NHL Debuts Continue With Injuries and Slow-Starts
By Ryan Ritchie
NHL debuts continue to multiply as teams begin suffering early injuries and slow-starts to their season’s. We’ve recently released articles on the debut of Carolina’s Brock McGinn and San Jose’s Nikolay Goldobin. We’ve also seen Vancouver’s Jake Virtanen make his NHL debut recently as well. Pittsburgh’s Daniel Sprong scored his first NHL goal on Thursday night after cracking the roster out of training camp (he’s on a 9-game try-out).
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Union and Blue
Calder candidates begin the season with an interesting group, headlined by Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Dylan Larkin, Max Domi, Noah Hanifan, Artemi Panarin, Oscar Lindberg and Anthony Duclair (among some other noteable rookies). Unfortunately, rookie Blues forward Robby Fabbri has already suffered a concussion, but is not expected to be out for any extended period of time.
The primary group of Calder candidates has painted a pretty clear picture thus far, but as we know from past history, players can emerge in the Calder Trophy race who did not begin the season with their NHL clubs.
The most recent performance that comes to mind is John Klingberg of the Dallas Stars. He played 10 games with Texas in the AHL before getting the call-up that led to his 40 points in 65 games in 2014-15. Sometimes there is simply no room for the prospect to begin the season because of depth, or the player simply didn’t play well enough in training camp. Either way, there are always impact players knocking on the door at the AHL level looking for their opportunity to come up and make an impact in the NHL.
Based on team and player performances early on, let’s take at the list of potential impact AHLers that should be the next players to get their shot. Whether they’ve spent some time in the NHL already, or have yet to make their NHL debut, these are the guys that could be difference makers for teams as the season progresses.
Sep 21, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Oliver Bjorkstrand (28) misses a shot on goal in the shootout against the Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry (35) at Nationwide Arena. The Penguins won 1-0 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Options for Teams Having Slow-Starts
Anaheim Ducks with one goal in three games
F Nick Ritchie, F Max Friberg, and D Shea Theodore
All three players are offensively gifted, but each offer something a little different in regards to their style of play. Ritchie is more regarded as a gritty physical power forward type, whereas Friberg isn’t quite as physical as Ritchie but offers a more responsibly defensive game. Shea Theodore is solid two-way defenseman that has the offensive skills to contribute at the NHL level. If the Ducks continue to struggle or run into injury problems, and have to dip into their depth with the San Diego Gulls of the AHL, then expect to see one of these three guys.
Columbus Blue Jackets off to 0-4 Start
Oliver Bjorkstrand (Lake Erie Monsters)
Due to an injury to Alex Wennberg, the Blue Jackets dipped into their AHL talent today recalling Kerby Rychel. The move makes sense due to Columbus’ depth, as Rychel played well enough to earn an NHL spot out of training camp. It’s simply a numbers game in Columbus, and it may be time to start scratching bottom-six vets. The next call will be to Oliver Bjorkstrand. We released an excellent piece on him recently to highlight his elite talent that can be found here. Realistically, Bjorkstrand should be getting a shot with the top-line in Columbus.
Boston Bruins Tough Defensive Start
Khokhlachev Deserves a Shot
Allowing 18 goals in four games is fairly shocking for a team featuring Tuukka Rask as its starting netminder, but that’s the deep hole Boston finds themselves in early. The Bruins don’t have a lot of options down in Providence to fill the gaping hole left by Dougie Hamilton, but they do however have an option to add some scoring depth. After a monster season with AHL’s Providence Bruins last season, it was thought by many that Alexander Khokhlachev would secure a spot with the B’s out of training camp. He’s already off to a hot-start down in the AHL, so the Boston Bruins would be wise to give him a shot with the big club.
Edmonton Oilers continue to struggle to open 2015-16 season
Sep 21, 2015; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward
(29) skates against the Calgary Flames at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Debuts: Fans may start calling for Draisaitl and Nurse
It’s believed that Oilers prospect Darnell Nurse needs some time at the AHL level to develop his game, and those who believe it may be right. However, a slow-start full of sloppy defensive play could have fans looking elsewhere within the organization for help on the blue-line (that isn’t named Nikita Nikitin).
Surprisingly, the Oilers have also struggled putting the puck in the net, even with phenom Connor McDavid (who’s off to a slow-start as well). The Jordan Eberle injury certainly is a factor, but it may not be long before fans start calling for another young guy. Leon Draisaitl is a highly rated Oilers prospect who spent some time alongside McDavid in training camp. Continued struggles could result in NHL debuts for either one, or both of these young men.
Canes Loss of Wisniewski Sparks Struggles
Sergey Tolchinsky could be last option
Carolina has already dipped into its prospect pool for Friday night’s game by giving Brock McGinn the nod for his NHL debut, playing on a line with Eric Staal. The Hurricanes also have one more impact option down in Charlotte that they could turn to. Owner of some highlight-reel goals in the past, prospect Sergey Tolchinsky could prove to be an impact player in the near future. The only issue with Tolchinsky is that he’s a bit undersized and has some frame to grow into still.
Los Angeles Options in the AHL
NHL Debuts: Zykov and Kempe in Waiting
On Friday night, defenseman Derek Forbort makes his NHL debut with the Kings in hopes to add a spark to a sloppy defensive group thus far. Los Angeles might want to consider dipping into their depth with the Ontario Reign of the AHL in giving one of/or both Valentin Zykov and Adrian Kempe an opportunity with the big club. Both are highly touted prospects in the Kings organization yet to make their NHL debuts, and both have the potential to be impact offensive players. If the scoring struggles continue, look for LA to turn to one of these two young men in hopes they can add a spark.
Slow-Start Honorable Mentions:
Dennis Everberg (San Antonio Rampage) – Colorado Avalanche
Surprise move by the Avs when they sent Everberg down during the last round of cuts. Expect him to be on the short-list, likely #1 for call-ups. Proved he can produce in a short-stint with the Avalanche last season.
Marko Dano (Rockford IceHogs) – Chicago Blackhawks
Being 2-3 after five games is only alarming when you’re the defending Stanley Cup champs. There’s really nothing to be concerned about with this Blackhawks team, but they’re definitely missing something. That something is Marko Dano, who was acquired in the Brandon Saad deal. He has top-six potential and could still have an impact for the Hawks once he gets his shot.
Oskar Sundqvist (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins) – Pittsburgh Penguins
Another surprise at the final round of cuts, he could find himself in the lineup much sooner rather than later. Daniel Sprong is on a nine game tryout, and could still find himself back in junior even after his first NHL goal last-night. Expect that Sundqvist is #1 on the forward list for call-ups with the Pens.
NHL Debuts Short-List for Call-Ups
Below are the list of guys who are on the short-list for being called up. Usually because of injury, but sometimes individual bad-play can lead to young players getting their shot. These are the guys that will likely get their first taste of NHL action this season.
F Ivan Barbashev (Chicago Wolves), St.Louis Blues
D Madison Bowey (Hershey Bears), Washington Capitals
D Josh Morrissey (Manitoba Moose), Winnipeg Jets
D Stephen Johns (Texas Stars), Dallas Stars
So hockey fans, which young guy are you most excited to see make their NHL debuts? Of the guys with NHL experience, which current AHL player do you think could have the most impact with their respective clubs? Do any of the guys listed above still have a chance to make some noise in the Calder Trophy race?
Next: Couture injury sparks Goldobin's NHL Debut
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