Top 15 Canes Prospects: Early 2026 Edition
Before the deadline comes and ruins it all
Someone asked about the possibility of something like this and realized that I really haven’t tried to do anything like this. Matt and I have done something like this in the past, let’s take a look at that ranking:
As we can see, this was made in 2025, and uh, wow. Scott Morrow was used in the K’Andre Miller trade, Simon Forsmark is close to aging out of the prospect rankings, and I think Nikita Artamonov is about to have a fall from grace. Other than that, it’s not too bad. I think a good amount of these guys, or at least 3 or 4, will stay on the list so with that said, let’s tackle the rankings.
(Note: I thought about doing NHL comps for each player. After further consideration, I stink at making them. Also, I give reasonings after the rankings.)
1. Bradly Nadeau, LW/RW
Age: 20
Strengths: Shot (best in the system), skating, playmaking
Areas of Growth: Own zone defense
Evaluation: There isn’t much left to say about Nadeau, who has been the Canes best prospect ever since Nikishin aged out, and even then you could’ve made an argument. Nadeau has the best shot in the entire prospect system, having the level of power and accuracy that most NHL players just don’t have. His even strength play has been his biggest development this year, not relying as heavily on the power play to score and collect points. The only area of growth I can think of now is his defensive play. A real blue chip prospect.
2. Charles Alexis Legault, RHD
Age: 22
Strengths: Gap control, defensive game, skating, physicality, breakouts
Areas of Growth: Offense
Evaluation: A shocker? To some, I’d imagine so. But Charles-Alexis Legault looks like a seasoned pro, even at the highest level of hockey. Has the length and reach that the Canes covet in defenseman, is adept at reading plays, has the physicality and desire for contact that people love. His offense might still have another level, as he’s adept at breaking the puck out from his own zone and could have more playmaking upside. Recover quickly, kid.
3. Felix Unger Sorum, RW
Age: 20
Strengths: Playmaking, hockey sense, perimeter play
Areas of Growth: Physicality, shooting
Evaluation: One of the smartest players in the system, Felix is able to think the game a step ahead of most players. He complements this with great passing ability and is able to make the tough passes look routine. Shot is better than what you’d think, but he rarely uses it. Would still like to see him add weight onto his frame and get to the middle more, as his perimeter play is more advanced. Super fun player to watch who has seen his stock rise during this bounce back season in Chicago.
4. Semyon Frolov, G
Age: 19
Strengths: Technical ability, aggressiveness, positioning, skating
Areas of Growth: Aggressiveness, Positioning
Evaluation: Goalies are always going to be a little tougher to get an accurate read on, mainly because their development is less linear than that of a skater. But Frolov checks a lot of the boxes that you want to see early in his development. Hyper aggressive in net, sound technical ability, strong skater. Another player that needs a healthy run of form.
5. Justin Robidas, C/RW
Age: 22
Strengths: Adaptability, forechecking, defensive game, playmaking
Areas of Growth: Honestly, not much
Evaluation: Good enough to be an NHL player right now, and would probably have 100+ NHL games already if his height started with a 6. Good in basically every situation. Can play bumper or wing on the power play, relied on heavily on the penalty kill. Can play either center or wing, has been taking draws a good amount this year.
6. Charlie Cerrato, C
Age: 20
Strengths: 2-way game, passing, hockey IQ, DAWG trait
Areas of Growth: Consistency
Evaluation: A college player who has already played high level European pro competition is rare, but Cerrato looked relatively comfortable in that level. He was trusted to be a second line center while playing in all situations and didn’t look that out of place. Big fan of his ability in all zones. Also is the proud owner of the “DAWG’ trait, someone other teams don’t like but they’d love to have him on their team.
7. Alexander Siryatsky, LHD
Age: 19
Strengths: Offensive ability, skating
Areas of Growth: Even strength play, own zone defense
Evaluation: Arguably the biggest riser within the system, as Siryatsky was barely talked about (from me/us) before the season. But the 19 year old has been a KHL player this season before his injury. Defensive game is still developing, but the offense has flashed a good amount. With young KHL defenseman, they play much more reserved, as they don’t want to make a mistake that takes away ice time. But he’s been trusted in late game situations, overtime situations, and was a power play quarterback. Combine that with great skating ability for a 6’4 defenseman and you create an intriguing player to monitor.
8. Justin Poirier, LW/RW
Age: 19
Strengths: Shot (2nd best in system), playstyle
Areas of Growth: Defensive ability, skating
Evaluation: Let’s get the obvious out of the way first. Yes, Poirier is 5’8. But he doesn’t play like he’s 5’8. He’s going into contact and not shying away from it, something most smaller players don’t do. Obviously, he has an absolutely ridiculous shot, having the ability to label shots with the power and accuracy of a NHL sniper. The height will always make it a little tougher to see the NHL potential, but the attributes are there.
9. Joel Nystrom, RHD
Age: 23
Strengths: Defensive ability, calmness, hockey sense
Areas of Growth: Skating speed, offensive traits
Evaluation: Nystrom, like Legault, just looks like a seasoned pro already. He’s lower solely because I see Legault’s potential as higher, but that doesn’t mean Nystrom isn’t going to be an NHL defenseman for a long time. He’s calm, cool, and composed in everything he does. It just looks simple for him out there, both the offensive and defensive game. He has 500+ NHL games written all over him.
10. Timur Kol, LHD
Age: 19
Strengths: Slap shot, passing, range, skating
Areas of Growth: Next level of play
Evaluation: Kol is a prototypical 6th defenseman in the NHL. He’s solid at even strength, able to defend the rush with his size and physicality. His slapshot is HEAVY, not rivaling that of Alexander Nikishin, but I’d argue it’s closer that I think. My worry right now is him finding that next level. His fundamentals are good, good enough for a potential move to North America, but I really want to see him find that next level.
11. Kurban Limatov, LHD/RHD
Age: 18
Strengths: Incredibly strong skater, defensive instincts, reach
Areas of Growth: Offensive production
Evaluation: Limatov is a freak of nature from a physical standpoint. If he could get to 200-215 and maintain his same level of skating, he’ll be even higher on this list. He’s easily a top 3 skater in the pipeline and one could easily argue he’s not 2 or 3. He’s quick, he’s able to change directions quickly, he’s able to keep pace with skaters while maintaining eye contact. Defensive traits are more advanced than the offensive, but the offensive side still has more growth to go.
12. Ivan Ryabkin, C
Age: 18
Strengths: Physicality, shot, hockey sense
Areas of Growth: Consistency, Sometimes effort, defense
Evaluation: In the most loving way possible, Ryabkin is a beer fridge. Or more so that he’s built like one. He’s not shy about using it either, having multiple thunderous hits spread throughout his playing days. His shot is really, really solid and his hockey sense is more advanced than I previously thought. The effort concerns pre draft were overblown, but there is still the occasional off shift. Defense will always take longer for centers.
13. Dominik Badinka, RHD
Age: 20
Strengths: Defensive ability, breaking up plays, size
Areas of Growth: Hockey IQ, offense
Evaluation: Badinka is handling his own during his first season in North America, never being overly flashy but always remaining steady. Reminds me a lot of what made Legault so successful in his first professional season. He’s never going to jump out at you but everything he does is in the name of keeping his zone calm. I want to see him develop some more offense in his game and try and keep up with the pace of play, but he’s looking solid so far.
14. Nikita Artamonov, LW/RW
Age: 20
Strengths: Good forechecker, solid two way game, hockey sense
Areas of Growth: Consistency, offense
Evaluation: Turns out that the 21.2% shooting percentage was unsustainable. Solid enough two way game. Able to find the soft spots in defenses and exploit them. Good on the forecheck. Big slump season, even with going to a new team. Needs a rebound season.
15. Noel Fransen, LHD
Age: 20
Strengths: Skating, playmaking, offensive zone IQ
Areas of Growth: Defense
Evaluation: One of the best skaters in the system, Fransen has the speed and change of direction to make him dangerous. His offensive game is advanced, being able to run power play units at times in pro leagues. Defense is still developing, but the offensive ability is enough to think that he could run a power play at the NHL level at his peak.
HM. Jayden Perron, RW
Season stats: fill in
Age: 21
Strengths: Skating, playmaking, shot
Areas of Growth: Defense, dealing with physicality
Evaluation: One of the more dynamic players to watch with the puck on his stick, Perron is an offensive dynamo. He’s able to move in and out of defenders with his skating or his puck handling and has the feel for the game to make the right play. Shot is slightly underrated. He still struggles from time to time with physicality due to his height but that hasn’t stopped anyone from making the league before.
Reasonings
Like Nikishin when he was a prospect, Bradly Nadeau is the clear number 1 guy in the system. Nobody comes close in my opinion.
Charles Alexis Legault is probably much higher than anyone, including myself, expected. But if I’m keeping the previous rankings in mind, Legault would be up there. Thought really hard about Legault vs Unger Sorum, but I’m very bullish on Legault at the NHL level. I can really see a Brady Skjei-esque player within him.
Felix makes the jump back to the top 3, mainly due to his rebound AHL season. He’s going to more than double his point total while looking so much more comfortable at the pro level.
Semyon Frolov is the best goalie prospect in the system, by far. He has real starter potential down the line.
Justin Robidas vs Charlie Cerrato was something I debated, but I leaned Robidas because he’s a legit NHL talent right now. Cerrato has the higher potential, as he could be a legitmate 2nd line center in the future.
Alexander Siryatsky is the biggest riser by far, as he’s gone from unranked to the top 10. A legit top 4 potential defenseman, being a KHL regular at 19 really helps his rank.
Timur Kol vs Kurban Limatov was also tough, but I leaned Kol because of his experience. I believe his MHL game has been better than Limatov up until this point. But Limatov might have a higher ceiling within his game.
When I revisit these rankings after the draft or after the deadline, I’ll probably be upset over where I placed Ivan Ryabkin. He’s low right now, mainly due to his AHL play (which isn’t a slam or slight at all by the way), but him running the QMJHL for the rest of the year will have him higher (more than likely).
Nikita Artamonov, woof. The Prospect Wall™ is a real thing and he’s hit it. Even with the move to a new team he still hasn’t found that level of success that he had last year.
Jayden Perron deserves to be mentioned. I also thought about Ruslan Khazheyev or Filip Ekberg but Perron has been great for Michigan and has regained that confidence that got him drafted in the third round.