Top prospects for Carolina Hurricanes

NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Today, the top five prospects for the Carolina Hurricanes, according to NHL.com.

1. Alexander Nikishin, D

How acquired:Selected with No. 69 pick in 2020 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: SKA St. Petersburg (KHL): 65 GP, 11-44-55

Nikishin vaulted to the top of Carolina's rankings with a breakout season when he led the Kontinental Hockey League in assists and defensemen in points. With a tantalizing combination of size and offensive skill, Nikishin (6-foot-3, 196 pounds) has drawn a lot of interest from other teams hoping to pry him away from the Hurricanes.

"Two years ago, he started playing more minutes and a bigger role, and last year he just took it over," Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell said. "Obviously, I haven't seen him live over there, but our Russian scout has. And you always can tell [how highly regarded he is] because every phone call I get is asking if we're trading him."

The 21-year-old is under contract in the KHL for two more seasons.

Projected NHL arrival:2025-26

2. Scott Morrow, D

How acquired:Selected with No. 40 pick in 2021 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: University of Massachusetts (NCAA): 35 GP, 9-22-31

Another skilled offensive defenseman and strong skater, Morrow (6-2, 195) led UMass in points last season, following up an impressive freshman season (33 points; 13 goals, 20 assists in 37 games). The 20-year-old will return to college for his junior season.

That's fine with the Hurricanes, who have no American Hockey League affiliate after their agreement with Chicago expired last season.

"[UMass] has a good program there and he's done well there," Waddell said. "He plays a ton of minutes, so certainly another year there is not going to hurt his development at all."

The Hurricanes hope Morrow will sign and join them late this season after UMass' season is over.

Projected NHL arrival:This season

3. Bradly Nadeau, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 30 pick in 2023 NHL Draft

2022-23 season:Penticton (BCHL): 54 GP, 45-68-113

Nadeau demonstrated his offensive potential last season by leading the British Columbia Hockey League (Junior A) in points during the regular season and tying older brother Josh for the league lead with 35 points (17 goals, 18 assists) in 17 playoff games to help Penticton win the championship.

The Hurricanes view the 18-year-old as well-rounded player. Nadeau (5-10, 161) is headed to the University of Maine, with his brother, to continue his development.

"Just how he sees the game and sees the ice, he has very good hockey sense," Waddell said. "He has decent size. Where he's going to play is going to be good for him. His overall game, he's not just an offensive player. He's very responsible defensively."

Projected NHL arrival: 2025-26

4. Jack Drury, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 42 pick in 2018 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Carolina (NHL): 38 GP, 2-6-8; Chicago (AHL): 37 GP, 11-13-24

The 23-year-old is in line to begin this season as the Hurricanes' fourth-line center. Drury (5-11, 174) split last season between the NHL and AHL, but he played regularly after being recalled March 13, finishing with six points (two goals, four assists) in 17 regular-season games and three assists in 13 Stanley Cup Playoff games to help Carolina reach the Eastern Conference Final, where it was swept by the Florida Panthers in the best-of-7 series.

"It was tough when we had to send him down last year, but he went with a great attitude, and he played well down there," Waddell said. "And he brought that game and attitude right back to us when we brought him back, and we see him being ready to take even bigger strides this year."

Projected NHL arrival:This season

5. Vasily Ponomarev, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 53 pick in 2020 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Chicago (AHL): 64 GP, 24-22-46

After getting his feet wet in North America at the end of 2021-22 with 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 11 AHL regular-season games and six points (one goal, five assists) in 18 playoff games, Ponomarev (5-10, 180) led Chicago in goals and was second in points last season. There doesn't appear to be room for the 21-year-old in Carolina's lineup heading into training camp, but he could be the next man up if a forward is injured or traded.

"We think he'll play games this season for us," Waddell said. "We think he's really close."

Projected NHL arrival: This season