Hurricanes Prospect Positional Rankings: Goalie

They took one and it immediately looked better

Welcome BACK to the series that will take up some downtime during the summer. I will go through the Carolina Hurricanes prospect farm, pick out a position group, and update everyone on these players. These updates will consist of how they played this past season, what strengths and weaknesses are in their game, and a projected (if there is one) NHL timeline. These lists will also be a ranking of the position as well, with players listed higher being the guys closer to the NHL and with more potential. We are kicking off the series with goalies, which could’ve been a lot worse.

Look, it was ugly pre draft. They gave up Patrik Hamrla’s rights and the other options had some interesting seasons, which we will get into. But using the highest pick on one of, if not, the best goalies in this draft immediately makes the group look a lot better, even if it is still not the best.

1. Semyon Frolov, MHL (MHK Spartak Moskva)

Last year’s Stats - 28 GP, 2.21 GAA, .921% save percentage (Playoffs: 7 GP, 3.1 GAA, .908% save percentage)

HC CSKA Moscow

After being taken 41st overall, Frolov immediately becomes the number one goalie prospect in the Canes system without question. This belief was only furthered when I got the chance to both watch him on ice and talk to him, where it only cemented this truth. Frolov is fun, with a more aggresive playstyle, somewhat akin to a certain other Russian goaltender that has endeared himself to Canes fans (depending on who you ask). His technical ability in net is really solid and his skating is impressive. I’d like to see him reign in that aggressive style a bit more, but Frolov has legit starter potential at the NHL level.

Outlook for 2025/26: Starting as many games as humanely possible within the Spartak system.

2. Ruslan Khazheyev, AHL (Chicago Wolves)

Last year’s stats - AHL: 20 GP, 3.49 GAA, .876% save percentage - ECHL: 1 bad start

Even with his down year at the AHL level, which I have tried to quantify at each possible moment, I still really like Khazheyev’s long term potential as an NHL goalie. Coming over from Russia and being thrown into an entirely new system against older and much more skilled players is really, really tough, especially for a 19 year old. The now 20 year old is still raw technically, but there are flashes of brilliance in games and he’s already had some really good performances against decent teams. He’s still a few years away, but again, really like his potential. Maybe a couple starts in Greensboro this year will help him out.

Outlook for 2025/26: A 3rd string goalie in Chicago or a starter in Greensboro.

3. Egor Velmakin, KHL (Dinamo Minsk)

Last year’s stats - KHL: 12 GP, 2.09 GAA, .916% save percentage - Belarus: 3 GP, 3.28 GAA, .900% save percentage

A gem of a human being, Velmakin is a bright example of the KHL system. One could look at his stats in the KHL and go “man, there might be something here!” (this person is me) but then you remember his sample size is low and the goalie situation at Dinamo Minsk now. Mix that with the fact that Minsk doesn’t have a VHL team and Velmakin can’t play in the MHL because of his age and it’s a little spooky for the 22 year old. I have still liked what I have seen from him in that limited sample size, but it’s hard to imagine an NHL goalie unless he can find more playing time going forward. Maybe a move to North America is in the cards, as his contract does expire at the end of this season, but I truly don’t know.

Outlook for 2025/26: With Zac Fucale and Vasili Demchenko as Minsk’s other two goalies, expect another small share of the game for Velmakin.

4. Nikita Quapp, DEL (Dusseldorfer EG)

Last year’s stats - 9 GP, 4.08 GAA, .870% save percentage

When discussing goalies, I almost always forget about Nikita Quapp. Mainly because I was shocked to see him get an entry level contract but I get the idea. Greensboro needs a goalie and Quapp might find more success in North America comparitively to the last 5 years in Germany. Maybe I’m being a little harsh, because maybe there is something there. He’s 6’4 and has played professional hockey for the past 5 years and if we reeeeeeeaaaaaaaalllllllyyyyyy reach back in time, his World Junior performances were legendary. But he’s 22, so he needs a big showing.

Outlook for 2025/26: Getting a good amount of games in the ECHL (I know it says DEL2 on his EliteProspects page, but Eric Tulsky said he’s coming to North America).

5. Jakub Vondras, Czechia2 (HC Dynamo Pardubice B)

Last year’s stats - Czechia2: 18 GP, 3.32 GAA, .890% save percentage - Czechia: 1 GP, 2.40 GAA, .800% save percentage

HC Dynamo Pardubice

Honestly, Vondras and Quapp are 4a and 4b. But for posterity sake, we’ll keep Quapp ahead because his last name would come first alphabetically. Vondras was another bet on size and potential, as the 6’4 goalie had really solid stats in the Czech U20 league. Since then, it’s been up and down. His counting stats with the Sudbury Wolves in the OHL were, interesting. This year, he was back in the Czech Republic and, well, his counting stats look better! His save percentage was still 3rd to last in the league out of goalies with 10+ games played though. With his rights expiring in June of 2026, this is really make or break for the kid.

Outlook for 2025/26: Another season with HC Dynamo Pardubice B.