin Robidas, C, Chicago Wolves (AHL)

   Justin Robidas is proof that good things come in small packages. Robidas’ game is not defined by his height and does everything you could ask from a center despite it. Named to this year’s AHL All-Star group, Robidas has taken the No. 1 center role by the horns and isn’t letting go. He had 60 points in 52 games this season with the Wolves and finished near the top 10 in AHL scoring. Robidas has a good shot, is a quick skater, is responsible in his own end and supports the play well from the center position. In his second year with the team, he’s established himself as a leader, being named an alternate captain, and shows his leadership on the ice, playing in all situations. Robidas has gotten a call-up with Carolina a couple of times, where he has three points in four games. Bias towards his size may force him to the wing, but there isn’t a spot in the bottom-six he couldn’t find success in. Robidas will be an RFA at the end of the 25-26 season, so it will be interesting to see if there is any interest from organizations that have more room for Robidas than Carolina does.

7. Ivan Ryabkin, C, Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL) (Currently with Chicago Wolves, AHL)

   After managing just seven points in 25 AHL games, he made the move to the QMJHL — and the results have been explosive. While strong production was expected at the junior level, few anticipated this kind of dominance. He enjoyed the league's best points-per-game rate, hovering just over 2 per contest, asserting himself as one of the most dynamic offensive forces in the CHL.His progress extends beyond the stat sheet. His skating looks more powerful, and his overall compete level has improved. He plays with a mean, aggressive edge, finishing checks with authority and willingly bulldozing his way to the net. He’s deceptive off the rush, capable of beating defenders one-on-one, and shows terrific vision through layers of traffic. Operating primarily from the flank, he effectively quarterbacks the power play, serving as a dual shooting and passing threat while displaying high-end skill and poise under pressure. There are areas to refine. His stride remains somewhat stiff and lacks a true second gear, and his decision-making can be inconsistent, occasionally leading to turnovers or unnecessary penalties. Long term, he projects as a versatile middle six forward who provides secondary scoring, power-play value, physicality and an agitating edge.

8. Nikita Artamonov, LW, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk (KHL)

   Following his solid progression over the past two seasons in the KHL, Artamonov's production has taken a massive step back this season. Last season he put up over half a point per game, with 39 points and flashes of some decent goal scoring ability. This year he finished with nine points. His style of play was never one of a highly skilled producer, as he focuses mostly on supporting his teammates and being an effective puck mover in transition. His brain is excellent, as he processes the game quickly and keeps his plays simple and very effective, getting to and putting the puck into open areas of ice. The workrate is exceptional as well, but he is held back by poor skating, and a lack of physicality and skill. When the puck doesn't go his way, he struggles to be a threat, and he loses battles too often for a player who projects to play a bottom six role. It's hard to not be overly concerned with the point totals this season, but he still finds ways to apply pressure and push the puck in positive directions. If he can add some strength to his frame, helping his skating and board play, there can be an effective bottom six role player here.

9. Charles Alexis Legault, D, Chicago Wolves (AHL)

   Charles Alexis Legault only played two games with the Wolves this season before being thrust into NHL action. Several simultaneous injuries along the Hurricanes’ blue line resulted in an eight-game stint for Legault. Unfortunately for Legault, his time in the NHL came to an end faster than it started. Legault cut several tendons in his hand when his hand struck a skate blade during a fight against Toronto in November. After missing four months, Legault has returned to Chicago, where he should log some heavy minutes. His game is built upon being a physically imposing presence along the blue line. He loves to lay the body and use his long reach to separate opponents from the puck. His size, physicality and mobility make him a very desirable option for a bottom-pair defenceman. Defencemen of Legault’s variety aren’t known for having offensive aptitude, but there is a real chance he will surprise people from a production standpoint. A surprise Carolina will be more than happy to see.

10. Jayden Perron, RW, University of Michigan (NCAA)

    Perron’s development has taken a big jump this season. After two seasons of moderate production in the NCAA with the University of North Dakota, Perron transferred to Michigan, where he has become a point-per-game player. In his draft year, his smaller stature and average skating was a big red flag. While he had excellent edge work and the ability to change directions on a dime, his straight-line speed left a lot to be desired. But he had excellent hands, a strong shot, and an apparent high-end hockey IQ, shown off by his playmaking abilities and vision. After a few NCAA seasons, Perron’s skating has clearly improved. His top speed looks noticeably better. While he is still small, he has added an inch to his height and almost 20 pounds since being drafted. He’s learned to attack the dangerous areas of the ice as a passer at this level as well. His development may have taken a bit of time at the collegiate level, but he’s found his groove. While his path to the NHL still sees that same hurdle due to his size, he is starting to put his whole game together. There’s a world where he can become an energy forward with scoring upside on a team's third line, similar to that of Conor Garland.

11. Kurban Limatov, D, Dynamo Moscow (MHL)

    Limatov remains a high upside project thanks to his big frame, great mobility, and improving skill set. The final product here won’t be known for a few years, likely until after he gets pro experience in Russia.

12. Domenick Fensore, D, Chicago Wolves (AHL)

    There’s no doubting Fensore’s ability to produce offensively from the back end. However, the undersized defender is going to need to prove that he can defend at the NHL level to eventually earn a role with the Canes.

13. Justin Poirier, RW, University of Maine (NCAA)

    Rather than spend another year in the QMJHL, Poirier opted to go to the NCAA with Maine and that decision looks like a good one. The diminutive forward has been one of the top goal scorers in the NCAA this season.

14. Alexander Siryatsky, D, Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)

    Similar to Limatov, Siryatsky has a pro frame and good mobility. The offensive upside is not likely significant, but he’s already become a KHL defender because of his strong defensive play.

15. Timur Kol, D, Dynamo Moscow (KHL)

    The Canes sure do have a type. Another big Russian defender with two-way upside. Kol has had a breakout year offensively in the MHL.