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NHL Prospects: AHL update

By Ryan Ritchie |

NHL prospects these days are typically required to serve their dues in the minors (AHL) before making the jump to the big club. Sometimes a weaker team will be more inclined to play its NHL prospects (unless you’re re-building like Toronto). A stronger team with more depth (i.e. Columbus or Chicago) is forced to put prospects in the AHL that could play on some NHL teams. Then there are teams such as Detroit, who have a system for dealing with its NHL prospects regardless of skill (exceptions if your name is Dylan Larkin).

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Teams have already been dipping into their NHL prospects pool, as we’ve seen numerous debuts and call-ups since the beginning of the season. Below are this weekend’s highlights (Oct 16-18) in the AHL targeting specific NHL prospects that could see NHL action soon:  (stats obtained from http://theahl.com/stats/schedule.php)

Los Angeles Kings affiliate Ontario Reign beat Manitoba 1-0 on Saturday. The lone goal was scored by Valentin Zykov. Apparently too small to handle the physical game at the NHL level, said to need a year to adapt and bulk up. But if the Kings struggles continue, while Zykov keeps producing, Los Angeles will have no choice but to call upon one of their top NHL prospects.

Sep 24, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (62) takes a shot during the pre game warm up against the Ottawa Senators at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Marlies played Albany back-to-back this weekend, both teams each walking away with a win. In Toronto’s 3-2 victory on Saturday, both T.J. Brennan and William Nylander had a goal and assist each. Both Brennan and Nylander added an assist in Sunday’s 3-2 loss to Albany. Brennan is a guy that has paid his dues for a while now in the AHL, so it’s only a matter of time before he sees some time with the big club. William Nylander is one of those young pieces the Toronto’s trying to let simmer in the minors. Trades could open up a lot for Nylander, although it’s more likely he sees NHL action near the end of the season for his 2016-17 audition.

St.John’s and Rochester met up for a pair of games this past weekend which ended in two dominating wins by St.John’s, 5-2 on Friday, and 6-2 on Saturday. Montreal prospect Christian Thomas made the most noise with two goals on Friday, while adding a goal and two assists in Saturday’s win. Charles Hudon added a pair of assists in both Friday and Saturday’s games. Michael McCarron netted a hat-trick for St.John’s in Saturday’s 6-2 win over Rochester. McCarron and Hudon, both highly touted NHL prospects, showcased their talents during NHL preseason. Unless either had an enormous preseason, McCarron and Hudon didn’t have much chance competing with all the veteran one-way contracts. I’m sure it was likely the plan from day one to make McCarron and Hudon the first pair of call-ups upon any injuries.

Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Dominik Simon made a move from Europe to North America for the 2015-16 season. Beginning the year with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, the transition in play style seems to have gone smoothly as he recorded a goal and three assists on Friday night for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, but was kept off the score-sheet in Sunday 5-1 win over Bridgeport.

Jan 30, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche right wing Dennis Everberg (45) during the game against the Nashville Predators at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Avalanche affiliate San Antonio won a pair of games against Grand Rapids, with a 3-2 win on Friday, followed up by a 4-0 victory on Saturday. Avs prospect goaltender Calvin Pickard made 39 of 41 saves on Friday night, followed by a shutout the next day. There may not be any room for Pickard with the big club, but it doesn’t mean teams won’t start calling about his availability after his hot start, coming off a solid 2014-15 campaign. 2013 free-agent signing Andrew Agozzino scored two of San Antonio’s three goals on Friday, followed with a goal and two assists in Saturday’s 4-0 win. Dennis Everberg had an assist on Friday, then added two goals on Saturday night. Everberg is on the short-list for call-ups and could see significant time with the Avs this season.

Charlotte, affiliate of Carolina played a pair of high-scoring games this weekend against Chicago and Milwaukee. Canes prospect D Trevor Carrick had two goals and two assists in a 9-5 loss to Chicago, while Sergey Tolchinsky added an assist. Tolchinsky added a pair of assists in Charlotte’s 7-2 win over Milwaukee, while Carrick was kept off the score-sheet. Both of these guys have legitimate shots to be NHLers, but may need a little more time in the minors.

Blues prospects Ty Rattie and Ivan Barbashev were all over the score-sheet during their 9-5 win over Charlotte. Rattie had a goal and two assists, Barbashev netted two goals and added a helper. Both of these guys are top prospects in the Blues system and should both get a crack at some NHL action this season. Barbashev has a much higher ceiling, and could be a productive top-six forward down the road.

Sep 29, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars center Radek Faksa (12) skates against the Florida Panthers during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Panthers 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas affiliate, Texas Stars skated to a three wins this weekend with two over Rockford and one over Chicago. 10th ranked Stars prospect C Devin Shore made the transition from the University of Maine to pro-level this season, and looks like he’s finally finding his game. He scored a hat-trick in the 5-2 win over Rockford, while adding two more goals in a 7-3 win over Chicago. He only had an assist in the second game vs. Rockford on Sunday. Texas won 7-2, with only one forward being kept off the score sheet. Radek Faksa was the most recent call-up, but if he can’t deliver, expect Devin Shore to be on the short-list for call-ups.

Columbus called up Kerby Rychel from Lake Erie on Friday, but sent him back down a few hours later. Rychel responded by netting two goals and adding an assist in a 4-1 win over Iowa. Rychel and Bjorkstrand can be difference-makers for a lousy Blue Jackets team to begin the season, whenever GM Jarmo Kekalainen wants to make the move.

The Ducks finally made a call for Shea Theodore after struggling to put pucks in the net to begin 2015-2016. The offensively gifted defenseman should add a spark for the Ducks in the short-term. Anaheim’s affiliate San Diego has another pair of NHL prospects that should see action at some point. Max Friberg and Nick Ritchie each scored a goal and added an assist on Saturday night in a 6-5 win over Bakersfield. Friberg could be a solid addition to the bottom six, while there’s still hope that Nick Ritchie could at some point slot in aside Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry.

New York Islanders’ affiliate Bridgeport had a rough weekend, with the only good news coming out of both games being the play of D Ryan Pulock. He scored a goal on Saturday and Sunday, and is highly regarded as the Islanders top defensive prospect. Shouldn’t take long before he makes a home on the Islanders back-end, as he could be an impact player down the road.

Keep up to date all-season long with AHL news and updates for the best NHL prospects.  Which one of these guys above is the next most likely to get the nod at some NHL action?  Can any of these guys be impact players for their organizations this season? Let us know what you think.

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