LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 28: Kurban Limatov stands onstage after being selected 67th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes during Rounds 2-7 of the 2025 NHL Draft at Peacock Theater on June 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. | Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images
Russians prevalent again for Carolina in this draft
The Carolina Hurricanes had no hesitation looking toward Russia for the best players on their sheets in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
Four of their first five selections were from Russia, while their final two picks were wingers from Sweden.
Assistant GM, Darren Yorke, was asked after the draft if the team is intentionally looking for players in Russia, what’s up with that?
“It’s really just how its fallen. Its not like we enter a draft and say we are going to get x amount of players from any one country. ........ It’s really just how it shakes out.”
Apparently, several teams are still a bit gun shy about picking players from Russia. Carolina certainly is not.
If a player isn’t selected where the Canes scouts have them on their rankings, they have no qualms about picking them up. As a matter of fact, they even traded up to land one of their top Russian defensemen, Kurban Limatov.
Speaking of trading, the Hurricanes should be given credit on how they used their capital to increase their number of picks.
As painful as it was to see on Friday night after wasting over 4 hours of watching a boring draft, the Canes traded number 29 overall to Chicago for numbers 34 and 62. They also got a 5th round pick in the 2027 Draft.
Chicago selected Mason West.
The next day, they traded number 34 and number 189 to Montreal for the 41st and 49th.
Montreal chose Alexander Zharovsky.
They went from having one late first round and none in the second round, to three picks in the second round and an extra pick to boot, in 2027.
They finally, actually chose a player at 41 when they selected goalie,
Semyon Frolov.
Yorke said that Frolov was the best goalie in the draft, (according to their reports). Their scouts were worried they might lose him, so they selected him in this spot. Cam Ward helped out with this choice and was on board.
https://www.canescountry.com/2025/6...-goaltender-semyon-frolov-carolina-hurricanes
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/836620/semyon-frolov
At pick 49, the Canes chose Penn State center,
Charlie Cerraro.
This skater is an over-ager who was bypassed in previous drafts, but the Canes saw enough improvement to grab him here. More from Darren Yorke.
“After being by-passed in previous years, we didn’t want to wait too long to get him. He probably could have been drafted last year but then went to Penn State and had an unbelievable year. Strong on faceoffs, strong two-way game. Has a lot of skill and plays exactly how we want to play.”
https://www.canescountry.com/2025/6...-carolina-hurricanes-penn-state-nittany-lions
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/535580/charlie-cerrato
Next up at number 62 was
Ivan Ryabkin, a player who I mentioned that he looked interesting in my preview. The player was listed at number 3 early in the season by NHL services, but then dropped to 35.
He was ranked in the first round by many services but there were also reports of bad work habits and gaining weight. No one is arguing about his skill though as he has been a point a game player no matter where he plays. He does rack up a lot of penalty minutes though.
Yorke was thrilled he fell into Carolina’s lap right here.
“He gets into Muskegon late, but basically he’s an unbelievable goal scorer. He can take it to the net, he can hit you, he can take hits, he can score off the rush or the one-timer. We didn’t expect him to slip where he did, but we are happy to take him.”
By the way, his team won the Clark Cup this season.
https://www.canescountry.com/2025/6...-two-pick-62-ivan-ryabkin-carolina-hurricanes
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/690132/ivan-ryabkin
The Canes actually traded up to get the next player. Yorke said they wanted to step up and get this guy.
They traded their fourth round pick to Nashville, (125) and the previously acquired Dallas third round pick in 2026 for pick number 67 overall.
The chose Russian defenseman,
Kurban Limatov. At 6’4 the blueliner has good size but he is also a fast and fluid skater.
“He is a great skater and has a great reach. Rarely do you see Russian defensemen that are aggressive and like to get into the play and are sealing or flushing down the neutral zone. We feel like we had to step up and get him. “
(By the way, when asked who he thought was the best defenseman in the league, he replied, “In 5 years, me”.)
https://www.canescountry.com/2025/6...wo-pick-67-kurban-limatov-carolina-hurricanes
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/690127/kurban-limatov
Also in the third round at 87 overall, the Canes chose another Russian defenseman,
Roman Bausov. At 6’5, Yorke said this kid has a massive reach. The player is noted as a good shut down guy, but he needs to gain mass and is a project.
https://www.canescountry.com/2025/6...hree-pick-87-roman-bausov-carolina-hurricanes
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/836578/roman-bausov
After a bit of a break, the Canes looked to Sweden as they chose winger,
Viggo Nordlund at 183 overall. Nordlund is a dynamic offensive player and has done well in the J20 Swedish league this year, but could be a bit under-sized at 5’10.
https://www.canescountry.com/2025/6...2025-round-six-pick-183-winger-viggo-nordlund
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/619005/viggo-nordlund
With their final pick at 221, they chose another Swedish winger,
Filip Ekberg.
Ekberg went crazy in the under-18 World Championships and led all scorers with 18 points in just seven games. He is another under-sized scoring machine, but how will he do against the big boys?
https://www.canescountry.com/2025/6/28/24458069/nhl-draft-2025-round-7-pick-221-filip-ekberg
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/689904/filip-ekberg
Yorke answered a few questions from the local media at the end of the draft.
They are expecting all the draftees to attend development camp this week. All the Russian players are in the USA right now.
Can they speak English? (no)
The Canes got some criticism on the broadcast for relying too much on video scouting, but the team has boots on the ground to watch these players. They rely much on Oleg Smirnov, but they want multiple people for feedback.
“Rarely is a player seen by just one person, irrespective of where they are. The way we do it might be a little different, so its not just one person with one voice, trying to get a player high on the list. It is really a collective group thing and we try to get as many opinions across the board on these players. “
I asked if the team was able to see and evaluate any players at the Draft Combine.
“Some were not, some were not invited. If there is no combine, our staff does a tremendous job checking in with them and we see them and evaluate them, whether they are at the combine or not”.
Both Yorke and Tulsky said they liked the new “decentralized” draft format. It made it easier for the entire group to communicate.
Generally, the draft “experts” liked what Carolina did and rated their results high.
Yorke’s entire interview is below.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/ve83...3&rlkey=vyqerukyztrmjcakumki9np6e&st=yadz8lof
Tulsky’s interview from Friday night is next.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/jmvk...kralluem39isfpw6dy0b7go8&e=1&st=ql9us4wu&dl=0
There was no information to share about free agency or any trade targets. We will have that as it comes.
I will attend one of the development camp sessions and will have more about that later.
Carolina’s official release concerning the draft is below.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 28, 2025
‘CANES PICK SEVEN PLAYERS ON SECOND DAY OF DRAFT
Carolina selects four forwards, two defensemen and one goaltender in the final six rounds
RALEIGH, N.C. – The National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes completed their activity at the 2025 NHL Draft on Saturday, selecting seven players in rounds 2-7.
* On Friday night, Carolina traded its first-round pick, 29th overall, to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Chicago’s second-round pick, 34th overall, Dallas’ second-round pick, 62nd overall, and the Blackhawks’ fifth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft. Chicago selected center Mason West.
* To start Day 2 of the 2025 NHL Draft, Carolina traded Chicago’s second-round pick, 34th overall, and the 189th overall pick in exchange for Pittsburgh’s second-round pick, 41st overall, and Montreal’s second-round pick, 49th overall. Montreal selected right winger Alexander Zharovsky.
Round 2, 41st Overall (from Montreal) – Semyon Frolov, G, Spartak Moskva Jr. (Russia Jr.)
Frolov, 18, spent the majority of the 2024-25 season with MHK Spartak Moskva in the MHL, posting a 9-2-2 record, .915 save percentage and 2.05 goals-against average with two shutouts in 13 regular-season games. He also went 0-2-0 with a .903 save percentage and 2.88 goals-against average in four playoff appearances to help the club win the 2025 MHL championship. Frolov also spent time with MHK Krylia Sovetov Moskva (MHL), posting a 2-2-1 record, .910 save percentage and 2.75 goals-against average in five regular-season games and a 1-2-0 record, .912 save percentage, 3.32 goals-against average and one shutout in three playoff appearances. The 6’3”, 203-pound goalie also played in nine games with Ladia Togliatti (MHL) in 2024-25, recording a 5-3-0 record, .937 save percentage and 1.83 goals-against average. The Togliatti, Russia, native went 7-4-2 record and a .907 save percentage and 2.51 goals against average with one shutout in 16 games with Ladia Togliatti (MHL) in 2023-24. Frolov was ranked second among International Goaltenders by NHL Central Scouting.
Round 2, 49th Overall (from Montreal) – Charlie Cerrato, C, Penn State (NCAA)
Cerrato, 20, tallied 42 points (15g, 27a) in 38 NCAA games with Penn State in 2024-25, ranking second in points, tied for second in assists and tied for third in goals among Nittany Lions skaters. The 20-year-old center also led all Big Ten rookies in goals, assists and points, helping him earn Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors. He ranked second in the nation in points and assists and third in goals by a freshman skater. His 42 points also mark the second-most by a Nittany Lion rookie in school history. The Fallston, Maryland, native spent 2023-24 with the Youngstown Phantoms in the USHL, registering 50 points (12g, 38a) in 45 games, ranking second among Phantoms skaters in points and leading the club in assists. The 6’0”, 190-pound forward also spent two seasons (2021-23) with the United States National Team Development Program, totaling 29 points (9g, 20a) in 54 USHL games in that span. Cerrato was ranked 110th overall among North American Skaters by NHL Central Scouting.
Round 2, 62nd Overall (from Chicago) – Ivan Ryabkin, C, Muskegon (USHL)
Ryabkin, 18, earned 30 points (19g, 11a) in 27 USHL games with the Muskegon Lumberjacks in 2024-25, leading all club skaters and ranking ninth among league skaters in points per game (1.11). He added 16 points (7g, 9a) in 14 playoff games, helping Muskegon capture its first USHL title. Ryabkin ranked second in the USHL in postseason points, two shy of the league lead. The Balakovo, Russia, native also tallied 12 points (1g, 11a) in 15 MHL games with MHK Dynamo Moskva, posted two assists in eight VHL games with Dynamo St. Petersburg and skated in two KHL games with Dynamo Moskva last season. The 5’11”, 209-pound center led all MHK Dynamo Moskva skaters in points per game (.80) in 2024-25 and finished tied for the club lead in points (24-34—58) in 2023-24. He is the all-time MHK Dynamo Moskva points per game leader (1.19) and leads all MHL skaters under 18 years of age in assists and points (25-45—70) over the past two seasons (2023-25). Ryabkin was ranked 35th overall among International Skaters by NHL Central Scouting.
* Carolina traded its 2025 fourth-round pick, 125th overall, and the Dallas Stars’ third-round pick in 2026 to the Los Angeles Kings, in exchange for the Nashville Predators’ 2025 third-round pick, 67th overall. Los Angeles selected center Jimmy Lombardi.
Round 3, 67th Overall (from Los Angeles) – Kurban Limatov, LHD, Dynamo Moskva Jr. (Russia Jr.)
Limatov, 18, registered 23 points (8g, 15a) in 46 regular-season games with MHK Spartak Moskva in the MHL in 2024-25 and added five points (2g, 3a) in seven playoff appearances. The 6’4”, 190-pound defenseman also played in one game with Dynamo Moskva in the KHL, one of seven players to appear in a KHL game under the age of 18 last season. The Moskva, Russia, native recorded six points (1g, 5a) in 30 regular-season games with MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL) in 2023-24 and appeared in five playoff games. Limatov was ranked ninth among International Skaters by NHL Central Scouting.
*Carolina acquired Tampa Bay’s 2025 third-round pick, 87th overall, on June 30, 2024, in exchange for the rights to forward Jake Guentzel.
Round 3, 87th Overall (from Tampa Bay) – Roman Bausov, RHD, Dynamo St. Petersburg Jr. (Russia Jr.)
Bausov, 18, posted 11 points (2g, 9a) in 41 MHL games with Dynamo St. Petersburg’s junior team in 2024-25, ranking third among club blueliners in goals (tied), assists and points. He also finished tied for 11th in the MHL in points among defensemen under 18 years old last season and added one assist in two playoff games. The St. Petersburg, Russia, native skated in 32 MHL games with Dynamo St. Petersburg’s junior team in 2023-24, tallying three points (1g, 2a). The 6’5”, 190-pound blueliner has totaled 14 points (3g, 11a) in 73 career MHL games, ranking second among club blueliners under 18 years of age in points since 2023-24. Bausov was ranked 34th among International Skaters by NHL Central Scouting.
Round 6, 183rd Overall (from Tampa) – Viggo Nordlund, LW, Skellefta AIK Jr. (Sweden Jr.)
Nordlund, 18, registered 49 points (24g, 25a) in 40 regular-season games as an alternate captain with Skellefta AIK in the J20 Nationell, Sweden’s top junior league, and added 12 points (6g, 6a) in six playoff games during the 2024-25 season. The Ingaro, Sweden, native led his club in goals and points, ranked second in assists and finished eighth (tied) among all league skaters in goals during the regular season. He also ranked second in the league in points per game (2.00) during the J-20 Nationell playoffs. Additionally, he recorded one assist in 15 SHL games for Skellefta AIK and appeared in seven playoff games with the club last season, one of four skaters 18 years old or younger to appear in an SHL regular-season game for the club. In 2023-24, the 5’9”, 168-pound winger posted 35 points (9g, 26a) in 37 regular-season games with Skellefta AIK (J20). He added 22 points (7g, 15a) in nine playoff games, establishing a league record for the most assists and points in a single postseason. Nordlund has totaled 34 points (13g, 21a) in 15 career J20 Nationell playoff games, the most postseason points of any skater in league history. He was ranked 26th among International Skaters by NHL Central Scouting.
Round 7, 221st Overall – Filip Ekberg, RW, Ottawa (OHL)
Ekberg, 18, tallied 45 points (16g, 29a) in 53 games with the Ottawa 67’s in the OHL during the 2024-25 season, ranking fourth among club skaters in points per game (.85). Prior to the OHL, Ekberg recorded 44 points (21g, 23a) in 53 career J20 Nationell games for Almtuna IS’s junior team from 2022-24. The Uppsala, Sweden, native accumulated five points (3g, 2a) in 20 career games with Hockey Allsvenskan (Sweden-2) from 2022-24. The 5’10” 168-pound winger represented his country at the 2025 IIHF Under-18 World Junior Championship, recording 18 points (10g, 8a) in seven games to lead all tournament skaters in goals and points to help Sweden capture a silver medal.
