Looking at the group in Chicago, with everybody having played around 50 games now, it’s worth pointing out the point producers. Nadeau leads in goals with 24 and has 49 points in 44 games. Robidas is their points leader and has been clicking along with 51 points in his 50 games. Unger Sorem is the leading assist guy with 37 and he’s got 48 points in 53 games. All three of them have basically stayed healthy as well, which is nice. Fensore (31 points in 44 games) and Valimaki (21 points in 25 games) are the only consistent point producers among the D, with Valimaki the only real goal threat. Of course, Valimaki has over 270 NHL games, so he’s not a prospect, per se. More of a depth option. In net, Primeau and Miftakhov have basically settled in as the rotation and Primeau (2.58 GAA, .910 Save %) has been more consistent than Miftakhov (3.30 GAA, .887 Save %) in pretty much equal usage.
Bottom line … the Wolves’s best prospects have largely been their best players, which is good to see. And Valimaki looks like a useful pickup, although he's out of contract at the end of the season. He could be an option for Carolina’s No. 7 role next year depending on how things go. He’s adjusted well to the scheme, has good size and good wheels. Nadeau has that massive shot and really needs to be in the NHL next year, while they have settled on Unger Sorum in a setup winger role and abandoned that experiment using him as a center. He’s also got to be close to NHL-ready. Robidas it’s harder to peg. He doesn’t really have an NHL frame and doesn’t have anything else in his tool kit to compensate … like Nadeau’s shot. And speaking of guys who lack an NHL frame, there’s little Fensore. Not sure what to make of his value to the big club because no matter how you slice it, the dude is tiny.
And then there’s Legault and Nystrom who are kind of straight forward defenders who have proved their NHL potential but don’t really produce counting stats. Both are under contract for next season (and beyond in Nystrom’s case), which is good. Quality depth on D is always good.
Not sure Miftakhov will get another North American contract as he’s 25 and doesn’t look likely to be an NHL keeper. Primeau is tricky. He’s a UFA this summer and has once again proven to be a capable AHLer who may not quite be NHL level even as a backup. He was awful in Toronto, after all. He’s 26 and also unlikely to have another gear, but you never know I guess. Stranger things have happened … recently. Problem bieng, if you re-sign him then you’re probably going to have to waive him again, and that’s been an adventure.
