The NHL’s return is just around the corner and with training camp less than a month away, we’ll can finally start to figure out what the 2024-25 iteration of the Carolina Hurricanes will look like.
While most of the roster can already be penciled into starting spots for the Oct. 11 season opener, there’s still a handful of question marks and perhaps there’s a few prospects who could be the answer.
Carolina GM Eric Tulsky hinted as much in his free agency press conference:
“We have some young players in the NHL who are ready to grow and we have some players who are just a little bit away from the NHL who are ready to step into NHL roles. So seeing them continue to take steps forward is a big part of how we keep this going and leaving them the opportunity to do that is part of the job here.”
So which of the Hurricanes’ prospects have the best chance of making the team out of training camp?
Bradly Nadeau
RW, 19
The 2023 30th-overall pick has impressed in every step of his development so far.
From a league-leading year in the BCHL (45 goals and 113 points in 54 games) to a breakout rookie season in the NCAA with the University of Maine (19 goals and 46 points in 37 games), Nadeau has proved capable at every level.
“The jump from Penticton (BCHL) to the NCAA is honestly probably a bigger jump than what [Nadeau’s] going to do next,” said Carolina Hurricanes Associate General Manager Darren Yorke. “No disrespect to the leagues that he played in previously, but that’s a huge jump. And going from Penticton to the NCAA and showing every single asset that he’s had previously, it’s incredible and it’s a credit to him and the style that he plays with and the ability to not be afraid to continue to try and make plays.”
Related: Bradly Nadeau is perfectly built for the Carolina Hurricanes
Nadeau is a natural-born goal scorer with a high-end release. He has strong offensive instincts and knows where to go to score.
One of the biggest things the Canadian winger mentioned after his first NHL game was how much faster the game was.
“I could tell it was way faster so I think that’s something that is a bit of a jump,” Nadeau said. “I felt good out there and it’s just going to be adapting to all the other things like how physical they are and how they pass the puck faster, play faster.”
If Nadeau can match that speed out of camp, there’s a good chance he’ll earn a spot on the roster.
“It’s exciting and something I look forward to, but I know it’s going to be a lot of hard work and the…