Bradly Nadeau’s path into the 2026-27 season is already taking shape, and it starts with the same thing that has pushed him through every stop so far: more reps, more lessons, more adjustment.
The Carolina Hurricanes forward is heading into his third professional season with a fresh layer of perspective after a 2025-26 campaign that bounced him between the NHL and AHL. In 12 games with Carolina, he scored three goals. With the Chicago Wolves, he produced 27 goals and 56 points in 52 games, then added seven goals and 17 points in 21 playoff games during a run that ended in the Calder Cup Final.
Nadeau said the constant movement helped him understand the game in a different way.
“It was really good. Obviously, when you’re in Chicago, you know you have the guys there, and you’re comfortable with those guys. And when you get those call-ups, obviously, it’s always good to experience that.”
He also said the NHL minutes sharpened what matters most when the puck isn’t on your stick.
“Obviously, playing with skilled guys and stuff in the NHL. That’s when you realize it’s so important, without the puck, finding the space to get the puck, and even then only be in those good spots. So it’s always good to get those opportunities when you get called up; you try to take the most of it, and you always learn from every call-up that you get.”
That learning curve showed up again in the postseason. The Wolves won the Western Conference by knocking off the Texas Stars, Grand Rapids Griffins, and Colorado Eagles, while Carolina went on to win the Stanley Cup. Nadeau said the deep run gave him another chance to figure out how to handle repeated matchups.
“Every time you get a chance to go deep in the playoffs like that, it’s always a good experience… It’s when you get into the playoffs like that; it’s to adjust to the other team. You’re gonna see them over and over for a few games.”
He added, “So if you can adjust to what they do and what you know to kind of shut them down, or what you can do against them to get success, I think it’s huge to go through that and learn. Like, as you’re going through that, it’s always fun to play in April, May, June there. So that was a bonus.”
The numbers behind Nadeau’s rise are hard to miss. He put up 113 points in 54 games in his final year in Penticton, then followed that with 46 points in 37 games in his lone season at the University of Maine. Now he’s trying to turn that scoring touch into a lasting role at the pro level.
For him, that progression has been built by the coaching staffs he’s had along the way.
“We had a really good coaching staff along the way, so I was fortunate to learn a lot going through, you know, in Penticton, in Maine. I’ve seen Chicago as well.
Without the puck, it’s a bit harder in juniors. You feel like you play a little more with the puck.
So that was the first few years of pro.
I’ve been focusing a lot on that, but no, as I said, I was fortunate to have those coaching staff and players along the way that have helped me to get through here. And you know, it’s been a good journey, but obviously, it’s just the start of it.”
That mindset has carried into camp. Nadeau said the work began as soon as last season ended, and the offseason was all about getting ready for this point.
“I think that was, you know, as soon as the season ends, that’s where the mindset starts. You have to come to camp ready. So the off-season was a grind, you know, to get ready for camp and obviously rookie games here, get going again, get the legs under and stuff.
And now the main camp, we’ve had to practice, and it’s not the worst thing, just play. And obviously, if you work hard, the good things are going to come. So it’s just to really focus on that and see where it goes.”
With Seth Jarvis’ return potentially coming between late October and early December, Nadeau is one of the names in the mix to get a longer look with Carolina. But his focus remains on the same job no matter where he starts.
If he’s in Chicago, head coach Spiros Anastas will have the Wolves ready. If he’s with the Hurricanes, he’ll keep chasing the next step.
Either way, the goal is the same: keep building toward becoming an NHL regular.
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