16 Thoughts: Skymiles Galore
That's life - Frank Sinatra
Welcome back to 16 Thoughts, a series a kin to Elliotte Friedman’s 32 Thoughts but cut in half due to only talking about Carolina Hurricanes prospects. I don’t plan on keeping the 4th Saturday slot as 16 Thoughts going forward as I have an idea of what I want to do (a revised version of After Further Review alongside other ideas) but none of those ideas are truly fully baked yet. So, for now, back to the Thoughts.
1. It’s a weird time not covering Alexander Nikishin. Normally, I give myself leniency since this is his first full year in North America, but I’m trying to be better about prospect aging out (last prospect season is the age 23 season). Matt had covered him since his draft year in 2020 and I picked it up around 2022/23, so his signing was always going to be big but his first NHL goal was something cathartic.
2. I was working (radio station at college covering football game) and I got it spoiled from my mom. I had originally thought it was Ehlers because I told her I put some United States currency on him to score, but seeing Nikishin blast one in the bottom corner was something else. It was a moment fully realized. I’ve seen him score a good amount of goals like that, but this one obviously felt different. Seeing the Hurricanes logo on his chest and his celebration of pure elation, alongside seeing the reactions of the long time players, made me damn near cry.
3. Also, not to self brag, but Matt has been pretty on target with Nikishin’s potential since draft day and I’ve lauded his development while at SKA. This has been happening for 5+ years at this point, you’d think he’d be a semi-household name before his debut. But alas.
4. That isn’t to say he’s been the perfect player. There are some moments where he looks half a second behind and he’s had some boneheaded turnovers. Wish he would just lean into the player he was, the hyper physical defensive guy who would hit anything that moved. Also, this guy led a pretty good power play for 2-3 years. So maybe try that if your power play is anemic. I don’t know, I’m not a coach.
5. I’ll probably have this same reaction when Bradly Nadeau gets his first NHL goal. He’s been one of the first players (along with of Legault and Unger Sorum) to take me seriously and give me open and honest answers. He was also the first pick in my first draft covering the prospects, so that’s big to me. As well, he was one of the first players, alongside Scott Morrow and Lucas Mercuri (bodes well), that I took a trip to go watch as a scout/media member.
6. I told the story when I went to Maine back in March of 2024 that I got to meet a hefty chunk of the Nadeau family that weekend. I got to talk with his dad and now agent before the game, who invited me to come by after the game where they were meeting to talk to Bradly. After trying to clear up some confusion that I actually don’t work for the Hurricanes (maybe one day) and listening to some fascinating stories about their upbringing in hockey, I got to speak with both Bradly and Josh, two of the nicer human beings I’ve met in hockey. Both were extremely humble and gratified with where they were. Still high on Josh’s NHL potential.
7. Staying in Maine, what a debut for Justin Poirier. 4 points in his opening weekend, including a hat trick in game 1. I wanted to see what his playstyle transition would look like going into a tougher league and I believe I got my answer. You ever seen a 5’8 player who just loves to get to the middle of the ice with a wicked release, as well as a physical playstyle who has an intensity in board battles? Welcome to Justin Poirier. (UPDATE: Up to 5 goals and 3 assists for 8 points in 6 games)
8. Fun fact: as of October 20th (the day I started writing this), Charlie Cerrato is producing at the highest rate in the NCAA since Johnny Gaudreau in 2013/14. Pretty neat.
9. I feel as if I’ll talk about Cerrato a ton this year and the high praise isn’t unjustified. On a team with high level talent like Gavin McKenna, Jackson Smith, Aiden Fink, Mac Gadowsky, etc., Cerrato has been the best player by far. He’s been great in the faceoff circle, as he’s currently 3rd in the country in faceoffs won (also has a .558% FOW%). He only has one game where he doesn’t have more than one point. He’s been an elite play driver on whatever line he’s on, more usually with the likes of JJ Wiebusch and Matt DiMarsico instead of Fink and McKenna. The points (15 of them by the way, which leads the country by 3 points) are great, don’t get me wrong. To me, the most important thing this year has been his elite play driving. As a center at the next level, which he still comfortably projects as, being able to lead a line and drive play is one of the most important things you have. Cerrato currently does that in spades, which leads his projection to being middle 6 as of right now. I say as of right now because I think there is a potential 2C there, but I want to see more defensive growth.
10. Charles Alexis Legault made his NHL debut on Monday and I thought it was good. Obviously the result didn’t look good but I thought Legault looked like a NHL veteran. Everything he did was calm and composed, even if he was under pressure. He made the smart pass most of the time and was good at breaking out from his own zone. According to Natural Stat Trick, he was the Canes leader in CF% (you can never kill the Corsi Canes):
It’s a small sample size, but he looked good to me. Interested to see how the next two games go.
11. Even though he’s not a prospect anymore, Jackson Blake continues to amaze me when I get the chance to watch a Canes game. His skating isn’t anything impressive and his shot isn’t spectacular, but he makes up for that with his hands, his hockey sense, and his compete. He doesn’t give up on anything. If he loses the puck in the offensive zone, he’s hounding you with his stick and making that zone exit hell on Earth for whoever is trying to break out. His hands are insanely quick, being able to maneuver quickly in tight areas to try and find open space. Tight spaces is also where his skating flashes the most to me, as he is adept at utilizing quick moves and edgework to be able to keep control in the “land of the redwood trees.” His hands and brain work much quicker than his feet, which he’s learning to use as an advantage.
12. The Chicago Wolves look much improved and, more notably, the Bradly Nadeau Year 2 AHL experiment is working perfectly. Like I’ve mentioned a few times, the thing he needed to work on the most was his 5v5 play and he’s done that in droves in the early sample size we have. Obviously, everyone wants to talk about the lacrosse goal and his point totals, but I’m here to talk about his forechecking and playmaking. That lacrosse goal happens because Nadeau is in deep, behind the net, making a great pass to Ryan Suzuki, who gets his shot blocked for a picture perfect rebound. His forechecking has been noticeably improved from last year, as he’s been forcing a couple more turnovers and making sure to finish his hits, something he didn’t do a ton of last year.
13. Joel Nystrom is that type of good that has him making his NHL debut at some point. He’s solid at 5v5, he’s solid on the power play (QB’s unit 2) and is just overall solid in most aspects of the game. He combines a solid skating base with good passing ability and solid stick work to make just a solid defenseman. His size holds him back a little bit from being higher up on the call up list, alongside this being his first professional season in North America, but he’s got NHL level ability in my opinion.
UPDATE: (I wrote that on October 20th. He made his NHL debut on October 23rd.)
14. Nikita Quapp’s first start was shaky. He had some good moments and impressive saves but also had a couple of head scratching moments. I will say that at least one of his goals against wasn’t his fault. Ruslan Khazheyev had 2 decent starts in the ECHL with Greensboro, liked his first game more than his second. Would’ve loved to see some goal support though, as the offense managed 1 goal in 2 games. (UPDATE: Much better 2nd game, gathering his first AHL win).
15. I know that the talk on Ivan Ryabkin has been mixed. I think each side has merit. On the one hand, there are definite moments where Ryabkin might lean into the dirtier side of the sport instead of just playing a straight up game. He does that, it happens. On the other hand, it’s not the only thing that he does on ice. He did a great job on Bayreuther’s goal on Sunday. He wins the faceoff clean and immediately fills his role as net front and sets a great screen. He’s able to win his boxout because of his God given natural size (built like beer fridge). When he’s at his best, he’s a Brad Marchand level pest who’s able to get under someone’s skin with a big hit or something small while also being able to do the small things right. Combine that with a really good release and there’s a super interesting player there. Chicago is a nice place for him to learn.
16. The final thought brought to you by White Monster (not really) is “It’s Glebbin’ time.” “We Gleblieve.” “The Glebinator.” “Glebatron.” It’s about Gleb! Trikozov. First, I like how the Gleb! thing has really stuck on because it’s a funny bit (shoutout CanesIncognito for creating it in the first place). I wanted a healthy season from Gleb! because I still think there’s a player under the 2 major leg injuries that he suffered last year and he himself said in a season expectations video posted by the Wolves that he really wants to stay healthy. His goal came off gathering a weird bounce, going to the middle of the ice, and going around the goalie. His assist came off a rebound. Sometimes, things work. Sometimes, we Gleblieve.
