The Hurricanes announced they’ve recalled center Justin Robidas from AHL Chicago. The 5’8″ pivot could be in line to make his NHL debut tomorrow against the Red Wings.
Robidas, 22, was a fifth-round pick by Carolina in the 2021 draft. The son of longtime NHL defenseman Stéphane Robidas is in his second professional season but just his first in the AHL. He spent all of 2023-24 on loan to ECHL Norfolk, while the Canes spent the year without a dedicated AHL affiliate.
The smooth-skating playmaker has done well in his first look in the high-level minors. After posting a strong 12-15–27 scoring line in 32 ECHL games last season, he’s posted 17-31–48 in 65 AHL appearances and ranks third on the team in scoring. Before turning pro in 2023, he posted 95-144–239 in 223 major junior games in the QMJHL across four seasons, winning a league title and Memorial Cup with the Quebec Remparts in his final campaign.
While skilled, his size will remain a factor he needs to overcome to make a meaningful NHL adjustment. Because of that, he’s not viewed as a true impact prospect in Carolina’s middle-of-the-road pipeline. Scott Wheeler of The Athletic tabbed Robidas as the No. 13 prospect in the Canes’ system in his midseason rankings, calling out his defensive intelligence in addition to his high-level scoring skill at lower levels of the game. The latter will be hard to display in NHL minutes, especially down the middle, but there’s a path for him to carve out as a bottom-six energy piece over the coming years.
The Canes have William Carrier and Jordan Staal sidelined with injuries at present, explaining the opportunity for Robidas to join the streaking Hurricanes’ NHL roster. He’s got another year left on his entry-level deal and will be a restricted free agent in 2026.