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Carolina Hurricanes: Top 10 prospects entering 2019

By Dave Stevenson

RALEIGH, NC - SEPTEMBER 30: Carolina Hurricanes center Martin Necas (88) scores a goal from the left wing circle during a preseason game between the Nashville Predators and the Carolina Hurricanes at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC on September 30, 2018. Nashville defeated Carolina 5 - 4 in OT. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - SEPTEMBER 30: Carolina Hurricanes center Martin Necas (88) scores a goal from the left wing circle during a preseason game between the Nashville Predators and the Carolina Hurricanes at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC on September 30, 2018. Nashville defeated Carolina 5 - 4 in OT. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Alex Nedeljkovic (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Who will be the next prospects to join the bunch of jerks? Here’s a look at the 10 best Carolina Hurricanes prospects as the 2019-20 season draws near.

The Carolina Hurricanes have a very bright future. At the NHL level, Teuvo Tervainen, Andrei Svechnikov, and Sebastian Aho are young and skilled. The Hurricanes made the Eastern Conference Final in 2019, surprising everyone except for themselves.

Not only that, but they also have one of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL. Former general manager Ron Francis did a terrific job making the pipeline deep and the current front office, led by Don Waddell, has continued that tradition.

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Let’s go over my definition of a prospect. A prospect is any player who meets the following criteria. First of all, they must be under 25 years old as of October 2nd, 2019. Secondly, the player must have played fewer than 40 games in any season or fewer than 50 in any two seasons.

Just as an example, Clark Bishop counts as a prospect while Saku Maenalanen does not because he just turned 25 years old in May. Warren Foegele and Lucas Wallmark don’t count, despite both being under 25 years old, because both played over 40 games last season.

I like to separate skaters and goaltenders because the latter are far harder to project than the former. So let’s dive in.

Goaltenders

1. Alex Nedeljkovic

Acquired: 2014 NHL draft (second-round pick)

Age: 23

Stats: 51 games, 2.26 GAA, .916% save percentage, 15 postseason games, 2.34 GAA, .916% save percentage (Charlotte Checkers, AHL); 1 game, 2.00 GAA, .923% save percentage (Carolina Hurricanes, NHL)

Alex Nedeljkovic should be a member of the Hurricanes goaltending tandem at some point in the near future. He could compete for a spot this season, though he would have to outperform James Reimer in training camp.

At 6’0″, he’s a tad bit undersized. But Nedeljkovic is quick and smart. He’s technically sound as well. I’m not sure he’s a future starter, but I’m very confident he’s an NHL caliber goaltender.

2. Pyotr Kochetkov

Acquired: 2019 NHL Draft (second-round pick)

Age: 20

Stats: 18 games, 2.13 GAA, .930% save percentage, 3 postseason games, 1.61 GAA, .955% save percentage (HK Ryazan, VHL); 2 games, 2.57 GAA, .911% save percentage (HK Sochi, KHL)

Pyotr Kochetkov was one of the top goaltending prospects in the 2019 draft. His athleticism is off the charts. Kochetkov should get a chance to start full-time in the KHL, which should be good for his development. His developmental curve has been slower than most, but it seems he’s finally hitting it. I think his ceiling is an NHL goaltender.

Other Goaltenders

Jeremy Helvig was their ECHL affiliate’s primary goaltender last season and he posted a .918% save percentage there. Should be at worst a decent depth goaltender. Jack LaFontaine did very well in the BCHL last season and should get a second chance in the NCAA at the University of Minnesota. Callum Booth should push Helvig and Anton Forsberg for the backup goaltender spot in the AHL. Eetu Makiniemi is nothing to write home about.

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