Hurricanes Prospect Positional Rankings: Right Wing

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. Today, we’ll talk about the right wing players in the system, where I’ll have to clarify how I’m separating right and left wings.

A lot of these guys have the ability to flip wings and play on both sides. They might look better on one side rather than the other, but they have the ability to nonetheless. So, to make this easy, if a player has RW listed before LW on their Elite Prospects profile, they’ll count as a RW (except for the top guy). With that out of the way, let’s begin.

Note: Noel Gunler does not count as a prospect, as he is 23 and will turn 24 in 2025.

1. Nikita Artamonov, Torpedo (KHL)

Last season’s stats: 63 GP, 22 goals, 17 assists, 39 points (VHL Playoffs: 18 GP, 1 goal, 6 assists, 7 points)

While Artamonov is listed as a LW primarily on Elite Prospects, I can guarantee you I saw him line up more on the right wing than I did at left wing, so he takes the top spot here. Honestly, there really wasn’t competition for this top spot and that isn’t meant as a slight to the other guys on the list, the man they call “Pure Art” is just ahead of the pack due to his complete game.

KHL watchers were spoiled last year when it comes to U20 talent. Ivan Demidov had one of the best U20 seasons ever and Artamonov broke the record for most goals in a U20 season. For SKA fans, Demidov left. But for Torpedo fans, they’ll get treated to another season or two of Nikita. A complete player who elevated almost every aspect of his game over the past calendar year. While he was listed on the top line a good amount last year, his usage was all over the place. But that didn’t slow him down, as he made the most of any opportunity given. His shot was finally going in at the rate it should’ve (and a little bit more in all honesty) and his teammate were finishing the chances that he was creating. He’s a great forechecker who causes fits on a breakout. Artamonov is a stud, who is one more good year from entering the conversation of a blue chip prospect.

Outlook for 2025/26: A top 6 winger for Torpedo in the KHL

2. Felix Unger Sorum, Chicago Wolves (AHL)

Last season’s stats: 61 GP, 5 goals, 15 assists, 20 points (Playoffs: 2 games, 0 points)

I’m not giving up on the player after one shaky season as a U20 player in one of the toughest leagues in the world. Yes, Felix has a bad year. 20 points in 61 games isn’t great. But again, he was 19 years old against men older, stronger, and more experienced than him. As well, he was used as a center up until the World Juniors, which I think we can all agree was a waste of time.

Felix still had bright moments. He’s still the smartest player on the ice when he steps onto the ice, thinking 2-3 steps ahead of everyone else. I’ve said it a few times but it feels like he’s able to control the tempo of play when he’s on the puck, either slowing to down so he can start to create something or speeding it up to cause errors amongst the defense. His playmaking is a standout trait, as he can make a tough pass look easy. His shot, while seldom used, isn’t horrible. His skating is ok. His defense is ok. He just has to continue to get stronger, as a player that can do what he does does not grow on trees.

Outlook for 2025/26: A top 6 winger for the Chicago Wolves

3. Alexander Rykov, Traktor (KHL)

Last season’s stats: 45 GP, 9 goals, 11 assists, 20 points (KHL playoffs: 12 GP, 1 goal, 1 point)

Not going to lie and say I was a little sad to see Rykov re-sign with Traktor, but that was purely for selfish reasons. Staying in the KHL and getting consistent KHL time is better for his development than the AHL. Saying that, Traktor has reloaded really aggresively after losing the KHL finals, bringing in what seems like half the Hershey Bears’ forward core and *potentially, as it hasn’t been confirmed as of the time of writing* Josh Lievo. Back to Rykov, I love the player.

Rykov is a 200-foot player. His offense is a little understated but he has a desire to find the middle of the ice or the front of the net. His hockey IQ is great, finding open areas of the ice and exploiting that space. His skating is solid as well. Biggest thing is that he’s a forechecking menace, a buzzsaw of sorts. For me, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where Rykov doesn’t have a long NHL career due to the type of player he is, a bottom 6 forward that every team loves to have.

Outlook for 2025/26: A *hopefully* fully healthy season with Traktor

4. Andrei Krutov, Torpedo-Gorky (VHL)

Last season’s stats: 58 GP, 26 goals, 9 assists, 35 points (VHL/MHL playoffs: 20 GP, 2 goals, 5 assists, 7 points)

Going into this season, I had no real expectations for Andrei Krutov. Solely because I really didn’t know the player too well and he was a 7th round pick. But any thought of expectation was blown out of the water as he had an insane season within the Torpedo system. It’s insane the year Krutov had, scoring at each and every level he played at, including the KHL!

At this point, everyone knows my adoration for Krutov as a player. He’s one of the guys you can watch and be in awe of what he can do with the puck on his stick. An effortless magician who can turn a defender to stone and make them look stupid. His shot is insane, not to the level of a Nadeau or Poirier, but it’s really good. His playmaking is scarce at times, as he still has signs of a more selfish playstyle, but that is something that can continue to improve. His skating is a plus attribute, only adding to his fun playstyle. A big riser after last year’ season, Krutov can be primed for another big year.

Outlook for 2025/26: A top 6 player for Torpedo-Gorky in the VHL.

5. Justin Poirier, University of Maine (NCAA)

Last season’s stats (with Drakkar): 58 GP, 43 goals, 37 assists, 80 points (Playoffs: 2 games, 0 points)

The archetype of player that Poirier is doesn’t exist too much outside of the NHL video game series (awful series, I’ve stayed at 23 because it’s great IMO). Have you, in your life, seen a 5’8 player bully a player in a board battle, muscle their way towards an open shooting lane, and be able to rip a shot in the top corner? I welcome you to Justin Poirier.

Poirier’s shot is arguably the 2nd best shot in the system. The power that he can generate of his release is downright ridiculous. His skating, while maybe not the cleanest looking, compliments what he plays like perfectly. He’s not going to be bullied off the puck because of the physical build he’s crafted. This is going to be a big year for Poirier, who gets to test his playstyle against college players comparatively to the QMJHL. I say he does pretty good.

Outlook for 2025/26: An important player for the University of Maine

6. Jayden Perron, University of Michigan (NCAA)

Last season’s stats (at North Dakota): 31 GP, 10 goals, 9 assists, 19 points

It was an up and down career for Perron at North Dakota, where he was a bottom 6 player in his freshman year and then a top 6 player who dealt with injuries during his sophomore year. After the season, he’s decided to transfer to Michigan, where the talent level he’ll play with should be interesting.

Perron is a fascinating player. He’s a smaller winger who has a great shot who shows a desire to get to the middle of the ice and test defenders. His hands are good and I like his playmaking more than some. He does fall into the stereotype of a smaller player that loses the puck in board battles and gets muscled off the puck, but as we’ve seen with other smaller NHL players, a good few summers in the weight room will fix that. This is a huge season for Perron.

Outlook for 2025/26: A top 6 player for Michigan.

7. Michael Emerson, Merrimack University (NCAA)

Last season’s stats: 32 GP, 6 goals, 6 assists, 12 points

Going to be completely honest, I watched maybe 1 or 2 Merrimack games over the course of the year. But Emerson was noticeable in both those games, always doing something offensively. He was a middle 6 forward who seemed comfortable in that role. After his freshman season at North Dakota, where he ended up entering the transfer portal and going back to the USHL, this was a needed year.

To me, Emerson’s game revolves around his shot and his IQ in the offensive zone. His shot is underrated, mainly due to the power he can get. He’s smart in the zone, being able to force a turnover or two and generate some offense. When he gets to that game, he’s at his best.

Outlook for 2025/26: A middle/top 6 player for Merrimack

8. Nils Juntorp, Boras HC (HockeyEttan)

Last season’s stats: 36 GP, 11 goals 9 assists, 20 points

I respect Juntorp as a player. I saw flashes of an interesting player at development camp, and maybe there still is something there. I’m also not going to lie and say I watched a ton of HockeyEttan games and know the exact player Juntorp is, because that’s dishonorable of me. So, I’ll leave it to that.

Outlook for 2025/26: Playing hockey in HockeyEttan. I believe he has signed with Boras HC, as it was reported.