Hurricanes Prospect Positional Rankings: Right Handed Defenseman
A debate like no other
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 take a look at right handed defenseman and try and settle a debate.
This is a brand new list now after the Canes moved Scott Morrow to the New York Rangers. I’ve already said what I needed to say about Morrow, but this means we have a new number 1 RHD prospect in the pipeline. Who that may be leads to an interesting question.
In life, there are great questions that one must answer. To be or not to be? What do you want to be when I grow up? Do I value the long term potential of Dominik Badinka or the NHL readiness of Charles-Alexis Legault? Everyone grapples with these questions at one point or another and I’m here to answer one of them, because I’m still working on the other two. So, what way would I lean here:
1. Dominik Badinka, 19 (Chicago Wolves)
Last year’s stats: 55 GP, 3 goals, 4 assists, 7 points (Playoffs: 9 GP, 0 points)
There is a genuine discussion that I had with myself, Matt, and a few others on how to think this one through. In the end, I leaned on the fact that Badinka’s long term NHL potential is higher than Legault’s, which leads him to be the top RHD prospect in the pipeline after the departure of long standing champion Scott Morrow.
Badinka is a large, solid skating, defense first defenseman that found his way to North America after spending the past two seasons with the Malmo Redhawks in the SHL. His defensive game is more advanced, with his reach being able to clog up passing lanes and his hockey sense being able to read plays. His reactions to plays still needs some work and he could use some extra muscle (which he seems to have added) to be more physical in board battles and in general. There is more to his offensive game than what he has shown so far, but he has to unlock it, something that might be more achievable in the Cam Abbott system with the Wolves. As well, he doesn’t turn 20 until November, so he’s still extremely young.
Outlook for 2025/26: A good piece on the blueline for the Wolves.
2. Charles-Alexis Legault, 21 (Chicago Wolves)
Last season’s stats: 63 GP, 3 goals, 11 assists, 14 points (Playoffs: 2 GP, 0 points)
To be 100% clear, even if I believe that Badinka’s NHL potential might be higher, Legault is much, much closer to being NHL ready. He’s the perfect 3rd pair defenseman, able to hold his own at even strength while also having the ability to play a good amount on the penalty kill. He’s also a sparkplug physical player, as everyone who went to last year’s preseason game against the Nashville Predators witnessed him stand toe to toe with a NHL enforcer and hold his own (kind of). He’s gotten better at fighting, shown by the multiple practice rounds with the Wolves.
As mentioned above, Legault’s defense is impressive. He immediately became one of the most important penalty killers for the Wolves and was trusted upon in a ton of late game situations when the Wolves needed to shut down a game. He’s a physical defenseman, having the ability to light a player up if he comes to close. He’ll also answer the call for any bad hits from opponents or try and light a fire under his teammates by fighting. His offense improved a ton in my eyes, being able to lead or join a rush or start a breakout with a good pass from his own zone. Some more refinement in that area could have him as an NHL player in the next 2 years.
Outlook for 2025/26: A big piece of the Wolves’ blueline.
3. Joel Nystrom, 23 (Chicago Wolves)
Last season’s stats: 55 GP, 6 goals, 22 assists, 28 points (Playoffs: 6 GP, 0 goals, 1 assist, 1 point)
Long time readers and listeners know I have a soft spot when it comes to Nystrom because I truly believe in his NHL potential. Strong skating right handed defenseman don’t just grow on trees and if Nystrom is 6’2 (like he was listed for 2 years on EliteProspects, even though he’s all of 5’11), he’s probably in the NHL sooner.
His skating is something to behold, as he’s a top 5 skater in the Hurricanes system. He’s fluid with a super strong stride and a great ability to change directions quickly. His offense is nice, having led the second power play unit for Farjestad, using his ability to manipulate near the blue line to find new passing and shooting lanes. I like his defensive abilities, being able to be in the right position for pass breakups but not being the most physical in board battles. He’s also really good with breakouts from his own zone, whether that be taking the puck out himself or sending a good pass to a forward in the neutral zone.
Outlook for 2025/26: A nice piece of the Wolves’ blueline
4. Roman Bausov, 18 (MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg)
Last season’s stats: 41 GP, 2 goals, 9 assists, 11 points (Playoffs: 2 GP, 0 goals, 1 assist, 1 point)
If there is one guy who could easily rise into contention for top spot, it’s Bausov. A hulking giant of a human being, standing 6’5 and 192 pounds, it’s impressive as all get out that he can move as well as he does. Take it from me, someone who got to watch him do one footed hops on the line and barely make a mistake, Bausov might be in the top 3 best skaters in the system, and he wouldn’t be 3rd.
With Bausov, he’s got a lot of room to improve offensively. He was taken as high as he was due in part to his size and skating ability, but also his defensive style and physicality. Darren Yorke said it best in that he takes away time and space effectively and when watching him, you see that come through easily. He’s a big fan of using his length and God given size to just erase plays. I’d like to see more offense come through, even though he had some decent flashes.
Outlook for 2025/26: Splitting time between the VHL (Dynamo St. Petersburg) and the MHL (MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg)
5. Aleksi Heimosalmi, 22 (Chicago Wolves)
Last season’s stats: 56 GP, 5 goals, 9 assists, 14 points (Playoffs: 1 GP, 0 points)
Heimosalmi’s first season in North America was up and down. There were some games where he looked really good. But there were other games where he didn’t look too good. I hate using +/- when talking about defenseman because it’s not a complete stat, but a -29 is less than ideal.
Heimosalmi’s ability lies in his ability to create space with his skating, which he can do. He’s an extremely talented skater, with the ability to blow past players with finesse more than power. His offense still has more to see, as I think there is more playmaking than what he’s shown so far. He has to get stronger, especially as a 5’11 defenseman. Adding muscle to his frame would do wonders, as he was often times physically outmatched against forwards bigger than him. If he wants to have an NHL future, this is going to be a big year for him. With Badinka, Legault, and Nystrom all in Chicago this year, alongside the additions of Mike Reilly and Gavin Bayreuther, he might no have a ton of opportunity and needs to make the most of it.
Outlook for 2025/26: Playing games with the Wolves.
6. Bryce Montgomery, 22 (Chicago Wolves/Greensboro Gargoyles)
Last season’s stats: 56 GP, 2 goals, 8 assists, 10 points
Bryce Montgomery is a hulking defenseman, standing 6’5 and 231 (!?!?) pounds. He’s got a good skating base and a decent two way game. I’ve honestly liked the way he’s played in the ECHL, being a good even strength presence for South Carolina 2 years ago and for the Bloomington Bison last year. This year, he’ll probably play for his 3rd ECHL team, which is something a lot of prospects can’t say they have done.
Like I mentioned above, Montgomery is a solid skater. When you watch him in person, it’s insane that he moves this well for his size. His offense is nothing flashy, but I still remain hopeful in the fact that there is more there. Defensively, he’s a big, physical defender who has learned to take away time and space. Lots to like about Montgomery, who doesn’t get a lot of attention because of the league he plays in (The ECHL and AHL compete on the schedule which makes it tougher for me to watch) but he made his AHL debut this season and didn’t look too out of place.
Outlook for 2025/26: Spending time with the Wolves and the Gargoyles. Top pairing guy when he’s with the Gargoyles.