Robidas has taken another step at the AHL level, leading his team in scoring by nearly matching his full season totals from last year in 53 games – 22 goals and 30 assists – while winning the fastest skater competition at the AHL All-Star Skills Event. His speed has never been the question. The key development indicator this year is whether his brain can keep up with his feet – adjusting his pace to the game in front of him is the final piece required for a sustained NHL role. His brief Hurricanes appearances have been encouraging, including a smart backhand board battle that set up a Nikishin goal against Winnipeg. Robidas looks like a legitimate candidate for a depth role if he can consistently make the right reads at NHL pace. Entering RFA this summer after his ELC expires, a new contract and a push for the likely vacant 4C spot at training camp is the logical next step.

Entering the final year of his entry-level deal with the Hurricanes in 2025-26, Robidas had a strong season with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves, and also appeared in two NHL games with Carolina this past season. In 70 games with the Wolves, the diminutive Center posted 20 goals and 35 assists for 55 points, and in two games with Carolina, he recorded one goal and one assist. Robidas will hope to have a strong showing to catch the attention of Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour in training camp this upcoming fall, in an effort to secure more NHL action in 2025-26.

Although his promising first professional season was cut short by injuries, Justin Robidas still impressed with the Norfolk Admirals. With 12 goals and 15 assists for 27 points in 32 games, Robidas was among the top players for a surging Norfolk team. No information was released about the injury, which is not ideal for fantasy managers. However, he shouldn’t have any restrictions heading into the prospect development camp and, potentially, the NHL training camp. With his play style, Robidas should have a good shot at getting top-nine minutes for the Chicago Wolves next year. But due to not having a ton of professional playing experience, we might have to wait longer before seeing Robidas crack the NHL.

Robidas has made the jump to the professional hockey level and has not slowed down since winning the Memorial Cup last year. Playing with the Norfolk Admirals in the ECHL, Robidas currently has 12 goals and 15 assists for 27 points in 32 games, which is currently tied for first on the Admirals in points as a rookie. Robidas is also playing on both the penalty kill and the power play, which is impressive for a player of his age. His NHL debut could be only a year or two away, and Robidas currently projects as a bottom-six center with penalty-killing ability.

An incredible season comes to a close for Justin Robidas as he ends up winning the Memorial Cup with the Quebec Remparts. Ending his regular season in the QMJHL with 78 points in 63 games for two teams, Robidas only continued to improve his stretch with 27 points in 18 playoff games, which would be good enough for first on the team in points en route to a QMJHL championship win. This incredible run of games from Robidas only improved when the Hurricanes gave him an entry-level contract and only ended when the Remparts won the Memorial Cup, with Robidas getting five points in four games. His contract has a junior salary for 2023-24, which is where I expect him to play next season as he tries to win back-to-back Memorial Cups.