Hurricanes Sign Viktor Neuchev To One-Year Deal

The Hurricanes have re-signed RFA forward Viktor Neuchev, to a one-year, two-way contract, per puckpedia. The deal pays $850K at the NHL level and $90K in the minors. Neuchev is represented by Dan Milstein of Gold Star Sports Management.

The 22-year-old joined the organization in January, arriving from Buffalo in exchange for depth defenseman Gavin Bayreuther. A third-round pick (74th overall) by the Sabres in 2022, Neuchev spent parts of three seasons in Buffalo’s system before the move, posting 66 points (24 goals, 42 assists) in 130 games with AHL Rochester.

The transition to Carolina’s affiliate was a quiet one. Neuchev managed just nine points in 30 games with the Chicago Wolves down the stretch, a modest finish to a season that had shown flashes earlier in Rochester, where he’d put up 16 points in 34 games before the trade. A shoulder surgery that ended his 2024-25 campaign early hasn’t helped his development curve, though he returned healthy this season.

The Chelyabinsk native brings a skilled, puck-driving profile that earned him prospect attention in Buffalo;  EliteProspects’ 2022 draft guide pegged him as “a fast handler who likes to demonstrate his talents; a showoff and an entertainer with the puck.” Translating that to the North American pro game remains the work in front of him.

For Carolina, this is a low-risk retention of a former mid-round pick who still has runway at 22. He projects as a Chicago Wolves regular to open 2026-27, with the two-way structure keeping him affordable if he forces his way into the NHL conversation. The onus is on Neuchev to make a deeper offensive push in his first full season in the system.