Prospect Mailbag #2: Finally, games are being played
Fully back into the swing of things now
September was certainly a month for prospects. About 7 of them played and the rest were either gearing up for the season, going into the NHL preseason, or hurt (Nikishin and Rykov). But now, we are finally fully into the thick of it, and with that, people have questions and that is what I’m here for.
“Do you think other prospects in the AHL will play a game(s) this season in the NHL? If so, Who do you think?” - TheJangoMaster
100% this will happen. Injuries happen and they will be forced to get the talent that is currently playing in Chicago (much to the chagrin of one individual). I’d wager it’s a safe bet to say that Bradly Nadeau and Scott Morrow will play a game or two this season, while Felix Unger Sorum could make his NHL debut this season. Outside of that, I’d say that the other guys need the extended ice time more.
On the flip side, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the veterans get called up instead of Nadeau, Morrow, or Unger Sorum as they are a HUGE part of the Canes’ future and the ice time they are getting in Chicago is incredibly valuable to their development.
What are the 5 prospects you think have the greatest potential and the 5 with the biggest question marks? - shawnsmith1717
Greatest Potential: Alexander Nikishin, Felix Unger Sorum, Bradly Nadeau, Jackson Blake, Nikita Artamonov
Before everyone gets out of whack and upset that Blake is 4th here, Nadeau and Unger Sorum have insane high-end skills, if developed correctly. Nadeau has legit 30-40 goal potential while Unger Sorum can be a legit 2C with the highest IQ on an NHL team. Blake is more NHL-ready and has middle 6/top 6 potential.
Biggest Question Marks: Alexander Perevalov, Stanislav Yarovoy, Fyodor Avramov, Egor Velmakin, Ruslan Khazheyev
Having a question mark isn’t a bad thing, by the way. For Khazheyev, how will he fare in his first season of North American hockey? For Velmakin, can he keep up the success he’s having early in the season (3.28 GAA and a .924% save percentage)? For Yarovoy, will he come to North America after this KHL season? For Avramov, can he finally break through and get more than 4 minutes a night at the KHL level? For Perevalov, does he ever get signed?
Do you think Artamonov will have the same hype around him as Nikishin does, or does he still have a ways to go before he earns that? - caniacbarron
With respect to Artamonov, Nikishin is in another stratosphere of hype that Canes fans might not see for a little bit. Maybe Artamonov could get there if he continues to produce like he has through the first 15 games and then repeats that next year, but I’d say probably not.
Do you think FUS sticks in the middle? He seems small for the position and it seems like quite the transition. - MattMooneyOF
Yes! Outside of one game during the preseason he looked really solid as a center. The biggest asset to him currently is that his IQ and the way he sees the ice is vastly better to his game at center compared to his game at the wing. He can handle the defensive responsibility needed to be a center and he wasn’t even that bad in the dot. I’d say long term, he stays as a center, and a good one at that.
What prospects have the highest floors? - parker_furr
First place has to be Nikita Artamonov. At this lowest, he’s an energy fourth liner that will have a lasting NHL career. I’d introduce Charles-Alexis Legault into the conversation as well as he will play NHL games and even if he doesn’t hit his potential, his physicality is something everyone will covet.
Which prospect has the best speed and agility? - HHandorf
I’d go with one of Jayden Perron, Domenick Fensore, or Oskar Vuollet.
How’ve you been lately? - slotweep
Unbelievably busy. In the thick of it with school, trying to balance watching the important prospect games and being a responsible adult has been hard. Also, late September/early October was basically me driving to Raleigh every day that I could to cover practice and preseason games (again, thank you Carolina Hurricanes!) but now that preseason is over, I’m back in a nice grove.
Thank you all for the questions! As a reminder, I’ll be asking for questions every third Wednesday of the month so please don’t be afraid to ask. As a thank you for reading all of this, here is a bonus “Nikishin going boom” clip for everyone to enjoy.