Carolina Hurricanes: Top 10 prospects entering 2019
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.
10. Anttoni Honka
Acquired: 2019 NHL Draft (third-round pick)
Age: 18 (turns 19 in October)
Position: Defense
Stats: 6 games, 2 goals, 7 assists, 9 points (JYP U20, Jr. A SM-Liiga); 20 games, 2 goals, 7 assists, 9 points (JYP, Liiga); 7 games, 0 goals, 3 assists, 3 points, 5 postseason games, 1 goal, 2 assists, 3 points (KeuPa HT, Mestis)
Anttoni Honka is an extremely skilled defenseman. You might know his brother Julius, who plays for the Dallas Stars. They are similar in many ways. But honestly, I think Anttoni is better. He had immediate success in Liiga as an 18-year-old, even though it was in sheltered minutes.
Honka’s offensive upside is off the charts. His defensive is a work in progress, but I think if he can even be decent in the defensive zone, he’ll be an NHL-caliber defenseman because of what he can do with the puck. He’s absolutely fearless with the puck.
His ceiling is a top-four defenseman, but his floor is very low because, as I said, his defense is a work in progress. But I love that the Hurricanes gambled on him. They’ve had success gambling on skill in the past. They might have another big win with Honka.
9. Jack Drury
Acquired: 2018 NHL Draft (second-round pick)
Age: 19
Position: Center
Stats: 32 games, 9 goals, 15 assists, 24 points (Harvard University, NCAA)
I wasn’t a huge fan of Jack Drury coming out of the 2018 draft. But he had a very solid rookie season for Harvard. Drury quickly got trusted by the coaching staff. He’s a pretty good shooter and his playmaking is developing. Drury is quite trigger happy with the puck, as he’s not afraid to shoot it.
His offense upside, though, is limited. Drury’s shot isn’t that great and his hockey IQ doesn’t stand out to me. Still, he made some nice strides last season, so maybe he continues to get better. Drury’s ceiling is a third or fourth-line center. His two-way play should help him get to the NHL. I just don’t think he’ll be an impact player.
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8. Julien Gauthier
Acquired: 2016 NHL Draft (first-round pick)
Age: 21 (turns 22 in October)
Position: Right Wing
Stats: 75 games, 27 goals, 14 assists, 41 points, 17 postseason games, 5 goals, 3 assists, 8 points (Charlotte Checkers, AHL)
Some players have a sophomore slump. Well, Julien Gauthier had a sophomore success. After an underwhelming rookie season in the AHL, Gauthier jumped from 25 points to 41 points. The biggest difference in his game was that he learned how to use his unique skill set and size.
I still have questions about his hockey IQ and his shooting percentage was a bit high. Gauthier is someone I was wrong about, and I have no shame in admitting that. While I still don’t think he’ll ever be an impact player, I could see Gauthier being a serviceable third-line forward. But I could also see him being a guy who goes from the AHL to the NHL and back a bunch of times.
7. Patrik Puistola
Acquired: 2019 NHL Draft (third-round pick)
Age: 18
Position: Left Wing/Right Wing
Stats: 22 games, 15 goals, 11 assists, 26 points, 8 postseason games, 3 goals, 4 assists, 7 points (LeKi, Mestis); 25 games, 11 goals, 11 assists, 22 points (Tappara U20, Jr. A SM-Liiga); 16 games, 0 goals, 1 assist, 1 point (Tappara, Liiga)
Patrik Puistola might have the highest ceiling of anyone in the Hurricanes system. He could be a great scoring forward. There’s just one problem – a scoring role is about the only one I can see Puistola fitting in. His two-way play is nothing to write home about and at just 165 pounds, I don’t see him being a physical guy.
Puistola is an impressive goal scorer, so he’s got that going for him. I love his hockey IQ as well, he processes the game quickly and effectively. Puistola’s ceiling is a top-line scoring forward, but his floor is very low. Next year should be very telling for him, as he’ll most likely make the jump to Liiga full-time.
6. Janne Kuokkanen
Acquired: 2016 NHL Draft (second-round pick)
Age: 21
Position: Center/Left Wing
Stats: 7 games, 0 points (Carolina Hurricanes, NHL); 48 games, 12 goals, 26 assists, 38 points (Charlotte Checkers, AHL)
An injury cut Janne Kuokkanen‘s second season in North America short. But for the second straight season, he did well enough to be on the Hurricanes shortlist of callups. In 11 games in the NHL, he has yet to pick up a point. But it’s worth noting Kuokkanen has mostly been in a fourth-line role with the Hurricanes. Also, he’s still very young, which tells you how NHL-ready he is.
Despite playing 12 fewer games, he nearly bested his 40 point season from the 2017-18 season with 38 points. Kuokkanen is a speedy skater who is relentless when pursuing the puck. He has enough skill to stick in the NHL too.
I’m not sure if he’s skilled enough to be a second-line forward in the NHL, but he could probably be a short-term fix there. Kuokkanen’s ceiling is probably as a third-line forward, albeit a very good one. But with his compete level and high hockey IQ, I wouldn’t bet against him exceeding that.
5. Morgan Geekie
Acquired: 2017 NHL Draft (third-round pick)
Age: 21
Position: Center
Stats: 73 games, 19 goals, 27 assists, 46 points, 19 postseason games, 8 goals, 10 assists, 18 points (Charlotte Checkers, AHL)
Morgan Geekie has proven to be a diamond in the rough for the Hurricanes. He was terrific for the Checkers last season, as he quickly earned the coaching staff’s trust. By the end of their Calder Cup run, Geekie was arguably one of their top three forwards. He should get more playing time this year, as Martin Necas is most likely getting a promotion to the NHL.
His skating has improved, which helps his NHL chances. Geekie has a nice combination of skill, grit, and hockey IQ. I’d like to see him go to the net a bit more because whenever he does, he tends to do damage. Geekie projects to be a second-line or third-line forward, most likely closer to the latter. He could be a guy the Hurricanes trade if they’re looking to buy, as the Canes are pretty deep at forward.
4. Jake Bean
Acquired: 2016 NHL Draft (first-round pick)
Age: 21
Position: Defense
Stats: 70 games, 13 goals, 31 assists, 44 points, 15 postseason games, 1 goal, 4 assists, 5 points (Charlotte Checkers, AHL); 2 games, 0 points (Carolina Hurricanes, NHL)
Jake Bean should compete for a roster spot this season. Calvin de Haan’s departure could open a spot for him, though he’ll have to compete with Gustav Forsling for it.
While he didn’t have a great postseason in the AHL, I’ll chalk that up to him having a bit of a long season, combined with the constant shuffling from the NHL to the AHL. Bean was still shutting down his opposition, so I wouldn’t be concerned in the slightest.
His skating isn’t very good, but it’s constantly improving. Bean’s skill is undeniable. Skating can be an easy thing to fix. If Bean even gets average in that area, I see him as a top-four caliber defenseman.
3. Dominik Bokk
Acquired: Justin Faulk trade (2018 first-round pick of the St. Louis Blues)
Position: Right Wing/Left Wing
Stats: 47 games, 8 goals, 15 assists, 23 points; 6 postseason games, 0 goals, 3 assists, 3 points (Växjö Lakers HC, SHL)
Dominik Bokk fits the Hurricanes prototype to a T. He’s fast, shifty, and skilled. Bokk played a huge role for the Lakers last season, as he was easily one of their best forwards. He’s off to a slow start in his 2019-20 season, with 0 points in 4 games with Rogle BK, but I wouldn’t worry too much. Bokk’s still finding his way with a new team.
He is a bit streaky, but when he’s playing his best game, he’s a very impressive player. Bokk’s playmaking really stands out to me. Every time I watch him, I feel like he wows me there. With his hockey IQ and ability to win one-on-one battles, he’s someone who I believe is better suited in North America than overseas.
2. Ryan Suzuki
Acquired: 2019 NHL Draft (first-round pick)
Age: 18
Position: Center
Stats: 65 games, 25 goals, 50 assists, 75 points (Barrie Colts, OHL)
Ryan Suzuki projects to be a second-line center and could even be a first-line center. His hockey IQ is the best thing about his game. Suzuki tends to be in the right place at the right time quite often. When he has the puck, he’s a very dangerous player.
Suzuki didn’t have the strong draft year that I expected, but he still dominated against his peers. Part of the reason he didn’t do as well as I expected was his team simply wasn’t good. Only three Colts forwards put up at least 50 points.
He should serve as the Colts captain next season. Suzuki is a great reason why you need to consider stats in context.
1. Martin Necas
Acquired: 2017 NHL Draft (first-round pick)
Age: 20
Position: Center/Right Wing
Stats: 64 games,16 goals, 36 assists, 52 points, 18 postseason games, 5 goals, 8 assists, 13 points (Charlotte Checkers, AHL); 7 games, 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points (Carolina Hurricanes, NHL)
I would be very surprised if Martin Necas doesn’t make a full-time transition to the NHL this season. He’s definitely good enough to be in the NHL and also, he’s right-handed. The Hurricanes desperately need some right-handed forwards, especially if they don’t re-sign Justin Williams.
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His skating is very good, but his skill is what jumps out at you. He’s unpredictable with the puck, as he is equally lethal shooting the puck as he is passing it. Necas has what it takes to be a top-six forward in the NHL, perhaps as soon as this season.