Carolina has made a ton of picks in the last five years. In total, there are a lot of guys who were swings on skill and who are trending to misses. The Hurricanes also graduated Andrei Svechnikov. So why are they ranked so high? First, Seth Jarvis is a top young forward in the league. Second was the pick of Alexander Nikishin in the third round of the 2020 draft. While he hasn’t played an NHL game yet, the Nikishin pick may be one of the very best picks of the last five years as he looks like a true premium prospect.
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Key additions: Bradley Nadeau, Felix Unger-Sorum
Key graduates: Andrei Svechnikov, Jack Drury
2022 ranking: No. 6
2023 NHL Draft grade: B
Full 2023-24 NHL Pipeline Rankings
Player Ranking
1. Alexander Nikishin, D
10/2/2001 | 6-foot-3 | 196 pounds | Shoots left
Drafted: No. 69 in 2020
Tier: Bubble NHL All-Star and top of the lineup player
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: Below NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: High-end
Analysis: Nikishin had an outstanding season, leading all defensemen in KHL scoring at the age of 21 and was a big part of a top KHL club in SKA. Nikishin looks like a premier defenseman. He has length, mobility, puck-moving skill and he’s mean as hell. He runs over opponents with his physicality, especially with how quickly he closes on checks. He also can make legit tough plays with the puck while also having a bomb from the point. He has developed as well as anyone could have hoped and it’s just a matter of getting him over now. His KHL contract runs through the 2024-25 season.
2. Seth Jarvis, C
2/1/2002 | 5-foot-10 | 175 pounds | Shoots right
Drafted: No. 13 in 2020
Tier: Top of the lineup player
Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: High-end
Analysis: Jarvis didn’t take a step forward offensively, but he had another big playoffs for the Hurricanes and was an important player for them all season. He’s an easy player to like due to his speed and skill, but especially due to his work ethic. He’s not a big guy, but Jarvis wins a ton of puck battles and plays with courage. His effort plus speed allows him to win a lot of races and pressure opponents into mistakes. He may never be an offensive dynamo, but he’s very skilled, can make plays and should be a legit high in the lineup wing for a while.
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3. Scott Morrow, D
11/1/2002 | 6-foot-2 | 195 pounds | Shoots right
Drafted: No. 40 in 2021
Tier: Middle of the lineup player
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average
Analysis: Morrow’s sophomore season wasn’t as impressive as his freshman year. He took on more defensive responsibility for UMass, but the results around him and the team weren’t as good. And defensive responsibility likely won’t be what Morrow is known for in the NHL, it will be his offense. He’s a strong skating, free-wheeling and highly skilled defenseman who likes to attack with his skill, creativity and shot. I think the defense will be just good enough to play and be a regular NHLer.
4. Bradly Nadeau, RW
5/5/2005 | 5-foot-10 | 160 pounds | Shoots right
Drafted: No. 30 in 2023
Tier: Middle of the lineup player
Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: High-end
Analysis: Nadeau has very good individual skill to couple with excellent speed. He’s quite dangerous in transition due to that combination. He can skate by and beat a lot of defenders, but he’s also excellent at creating with space. He sees the ice at a high level, making a lot of seam passes and making tough passes on the move. On the power play, he can make a lot of plays, but it’s his shot that’s a real weapon. He has an excellent one-timer that projects to beat NHL goalies from distance. His shot is both very quick, and fast, as he rifles pucks into the corners like a legit NHL scorer. Nadeau isn’t the biggest winger and he can play on the perimeter a tad too much, but his compete is good enough — especially with his skating and offense — that I think he plays and scores in the league as a middle six wing.
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5. Noel Gunler, RW
10/7/2001 | 6-foot-2 | 176 pounds | Shoots right
Drafted: No. 41 in 2020
Tier: Projected to play NHL games
Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average
Analysis: Gunler only played 31 AHL games this season, but he still scored 18 points. He’s a high-skill winger who can shoot the puck well and has a strong offensive sense as well. Gunler can create a lot inside the offensive zone and on a power play. His skating is just OK and his effort can be in and out although he’s shown he can be more effective versus men than I thought he would be a few years ago. I think he plays in the league but I’ll want to see him be more consistent and well-rounded before I’m convinced he has an NHL career.
6. Ronan Seeley, D
8/2/2002 | 6-feet | 176 pounds | Shoots left
Drafted: No. 208 in 2020
Tier: Projected to play NHL games
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: Below NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Analysis: Seeley’s strong development arc continued this season, as he played all situations for his AHL club and scored 25 points as a rookie pro. There’s nothing spectacular about his game, but Seeley is a good skater who can move the puck well. He’s not that big, but he makes stops due to his mobility, brain and compete. He looks like a potential third pair defenseman.
7. Jackson Blake, RW
8/3/2003 | 5-foot-10 | 152 pounds | Shoots right
Drafted: No. 109 in 2021
Tier: Projected to play NHL games
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Analysis: Blake had a great freshman season at North Dakota, being a top player in his conference and ended up a notable part of the USA’s U20 team. Blake is fun to watch because he’s super skilled and smart, with excellent vision to create a lot for his teammates. He has the soft skills, but what you love about Blake, especially at his size, is his willingness to take pucks inside, to create in tight spaces, and a lot of his offense is generated at the net. His skating is fine, but he lacks the pull-away speed you’d want in a smaller player. It’s why despite seeing a lot of NHL traits in his game I’d be hesitant to stamp him yet as a projected career NHLer.
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8. Gleb Trikozov, LW
8/12/2004 | 6-foot-1 | 185 pounds | Shoots right
Drafted: No. 60 in 2022
Tier: Projected to play NHL games
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Below NHL average
Shot: High-end
Analysis: Trikozov had a solid season between the VHL and MHL where he helped lead Avangard’s junior team on a deep playoff run. Trikozov is full of talent. He’s got very good hands. He skates well. He has a sturdy frame and he can rip a puck, with a wrist shot that will be a threat in the NHL. He can be in and out with his effort and I’ve seen him frustrate coaches, but also take over games. If he gets a bit more consistent, he has a chance to hit in a big way.
9. Alexander Perevalov, LW
4/16/2004 | 6-feet | 191 pounds | Shoots right
Drafted: No. 71 in 2022
Tier: Projected to play NHL games
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average
Analysis: Perevalov had a strange season, as Lokomotiv didn’t want him to play junior after his success last season, so they loaned him to Kunlun in the KHL where he didn’t have much success at the top level. He remains a talented prospect, but it was too big a level jump for him as an 18-year-old. Perevalov is a very skilled winger who can create with pace and when the play slows down. He has strong vision and finishing skills to be an asset on a power play. The offense versus men will need to come before I can say he’s an NHL player, but he has the traits to be one.
10. Felix Unger Sorum, RW
9/14/2005 | 5-foot-11 | 170 pounds | Shoots right
Drafted: No. 62 in 2023
Tier: Projected to play NHL games
Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Analysis: Unger Sorum is intriguing due to his strong skill and offensive sense. He can run a power play at a high level and makes a ton of difficult plays with the puck off the flank. He has the skill for the pro game, but whether a 5-foot-11 wing with subpar skating can make it versus NHL defenders is the question. I think Unger Sorum competes fine, even if he’s not overly physical. There’s a lot of growth potential here, and it’s legit enough NHL skill/sense to get games, but I’m not sold yet his game has enough dimensions to be an everyday player.
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Has a chance to play*
Michael Emerson, RW
12/26/2003 | 6-foot-1 | 192 pounds | Shoots right
Drafted: No. 190 in 2023
Analysis: Emerson’s play style looks a lot like a pro hockey player. He brings it every night, he skates well and often in a straight line to the puck or to the net. His effort and willingness to attack the net will appeal to a lot of coaches, but his speed that lets him turn the corner and put pressure on defensemen will help him be effective versus better players. Emerson’s big challenge will be offense. He scored this season, and he has some skill, but whether he’s a natural hands type or distributor against better players is the main hurdle he’ll need to surpass. If he scores a little there’s enough to his toolkit to play.
Domenick Fensore, D
9/7/2001 | 5-foot-7 | 151 pounds | Shoots left
Drafted: No. 90 in 2019
Analysis: Fensore is an excellent skater with good offensive skills and playmaking ability, but he’s such a tiny defenseman and whether he’ll be able to defend at all versus men is a major question.
Vladimir Grudinin, D
12/9/2003 | 5-foot-10 | 158 pounds | Shoots left
Drafted: No. 156 in 2022
Analysis: Grudinin is a skilled, intelligent defenseman who can run a power play. He’s a strong enough skater to generate offense with his feet too but the stride is somewhat awkward. He’s not that big, so while he projects to score versus men, his defensive play will be a major question.
Aleksi Heimosalmi, D
5/8/2003 | 5-foot-11 | 170 pounds | Shoots right
Drafted: No. 44 in 2021
Analysis: Heimosalmi is a mobile defenseman with good puck-moving ability, but it’s not special offense and since he’s 5-foot-11, I’m unclear what he would be as an NHL player.
11/20/2004 | 6-foot-4 | 201 pounds | Catches left
Drafted: No. 158 in 2023
Analysis: Khazheyev is a good-sized goaltender at 6-foot-4 who looks like a pro goalie. He doesn’t move incredibly well, but he can get around the crease well for his frame. He doesn’t shy from playing at the top of his crease and challenging shooters and has decent strength in his lower half. Khazheyev doesn’t always get to the tough passes across his crease, though. I like his brain and puck tracking. It’s not top-end sense and he gets beat occasionally, but often I found him square and anticipating the play.
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Ville Koivunen, LW
6/13/2003 | 5-foot-11 | 161 pounds | Shoots left
Drafted: No. 51 in 2021
Analysis: Koivunen has strong offensive IQ and can make skilled plays but he’s not a great skater, especially for being 5-foot-11, so whether he can score at the highest levels is debatable.
Cruz Lucius, RW
4/5/2004 | 6-feet | 178 pounds | Shoots right
Drafted: No. 124 in 2022
Analysis: Lucius had a strong freshman season, scoring a point per game for Wisconsin. He’s a skilled and intelligent forward who can shoot the puck well. His compete and skating are just OK, though, so there are questions about how well his game will translate to the pros.
Timur Mukhanov, LW
6/17/2005 | 5-foot-7 | 178 pounds | Shoots right
Drafted: No. 163 in 2023
Analysis: Mukhanov has a lot of quickness and skill. He has the speed to carry pucks through the neutral zone and create with his skating. The stride isn’t technically perfect and breaks down at times, but Mukhanov typically darts around the ice and can pull away from checks. He makes skilled plays on the move and can hit seams from a standstill. He’s a shot-and-pass threat who can help a power play in several ways. Mukhanov lacks NHL size, though, and while he works hard it’s debatable if he has the elite compete and skill needed with that frame. While he has a chance to play, it’s unclear what his NHL role would be.
Joel Nystrom, D
5/14/2002 | 5-foot-11 | 170 pounds | Shoots right
Drafted: No. 219 in 2021
Analysis: Nystrom is a strong skating defenseman with skill and a big shot from the point. He’s not that big and has issues defending at the SHL level but the talent gives him a longshot chance.
Jayden Perron, RW
1/11/2005 | 5-foot-9 | 166 pounds | Shoots right
Drafted: No. 94 in 2023
Analysis: Perron has a lot of offensive talent. His game starts with his skating. He’s got a quick, powerful stride that will create controlled entries and push the pace at higher levels. Perron can make skilled plays on the move through defenders and to teammates. He’s a strong passer while also being able to finish chances with a shot that can pick corners from range. Perron has skill, but the question is as a 5-foot-9 forward, is it dynamic enough for the NHL? Also, while I don’t think he lacks effort, as a smaller player he can be pushed off to the perimeter too easily. He has a good chance to play games but it’s unclear if he will be a top nine scorer in the NHL.
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Vasily Ponomarev, C
3/13/2002 | 5-foot-10 | 180 pounds | Shoots left
Drafted: No. 53 in 2020
Analysis: Ponomarev is a skilled and creative playmaker. He works hard, can kill penalties and has shown well versus men in the AHL. He’s not a great skater for an undersized player, though, so there are questions on how his game will translate to the NHL.
3/13/2003 | 5-foot-8 | 173 pounds | Shoots right
Drafted: No. 147 in 2021
Analysis: Robidas is an outstanding skater with a great motor who was often all over the ice in the QMJHL. The issue in his game is he’s so small, and while skilled it’s not the off-the-charts offense you’d like to see at that size to be a projected NHL player.
Alexander Rykov, RW
7/14/2005 | 6-feet | 176 pounds | Shoots left
Drafted: No. 100 in 2023
Analysis: Rykov is a very slick puckhandler who can beat defenders one-on-one at a high rate and do so with pace. His skating is good. He’s able to pull away from pressure and get by defenders at the pro level. There’s a lot to like about his game, but I wouldn’t say anything particularly excites you. He’s not a high-end compete type, and while he has offense, he’s not going to break shifts open. Since he’s an average-sized winger, it makes you wonder exactly how valuable that combination is.
Ryan Suzuki, C
5/28/2001 | 6-feet | 176 pounds | Shoots left
Drafted: No. 28 in 2019
Analysis: Suzuki is a strong skater with legit skill and vision, but between his various injuries and inconsistent play when healthy his development as a pro hasn’t gone amazing and it’s hard to see exactly what his NHL role would be until the offense takes a big step.
*Listed in alphabetical order
Player Eligibility: All skaters who are 22 years old or younger as of Sept. 15, 2023, regardless of how many NHL games they’ve played, are eligible. Player heights and weights are taken from the NHL.
Tool grades: Tool grades are based on a scale with six separate levels, with an eye toward how this attribute would grade in the NHL (poor, below-average, average, above-average, high-end and elite). “Average” on this scale means the tool projects as NHL average, which is meant as a positive, not a criticism. Skating, puck skills, hockey sense and compete for every projected NHL player are graded. Shot grades are only included if a shot is notably good or poor.
Tier Definitions: Tiers are meant to show roughly where in an average NHL lineup a player projects to slot in.
(Photo of Alexander Nikishin: Maksim Konstantinov / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images)
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