Top 5 Prospects of the Month - January 2025
One of the toughest months for picking players
Welcome back to everyone’s favorite series on the internet, where I go over what Carolina Hurricanes prospects had the best month in terms of production and give everyone those updates. As a reminder, this is not a list of where they rank amongst prospects. This is just for the given month.
What an adventurous and exciting month for Canes Prospects. From KHL debuts, KHL re-debuts (Alexander Pelevin), NHL debuts, and a player becoming a Canes Prospect (hello, Nils Juntorp). Even more so, a lot of Canes Prospects had really strong performances over the month of January, making this one of the harder months I’ve had for picking the top 5. Evidence of this will be shown when I reveal the size of the Honorable Mentions. Speaking of those guys, let’s dive in.
Honorable Mentions
Yaniv Perets, G (Bloomington Bison, ECHL): 9 GP, .936% save percentage, 1.77 GA
After a decent rookie campaign at the ECHL level with the Norfolk Admirals, Yaniv Perets has been downright dominant at the ECHL level in his second professional season. He’s 3rd in both save percentage and GAA (min 10 GP).
Lucas Mercuri, C (UMass, NCAA): 9 GP, 6 goals, 4 assists, 10 points
In a pivotal senior season, Mercuri has been great. He has 9 games to get 4 more points to tie his career high in points and with the way he’s playing, Mercuri has a real chance. His ability to netfront is very good.
Elite Prospects
Alexander Nikishin, D (SKA, KHL): 8 GP, 3 goals, 6 assists, 9 points
A concussion robbed Nikishin of some games but he was still the same old Nikishin. Not much more to say about the Big Fella.
Alexander Perevalov, W (Metallurg Novokuznetsk, VHL): 10 GP, 2 goals, 6 assists, 8 points
A first time entry for Perevalov, as a move away from Omskie Krylia has seemingly revitalized him. He’s looking more like the player that was drafted in the third round back in 2022
Ryan Suzuki, C (Chicago Wolves/Carolina Hurricanes, AHL/NHL): 12 GP, 3 goals, 5 assists, 8 points
5 years after he was drafted, Suzuki finally made his NHL debut. He’s been one of the best players on the Wolves and his hard work was rewarded with an NHL debut and subsequent recall the next day. I would still assume he plays in the AHL All Star game, unless something changes.
NHL.com
5. Justin Poirier, W (Baie-Comeau Drakkar, QMJHL)
Once again, a reminder about the “Justin Poirier Rule”, which comes into effect for yet another month. In 13 games, Poirier had 9 goals and 10 assists for 19 points. He also had a shootout winner that didn’t go on the scoresheet, but the move was really nice.
4. Joel Nystrom, D (Farjestad, SHL)
This is the first time Nystrom has made it on to the Top 5 of the month and I’m shocked it’s taken this long. He’s been a crucial piece for Farjestad’s blue line over the past 2 years and January was a pure offensive explosion. In 12 games played, Nystrom had 3 goals and 7 assists for 10 points, most of which came in the SHL. As well, Nystrom had a goal and an assist in a 2 game series in the Champions Hockey League that saw Farjestad head to the final. That final will be played on February 18th.
3. Justin Robidas, C/W (Chicago Wolves, AHL)
4th in rookie scoring
4th in points by a rookie forward
An underrated player for the Chicago Wolves, Justin Robidas has been awesome in his first season at the AHL level. He’s done everything asked of him and more, contributing on all special teams and being an absolutely annoyance while forechecking. In 13 games played, Robidas had 2 goals and 9 assists for 11 points. He stepped up big time when Felix Unger Sorum went to the World Juniors and has continued to show big development in his game. Robidas has serious NHL potential.
2. Scott Morrow, D (Chicago Wolves, AHL)
1st in points by a rookie defenseman
T-1st in goals scored by a rookie defenseman
4th in points by a defenseman
2nd in goals scored by a defenseman
8th in rookie scoring
It’s been a near picture perfect rookie season for Scott Morrow, being the number 1 defenseman for the Chicago Wolves. The AHL All Star continues to impress in every single aspect of the game while handling big minutes for the 12th youngest team in the AHL. In 13 games played, Morrow had 4 games and 8 assists for 12 points, including his second AHL hat trick of the season.
1. Bradly Nadeau, W (Chicago Wolves, AHL)
5th in rookie scoring
3rd in goals scored by a rookie
T-1st in U20 scoring
After a disappointing World Juniors with Canada, Nadeau came back to Chicago with something to prove. The new Heavyweight Prospect of the Month, Nadeau just kept finding success and kept making impacts in every game. In 12 games played, Nadeau had 8 goals and 5 assists for 13 points as a 19-year old in the AHL. Everyone knows about his shot, but his playmaking has really come along. His ability to anticipate plays and the location of his teammates has become really good.
You’ve highlighted Morrow’s offense, but the concern I’ve heard for his ceiling at the NHL level is his defense. Any thoughts on how that’s progressing? I imagine it’s a little hard to judge until he’s facing NHL competition, but just wondering if he’s on the right path.
oof, how long until we see a Morrow/Nikishin d-line?