Hurricanes Prospect Profile: Aleksi Heimosalmi

Photo by Matt Sutor/NHLI via Getty ImagesThis is a series profiling the Hurricanes’ 2021 draft class. Aleksi Heimosalmi is the third profile in this series.

Aleksi Heimosalmi was drafted 44th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2021 NHL Draft and signed his entry-level contract on Aug. 15. Heimosalmi has a number of tools that make him an atypical defenseman for a player his size, so we’ll explore that and more in this profile.

Skating

Heimosalmi’s skating stands out as soon as he steps onto the ice. He’s quick and can dart in and out of coverage with ease. Skating seems like it comes just as naturally to Heimosalmi as walking does. His mechanics are clean and there aren’t any concerns…