Hurricanes Prospect Positional Rankings: Left Handed Defensemen

Whole lot of fun and interesting talent

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 hitting on the left handed defensemen today, where the list has a lot of very interesting names and play styles.

After the right handed defenseman article yesterday, I figured this one would be a monster. But there are a ton of fun guys in this group, including a fast rising KHL name, one of the most fun play styles in the MHL, and a pro style player. More so, I really think the top 6 guys here have legit NHL potentials/futures.

1. Alexander Siryatsky, Metallurg (KHL)

Last year’s stats: 43 GP, 2 goals, 3 assists, 5 points

I don’t think there’s a prospect with as much intrigue as Siryatsky going into this year. Sticking in the KHL as an 18/19 year old is one thing, getting more playing time (before the “Playoff Incident”) and earning trust (again, see other parenthesis) is another thing. We are talking about a player who could handle big-ish minutes at even strength, while also contributing to both the power play and penalty kill. He’s not the most physical defender ever, but he does what he needs to. The transition game and playmaking ability still have room to grow, even though I should mention the breakout game from Siryatsky is half decent already.

Outlook for 2026/27: A full year in Metallurg’s top 4, contributing in a variety of ways.

Projected NHL ETA: 2027/28

2. Kurban Limatov, MHK Dynamo Moscow (MHL)

Last year’s stats: 49 GP, 12 goals, 18 assists, 30 points

Is there a world where Limatov tops this list come next year? Absolutely, yes. Limatov plays hockey like he’s on fire, a form of chaos and near never-ending action, for both good and bad. There are great moments where he can force a turnover in the defensive zone and directly contribute to offense the other way. There are also moments where the defense is a little questionable, same with the decision making. But when Limatov is on, he’s an electric defenseman whose potential is still very much untapped. The most important thing for this year is seeing if the playstyle translates to professional hockey.

Outlook for 2026/27: Bouncing between the MHL/VHL/KHL, where he’ll (hopefully) spend most of his time away from the MHL.

Projected NHL ETA: 2027/28

3a. William Hakansson, Lulea (SHL)/Almtuna IS (HockeyAllsvenskan)

Last year’s stats: 60 GP, 3 goals, 13 assists, 16 points

Is it cheating to give out 3a and 3b? It sort of feels like cheating but both Hakansson and guy I will talk about next are insanely close in terms of potential and where they are in terms of NHL readiness. Hakansson, the most recent top draft pick of the Hurricanes, is a unit of a player who understands the defensive side of the puck pretty good. He’s also very close to being called hyper physical, being able to throw some rather violent hits when he needs to. One of the biggest things with Hakansson that causes some intrigue is the comfortability with the puck on his stick. During his draft year, this was something scouts had some concern with. But the reports coming out of the World Junior Summer Showcase said that this was something that was really improved upon, which only adds to his potential ceiling and his NHL readiness.

Outlook for 2026/27: Playing for Lulea in the SHL for a full season.

Projected NHL ETA: 2027/28

3b. Timur Kol, MHK Dynamo Moscow (MHL)

Last year’s stats: 49 GP, 14 goals, 18 assists, 32 points

The term I have used to describe Kol’s playstyle is “professional”. You watch him play and you just see a pro level player. It’s a shame he doesn’t have a ton of experience playing at the pro level at this point, but it’s still nice that he has 21 games of KHL experience before he turns 20. He’s got sound defensive ability and some solid offensive ability. He’s been able to run a power play at a decent clip in the MHL and it’s partly due to just how much of a threat he is from the point. It’s not a defining factor when a defenseman has a good shot, but Kol has an absolute ROCKET of a slap shot. I still find it very interesting that he’s without a contract for next year.

Outlook for 2026/27: Well, this would be easier if he was signed. BUT, I believe the two options are the Chicago Wolves and a year between the MHL/VHL/KHL.

Projected NHL ETA: 2028/2029

5. Noel Fransen, Karlskoga (HockeyAllsvenskan)/Farjestad BK (SHL)

Last year’s stats: 55 GP, 7 goals, 11 assists, 18 points

This guy can flat out contribute offensively. Fransen, someone that I’d say has the highest offensive potential out of all defensemen, is electric in the offensive zone. Given that his skating is pretty far along, combining a good stride with really good speed, and you combine that with good playmaking ability and you have a defenseman that could be a threat at even strength and quarterback a power play. The defense is still a work in progress but it has come along decently since he was drafted. The only thing I want him to continue to work on (besides the defensive ability) is his physicality, as he’s been pushed off the puck from time to time. I fully trust the Wolves staff to help him with that, given their track record in getting these younger guys more physically ready for pro hockey.

Outlook for 2026/27: A full year with the Chicago Wolves.

Projected NHL ETA: 2028/29

6. Roman Shokhrin, Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)

Last year’s stats: 66 GP, 5 goals 15 assists, 20 points

It’s slightly disrespectful to have Roman here because I can truly see an NHL defenseman here. More so, I can see one that has a long NHL career in the future. His potential might not go past the perfect bottom pairing guy, but guys like him are coveted. What I mean is that I truly believe Roman Shokhrin is the best defensive defenseman in the pipeline, which seems slightly insane for someone who hasn’t played pro yet. Let me explain from 2 separate points that combine the eye test with stat sheet reading. The eye test, from game viewings and from Development Camp, is that he understands and reads plays insanely well. He’s able to break up plays and passes with relative ease AND he can do it in a variety of ways. He’s got the range, being 6’5, and the physicality to make sure he protects his net. As well, he’s now the proud owner of the highest +/- ever recorded in the MHL at a +53! +/- is not a good stat to judge defenseman on it’s own, but when you combine it with the eye test, it’s able to confirm or deny. In this case, it confirms my belief in his defensive ability. Imagine if Charles Alexis Legault was Russian and ever so slightly taller, that’s somewhat close to Shokhrin.

Outlook for 2026/27: His first full year of pro hockey, which will give a great gauge to where he’s at.

Projected NHL ETA: 2029/2030

7. Vladimir Grudinin, Severstal (KHL)

Last year’s stats: 58 GP, 5 goals, 8 assists, 13 points

It’s somewhat unfortunate for Grudinin, who isn’t bad by any stretch of the imagination. Truthfully, there is still a chance he plays NHL games, or a NHL game, in the future. The defensive ability and skating ability is enough to get him there, provided the team is comfortable playing a sub 6 foot defenseman. As well, I’m not saying the time has passed him, because he’s still just 22 years old. But last year was a small step back for Grudinin, not playing up to the standard he set in 2024/25. He’s still a really solid defensive defenseman, who can outskate almost anyone. But the height will give some people concern and the offensive ability has been inconsistent.

Outlook for 2026/27: Another year of being a top 4 defenseman for Severstal.

Projected NHL ETA: 2030+

8. Alexander Pelevin, Torpedo-Gorky (VHL)

Last year’s stats: 51 GP, 2 goals, 9 assists, 11 points

Nothing against Pelevin, but he’s about as known of a commodity as possible at this point. He’s slightly under 6 feet tall, but he makes sure the other team doesn’t know that with his physicality. The offense really isn’t there outside of the occasional shot from the point that finds the back of the net or a rebound shot. The main draw is the physicality.

Outlook for 2026/27: 7th defenseman in the KHL/top 4 defenseman in the VHL.

Projected NHL ETA: Pelevin will be a good KHL defenseman.