Justin Robidas
Justin Robidas is a speedy, undersized center who was placed on waivers by Carolina on September 26, 2026, and, barring a claim, is expected to open the year in the AHL rather than on the Hurricanes' roster.
Role
Per the Hurricanes' own preseason transactions note on NHL.com (posted the morning of September 26, 2026), Robidas was placed on waivers along with several other camp bodies; if he clears, he reports to AHL affiliate Chicago Wolves. He is not projected for a regular NHL role to start 2026-27, though he did post a multi-point exhibition game (a goal and an assist) in Carolina's first preseason contest against Florida on September 23, 2026, per The Hockey Writers. He signed a one-year, two-way extension with Carolina earlier in September 2026 ($850,000 NHL/$100,000 AHL, per PuckPedia and The Hockey Writers), and in 2025-26 he put up 23 goals and 60 points in 58 AHL games with Chicago while appearing in a couple of NHL games for Carolina.
Daily Faceoff's Waiver Watch piece (published within the past few days of this check) notes scouts still like his tools and speed, and that his 2025-26 AHL production (60 points) plus a strong opening exhibition game show he can produce offense; if he clears waivers he stays cheap and controllable, and Carolina's forward group can be hit by injuries over an 84-game season, which could open a recall opportunity.
The same Daily Faceoff analysis argues that at 5-foot-8 without a heavy shot or defensive polish, Robidas is blocked behind a deep, Stanley Cup-contending Carolina forward group, and that he might be better off catching on with a different organization for a clearer NHL path; RotoWire's outlook flatly states he is likely to spend most of 2026-27 in the AHL.
Where analysts split
Analysts agree he is currently buried on Carolina's depth chart and headed for waivers/AHL, but they differ on what comes next: Daily Faceoff frames him as a trade or claim candidate who would be better served finding a new organization with a clearer path to NHL minutes, while RotoWire/CBS Sports frame it as simply a depth assignment within Carolina's system, with a recall possible later in the season if injuries create an opening.
Research confidence: reported. Outlooks are grounded in web search over current reporting and refreshed through the season.
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