stormTRacker Podcast
...stormTRacker Podcast is your home for in-depth analysis of the Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Wolves & Canes' prospects around the globe. Host Tom Ray is joined by regular contributors, "hockey savants" Erin Manning & Katie Bartlett, as well as "Insiders", Nick Bass (Canes Prospects) & Andrew Rinaldi (Chicago Wolves), to cover all the top stories of your Carolina Hurricanes. In addition, from time-to-time, Tom welcomes special guests to the podcast.
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stormTRacker Podcast
Chicago's Thrilling Surge: Depth, Development, and a Five-Game Point Streak!
Five straight games with points and a lineup in constant motion—this is how Chicago turns chaos into momentum. I welcome in Andrew Rinaldi (On Tap Sports Net Chicago) as we pull back the curtain on the Wolves’ next-man-up reality: why a surging second line is tilting ice, how the top unit’s skill translates to timely pressure, and what smart coaching choices are doing to hold it all together. The big theme running through it all is identity: a heavy, fast style that mirrors Carolina’s and gives every call-up or injury a ready-made system to plug into.
We dig into Felix Unger Sorum’s transformation back at wing—more space, more poise, and a shot he’s firing with conviction. Evan Vierling’s rise from under the radar to trusted special-teams piece shows how opportunity meets preparation. Justin Robidas continues to play bigger than his size, driving a mature 200-foot game next to Ryan Suzuki’s vision and Bradly Nadeau’s elite release. When opponents key on one line, the other makes them pay; that balance is why Chicago looks deeper now than on opening night.
On defense, the Wolves are growing up fast. Gavin Bayreuther’s steady veteran minutes and Dominik Badinka's calm at 19 anchor a reshaped blue line, while Alexei Heimosalmi and Bryce Montgomery add puck movement and bite around the crease. Goaltending stability changes everything: with Cayden Primeau backstopping and Amir Miftakhov in support, the team plays freer, special teams push higher, and leads feel safer. That’s the foundation you want heading into a chippy stretch against Manitoba, Rockford, and Milwaukee—a run that will test physicality, depth, and discipline.
We close with who to watch when the games turn mean, where matchups can be won, and how Chicago’s structure keeps turning new faces into real contributors. If this kind of inside look helps you follow the Wolves with sharper eyes, tap follow, share with a fellow fan, and leave a quick review to help others find the show.
Highlights:
• Five-game point streak built on structure and pace
• Second line with Pavlichev, Unger Sorum, Vierling driving results
• Top line chemistry with Suzuki, Robidas, Nadeau sharpening
• Unger Sorum’s confidence surge back at wing
• Vierling’s breakout and special teams trust
• Defense reinvented with Bayreuther’s leadership and Badinka's poise
• Montgomery’s physical edge at the net front
• Goaltending stability with Primeau and Miftakhov
• Injury updates on Jaaska and Givanni Smith
• Upcoming tests vs Manitoba, Rockford, Milwaukee
• Players to watch for chippy, playoff-style series
Well, Chicago Wolves are on a roll, going unbeaten in regulation in their last five, gaining eight of a possible ten points in that span. Wolves are led by the usual suspects, veterans including Justin Robadoff, Felix Unger Sorm, and Dominic Vensori, but they're also getting strong contributions from Evan Beerling, Dominic Badenka, and Gavin Beiruther. So, lots of players uh stepping up for this team as they continue to play well. And joining me to talk about the recent run and what we can look forward in the coming month with the Wolves, of course, our insider Andrew Rinaldi. Hey Andrew, great to have you on board.
SPEAKER_01:Always great to be here, Tom. Thanks for having me again.
SPEAKER_00:Well, for sure. And you know, the Wolves are playing great hockey. You know, it's it's been a kind of an up and down season for them, too, in terms of players, because of course the Canes have been reaching out regularly and trying to pull up some of the players that uh, of course, were intended to be key players uh for the Wolves this year. And yet here's the Wolves sitting just four points back, uh division leading Grand Rapids. What have we been seeing with the Wolves? What's going on?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, it's the the common theme with this league. I know I've said it many times on this pod, and regular listeners are gonna hear it again and again and again. No one in this league is gonna care when you're when your guys get called up because everyone goes through it in the American League. But um, you know, the the Wolves have just they've they've stuck to their to their identity and they've continued to just it's kind of that old next man up cliche, but when literally your next man up is getting called up to the hurricanes every five minutes. You just gotta you just gotta roll with the punches. And you know, the wolves have uh they they've adhered to their structure no matter who who's in the lineup at any given time. And um, you know, they're they're finding ways to to grind out these wins. And it's it's it's been a process for sure because I think there was uh there's a couple hiccups earlier on in the season, but they're starting to kind of really come into their own. And you know, even with the the shifting looks in the lineup, there's there's those those core guys that are really kind of leading the way. And I mean, you know, well, we're we'll get into it, but as the the rest of the rest of the lineup just kind of follows after the example that they set. The coaches are putting these guys into a position to succeed, and yeah, despite missing a lot of big contributors, they're they're third in a very competitive central division. And uh, you know, it's a j it's I feel like they're on a positive trajectory to keep this momentum moving on in the rest of the season.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, and you know, they they look to be playing a very similar game to the to the Hurricanes. You know, they uh they play a hard game, a heavy game. Uh Cam Abbott's got them uh you know just just really coming together as a team. And you know, you've had some top players out. Um, you know, clearly, I mean you lost you lost uh Joel Joel Nestrom for the entire uh just about the last uh you know month or month and a half. Um Dominic Fensori has been in and out. Of course, he was called up to the Keynes. Um Charles Alexis Lego uh wasn't expected to be there for long. Now he's out with a serious injury for for an extended period. That's not great for the Wolves. And then uh some of the forwards as well. Um, you know, we look at uh at some injuries, Yuha Yaska has has not seen the light of day with the Wolves as yet. So yeah. Uh and you look at the lineup on uh on the 16th, uh, this recent game against Cleveland, and it's kind of interesting because you know you've got a I think a line that's really starting to gel and really starting to get it going. And of course, that's the second line with Nikita Pavlichev, and of course Felix Unger Sorm, who's been doing a great job, and Evan Vierling, and we'll talk a little bit about him as well. What have you been seeing with that line?
SPEAKER_01:It's the the straw that stirs the drink for this team. It's and it's you really wouldn't expect that, right? Because it's but usually that Suzuki, Nidau, and lately Justin Robodot combination that's that's you know, always kind of been the uh the driver of the play. And while I mean they've looked good for sure, it's um having that that dynamic on the second line, I think that kind of takes those those second defensive matchups. Uh it has really opened up a lot of space for these guys. You know, I again I know we're gonna get into Anger Sorum later on, but I can't stop talking good things about this kid. And you know, Nikita Pavlitchev and Evan Vierling are two guys who, you know, when you had Tyson Jost, who's expected to be here, get claimed on waivers, you had Bradley Nadeau called up. And, you know, there's all these opportunities for guys to come in and make contributions. You know, I I'll admit I didn't really know a whole lot about Evan Vierling coming into this season. And most everyone in in Rosemont knows who Evan Vierling is now. And um it's uh those are the kind of stories I love about this league where where these guys, you know, they're coming in out of maybe out of the coast on an AHL contract and and and show in and and play well and really make a name for themselves. And they've uh you know, they've been responsible in their own zone. They've the the lengths that some of these shifts where they spend in the offensive zone just wears teams out after after a time. So you you love to see kind of this, the the positive results from even even when they're not you know putting the puck in a net, just the the positive, you know, plus shifts continuously, you know, over and over. It's eventually good things will happen, and they're happening with regularity, and it's helping them to get onto this five-game point streak that they've been on lately.
SPEAKER_00:Well, and let's talk about Felix Undersorm. I mean, he's uh I think he had a great camp with the Kanes this year. Uh, you know, we talked about it before. Last year was not a great year for him, just 20 points. Uh, you know, he just never really got on track. He was playing center for a while. This year he's back on that right side. He's got uh six goals and seven assists in 14 games. He's got five points this last five games. What are you seeing with Ungersor?
SPEAKER_01:Confidence. It's all I it's it's confidence. And I think a lot of it is, you know, last year you saw the flashes, but right, he's adjusting to a new league, he's adjusting to a new position. And I think it was just a lot task for a 19-year-old in this league to, you know, let's let's put him in at center and and see what happens. And you know, it's just he just never really looked like he he had the uh had just the the the confidence in his own game to take that next step. Like you could see the flashes there, you could see like he's making a good play, he knows where to be, but he either he's a step too slow or he's indecisive and and then the puck's going the other way. So now on the wing, he's got a little more space, he's got that extra year of experience. He knows uh he's just he's more comfortable there, and and uh and he looks like a completely different player, honestly. And you know, of course, he's a year older, you're gonna kind of expect that growth of a guy who's so young, but when he's got the those intangibles that the smarts for the game, understanding like when to kind of pull up and slow the game down, wait for the the pass to open up. I mean, it's just it's it's a lot of fun to see it happen. I the the Sunday game against Cleveland that just happened this past weekend, he had uh just this this fantastic, I mean, this entry into the zone, the patience to kind of get the cycle going, does it go all the way back around in the offensive zone to come up back door? The defender didn't even realize that he was there. But Dinka hits him with a with a pass there and and just just one touch. So by the time the defenseman turns around and even defend him, it's already on Veerling stick and it's in the back of the net. And that's what I'm saying. He thinks the game steps ahead of these other guys, and it's you know, uh the seeing now it's seeing him with playing with that confidence is is allowing his game to just to just continue to skyrocket. And it's it's it's been a treat to to watch because I was kind of not that I was I wasn't expecting him to grow, but just to to do it so quickly after uh a rough uh uh kind of a rough introduction to the league last year. It's um it's been a lot of fun, I'll say that.
SPEAKER_00:Well, he's definitely brought himself back into the uh the attention of uh of the canes uh brass for sure. And you know, he was so impressive a couple of years ago, you recall in training camp, and and there was so much discussion about should he stay with the canes and what would happen to him. And uh, of course he went back home, but cane back uh uh this side of the ocean, of course, last year for his first year. You know, we sometimes forget how young he is. And uh, you know, and the other thing is he's still growing, and this is interesting because one thing I've noticed certainly in the canes camp, and and again with what I've seen so far with the Wolves, um, he looks stronger to me. Uh and and I think it's giving him the confidence out there. He's making plays, and of course, a shot. He's firing it, he's firing it with conviction this year, and I think that's a big difference as well. And he's got a number of power play goals already, so that's exciting. So great stuff for uh Felix Unger Storm, and and as you say, Andrew, we'll be watching him closely because he's a lot of fun this year, and I think he's a guy that's uh getting himself back in the trajectory of being a possible cane at some sometime not uh too far out. Uh so that's exciting. Now, somebody that wasn't on the radar and certainly wasn't even in anybody's attention, signed by the Wolves in the offseason, uh, did go to the prospect showcase, uh spent some time, of course, in the canes camp before he came uh to the wolves camp, and that's Evan Veerling. And we talked a little bit about Verling last time. He's a guy that uh he he you know he's a little older, he's 23, he's played uh, you know, in the ECHL, some uh a little bit of action in the AHL, but he was a guy that was drafted in the fifth round by the Rangers in 2020. And one thing I liked about him, he had a big year with Barry Colts in the Ontario League. Now, Barrie is my hometown, so this is exciting, and uh so that's a lot of fun. Uh 95 points in 60 games. And so he was a guy that when uh the Rangers drafted him, you know, he was he his trajectory was going up, and that was exciting. Um, last year 22 points and 21 games in the ECHL, but this year he's on a tear right now. He's got five goals his last eight games. What is going on with Evan Birling?
SPEAKER_01:Sometimes it's a mixture between you know the right ingredients and the right opportunity, and you just in this league, you have to have that mindset of bringing it every night because you never know what where you're gonna get slided up in the lineup. Some guy gets called up, another guy gets injured. Suddenly, here you are as a fourth liner, and you're up playing on the power play, and you have you know Nikia Pavlichev uh as your center and a stud winger in Unger Sorum, and you don't have any time to breathe. You're just you're show us what you got. And he's absolutely risen to the occasion uh of plugging up in that second line and not looking out of place at all in doing so. And you know, it's not necessarily like you see, like, wow, he's he's blowing you away with his his speed or or his shot again. He's just he's such a smart player. He's um, you know, they they they utilize him on the penalty kill and on the power play, and and that just goes to show, you know, what what this coaching staff thinks of him and how much they trust him to put him in in in all sorts of situations. And again, you when you're kind of wondering what the lineup was looking like in the sea in the beginning of the season, and then you get just the natural player movement, who's gonna step up? Well, this is the this this is the guy. He answered that question pretty quickly. And um, again, you know, I've I said it before, I say it again. I love the stories of these guys who who who don't quit, who put their nose to the to the grindstone, it might take a franchise here or there or two, but then they can they can really show out and and show what they're capable of doing. And I've loved the work ethic he's brought every night, and he he went very quickly from like who's this guy to he's he's got uh a fan following already with the Wolves fans. They they they love him, and you know, I it's it's gonna be tough when you know as this team gets gets healthier and you get more guys in there to to move him down while if he keeps playing like this. I mean, you know, just putting the goals up, putting you know, in tents on the four check. I just I'm I'm a big fan of his game, and I like to see, you know, as the year goes on, what more can he bring to the table? Because right, you're gonna have guys like you know, Yasuka coming back from injury who are gonna be challenging for those top six spots. Are you gonna let this guy take your minutes or are you gonna show him like this is this is my this is my job now? So it's it's that that competitive side of this league that you know I I love to see like what you know what are you willing to do to keep it going? And I I'm excited to see what he's got to bring.
SPEAKER_00:Well, you know, he may he may slide down with uh Skylar Brindemore and Josiah Slavin, which would be an outstanding third line, uh similar to what the canes do. He's he's versatile. And one thing he's been he's been doing the job on, as you say, in the specialty teams, he has a short-handed goal, and uh, I think he's had some success on the power play as well. So he's a guy that's uh he's kind of come out of nowhere, but boy, it's gonna be crowded once all these players return uh to the wolves. And and uh it's gonna be interesting, as you say, to see you know how that's gonna play out. But he's definitely making a case to be one of those players uh getting uh lots of ice time as the season goes on. Really exciting stuff with uh with Evan Vierling. Um now, look, and Nikita Pavlichev, I just want to say this about him. I like him. I think he's uh I think he's a guy that continues to grow with Chicago. Uh you know, there were times last year where he got on a tear and he was scoring a lot of goals in a short period of time. But anyway, he's I think he's a good solid center for that crew. Um does a lot of the heavy lifting and uh and really compliments those two guys. So great lines. Um if we look at uh the line you talked about as well, Andrew, and that's of course the top line, uh, with uh Ryan Suzuki centering for Bradley Nadeau, and of course Justin Robodaugh, I want to talk about Justin Robodaugh for a minute. This guy, every time I see him, I'm impressed by Justin Robodaugh. You know, he's a smaller player, very stocky, but he's always doing something. Even with the canes, when he get up in the exhibition games and so on, and and last year in his call-up, he was, he was, you could see him. He was noticeable. And this year, he's been playing the right side, which is kind of exciting. And he seems to have adapted quite nicely to that. He's got uh he's got in his last five games, he's got five points, he's got 12 points in 14 games. He started a little bit slow, but he's really finding his way now. And he's a guy that again, uh he does it all. He'll kill penalties, work the power play, whatever you want from uh Justin Robodai, you get it. What are you seeing with Justin this year so far?
SPEAKER_01:I've said it again and again with this guy. It's it's just consistency and such a mature game from such a young player that has impressed me really since he he showed up on the scene last year. And um, you know, you know what you're gonna get from him every single night. There's I've I can't really recall a whole lot of games where I'm like, well, you know, Roby didn't really seem like he was he was on top of it. Like even when he's not putting points in, he finds ways to to contribute, you know, defensively, finds ways to, you know, get the transition game going offensively. It's just he it might not always show up on the score sheet, even though he does pretty regularly, but he you always feel his presence in the game one way or another. And you know, yeah, he might not be the the biggest guy out there, but he doesn't play small, you know. And uh it there's such a difference between being small and playing small. And um, you know, you can kind of get away with with being small in this league if you're skilled enough. You can't play small very often, especially at the next level. And I think that's what works out really well for for Robodot is that he has that mature 200-foot game. He's uh again, I I love what he can bring defensively on top of what he can bring offensively. And you know, he doesn't care that he's not six foot five. He's gonna play his game and and it's shown to work for him. And it's you know, it's I it there's a reason he's got he's you know, he's always been a part of that leadership group. You just you know what you're getting night in and night out. And when the coach when the coaches can rely on that, it's that that speaks volumes for for where you're gonna go in this game, whether it's here, whether it's at the next level, it's you know, it's uh he's got so much more runway ahead of him because you know of that that mentality that he brings every night.
SPEAKER_00:Well, and I think the move to right wing is a smart one. Uh I think that'll give him a better opportunity to move forward with the canes. You know, we've already got uh you know, we got a mighty might already with uh Logan Stankhoven, and he's proving that uh you don't have to be the biggest guy on the roster to make things happen, and he's certainly been off to a great start with the canes as well. So I think Robodaugh, I you know, I think he's in the mix. Um I've talked about him for a long time with the same view that uh he just is a guy that uh he's strong on the puck, he's he just he's good in the face-off dot, he can help out there because he's you know, again, he can he can do that good work as well. But it's exciting to see him on this line with a couple of real uh dynamite players in Ryan Suzuki and of course Bradley Nadeau. That line to me is is really scary. And uh they're gonna get their mojo going because now that Nadeau's back and kind of getting settled in again, um Suzuki's been there all year, from what I can tell. Boy, what this is gonna be a great line.
SPEAKER_01:It was a great line last year, too. So when I I've already enjoyed seeing, you know, what I from what I've seen from Nadeau going up to Carolina and then coming back here, even if it was just for a handful of games, you can already see what you know those what what he takes from from that next level, whether it's you know from Rod or Captain Jordan Stahl or whoever you can you can already feel that that like this is uh uh NHL player, you know, making just those next level plays at at speed, you know. I think that's really the difference, the biggest difference between the NHL and the AHL is just these guys have a ton of talent for sure, but the plays happen so much faster in the next level. When you see a guy who's ingrained in that that speed, even for just you know a couple of games, and then comes back here, it's like bang, bang, everything they're just so much further ahead of everyone else. They might as well have cement in their skates. So then now you you know you put a uh a playmaker like Ryan Suzuki with them, uh absolute junkyard dog like Justin Robodal with them, and it's it it it's it was already a super dangerous line, but you just throw that little bit in into the mix, and it's gonna be it's gonna be so much more. And and Nadeau has been doing obviously everyone knows about his shot and everything, but he's you know been so much better responsible defensively this year. I've loved what I've seen from him on the four-check, and it's when you can add those dimensions to your game on top of having an absolutely lethal shot, it's it's you become go from a just a pure sniper to just an all-around great player. It's it adds a dimension to your team, it's it adds a dimension to that line. Um, I'd love to see Ryan Suzuki shoot the puck a couple more times, but I don't it's it's hard to not pass it off to Nadeau as often as is as you can. So um, and you know, we spent a lot of time on that on that second line. When you have to force so much attention to that top line, it opens up so many opportunities for those guys, and that's an adage that exists in all levels of hockey. So, you know, you kind of felt that maybe they might have been a little one-dimensional last year where they relied too much on this line. Then once they started that second line starts getting a little more attention, it opens up just it it everyone feasts when everyone's playing well. It's just it's it's one of the great things about this game. So again, you know, love what I'm seeing, and I think that there's even more for them to give us.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, and I mean the the hope for a lot of us is that Bradley will get a chance on in the top six where he can really start to show what he can do. Unfortunately, he was uh he was on that fourth line, which was a bit of a challenge. And I thought, again, he handled himself extremely well, doing some heavy lifting defensively, you know, and playing hard on the puck and so on. And he's he's growing that part of his game, and I'm sure that's that's the focus for everyone is to get him to the point where you know he can play in any situation. And as you say, he he's an elite shooter, and he improved that, you know, of course, scoring a goal with the canes. So yeah, Bradley, um, keep watching him, and he's a guy that'll continue to you know round out his game. And you know, there'll probably be injuries at some point. We'll see him back up uh on the big club, and uh and we'll be very excited for that. And I know a lot of folks uh certainly uh around the time that he was coming back were hoping he would hang around for a while because they really like the way he plays. So good for you to see him back in Chicago, and uh those of us who like to see him with games, we'll have to hang on for a while. In any case, uh one other player I was going to mention on the forward side, um, Skylar Brindemore. We talk about him a lot. He's a guy that uh lunchpill guy, uh like his dad, just out there, you know, making things happen. He's been scoring the odd goal as well, and uh and just really brings, you know, a certain dimension to this team that I think is critical. Uh he along with uh his lime mate Josiah Slavin, and I said before, they're very much like Stahl and and uh Jordan Martin. It's amazing, right? It's uh it's like a combination that uh that really fits. So what are we seeing with Skylar? Is he uh is he continuing to uh get the job done with Chicago?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, he's I've I've said it before on this pod, and I'll say it again. He's basically a carbon copy of his dad's game. You know, he's uh when he's kind of always take, I noticed, out there to start overtimes to take that opening face-off draw. And then once I'm pretty sure he's won all of them. Now you can check my math on that, but once he wins it, it's then it's he goes, he goes to he he knows his role and he goes to the bench and they make a change immediately. And I I I love the the selfless attitude of like, you know, to to go in there, win it for my team, and then you know, sub out. I there's just better options offensively. It's nothing against Skylar, but he's he he's he's a guy who who plays his role so well for that squad, both him and Slavin both. And you know, it's it's it's so easy to just kind of take a look at the at the score sheets and just be like, okay, well, obviously, you know, if he feel exorum, he's at the top of the list, he must be the best player. And uh that's down that's not necessarily true all of the time, you know, and you can't judge a player's value just based on on what the numbers look like based on on the score sheet. And he offers so many of those those little things and fighting and digging in those puck battles and and fighting out front for rebounds and lose change and and sacrificing himself on the penalty kill, you know. It's I yeah, I kind of maybe wish that the penalty kill numbers were better, but that's not necessarily just like a Skylar thing. It's an entire everyone everyone pulls everyone pulls together on on that unit. You know, when they all win, they're all together. When they're all when they get scored on, they're all together. So it's um, but he he provides so much for that team that these these coaches just they they love this kid, they love what he can bring. And again, I'll be the first one to admit again, freely on this podcast, that like I was like, oh, okay, it's Rod's son, I get it. But you know, here we are year two, and you know, it's it's it's more than just uh you know a friend of the family. He's um he's he's really he's really helped pull this uh this this PK unit up and and help pull this team up entirely, and and he knows his role and plays it as well as you can ask of him.
SPEAKER_00:Well, and you know, the Wolves are structured very much like the Hurricanes. You know, it's a kind of by committee. Um you've got folks who have different types of roles, and uh, and I think Skylar certainly uh he's he's a guy that fills a very strong role. And as the season goes on and you head towards you know the playoffs and so on, he's the kind of player that can really be a different uh a difference maker for you know for the Wolves. I I really look forward to see how that plays out this year because I think he's a guy that can bring a lot more, and he's he's continuing to uh to be an impressive player, I think, uh, whenever I see him for sure. Um rounding on the forward side, I just want to ask you if you knew anything about these guys. Yuha Yaska, you mentioned before, and of course Giovanni Smith has not been around for a while. What's going on with the injury side?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, it's uh Yasuka hasn't, I I know you know Keynes fans are pretty uh familiar with him being injured over the uh um in the preseason. Right. From uh from what I can I can reveal, he's still kind of battling that. Getting closer to to returning, I was kind of hoping by now he would have uh he would have made it into the lineup, but you know, sometimes these guys need uh need a little extra time, and I think you know, with as well as they've been playing, maybe we can kind of like ease him into it. We don't need uh to plug him into that top six immediately. Um and and Giovanni Smith was in there for a handful of games. I know a couple weeks ago, I think he got he got dinged up, and uh and I don't think it's it's too severe again. I can't there's only so much I'm I'm allowed to say. I need to I need to keep my sources at the heart. But um there uh you know I don't expect either of these guys to be like you know long-term out or or anything like that. Um it's just you know, on it's uh it's uh it's a fast-paced game where guys get hit with all sorts of manners of pucks and bodies and sticks, and they're just gonna need some time to get back on the mend.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, and and you know, as as uh some of these players come back, of course, they're gonna be uh they're gonna be significant ads for the Chicago team. I mean, Yaska, we know what he can do. And Giovanni Smith, uh boy, he had a tremendous training camp with the Kanes. So both of these guys can play a strong role and uh should strengthen and improve the overall uh Wolves team when they come back. So that's exciting. You know, the defensive corps, we've talked a lot about the D Corps, but boy, it's been uh it's been kind of interesting as well. What's been going on with the D Corps?
SPEAKER_01:It's been a blunder, I can tell you that. It's uh which I guess comes as no surprise with uh you know with Slavin and Chatfield going down up top, uh, and then Lego with the unfortunate injury that he had. So, you know, here's a couple of guys, I mean, on top of Lego, you have Nistrom and and Fensori, who's been going back and forth like a yo-yo. And uh three guys that you're you're expected to lean on all of a sudden aren't uh they're not there. And again, no one in this league's gonna feel bad for you. So who steps up? Um I I gotta I Gotta say, like I know that I knew that the kid was talented, but having a 19-year-old and Dominic Bedinka doing what he's been doing has uh has been just the the happiest of surprises for for me. Um and I'm sure for for uh for Coach Spiro and Astis, who who coaches that defensive unit. Um so you know Bedinka has has been awesome. Gavin Beiruther has honestly been one of the uh I don't necessarily want to say surprising because I've I've seen him play a couple of seasons over in Cleveland and I I you know you know he's uh he's a solid player that you can rely on. But I don't think they were expecting to rely on him this much. And but again, it's just it's it in this league, you have to be you have to be ready for those opportunities, whether you're you know, you're gonna be on that on the third pairing or the the first pairing, it could change in an instant. So he um, you know, he he's back after I think uh season or two over in Europe. Um and uh you know, just to provide that steady veteran presence that I think you know once they had Ty Smith and uh and uh Joachim Ryan leave over the offseason kind of helped, you know, fill that in. And uh he's honestly been one of the more like like again, uh we weren't expecting you to be a hero, but we're glad that you're here kind of things. Like similar similar to Veerling, but not like in a came out of nowhere kind of thing. More as like a well, you got a bigger role and you're running away with it, so we appreciate you.
SPEAKER_00:Well, yeah, I mean it's interesting. Uh, you know, looking at Gavin Baer, of course, he did he did uh play with uh with Columbus for a couple of seasons. We saw him uh a fair bit there, and and you know, it's kind of interesting to see how things played out. He ended up with Ozan in Switzerland last year. Um so another one of these situations where you know you kind of go where you can play. Uh, but uh, you know, again, brought over as a veteran, could play the odd game with the Keynes, but more importantly, I think to mentor these young guys uh in Chicago. And you mentioned Ty Smith and Joachim Ryan. Smith actually ended up in Russia. He's with Omsk, uh Avant Garde OMSC right now, which is kind of interesting. And uh and Joachim Ryan is still a UFA, he has not signed a deal anywhere. So uh interesting how these things play out. Uh, but here we are with Beeruther, and he's I think he's doing a real nice job, and he's been supplying some offense as well. Um popped in some goals, and and uh and I think you know he's been really critical with uh with Dominic Bedenka. And you know, Bedenka I thought looked really good in uh in the exhibition games with the canes and so on. He saw some ice up there, they were playing him a fair bit. And one thing I noticed about Dom was he was not uh phased by anything. Okay, like he just he just he'd go and he'd do anything and he was calm, he was always kind of in control, saw the ice well, and really kind of suggested boy, he he's got to be older than 19 years old. I mean, you know, what the heck, right? Um so yeah, and and so I've been excited to hear what you're saying about Bodinka because again, uh relatively high draft pick, a second rounder for the Canes, a guy that uh they really wanted um when they when they drafted him, and he had been playing with Malmo uh actually in the men's league there. So, you know, he was already playing against men, and and uh so I think that's one of the things that has helped him in making the transition uh at this stage, and the canes wanted to get him with Spiro's and Astus and get him over here where uh where this Chicago team could do it. So Bedenka um again, he's gonna just continue to get better. And as you say, through all of this, this defensive pair has been really critical, right?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, oh absolutely. And and again, in spots where you weren't expecting to have them playing such a big role on a team that you know has has sure, it's it's kind of had its growing pains earlier in the year, but it's it's continuing its its upward trajectory, it's been playing great hockey, and these guys are holding down the fort in in their own end. And it's it's when you've had to have contributors, you're not really expecting to to step in the roles like that. It's it you know, it elevates your your whole unit. And then you have other guys. Another guy I wanted to talk about was uh was Bryce Montgomery. Yes, another guy I wasn't expecting to see a whole lot of this year, and we've seen a lot of them, and so have the other team in front of the Wolves net, and it's been a nightmare for him because of it. And I I I love that that element of his game, just that physicality. I mean, that was kind of like how I played when I was back in the day, you know, big, real thick defender. So when I can see other guys doing it the same, like I just I I get I get up for it. Um you know, he's been he's been in there physically, he's been clearing the front of the nets, he's been dropping the mitts where where it's been called for it. And uh, you know, again, you I wasn't sure how much of Montgomery we were gonna see this year. You get the call, you gotta rise up and you gotta answer it. And he's you know, he's picked up the phone and then some. So I've I've loved what I've been able to see out of him. Uh on top of uh Badinka grow continuing to grow into his role, Beiru, they're showing the way, Himo Salmi holding it down. It's um, you know, it's it's not just gonna be one guy to to replace the three really that have been called up, including Fensorian that, although he's back down, which is yeah, thankfully he's back and then tomorrow he's gonna get called back up and then he's gonna come back down again. Um, but he's uh again, it's all a collective group effort, as I've said before, to you know to get things going. And everyone's everyone stepped up. You know, it's it's it's one thing to say, you know, this guy's got the talent, this, that, or the other, but everyone's rising to the occasion and and answering the call. And that to me, that that that comes from coaching, to put these guys in positions to succeed, even if the water level might be above their heads while these guys are swimming with the current anyway. So it's that's how you get a team, no matter what the the call-ups are, the injuries, this, that, and the other. It's just how you get a team to win.
SPEAKER_00:Well, Bryce Montgomery, we've seen him a couple of years uh at the uh Prospect Showcase. I always I was kind of amazed he was in the ECHL. I thought he should be in the American Hockey League. And and he's a guy that uh, you know, whenever I've seen him, has accorded himself well. Uh he skates well, he's a big man, of course, and as you say, he can lay it on pretty thick. Um and again, he's uh he's someone that uh you know he's getting a real chance here. So that's exciting. Alexei Himasalmi, of course, he was in last year. He's a guy that uh, again, was very highly rated by the Canes. And it's kind of been uh kind of been up and down, but he's certainly uh stepping up right now and doing a great job. As we wrap up the D, I'd be remiss if I don't mention Dominic Consori because I always mention Dom just because he's one of my favorite players. Dom uh, of course, uh got off to an incredible start uh and then started this yo-yo with the canes and uh sits right now uh with 11 points in 11 games. He's uh actually in fifth place in the AHL for defenseman. So he's he's hanging in there nicely, but he's a guy that again, um, boy, he can do it all.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, and again, kind of in that same mold of of Justin Robodaugh, where he might be small, but he doesn't play small. And you know, some bigger guys have tried to bully him, and he just he just bulldogs right back at him. And I I love that mentality from him. Uh I mean, such a smooth skater, both with and without the puck. And that adds such a dimension to you know, transition the puck out from defense into offense, and you can get that puck up to guys like Ungersorum or or Suzuki and have them distribute. Like it just it adds so much to the team. So it's it's nice when it's here. I kind of hope Carolina gets a little healthy so he can stay here a little longer. But um, you know, he when again, he's another guy who can, if he gets the call up to the to the hurricanes, he rises to the occasion and he can he plays his game. And I think that this organization does a good job of coaching them up to where it's just it's such a seamless transition to go up to the hurricanes. Because all I kept reading about is like, wow, Lego, wow, Nishstrom, wow, Nadeau. Like you hear these guys come up and they don't really look like your typical rookies. And and I love to see that because you know I can I see these guys here, and yeah, I want them to play in Chicago and I want them to help this team out for sure, but you're gonna root for these guys when they go up to Carolina and they get their shots. So, you know, I I it's the same thing for Dom. And the last thing I'll say, you know, I had a uh 50th anniversary post about the Edmund Fitzgerald, and I didn't realize that Dom was a big Edmund Fitzgerald guy, and he he liked the post, and that was the most recognition I got from him ever on that.
SPEAKER_00:I think that's great.
SPEAKER_01:Oh, it was fantastic, you know. So he's really embodying that Great Lakes spirit being here in Chicago, and I I love it.
SPEAKER_00:Well, just as we wrap up the D, I I think I'd be remiss if I don't mention the incredible contribution uh with the hurricanes by Joel Nistrom. And we had talked about him last month. Uh very excited about you all coming over and and some of the things that he was showing and certainly showed in uh in training camp with the Canes and the Prospect Showcase and so on. I think uh he is definitely stating very strongly that this guy's ready for the National Hockey League. And his last game in particular, where he played over 20 minutes and it just was outstanding to us. He's just he's I don't know if you're gonna get him back.
SPEAKER_01:That's what I said. I was like, well, those seven games were fun. And here we go. But again, you know, you you you root for those guys to take those opportunities and to to absolutely run with it. So yeah, I I I love seeing that. I didn't even think that he was gonna play this good as good as as he has. And um, I not that he was necessarily bad down here in Chicago, but just it it it just he just took his uh you know, took that again, took that call and and and and ran with it. And I I love to see it. I love to see the recognition from the fans and the coaching staff. And yeah, it's it's just one of those things where I might not see him again, but I'm not gonna, you know, I'm not gonna lament on it. We still have uh a lot of good young talented defenders down here, and and I I hope I don't see him again. It would be wonderful for him if I don't. Maybe once, you know, Slavin and Chatfield are healthy. We might we might be seeing a little more of them. And then again, it was gonna have that same effect it had on the dough, where now you have this guy who's used to playing at that at that speed, all of a sudden he looks like a completely different player at this level. And you're gonna wonder, like, oh, okay, well, what's he doing here? But I will gladly accept him when that day comes.
SPEAKER_00:Well, yeah, and and again, uh, and and sure, it's very possible he returns to the to the wolves, and and that would be great for him. Of course, he's still finding his way in North America and learning the system and so on. But boy, wouldn't he be a great addition to uh to add back to the wolves and uh certainly shore up the blues. So very exciting there. Um moving on to the goaltending. Last month we were talking about some concerns. Uh Nikita Kwap was uh manning one of the goaltending spots, and uh Amir Miptakov had just come back from the Keynes camp and uh and some work there where he really wasn't playing particularly well. And so uh things were a little bit uh a little bit concerning. Now, what are we seeing uh these days with the goaltending side?
SPEAKER_01:I feel like it took about a month, but I think we're we're finally stable here. Um with uh Caden Primo coming back makes uh absolute world of a difference now that you know once Toronto sent him uh put him on waivers, Carolina being the only team that claimed him was allowed to to snag him and send him immediately to Chicago without opening him back up. So now that you know you know, Primo, he's he had a tough situation in in Toronto there. They're not really the team that they have been in years past, so it uh but at this level he's about as good of a goalie as you can as you can. I would say pretty parallel to kind of what we got with uh with Spencer Martin there. So now you know you can take some of that weight off of of Miftakov, who, you know, did uh uh admirably, I'll say. You know, sure he kind of had some of his like what are you doing moments, then he had some of his wow, that was amazing moments. So what what it offers is is stability. You know, you can you can lean on on your veteran and primo, you can you have another guy who's who's talented and and has success across the seas and and Miftikov, and then you have your your two younger guys and and Hoseev and Kwap down in uh in Greensboro. Now we saw uh one game of of Ruslan Hoseev here, and I thought he looked really good. I thought he had well. I don't know if if he's just not getting a ton of support down there in Greensboro, because I I guess from what I've seen, again, I just looking at the numbers, I know it doesn't speak the whole story, but looked like he kind of had a rough start to the season there. I kind of was worried about him, but then you saw him in in Chicago, and you're like, holy Tana, this guy is uh you feel like he's he's taken a step after after last season, which you know, which is what you want to see, is just kind of steady growth from these young goaltenders. Um and and basically what so what I'm saying in the long run is that I think you have more of uh uh a structure here for all four guys, where you know you get that that pivotal ice time through those young goaltenders to keep working on their game without the the the the the intensity of of the the speed and the shots of the AHL. You get just an absolute uh uh anchor in that and and primo, you got your your backup and miftikov, and you again we've already seen the results, points in five straight games. So as we continue forward, that you know, uh oh, uh like what's going on in and net now can even become a strength as the year goes on. And um, you know, it's it just again it it it adds another layer to a team that's continuing to play well, gather points, move up in the standings. And I I I'm relieved as that I was a little worried there for a second if Primo wasn't gonna be coming back like what the plan was gonna be, but happy to see it.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, and I think the Keynes probably felt relatively comfortable that they get a chance to uh to reclaim Caden Primo. And of course they signed him in the offseason, they did that deal uh with Montreal to get him. So he's a guy that they wanted. They definitely I think he was earmarked for Chicago right from the start. And I think he's a guy that uh, again, as you say, his American Hockey League performance has been amazing. And at different times, he's done the same for the Montreal Canadians. He went through some stretches where he was outstanding. I think the Leaf situation, as you say, uh you can see overall their numbers this year. I you know, they um of course uh Anthony Stolars was lights out last year. He's not so much this year. And I think that's part of what uh the Leafs are going through as a team. They're just not nearly as good. And they're missing some key players that have moved on. Umtikoff, um, good to see he's turning to go. Of course, he's a good buddy of uh Andrey Svetnikov. So uh he's got a real strong connection with the Hurricanes. Miftikov, as you mentioned, of course, he had played in North America for a while. He went back over uh to play with Akbars and was tremendous in the uh KHL, and that's one of the reasons the Keynes really wanted to sign him. Um and you know, again, finding his way, new team, new situation, um, a little bit of a tough camp. So, you know, I think he'll find his mojo, and I think, as you say, these two guys are gonna be outstanding. And boy, to have a guy like uh Ruslan Kazi right behind in uh Greensboro, he's gonna get lots of playing time. Uh and I know Nikita Coop just went down, so he he's finally down in Greensboro as well. I think he went down the 17th, so that's kind of fun. Uh, we'll watch these two guys and see how they're gonna do. So um lots going on with the team in general, playing well, uh started off, you know, it's been kind of a mixed season, but starting to get some of these players back. And I think uh similar to the hurricanes, I think it's thumbs up. As we take a look at the next month, um, what do you what are you looking at uh in terms of uh of the Wolves? What do you think they're gonna be able to do and and where do you see any of the tough matchups?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, they have the uh they have a five-game road trip um coming up to finish off the the month of November, starting off in in in sunny Manitoba coming up. And uh, you know, the Moose are they're they're a better team than they were. They have been the last couple of years, which was really bad. Now they're kind of like middle of the pack. But they're always they're all they're they're always kind of uh uh I don't want to say kind of like rivals, because everyone feels like a rival when you play them 12 times a year. But you know, Spencer Martin, Pyotr Kochekov, Dustin Tokarsky, all these goalies always seem to get in in mix-ups with the Manitoba Moose. So I'm looking for uh for Montgomery or Yanny Turkot to be to be big factors in uh in this weekend series coming up. Well, technically it starts on Thursday, but it feels like a long weekend. But then they also have uh you know Rockford and uh and Manitoba again. So a lot of moose is gonna be coming up over these next few games. I think one, two, three, four, five matchups over the next six games are are moose. So it's gonna it's gonna have that bit of playoff feel. You're gonna really hate seeing Manitoba by the time it's all set.
SPEAKER_00:Oh man, that's insane. Yeah. Oh yeah.
SPEAKER_01:And um so this, like I said, this is has been a squad that they're you know, they're used to seeing eight, ten times a season. Right. And uh, and then you also have Rockford in there, and Rockford kind of had their number a little bit early in the season. Um, I believe Nick Lardis has been hurt, he was leading the league and scoring for a little bit. And Oliver Moore, who was one of those guys where I saw him, I'm like, what's this guy doing in this league? Chicago had the same idea, he's up with the Blackhawks now. Um, so you're gonna have a different team, but it's gonna be it's it's still ever as dangerous. They have a couple of good young goaltenders. Uh unfortunately, the name of the one guy from I believe Belarus, who really impressed me. I can't remember his name off the top of my head. I will go ahead and look that up. But then you have Drew Camesso there who you know highly talented and he's he's been there for a little while. Um and and just always dangerous. Brett Seney has feel like he's been there for a decade. He's um he's he's been wonderful for that team for as long as I can remember, and been a real big leader, producing the points. Again, he's another one of those guys who's not he's not the biggest, but he he's got a snarl to his game. It's kind of Marshawn like, you know, where he's always just kind of in your face and and putting points up, and you just sometimes you just want to wring his neck, but at the end of the day, you have to respect you have to respect him and what what he could bring. So um, you know, those Rockford games are always uh they're always they're always white knucklers, you know, in one form or another.
SPEAKER_00:So that's what about Milwaukee? There's several games with Milwaukee coming up as well. What are you seeing with uh with that hockey club?
SPEAKER_01:Milwaukee is it I've seen them with just absolute top line talent, and I've seen them with a bunch of nobodies. And they're dangerous no matter who is in that lineup. I think Carl Taylor, who's the been again the head coach of Milwaukee for what seems like the better part of the last 10 years now, is uh he's he's one of the best in the business as at this level, and I think in this game, really overall. And I've you know, I've always loved what he's been able to pull out. Again, whether it's it's uh it's Yaroslav Askerov and Joachim Kemel, these top flight picks, or whether it's you know, um just uh Ty Feliber who comes up out of the ECHL and all of a sudden he's an absolute menace against you, you know. It's it doesn't necessarily seem to matter who like the draft pedigree or how well regarded these guys are, if they're top picks or if they're journeymen, he finds a way to pull out the best of you out of them. And again, they're second in the the division. I've in all my time covering the AHL, I've never seen Milwaukee have a bad season. And it's like it's not necessarily infuriating, but it's like, okay, you know, you see Iowa on the schedule, you're not quite as worried, and you see Milwaukee and you're like, oh, Milwaukee again. Um but it it it just it's a testament to what that coaching staff is able to do with with no matter what they're they're given to by Nashville or anyone, they they find a way to pull the best out of these players. It it really it's it's it's kind of the standard that you want at this league, no matter who's in the lineup, that you know you're gonna be getting a good game out of them. So um that's it's it's it's a good bar setter. Um, you know, Chicago had one earlier uh a couple weeks ago where you know played well, lost it in overtime on their ice. Um, I think that was a school day game. That's why I didn't I don't have a great moment. Um but uh yeah, like I said, it's it's it's one of those benchmark games, you know, like where are we at as a team? Like we know if we can if we can go in there, get a couple points against them, play really well, we're on the right track. Because historically, this is the team. Like you're not gonna see where you're at as a team by playing the Iowa Wild. And I don't mean to disparage anyone in that organization, but they've been in the basement for most of my time, whereas Milwaukee's been up here. So that's kind of where where the high water mark is. And you know, once you get out of this, out of this road trip and out of this war with Manitoba, they're waiting there on the other side. So it'll be a good mark to see kind of where this team's at as as we kind of get into December and and uh and get into the real meat of the season. Like it still kind of feels like everyone's figuring it out a little bit here, but you know, the points are gonna are gonna are matter just more and more as we go on. So I'm excited and excited and looking forward to kind of seeing where we're what we're gonna see out of this team because they're they're showing that they're no slouches either in this division. So um it's gonna be just continued battles and seeing kind of who uh you know it's it's not a merit, it's not a sprint, it's a marathon, and see who uh who's gonna end up with it at uh as we go on.
SPEAKER_00:Well, just uh just to wrap up then, Andrew, any players that we should be uh kind of keeping an eye on over this next uh this month of a lot of Manitoba and Milwaukee, who should we be uh putting the eye on?
SPEAKER_01:Well, I kind of highlighted Yannie Turkot and Bryce Montgomery already, and I'll kind of continue to do that because as you see these guys uh again and again, as the the chirps start going back and forth, you're just gonna just gonna hate hate them more and more and more. So I think uh you know your team might be down a goal or two, and you need that that spark coming. That's gonna be those are gonna be the guys who are gonna answer the bell. And uh if it's gonna get chippy, they're gonna be the ones that are gonna be right in the middle of it. And um it's the you know, they're the usual suspects for sure. They're the the the the guy, the biggest guys out there, and they know how to take care of their teammates, and they've they've already shown it time and time again this season, we're only a month in. So it's uh I'll I'll highlight those guys for sure. And while Nikita Pavlichev's not known for that, he's six foot seven. He's the best. There was uh a funny sequence in the Cleveland game where um I forget, I'm forgetting the name of the monster. It's not the biggest guy, he's about five foot nine. Kind of Pavlychev gets uh makes him contact with the goaltender and he gets a swipe from this guy, and Nikita just goes no, that's that's a bad idea. Again, he's not necessarily known for picking up the penalty minutes, but at his, you know, at his stature, uh when the rough stuff comes going, he's not necessarily gonna say no either. So I I expect it to be uh to be a grind over these next few games here with the moose. And um, you know, Pavlichev can can contribute physically, he can contribute with his stick. I think he's gonna be a big X Factor for him into this uh into this mini playoff series kind of with with the Moose.
SPEAKER_00:Well it'd be great if uh the second line with uh Pavlichev uh leading those guys, of course, with Evan Veerling and uh uh Felix Ungerstorm can continue their fine play. And you have to expect that the big line with uh Ryan Suzuki, Justin Robodaugh, and of course Bradley Nadeau, they're gonna be key uh as well in this road trip. So it's gonna be fun to see this. We'll be watching closely to see how it all plays out. Andrew, as always, it's been just great fun talking. The Chicago Wolves. Uh, where can folks find you?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, so I continue my written work on with uh on tap sports network. We're uh Chicago-based, just every Chicago team out there outlet, and um I continue my stuff there. You can find me on I'm gonna continue to say Twitter until the end of time. Um that would be uh at Andrew underscore Ronaldi underscore. And um again, I continue to give updates on the team, live tweet during the games. I love chatting with fans about anything you might have questions about, anything you want to talk about. Um yeah, I if you couldn't tell, I love talking about the game of hockey. So it's uh it's great to share it with with everyone out there. And um yeah, it's it's why I continue to do this over uh I mean this would be my it's been five years now, and I've loved every bit of it. So um if if anyone reaches out to me, it'll help me continue to keep on loving it because it's it's it's it's been a wonderful experience getting to know all of the fans and to be able to share this this uh what this team has been able to do and and all the players that have come through and all the wonderful people that work with the team. It's been a real treat, and I feel very blessed to be in the position that I am to do it.
SPEAKER_00:Well, listen, uh it's great fun talking hockey with you as well. So it's uh you know, we all kind of enjoy that. And you know, your knowledge of what's going on with the Wolves. Uh I know uh Wolves fans and Hurricanes fans are delighted to hear this. And uh as always, uh thanks so much for spending time with us, Andrew. It's been great, great, great uh fun as usual. For those of you who've been watching or listening, uh Andrew and I, of course, are delighted you spent time with us. If you like this episode, please press the like button. If you have any questions or comments, or just want to say hi to Andrew or myself or other members of StormTracker, please leave those in the comment section down below. And of course, if you want to be alerted of future episodes of Storm Tracker, please press the subscribe and the bell buttons, and we'll alert you just as soon as they are available. Once again, Andrew and I thank you very much for spending time with us, and we look forward to getting together with you real soon right here on StormTracker.
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