The 2024-25 season featured a small youth movement for the Hurricanes. Jackson Blake began the season as the lone rookie, but Logan Stankoven's mid-season addition from the Stars, Scott Morrow getting an extended look, and several call-ups at the end of the season allowed us to see what the future could hold. At one point against Florida, the Hurricanes had four rookies in the lineup.
While the team had two rookies in the Top 10 of the Calder voting this season, it's time to look toward the future. There's one rookie's future that needs a deep dive because there's a small issue facing him in his bid to become a full-time NHLer, though this predicament is hardly his fault. That player is Bradly Nadeau.
Drafted 30th overall in 2023 out of the University of Maine, Nadeau spent last season playing his first year of professional hockey with the Chicago Wolves, where he was incredible. Nadeau led the Wolves and all AHL rookies with 32 goals and was second on the team to Ryan Suzuki with 58 points. He was one of the call-ups for the final two games, recording his first point with an assist in Montreal.
While Nadeau has showcased that he's ready to make the jump, there's one thing standing in his way that is completely out of his control. It's something the front office must consider moving forward because there's no point in Nadeau wasting away in the AHL if he can be a contributor on the team right now.
There's currently no room for Nadeau on the NHL roster
LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
Nikolaj Ehlers | Sebastian Aho | Seth Jarvis |
Taylor Hall | Jesperi Kotkaniemi | Andrei Svechnikov |
Jordan Martinook | Jordan Staal | Logan Stankoven |
William Carrier | Mark Jankowski | Jackson Blake |
Tyson Jost | Eric Robinson |
As the team is currently configured, the Hurricanes' forward group looks pretty filled out. There are 14 players who appear to be in front of him on the depth chart, with only 12 spots in the lineup available nightly. One of Eric Robinson or William Carrier appears to be the team's 13th forward, with Tyson Jost the most likely to be the first player called up from Chicago.
This leaves Nadeau on the outside looking in. He's likely not far down the depth chart, especially if a winger or two goes down during the season. It's just a little worrying to me. A little more seasoning in the AHL is never a bad thing, but he feels ready to be a contributor to the team. He's a natural goal scorer, something the team could use.
The Hurricanes' short-term outlook doesn't make it much easier
With the team's affliction for signing players to long-term deals, roster spots will remain at a premium for rookies over the next few years. Jost and Mark Jankowski are the only pending UFA forwards at the end of the upcoming season, and Jordan Staal and Jordan Martinook are the only two after the 2026-27 campaign.
Nadeau still has all three years remaining on his entry-level deal, so there's time for him to make the cut. The Hurricanes aren't done making moves either, so all of this could change on a dime, under the right circumstances. I would just hate to see Nadeau linger in the AHL longer than he needs to if he can help the Hurricanes win.
I want to make one thing crystal clear: I don't think the Hurricanes should trade Bradly Nadeau, nor do I think they will. I'm simply pointing out that his path to the show is blocked by the players in front of him. I'm excited to see how his game continues to develop as he aims to become an impactful player in the NHL. I think his future is in Raleigh. I'm just concerned about how long that might take.