Carolina Hurricanes Prospects: Left Defense

Welcome to week 2 of this series where I go through the Carolina Hurricanes prospect farm, pick out a position group, and update everyone on these players. These updates will consist of how they played this past season, what strengths and weaknesses are in their game, and a projected (if there is one) NHL timeline. These lists will also be a ranking of the position as well, with players listed higher being the guys closer to the NHL and with more potential. This week we will be looking at the left side of the defense.

I think everyone knows the number one guy on this list as he’s been the most talked about Canes Prospect for the past 2 years and he’s easily a top-affiliated prospect who isn’t playing in the NHL. The rest of the guys have promise, but not as much as “Mr. Boom”.

 

Alexander Nikishin

Is anybody really shocked? Nikishin is the entire package as he is huge (6’4, 216 pounds) and both offensively and defensively gifted. He plays big minutes for one of the best teams in the KHL, in which he had 18 goals and 39 assists for 57 points in 72 games, which both beats his career high he set in 2022-23 and becomes the third-highest scoring season for a defenseman in KHL history. Nikishin also quarterbacked the team’s top power play and the team’s top penalty kill. I’m honestly not going to spend a ton of time talking about him because I’m pretty sure everyone knows just how good he is and how when he steps into the NHL (WHICH WILL BE WHEN HE SIGNS HIS ELC AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE 2024-2025 KHL SEASON, PLEASE STOP WORRYING ABOUT IT), he will be a top 4 defenseman immediately. So, you will get a fresh “boom” clip and we will move on to the next player on the list.

Vladimir Grudinin

The real ranking starts now with Grudinin, who caught my eye this year with his play for Severstal in the KHL. He would play his first full KHL season this year, getting 2 goals and 9 assists for 11 points in 55 games.

Tell me if you’ve heard this before, but Grudinin is a smooth-skating, smart defenseman. The main difference is his ability to facilitate, as he has shown an ability to move the puck at a high level. He never really had a chance to run a power play for Severstal besides a few spot chances, but his previous showings give me promise he could run a power play if called upon. Defensively, he does a lot of things right. Grudinin has an active stick, which has gotten him in trouble a few times, but his discipline is good enough. He’s improved his defensive game ever since becoming a regular for Severstal, earning a first-pairing placement for his efforts.

One thing I wish Grudinin did more at the KHL level is trust his playmaking ability more. He really slowed down as he was trusted more to shut down the forwards instead of creating offense, which is shown by his point total.

Overall, I came away impressed with Grudinin. His skating helps since he doesn’t have ideal size (5’10, 157 pounds) but his two-way game makes me like the NHL potential as a third-pairing defenseman. His contract ends at the end of the 2024-2025 KHL season, so I wonder if Grudinin will sign after the season is over and makes his way to North America.

NHL Timeline: 2025+

Domenick Fensore

After a seriously successful season with Boston University in 2022-23, Fensore signed his ELC with the Canes and was rather hyped up heading into this year. Then the great “AHL situation” of 2023 happened and the Canes were left without a concrete place for Fensore to play. So, he started with the Norfolk Admirals, where he played at over a point-per-game pace (2 goals and 8 assists for 10 points in 9 games) and quickly needed a level-up in competition. As the tension between the Wolves and the Canes eased, the Canes were able to loan some guys to Chicago and Fensore was one of them. In the last 39 games of the season, Fensore had 2 goals and 14 assists for 16 points while running one of the power plays.

As seen by his point production, Fensore loves to play in the opposing 50 feet of ice. Consistently able to move the puck at a high level, as well as evade pressure with his skating, Fensore is built to run a power play. While he’s slightly smaller for an NHL defender (5’8), his frame is well built out with strength in all aspects, which is advanced for someone of his age and stature. He’s also a very sound defender, using his stick to break up plays and using his hockey sense to anticipate passes.

The only drawbacks that I have with Fensore are his size and lack of experience. Only one other defender is in the NHL to my knowledge is standing less than 5’10 and even then, I’d consider Lane Hutson the better player, at least offensively. As well, only having 48 professional games under his belt plays against him.

Overall, I like Fensore’s ability. His power play potential helps him out big time and his skating being far better than average only improves his chances of seeing NHL time in the future. Now, that being said, it’s still an uphill battle since he is smaller but with him getting more playing time with Chicago next year, I think he’ll play in more than a few NHL games in the future.

NHL Timeline: 2024+

Simon Forsmark

I don’t talk about Simon Forsmark as much as I should, for reasons unbeknownst to me. But Forsmark is a solid defenseman in his own right, especially for his age. At just 20 years old, Forsmark has played over 100 games at the SHL level, with 52 of those coming last year. In those 52 games, he had 6 goals and 13 assists for 19 points, which is a career-high in every category.

There isn’t anything that is outstandingly flashy about Forsmark, as his play resembles a nice two-way defender. He’s extremely calm on ice, which can be a juxtaposition at times. It’s nice knowing that he will rarely have a careless turnover while being rushed but also it’s terrifying watching him make a mistake and be so nonchalant about it. With his bigger frame, he’s able to make plays defensively that some others can’t and he’s not afraid of using his 6’2, 192-pound body to just erase someone from the pace of play.

The one big drawback with Forsmark, shockingly given the Canes drafting strategy, is his skating. He’s not incredibly fast and according to some scouting reports, the fundamentals of his skating are a little weird and funky. Not saying a player with funky skating can’t make the NHL, but it certainly doesn’t help.

Overall, Forsmark projects as a solid 200-foot defenseman. I don’t know if he has any potential to play on an NHL special team but his even-strength prowess is always a plus. Forsmark is signed with Timra IK until the end of the 2025-26 season, so I don’t expect to see him in North America besides the prospect camp and tournament.

NHL Timeline: 2026+

Ronan Seeley

Seventh-round picks are normally crap shoots. Ronan Seeley might be that exception. Taken with the 208th overall pick back in 2020, Seeley has exceeded most expectations since being selected. He’s played on Canada’s top pairing in a stabilizing role alongside current Buffalo Sabre and former first-overall pick, Owen Power. He’s overcome a heart condition to play hundreds of professional hockey games and he’s earned the spot he’s in today. Splitting time between Norfolk and Chicago, Seeley played in 69 (nice) games and had 2 goals and 15 assists for 17 points.

As shown by his point total, Seeley is a pure shutdown defender. His skating lets him excel in open ice, being able to keep up and outskate most forwards that attack him. His stick work has been good and his hockey IQ is more anticipatory than reaction-based, even though his reactions are also good. Combine that with some solid size and you have Seeley, a solid defensive defenseman.

Now, the offense does cause some concern. I don’t know whether it’s just an unwillingness to involve himself more or just a lack of development since his days with the Everett Silvertips in the WHL. But, he does need to continue working on his offensive game if he wants to see NHL games in the future.

Overall, Seeley gets carried by his skating, which isn’t a bad thing. He’s incredibly adept at the first 150 feet of ice that he has in front of him. The thing holding him aspect of his game, I think he could play NHL games down the line.

NHL Timeline: ???

Alexander Pelevin

Another one of the Canes 7th-round picks, Pelevin is certainly a hockey player. Standing at 5’11, 181 pounds at 20 years old, he’s played the majority of his games at the MHL level. This past year, he did spend the whole season in the VHL, which is a step up. Pelevin had 5 goals and 8 assists for 13 points in 55 games throughout the year, which is respectable for what he is as a player.

What Pelevin is as a player is a hyperactive, hyperphysical shutdown defender. He bounces around from player to player, making sure they know he’s around and he’s not afraid to leave a mark or two while trying to get the puck. His skating is ok and his offense game is, let’s just say still growing. There are flashes of puck.

The drawback for Pelevin is his development track. After making his KHL debut at just 18 years old back in 2021-22, Pelevin never saw hockey higher than the MHL level until this past year. Even then, both last year and this upcoming year, Pelevin was expected to play in the KHL but for one reason or another, just didn’t. With his offense game not coming together and his affliction for taking a penalty or two, Pelevin makes for a tough read.

Overall, I haven’t given up hope on Pelevin. The skating and defense make me think that there is an NHL player within him, but the offense and hockey sense are giving me some resistance to the idea. After this past season, Pelevin signed a contract to play within the Torpedo system until after the 2025-26 season, so it’ll be a long time (if ever) before we see Pelevin play in North America.