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Hurricanes Re-Sign Eric Robinson to a Four Year Deal

Washington Capitals v Carolina Hurricanes - Game Four

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 12: Eric Robinson #50 of the Carolina Hurricanes hits Tom Wilson #43 of the Washington Capitals during the second period of Game Four of the Second Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center on May 12, 2025 in Raleigh, North Carolina. | Photo by Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images

Contract will pay the forward an average of $1.7 million annually.

The Carolina Hurricanes brought back a flexible player for them from last year, Eric Robinson.

Robinson played up and down the lineup and contributed 32 points in 82 games last season, a career high.

He also chipped in with 123 hits.

His new deal lasts four years and will pay him an average of $1.7 million per year.

Does this make the team better than last season? The answer is no, so I would anticipate more moves ahead.

The press release follows:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 20, 2025

‘CANES SIGN ERIC ROBINSON TO FOUR-YEAR EXTENSION

Forward posted 14-18-32 in 82 regular-season games with Carolina

RALEIGH, NC – Eric Tulsky, General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has signed left-wing Eric Robinson to a four-year contract extension. The deal will pay Robinson an AAV of $1.7 million through the 2028-29 season.



“It’s no surprise to us that Eric had his best professional season last year with Carolina,”
said Tulsky. “His size and speed make him an excellent fit for the way we want to play, and we are thrilled that he’s chosen to remain a Hurricane.”



Robinson, 30, notched 32 points (14g, 18a) in 82 regular-season games with Carolina, setting career highs in goals, assists, points, games-played and plus/minus rating (+14). He also added three points (1g, 2a) in 15 playoff appearances with the club. A native of Bellmawr, N.J., Robinson has registered 123 points (54g, 69a) in 388 career NHL games with the Blue Jackets, Sabres and Hurricanes, as well as four points (2g, 2a) in 25 playoff appearances with Columbus and Carolina. The 6’2”, 211-pound winger also skated in 68 career AHL games with the Cleveland Monsters from 2018-2024, recording 33 points (16g, 17a).

Prior to turning professional, Robinson played four seasons of college hockey at Princeton from 2014-18, earning 67 points (39g, 28a) and captaining the Tigers as a senior in 2017-18. He also played one USHL season with Dubuque in 2013-14, tallying 24 points (8g, 16a) in 50 games. Robinson won a bronze medal with the United States at the 2021 IIHF World Championship, posting three assists in 10 games. He originally signed with Carolina as a free agent on July 1, 2024.

Source: https://www.canescountry.com/2025/6/20/24452995/hurricanes-re-sign-eric-robinson-to-a-four-year-deal
 
Possible Trade Targets for Carolina

Dallas Stars v Edmonton Oilers - Game Four

Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images

A quick look at some of the suggested names around the NHL

The Carolina Hurricanes are one of several teams looking to improve their roster this offseason.

While former free agents, Matt Duchene and Brock Nelson are off the board, Mitch Marner, John Tavares and a few others are still available.

If the Canes cannot improve via free agency, then they will need to find a hockey trade to make it happen.

Recently, Frank Seravalli posted a few names that he feels could be on the market.

https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/n...ravalli-dobson-pageau-kane-rust#disqus_thread

Many of these players would not help Carolina, but perhaps a few would.

  1. JJ Peterka - He is young and he can score but is he a better option than Jackson Blake? Otherwise getting him seems redundant.
  2. Marco Rossi - Smallish center who had 60 points last season.
  3. Bowen Byrum - There is some talent here, but not a huge upgrade.
  4. K’Andre Miller - Interesting possibility here as the Canes could use his size on the backend.
  5. Jonathan Marchessault - He scored 40 plus goals for Vegas a year ago but disappointed in Nashville last season. At this point in his career, probably better to move on.
  6. Evander Kane - In my opinion, a possible locker room issue and not worth the risk.
  7. Rasmus Andersson - There is a lot of talk about this guy out there and he has talent. But his (-38) last season is worth looking into.
  8. JG Pageau - Does not seem like an upgrade.
  9. John Gibson - Who knows? He did post a .912 save percentage last year.
  10. Charlie Coyle - I always liked this player but again I don’t see him as an upgrade.
  11. Rights to Isaac Howard - Don’t see it.
  12. Vladimir Tarasenko - Not at this stage of his career.
  13. Erik Karlsson - Depends on a lot of factors, (partial salary holdback) but crazier things have happened.
  14. Brian Rust - The guy can light the lamp and he could be a help.
  15. Mattias Samuelsson - A stay at home defenseman who is not living up to his salary in Buffalo, but he is big and strong and would help out the blueline.
  16. Connor Murphy - Another big, stay at home defenseman.
  17. Samuel Girard - Not sure this would be an upgrade.
  18. Matias Maccelli - Interesting project but he doesn’t move the needle for Carolina.
  19. Viktor Arvidsson - Again, not an upgrade.
  20. Morgan Rielly - Don’t see the fit here.
  21. Carson Soucy - Again, not a fit.
  22. Jamie Oleksiak - He has some size, who knows?
  23. Ilya Lyubushkin - Two wrongs don’t make a right.
  24. Elvis Merzlikins - Had a down year last year but is capable of turning it around.
  25. Noah Dobson - Here is a blueliner everyone is talking about, but is he worth $11 million AAV?
  26. Morgan Geekie - A lot of fans were sorry to see him go and he has blossomed into a good player.

30. Thatcher Demko - Another goalie where a change of scenery would help.

32. Martin Necas - Now that there would be funny....

33. Rights to Mitch Marner - I think this would be a wasted draft pick. This kid wants to play the market.

34. Jason Robertson - A point a game player would help any team, including the Hurricanes.

35. Elias Pettersson - He would be a gamble.

A couple of names not on Seravalli’s list I would like to see?

Dylan Larkin - He would solve the second line center issues for any team.

Alex Tuch - A big power forward who can score. Love it.

What are your thoughts?

Source: https://www.canescountry.com/2025/6/23/24453980/possible-trade-targets-for-carolina
 
Carolina Hurricanes Draft Preview

2025 NHL Combine - Fitness Testing

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JUNE 7: Bill Zonnon #109 performs pull-ups during the 2025 NHL Scouting Combine at the LECOM Harborcenter on June 7, 2025 in Buffalo, New York. | Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images

Who will drop to Carolina at number 29?

The 2025 NHL Entry Draft will be this weekend, with the first round on Friday night at 7 P.M. Eastern and the remaining rounds on Saturday afternoon, 12 P.M. Eastern.

The Carolina Hurricanes roll into the coming draft with a total of six picks including a late first rounder, number 29 overall. Will they end up that way? Odds say probably not.

This team is known for trading down to get additional picks. It would not shock anyone if they traded that first round pick for two later picks, but maybe they have someone in mind they want at that position in the draft.

Of course it is impossible to know what the teams in front of Carolina will do and who they will pick. All we can do is look at various mock drafts and scouting reports and guess what might happen.

If Carolina holds onto that 29th overall pick, let’s see who they might be interested in and see what some mock drafts say.

The first one up is McQueen’s Hockey.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/mckeens-hockey-2025-nhl-draft-guide-two-round-mock-draft/

29. Cullen Potter

According to Elite Prospects, he is rated as high as #5 and as low as #50. (This is common, you will see these players ranked all over the spectrum.) He is noted as an excellent skater.

Next up we will look at the NHL .com rankings.

https://www.nhl.com/draft/prospects

29. William Moore

Moore is ranked anywhere from 25 to 92.

One interesting thing I noticed from this report, a player named Ivan Ryabkin was ranked at number 3 earlier in the season and dropped to number 35 at the end. He is described as a “violent” player with high end skills. He scored a point a game in the USHL and also had 70 penalty minutes in the regular season and another 30 in the playoffs. Perhaps he has anger issues?

My NHL Draft is cool because if you click on the player’s name, it will show several scouting blurbs for that player. http://www.mynhldraft.com/NHL-Mock-Draft/

29. Shane Vansaghi

He is a good player but notably has slow foot speed. He does not seem like a good fit.

Next is the Elite Prospects final ranking. https://www.eliteprospects.com/draft-center/eliteprospects.com

29. Jack Murtagh

Known as an explosive skater who plows through people. What’s there not to like? He is ranked as high as 26 and as low as 70.

The NHL combines two mock drafts into one posting here. https://www.nhl.com/news/mock-2025-nhl-draft-opinions-vary-after-1st-4-picks

29. Bill Zonnon

I really like what I see in this kid. He’s been described as the “best forechecker in the draft.” He seems like a fit, but will he be around at 29? He’s been ranked at 13 and 14, and as low as 33.

Don’t hold it against him that he plays in the “Q”.

29. William Horcroff

He is 6’4 and is ranked as high as 27 by Bob Mckenzie, but mostly ranked lower.

Speaking of Bob McKenzie, he has the Canes picking Zonnon at 29.

https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/air-of-unpre...isa-in-bob-mckenzie-s-draft-ranking-1.2325555

29. Bill Zonnon

ProHockeyRumors has Cameron Reid falling to Carolina. https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2025/06/phrs-2025-nhl-mock-draft.html

29. Cameron Reid

Stranger things have happened but it would be a stretch to have this defenseman fall this low. He is ranked higher on almost every service I have seen, from 13 to 33.

Tankathon puts out a mock draft which is interesting. They have us selecting a big strong center. https://www.tankathon.com/nhl/mock_draft

29. Jack Nesbitt

At 6’4 he uses his body to get where he wants to go. He has good numbers for Windsor and is ranked anywhere from 17 to 52.

Sports Illustrated is another source having Carolina selecting Zonnon.

https://www.si.com/onsi/breakaway/n...-2025-philadelphia-flyers-stockpile-continues

29. Bill Zonnon

The Athletic has a few mock drafts. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6406848/2025/06/11/nhl-mock-draft-2025-staff/

29. Cullen Potter

At 5’10 he is called the best skater in the draft.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6436425/2025/06/20/2025-nhl-mock-draft-the-athletic-hockey-show/

29. Henry Brzustewicz

This defenseman is ranked lower by many services.

Scott Wheeler has us taking Potter.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6393677/2025/06/09/2025-nhl-mock-draft-round-1-wheeler/

29. Cullen Potter

What do you all think? Does anyone have a dark horse favorite?

Source: https://www.canescountry.com/2025/6/25/24455343/carolina-hurricanes-draft-preview
 
NHL Draft 2025: Round Seven, Pick 221: Filip Ekberg

Team Sweden v Team Canada

EDMONTON, CANADA AUGUST 07: Filip Ekberg #14 and Eric Nilson #26 of Team Sweden have a conversation during a stoppage in play in the game against Team Canada during the preliminary round of the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup at Rogers Place on August 07, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. | Photo by Leila Devlin/Getty Images

Canes close out their draft with another Swedish winger who can score

Filip Ekberg is currently playing juniors for the Ottawa 67’s, but played for Team Sweden in the IIHF 18 and under world championships and led the tournament in scoring with 10 goals and 8 assists in just seven games.

He also had 27 points in 19 games in Junior International play.

Ekberg was rated much higher than 221, (as high as 37), but stands at 5’10 so is considered smallish.

https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/689904/filip-ekberg

Source: https://www.canescountry.com/2025/6/28/24458069/nhl-draft-2025-round-7-pick-221-filip-ekberg
 
Carolina Hurricanes Draft Recap

2025 NHL Draft

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.

Source: https://www.canescountry.com/2025/6/29/24458159/carolina-hurricanes-draft-recap
 
What’s in the new NHL CBA?

NHL, NHLPA Joint Media Availability

Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Quickly overwhelmed by the draft news, the NHL continues labor peace thanks to a new NHLPA head.

With the whirlwind of news since the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final, it’s easy to overlook a monumental occurrence that was announced Friday before the world’s worst Zoom meeting aka the 2025 NHL Draft first round. The league announced along with the NHLPA that they had agreed to an extension of the Collective Bargaining Agreement until the end of the 2030 NHL season.

This agreement completes a 180 degree turn for a league that had been marked with lockouts following the end of each previous deal. Fans will remember the half seasons in 1995 and 2013, and the complete loss of the 2004-05 season all because of how the league and the players just could not bridge the gap in time.

A few things have changed since that 2013 agreement. First off, the pandemic hit right at the end of the last agreement and forced both sides to use common sense to make sure the league would keep going and the players would be paid. The pushing of the agreement since then allowed the league to negotiate a massive television rights deal in 2021 that exploded the league revenues thanks to the fact that the new rights holders knew they were at least getting a few years of peaceful coexistence.

Next up was the NHLPA moving on to get Marty Walsh as their head. The previous head, Donald Fehr, was brought on because the NHL was gearing up for a fight in 2012 and they wanted someone who would fight back. That lead to constant confrontation. Walsh was not confrontational. He was a union head, a Boston Mayor, and head of the Labor Department before leaving that post to take on the NHLPA job. He had experience in negotiating and dealing with wealthy business owners, and knew the back slapping that was needed to get things done. He also knew how to communicate that to the players and worked hard to earn their trust.

The fact that the salary cap wasn’t going anywhere and that the two sides had seen what can happen when they negotiate with a mutual interest also helped make this the least contentious negotiation between the two sides in who knows how long. The new agreement extending beyond the end of the US television deals in 2028 means that they can go into the next round of negotiations stronger. Both sides recognized this and in the end, you get a deal that has relatively minor changes.

So what will be different when the 2026 league year begins?

  • The big news is that the NHL will move to an 84 game regular season. While there has been grousing about this, it should be noted that it’s coming at the expense of two less preseason games. The return for the players is a limit on how many preseason games they play, which should help reduce their wear and tear plus give newer players a chance to earn roster spots. This should bring the schedule back to where you play all division rivals four times.
  • The eight and seven year max deals are now down to seven and six year deals—seven if the team you are on retains you and six if you go to a new team. This starts next offseason so you’ll still see seven and eight years signed, and it’s possible that change will spur some additional signings this summer.
  • There will be no more skirting the salary cap in the playoffs with LTIR. While it’s clear that there’s a risk to having a player sit for a long time then miraculously come back for the playoffs, too many had used it and succeeded to where owners as a whole wanted it gone. But in return, the playoff prize pool for players has been significantly bumped up.
  • The Draft rights will be easier to understand. It’s now capped at 22 years old across the board, regardless of where someone started. The only exception will be if a player drafted plays in college for longer than their 22nd birthday, then a team holds those rights for 30 days after the end of their college career.
  • Call it the Eric Tulsky Provision: after using deferred money in both the Jacob Slaavin and Seth Jarvis deals—as well as others that followed—there will be no more deferred money allowed in deals.
  • The highest a signing bonus can be is 60% of the total deal, at least in terms of calculating for the buyout. Expect that to factor into offer sheets, but the big deal is the reduce the ability of teams to buy contracts out at a cheaper rate since more money was paid up front.
  • Teams will be able to hire a full time EBUG that will stay and travel with the team. As wonderful as the David Ayers story was, it allows teams to have a little bit more of a net should they be on the road and both goalies get knocked out of action.
  • Players are getting a increase in benefits like post career help and items like insurance and payroll taxes are being taken out of the Owners’ share and no longer being the players responsibility.
  • Teams cannot mandate a dress code, instead there’s a relatively loose one league-wide.
  • The minimum Salary will jump up $50k each season ending to $1 million by the 2030 season
  • Any new player entering the league with the 2026-27 must wear neck protection.
  • The NHL will participate in the 2030 Winter Olympics
  • No more Fitness Tests in the regular season or training camps—likely asked by anyone who had played for the Hurricanes and were embarrassed to lose to Rod Brind’Amour
  • No more “paper transfers” to the AHL. If you’re demoted, you have to go and play at least one game before you can come back to the roster. Players wanted this because even though they had to practice with the big club they were being paid at their AHL rate during that paper transaction. With the cap explosion this shouldn’t be needed as much in the next few season but it takes another took out for GM’s.
  • European Players aged 25-27 will no longer have to sign an Entry-Level Contract when they come to the NHL. Note this wouldn’t have mattered for Alexander Nikishin, who is 23.

A lot of changes though nothing major. It’s an encouraging sign that both sides were able to come to this agreement early, without any brinkmanship, and set a precedent that should allow for the next CBA to be negotiated just as easily. By then, the league will have a new TV deal and both sides will know what sort of revenue they are working with.

Source: https://www.canescountry.com/2025/6/30/24458489/whats-in-the-new-nhl-cba
 
NHL Draft 2025: Round Six, Pick 183: Winger Viggo Nordlund

U18 Five Nations Tournament

PLYMOUTH, MI - FEBRUARY 7: Viggo Nordlund #17 of Team Sweden skates with the puck during a game between Team Czechia and Team Sweden at USA Hockey Arena on February 7, 2024 in Plymouth, Michigan. | Photo by Michael Miller/ISI Photos/Getty Images

Forward from Sweden has offensive upside

The Hurricanes picked up another player who slipped from his rankings with pick number 183.

Viggo Nordlund is listed at 5’9 but was a point-a-game player in his Swedish league the last two seasons.

He also scored 12 points in six playoff games last year and had 22 points in nine playoff games the year before.

Tony Ferrari from the Hockey News had him ranked at #52.

The following is a write up by Elite Prospects.

https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/619005/viggo-nordlund

Source: https://www.canescountry.com/2025/6...2025-round-six-pick-183-winger-viggo-nordlund
 
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