10 Names to Know: Forwards
2026 Draft prep work is in full effect!
Yes, I understand that the Canes (and Wolves) are still playing hockey at the time that this comes out. But there’s a little less than 3 weeks until the draft and this makes it real nice timing wise to release forwards today, defenseman next week, and goalies the week after. Plus, Matt and I plan on recording 2 more Developing Hurricanes episodes AND we have to plan for the draft stream. So today, you’ll be getting a look at forward prospects the Canes could potentially take. This is based on fit in the system, trying to align the traits that they covet in prospects, and relative draft position according to public rankings (which vary greatly from NHL team’s rankings).
It’s funny looking back at my list last year and seeing who I chose for the forwards to know. I nailed 2 of them (Ryabkin and Ekberg) and completely missed on 2 (Nordlund and Cerrato). Cerrato was a complete and utter whiff on my end, as I didn’t pay attention to the D+1 in college. Nordlund was another whiff, but a slightly more avoidable whiff if I remembered that the Canes value undersized wingers with dynamic traits.
Did I learn for this years list? No, not really. I think most of the smaller undersized wingers are in the honorable mentions. But I feel like I’ve got a decent read on this (can’t wait to be horribly wrong) and these guys we’ll talk about today are who I think the Canes would look at. We’ve got 10 forwards I’ll give decent analysis on with 5 honorable mentions that I’ll give a blurb on.
Gleb Pugachev, W (Torpedo system, Russia)
Since I’ve started working draft stuff for this, I’ve always picked a guy that I really like and claim that as “Nick’s guy”. In 2024, my guy was Nikita Artamonov. In 2025, it was Milton Gastrin (with Zharovsky a close 2nd). In 2026, my guy is Gleb Pugachev.
A member of the Torpedo system, a system the Hurricanes are very familiar with (Artamonov, Krutov, Pelevin, Mukhanov), Pugachev is a power forward through and through. Standing at 6’3 and just shy of 200 pounds, he’s a physical presence. He’s combining strong skating with a good motor and the ability to hit the snot out of somebody. Gleb fits a role the Canes only have one of right now, he’s a power forward. Avramov is the only other true power forward right now and while Ryabkin is growing toward that, he’s not there yet. Pugachev would fit that effortlessly.
When you watch Gleb, it’s rather simple to dissect his game. He’s a bruiser, someone who takes pride in throwing some heavy hits. Some slight underrated skill and a decent shot, but his game is built mainly around his motor, his skating, and his bruising style. He’s ranked anywhere in the 30s to 40s so he could be there even if (or when) the Canes trade down from 30 or 31.
Markus Ruck, C (Medicine Hat Tigers, WHL)
A CHL player? A CHL player. One half of the more dominant duo in all of the CHL this year, Markus Ruck is a sick playmaker. The center is able to create offense with his great passing ability and found immense success doing that, racking up 87! assists for Medicine Hat this year.
While not the greatest skater, he’s still able to generate what he needs to make plays happen. Not the most physical player but does enough to be able to play the game he wants to play. Not the best skater but again, he’s got enough of the skill to be able to play how he wants to play. His offense relies on quick touches and passes, smart player overall.
Liam Ruck, W (Medicine Hat Tigers, WHL)
This one might be a slight reach, as Liam Ruck is projected in the early to late 20s. But it’d be shame to talk about one and not mention the other. The Ruck brothers, or twins should I mention, were unbelievably good this year. While Marcus is the playmaker, Liam is the shooter.
Just like Marcus, Liam isn’t the best skater in the world. But what he lacks in skating, he makes up for with his shot. Scoring 45 goals for Medicine Hat this year, he’s got a crazy release and can normally find the soft spot in both the defense and in the goalie’s stance. His work off the puck lends him to the higher ranking than his brother, as he’s able to be impactful away from the puck. Again, a decently long shot he’s there when the Canes pick, but he’d be a superb player to add into the pool.
Niklas Aaram-Olsen, W (Oreboro HK, SHL)
Besides having one of the cooler names in this draft, Aaram-Olsen, the Norwegian forward, is an insanely fun forward who blends great skating with an unreal shot.
A high level performer in international competition for Norway’s U20 (should mention that Norway is in D1A for youth international comp, the division below the normal for the average viewer of a World Juniors), Aaram-Olsen had 40 points (perfect 20-20 split) in 29 games in the U20 Nationell. He played in a good amount of SHL games this year, 16 to be exact, which is great for young forwards. He’s got a high level shot and good skating ability. Not the most physical forward ever (standing just over 6 foot and 187 pounds) but I’m impressed with his combine testing. He’s projected in the second round.
Alan Shaikhlislamov, W (Tolpar Ufa, MHL)
Someone has been hyping up “Big Shake” to me for a few months now and I can see why. There’s a lot in his profile that makes me feel like the Canes would like to take him, but he’s a sneaky player to be taken earlier than most expect.
First, he’s one of the youngest players in the draft, as he has a September 2008 birthday (born 7 days before the cutoff). Secondly, and one of the more obvious ones, he’s Russian. While it’s a weaker class for Russians as a whole at the top, there are still a couple of good ones kicking around post round 1. The high motor winger wins board battles at a high rate while not being the biggest player on the ice. He’s got good scoring touch to go along with the rest of his game too. While only playing in 31 MHL games, he still went over a point per game. Projected in the late 30s to early 50s, would love this selection.
Adam Andersson, C (Leksands U20, U20 Nationell)
The more I look at Andersson, the more I’m not completely convinced this is a player on the Canes radar. But he fits a need, that being a power forward.
Andersson is a physically mature center, standing at 6’3 and 215 pounds. To the shock of no one, he understands that he’s bigger and stronger than everyone else and uses that to his advantage. His defense stands out more than his offense, showing up in the point total partially. His highest level of competition was the U20 Nationell, where he had 17 points in 30 games. Public scouts rave about his NHL projectability as a bottom 6 defensively responsible center, which is something the Canes don’t really have in the system. He’s projected in the late 2nd or early 3rd.
Wiggo Sorenson, C/W (Boro/Vetlanda, A ton of places)
Another player someone has been mentioning to me for a few months, Wiggo has had an interesting draft year. He’s played for him hometown team in the 4th division of Swedish hockey instead of playing in the U20 ranks or even the SHL, which led to some rather insane point totals. An interesting case study of a prospect.
In Division 2, the 4th tier of Swedish hockey, he had 38 points in 29 games. In the U20 division one, the third tier of Swedish U20 hockey, he had 56 points in 13 games. He played 1 game for the Vaxjo U20 Nationell team, where he had 1 goal. He played 1 game for the Vaxjo U18 Nationell team, where he had 3 assists. He then the Sweden U18 team win the Gold at the WJC U18 championships, going for 6 points in 6 games. Standing at 5’10, he’s a good skater that combines solid playmaking and shooting to create one of the more interesting prospects you could pick, since he didn’t play high level competition all year. But then again, when he played higher level competition and international, he showed up and produced. Projected in the mid rounds (3-5), he’d be a risky pick that could pay off in spades if he hits.
Nils Bartholdsson, RW (Rogle BK, U20 Nationell)
Ladies and gentleman, may I present a highly skilled European forward that has decently high end puck skills with good skating ability who has one particular thing that causes him to fall down draft boards?
It feels like the Moneyball scene where Jonah Hill’s character is explaining a player that has good traits but one important factor that makes him weaker than other option. Bartholdsson had a good season in the U20 Nationell, getting 42 points in 32 games, and even played in the SHL this year, even though he was used as the 13th forward. He’s a solid playmaker with a solid shot and good skating. The one thing working against him is that he’s 5’10. With him projected in the later rounds, he’s an upside swing, which the Canes like to take.
Simon Katolicky, W (Tappara U20, U20-SM sarja)
This is an interesting one, because if you look at Katolicky’s physical profile, you’d assume that he should be ranked higher. He’s 6’4, around 200 pounds and can be that power forward teams dream of. Emphasis on CAN BE.
Katolicky has a couple of pitfalls, one being his effort level. His shifts aren’t consistent and he’s had more bad than good. His production in international competition has been lackluster to say the least, getting just 1 goal in 6 games at the U18 World Juniors. But when he’s one, he’s the player you’d want him to be. A big, hulking power forward with a good shot. Injuries took away parts of his year, so it’s not like he completely flopped, but he’s someone with boom or bust potential.
Oscar Holmertz, C (Linkoping U20, U20 Nationell)
I’ve heard that the Canes have been extreme fans of boom or bust prospects over the last few years. I’ve also seen it with my own eyes. Holmertz fits that bill.
Stop me if you have heard this one before, Holmertz is a great skating forward who’s a high end playmaker. Interestingly plays center, which might get called into question if he hits the NHL level, but it’s nice to see. Not the biggest forward ever, standing at 6’ flat and 187 pounds. Also stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but Holmertz isn’t overly physical. But the skills and skating alone is enough to warrant a selection. Fits the bill on forwards they’ve taken in the past with this build (Viggo Nordlund, Andrei Krutov, Gleb Trikozov, etc).
Honorable Mentions:
Viktor Fyodorov, C (Torpedo system, KHL/VHL/MHL)
A true center standing just under 6 feet tall, Fyodorov is a super smart player who uses hockey IQ to decipher plays and create offense. Played at all levels for Torpedo this season and had decent production in each league.
Yan Melnikov, RW (Torpedo system, KHL/VHL/MHL)
Another one of the undersized forwards I wanted to talk about, he’s slid down boards a little bit throughout the year but he could be a nice later round selection. Stands at 5’10 and uses a good motor to attack on the forecheck while producing decently in the MHL.
Lavr Gashilov, C (Avto Yekaterinburg, MHL)
Someone I’ve liked throughout the year, Gashilov excels as a playmaker. Produced really well in the MHL and is a great creator of time and space. Skating is a question mark though.
Roman Laman, C (Omskie Yastreby, MHL)
A high motor center who’s lower on boards due to his size (5’10 or 5’11), Laman got better as the year went on. Good skating with solid playmaking ability.
Doman Kristof Szongoth, C (KooKoo U20, U20-SM sarja)
An interesting player, the Hungarian born Szongoth is a natural center with some solid two way ability. He’s already filled out his 6’0 frame, being at 200 pounds and has some fun traits. Skating is a real and true concern, which is why he’s lower down.
Reminder that Matt and I will be live for both days of the NHL Draft, talking all things prospects, Canes, off season, information, things of that nature. It was super fun last year and it should be super fun this year.