AHL 2019-20 Preview: Eastern Division

The 2019-20 AHL season marks the start of the professional careers for many of the top prospects representing each of the 31 NHL teams.

Although some of the AHL teams are located in smaller cities or far from their parent clubs (for example Utica and Vancouver) the start of the AHL season marks the start of a game of chess and musical chairs for NHL and AHL clubs and their internal player dealings as they work with their prospects and shift lines around to allow for injuries and call ups throughout the season.

Below is a brief segment on every team in the East as well as a glimpse at their three top prospects. Team run down is presented alphabetically by division and not as a prediction for the upcoming 2019-2020 AHL season.

Note: All quotes have been taken from the 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook.

Atlantic Division

The AHL’s Atlantic Division plays host to teams all over the eastern US coastline from Rhode Island to North Carolina. The Atlantic encompasses eight teams, some states play host to multiple teams such as Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Last season the Charlotte Checkers were able to bring the Calder Cup back to the Atlantic and this season the same will presumably be expected.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers (New York Islanders)

Even though Bridgeport was able to clinch a playoff spot last season, they were no match for the defending Calder Cup champion Charlotte Checkers. Bridgeport finished second in the Atlantic division and second also in penalty minutes. Despite having a mass of talent on Bridgeport, they did not play as a group and therefore could not achieve the desired playoff goal.

The Islanders organization are not as progressive with getting their prospects in the NHL lineup as say the Montreal Canadiens or New York Rangers. Losing Michael Dal Colle and Oliver Wahlstrom to the Islanders this season may have lessened Bridgeport’s offence somewhat but with Sebastian Aho back down and coming off a career year last season their defence is stronger than ever and may be just what Bridgeport needs to “bridge” their offensive gap.

Players to Watch

Sebastian Aho

“The Swedish born Aho is a smooth skating and smart playing defenseman. Although not known for his shooting ability, he is accurate and his shots from the point are of quality. He is a strong passer and a creative playmaker which was notable in his second AHL season.”

Otto Koivula

“Koivula is a massive forward and a very handy player to have in front of the net as his positioning is generally very good in all areas of the ice. He sees the play very well and has a good eye for making difficult passes in tight spots and from behind the net. Overall, he is a very clean and skilled player.”

Kieffer Bellows

“Bellows is a strong, dominant force on the ice with physical prowess and a highly competitive attitude. He plays to win and with an impressive amount of passion to compliment his natural scoring ability and skill set. He will need to have better control of his game next season and step up his play a bit to earn a spot at the next level.”

Charlotte Checkers (Carolina Hurricanes) 

Charlotte is the Southern-most team in the Atlantic division and boasts some of the hottest weather for an Atlantic division team. The defending 2019 Calder Cup Champion Checkers who posted a record of 51-17-7-1 last season and had an impressive playoff run to say the least, but have not had the best start to the 2019-20 season. Upon losing their two top forwards with Aleksi Saarela being traded (to Chicago, since moved to Florida) and Martin Necas graduating to the Hurricanes, Charlotte has had to rebuild their offensive core one draft pick at a time and with many of their high end prospects still playing major junior or overseas, the Checkers will have to devise a plan to do so.

Just over ten games into the season Charlotte is sitting second from the bottom and with not a lot of goals scored. Many of their shots last year came from guys like Saarela and Necas but now without them, they’ll be turning to the players who flew under the radar last season such as Morgan Geekie and Eetu Luostarinen to create offensive opportunities in hopes of repeating Charlotte’s Calder Cup success.

Players to Watch

Morgan Geekie

“He has plus size, moves well for a big man and has quietly effective offensive instincts which help him to outproduce his tools. He has the strength to protect the puck, and the quickness of hands to capitalize on a broken play and make something happen.”

Eetu Luostarinen

“His skating was fairly good in his draft year but he has since added explosiveness, quickness, and improved his endurance. Moreover, he has added power to his game, not only strength-wise but his shot is also more powerful than it used to be. Luostarinen is dependable without the puck and can play in a more defensive role if needed.”

Jake Bean

“He has a very high panic threshold, allowing him to remain calm with the puck in the face of opposing pressure. He can walk the blueline nicely, but his best work comes in his ability to exit his own zone with total control. Whether he skates the puck out or finds a passing option, he can be relied on to kickstart the transition to offense.”

Hartford Wolf Pack (New York Rangers)Now to move on to from one of the bottom placed teams with the Charlotte Checkers  to the top team in the Atlantic; the Hartford Wolfpack feeder team to the original six New York Rangers have gotten off to an electric start this season. So far Hartford has spun things around 180 degrees on the poor outcome the Wolf Pack had last season with only 29 wins and no real chance at qualifying for the playoffs. Their disappointing 2018-19 was a bi-product of their ever-changing rosters as the Rangers frequently called players up and as a result Hartford’s lines were constantly changing and their play was inconsistent and messy. They also boasted the highest goals against number and the lowest goals for on the season.

With the positive start, the Wolf Pack sit atop the Atlantic Division rolling into the start of November and over the hump of new teams and settling into new line combinations. With key acquisitions and veteran experience added during the offseason, Hartford will be a hard opponent to knock off the top. Although heading into his last season of prospect status, Vinni Lettieri can offer just the right amount of knowledge and offensive talent to make up for the recent temporary loss of top Rangers prospect Vitali Kravtsov, who departed the Wolf Pack for a year long loan deal back to his KHL club Traktor Chelyabinsk.

Players to Watch

Vinni Lettieri

“Often overlooked due to his stature, Lettieri’s speed and tenacity make up for any doubts his size may have caused. If given the chance, he could carry a role on the top penalty kill unit with his speed and overall forechecking knowledge.”

Igor Shestyorkin

“The 23-year old goalie has accumulated enough experience in the KHL and on the international stage and is more ready than your average rookie netminder. Shestyorkin is an agile goaltender, a bit on the small side for today’s trends, but won’t going to suffer from it.”

Joey Keane

“An elite skater, Keane is built for the modern NHL age. With his mobility, he is incredibly difficult to pin deep in his own zone, because he takes such good routes to dump ins and is able to transition to offense in a flash. As he moves to the pro level, he will need to keep the game simple, using his mobility to aid in his learning curve.”

Hershey Bears (Washington Capitals)

Despite Hershey Pennsylvania being the home of the Hershey Chocolate World, the Bears could certainly argue that the end of their 2018-19 season could have been a little sweeter. Not only did the Bears manage to end the season third from the bottom in goal production but they were also swept by Charlotte in the second round of playoffs.

With Hershey being the feeder team for the offensive powerhouse Washington Capitals it would seem the club has big shoes to fill. This season is looking somewhat different and the team is off to a better start offensively, already doubling the number of goals they had at the tail end of last season. Their back end is loaded with new talent, many of whom are responsible for quarterbacking their offensive play. With Jonas Siegenthaler now a permanent Capitals fixture the Bears look to have their rookie defensemen, namely; 2018 first rounder Alex Alexeyev and speedy 2^nd rounder Martin Fehervary, taking over in the back. Look for the Bears to be playoff hopefuls once again.

Prospects to Watch

Axel Jonsson-Fjallby

“When he is at his best, Jonsson-Fjallby is a highly energetic and quick player to play with and tough to keep up when paired against. His speed makes him a force to be reckoned with and his hockey IQ has improved drastically in the last year. He has become a smart and reliable two way player, whereas once his defensive game was insubstantial.”

Martin Fehervary

“An aggressive import from Slovakia, Fehervary played full time in the SHL last season, in his last year qualifying for junior hockey. He played in his customary aggressive style, with quick skating, physicality, and good reach. He still has NHL potential, with the look of a third pairing blueliner. His skating, reach and aggressiveness will becoming a strong defensive defender.”

Alex Alexeyev

“Alexeyev is a very good player who has all the tools to be a top four defender in the NHL. He has good size, skates very well, and has more snarl in his game then most give him credit for. Couple all that with a defender who is an excellent passer both in his own zone as well as when quarterbacking a powerplay, and he shows real promise. He has been one of the top defenders in the WHL since his arrival from Russia.”

Lehigh Valley Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers)

Last season the Phantoms missed playoffs by two points, finishing fifth in the Atlantic Division. For an AHL team that seems to fly under the radar and whose parent team of Philadelphia seems to be known more for their mascot antics than their play, so far their success in the opening part of the season has not gone unnoticed. With rookie Morgan Frost leading the way and riding a seven game point streak as of this writing and carrying the team with nine points through the opening ten games, Lehigh’s young blood has been off to a strong start.

However, one point streak is not enough to create a winning team and with the departures of defenceman Phillippe Meyers and goaltender Carter Hart to the Flyers, their offence will surely have to be a strong point. This year Lehigh Valley welcomes many new faces to their roster which could be a turning point in the Flyers system due to their struggles with team cohesiveness in the past. The Phantoms look to have a promising amount of offensive rookie talent, many of whom bring energy to a slow to start returning AHL group.

Players to Watch

Morgan Frost

“Frost is ready for the next challenge in his young career. The talented playmaking center has improved his skating and strength on the puck over his OHL career and those should allow for an easy transition to pro hockey. He generates well off the rush, using a variety of dif- ferent attacks which speaks volumes to his creativity with the puck.”

Isaac Ratcliffe

“Ratcliffe is a hulking power winger with massive goal scoring potential at the next level. He has an extremely powerful shot that sees him use his size well to shield defenders before releasing the puck quickly. His skating continues to improve, especially his ability to cut and maintain possession through to the net.”

German Rubtsov

“He is a fast skating, quick shooting, high tempo player who plays with a lot of intensity and drive. He is a promising forward with much offensive potential and enough speed that he can get back on the backcheck as well. Rubtsov has the hands, the shot and the speed to be a standout forward with Philadelphia in the future if he can stay healthy.”

Providence Bruins (Boston Bruins)

One of the most controversial and most talked about clubs in the NHL is the Boston Bruins who seem to be Stanley Cup contenders every year, but can the same be said for the Bruins’ American Hockey league team? Last season the Providence Bruins managed to clinch the last playoff spot in the Atlantic division but were eliminated in the first round by the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. With the third lowest goals against average in the league and many other stats ranking somewhere in the middle of the pack, for Providence they were the quintessential “average” team. They played a safe, controlled and structured breakout, regroup and forecheck game but there seemed to be a missing spark in their 2018-19 season.

The team has had a firecracker of a start and from the very first game it was evident that Providence would be a much faster and more skilled team than they were last year. With speedy rookies like Jack Studnicka and Oskar Steen added to the lineup, Providence’s offensive zone time has been rising. Should Providence stay healthy, they will be playoff contenders for sure.

Players to Watch

Urho Vaakanainen

“Vaakanainen is a smooth skating, dynamic defenseman who had
a good transition from SaiPa in the Liiga to the Providence Bruins. He is not known for any particular offensive abilities but his neutral zone play and puck movement are still amongst the top on this list. He makes precise passes and knows when to skate the puck and when to dump it.”

Trent Frederic

“He is a fine skater with enough puck skill and offensive instinct to earn middle six minutes at maturity. His grinder, to the net style also bodes well for that role. Boston will be looking for more consistent production before giving an NHL look.”

Jack Studnicka

“It could probably be argued that Studnicka is one of the more well-rounded forward prospects in hockey. There is no role that he cannot play on the ice for his team. Given how pro ready his game is, he could be much closer to making an impact in Boston than some think.”

Springfield Thunderbirds (Florida Panthers)

Although the Florida Panthers continue to struggle with their attendance, their feeder team in Springfield, MA seems to do fine and will continue to do so this season with a start as hot as the one they’re having now. The Thunderbirds have soared to second place in the Atlantic division after just over ten games played and currently lead in goals for.

With the recent additions of rookies Owen Tippett and Aleksi Heponiemi to the regular roster it is no wonder they are on the fast track to success. Tippett is a scoring machine and can shoot from anywhere on the ice while Heponiemi had unbeatable major junior years in the WHL as a playmaker and only continues to shine in the AHL. With young players like these only continuing to gain momentum, look for Springfield to maintain their top four Atlantic division status throughout the season.

Players to Watch

Owen Tippett

“While his ability to put the puck in the net will be his ticket to an NHL career, he has improved his play away from the puck and his patience with it to become a player who can make an impact even when he is not scoring. With good size and skating ability, Tippett is at his best when he is attacking North/South, hunting for opportunities to unleash his terrific wrist shot.”

Aleksi Heponiemi

“A nifty stickhandler with excellent vision and offensive awareness, he is a natural playmaker who can finish, too. His shot has improved quite a bit, he has the ability to pick his spots and be a dual threat in the final third. While not fast, Heponiemi is highly agile on his skates and can make shifty moves to evade defenders.”

Jonathan Ang

“A brilliant skater, Ang’s hands are almost as quick as his legs. The question he has always been asked about is his offensive ceiling. For as much as his speed allows hi to be one step ahead of the play and very difficult to contain, his numbers have never really stood out. He flashes the tools that got him drafted, but not consistently and he struggles to finish what he starts.”

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh Penguins)

It is no secret that the Pittsburgh Penguins are in trouble when it comes to their prospect system, however after just one draft that can be turned around and with a trade a team can be bolstered dramatically. Not to say that the Penguins prospect system needs a revamp but if they continue to draft the way they have, their feeder team in Wilkes-Barre will remain average, at best. For the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins momentum is hard to find, not only is the arena an older venue but there is just is not enough talent on the back end to drive offensive plays. To boot, the average age of Wilkes-Barre is 25 which means very few prospects are seeing ice time at the AHL level and the team lacks in youthful energy.

For the Pittsburgh Penguins the next few years will be a tipping point for their prospects and current players. That said, there is hope with defenceman Pierre-Olivier Joseph paving the way for a hardworking, play making defencemen, W-B/S may be able to generate enough offence to up their scoring chances. As the season progresses, look for forward Kasper Bjorkqvist to earn top mention and top minutes with the Baby Penguins on the front end.

Players to Watch

Pierre-Olivier Joseph

“Joseph’s best two assets are his work eth- ic and his hockey sense. He rarely makes a bad decision and, most importantly, knows his limitations. He is slight for the pro game at 168 pounds, but he is as adept at defending positionally as he is physically, and has figured out how to read many schemes with the puck to best attack from the back end.”

Jordy Bellerive

“Bellerive is a player who can play the game in any style. He is happy to drive the net and work hard to create his offense but he has a shot that can beat goalies cleanly from distance. He works his tail off in both zones and often generates additional chances from chasing down the play. He makes good passes both in transition and below the dots.”

Kasper Bjorkqvist

“He uses his solid size to play near the opposing crease and has a plan for the puck when he gets it, resulting in quick touches and quickly released shots. At his best, he has a nice shot an can play or pass the puck well, but he can go for prolonged stretches at less than his best, effectively becoming a non-factor in the play.”

North Division

The North Division is home to three out of the four Canadian teams in the AHL and some of the coldest climates, ranging from Binghamton, NY up to Laval, QC. Two seasons ago the Calder Cup was hoisted by the Toronto Marlies in dramatic fashion against the Texas Stars, and we should look to the North to be hungry for the Cup once again.

Belleville Senators (Ottawa Senators)

As one of the newest teams in the AHL with one of the smaller arenas, the Belleville Senators had a reasonable season last year but failed to qualify for the last playoff spot in the North Division. Belleville is still capable of packing an offensive punch and holding their own. Making up for the absence of Rudolfs Balcers who has earned a spot on Ottawa, will be rookie Josh Norris and Drake Batherson, the latter of whom earned the AHL All-Star MVP last season.

Although Belleville looks to be offensively equipped it will be interesting to see how they fare defensively this season after losing Erik Brannstrom and Christian Wolanin to Ottawa. Both were responsible for much of Belleville’s offensive play last season, particularly after Brannstrom joined the club in the Mark Stone trade from Vegas.

Prospects to Watch

Drake Batherson

“He is an elusive player that slips under the radar and is quiet on the ice until the puck is found in the net as a result of his strong playmaking ability. He is a highly adaptable and entertaining player to watch in both even strength and special team situations, his adjustment to the AHL level has been tremendous.”

Josh Norris

“A high IQ center with a standout two-way game, the former USNTDP standout is a strong play driver, with a fantastic shot and strong playmaking abilities. He was the hockey wherewith- al to play a bottom six role right away, but he projects as a clear top six center at his best.

Alex Formenton

“The foundation of Formenton’s game is his elite skating ability. He has an effortless, yet powerful stride that allows him to be such an effective high-energy winger. Additionally, Formen- ton is a physical player who is aggressive on the forecheck, making him a terrific penalty killer. As an offensive player, his best asset is a quick release.”

Binghamton Devils (New Jersey Devils)

Although the Binghamton Devils finished last in the North Division last season, their big sister club New Jersey made some key trades as well as draft acquisitions during the off season in hopes of deepening their system. Despite their place in the standings, that did not stop the Devils from having a successful development year for many of their prospects who received the chance to play up with New Jersey.

With a plethora of prospects to choose from Binghamton will be expected to move further up the ranks in the 2019-20 season standings. With additions like 2019 first overall pick Jack Hughes and Swedish prospect Jesper Boqvist to New Jersey’s forward lineup, look to Michael McLeod, Joey Anderson, Nathan Bastian, Mikhail Maltsev and Marian Studenic to pad up Binghamton’s offence. There is an abundance of top level prospects in New Jersey’s system and after the 2019 draft, look to the Devils to potentially have one of the best systems on paper.

Prospects to Watch

Michael McLeod

“Although not the smoothest of skaters to watch, he is strong and good both with and without the puck. McLeod’s defensive game has grown a lot this season making him a better two way player. He is a talented and smart playmaker and with a good start in the AHL and given more confidence he will definitely be in the right shape again to be shipped back up to the Devils.”

Marian Studenic

“Studenic had a solid start to his professional career this year with Binghamton and his natural skill and skating ability helped him to stand out amongst fellow rookie forwards. He is a deadly player when he gets to the net and is quick to capitalize on turnovers.”

Mikhail Maltsev

“He is a two-way forward with excellent size and good physical abilities, smooth hands and a solid positional game. Maltsev is a great choice for the third or fourth line considering his mass, defensive skills, and great reading of the ice in any situation at both ends of the rink.”

Cleveland Monsters (Columbus Bluejackets)

With an average height of 6-2” the name “Monsters” fits the tallest team in the AHL perfectly. Ironically enough Cleveland’s parent club, the Columbus Bluejackets, is home to one of the shortest and most skilled forwards in the NHL in 5-8” Cam Atkinson. Last season, Cleveland got off to a good start but faded quickly after the January All-Star break, barely making the playoffs. This coming year Cleveland once again seems to be hugging the fourth place spot in the North Division but perhaps they are still acclimatizing and pacing themselves, especially after seeing Sonny Milano and Kole Sherwood move up to the parent club.

With offence hanging in the brink for Cleveland, look to their firecracker of a forward Trey Fix-Wolansky to fire things up offensively and to Kevin Stenlund to add a physical punch to the Monsters’ offence. With 2018 first round pick Liam Foudy not quite ready to make the jump to the AHL yet, the Monsters will also have to rely on good goaltending from Finnish product Veini Vehvilainen to keep them in the game. Expect a decent back half of the season playoff run from the Monsters once they get settled.

Players to Watch

Veini Vehvilainen  

“He is a very quick goalie. His lateral quickness and post-to-post movement are both high end and he can recover loose pucks quickly. He is also highly athletic and flexible. He rarely allows a soft goal and if he does, he is able to bounce back quickly.”

Trey Fix-Wolansky

“Fix-Wolansky is a player that has really grown over the past couple of seasons. That has improved substantially in this regard as has his foot speed. His playmaking and shooting skills have always been there but now he has the pace and the drive to impact every play. He has a real shot at being a success story as his offensive tools are very good.”

Kevin Stenlund

“Stenlund plays a gritty and hard on the puck type of game, he wins battles and uses his size to his advantage. Stenlund may have used his size as an advantage but his size is also what made him stand out despite being one of the slower players on the ice. He is strong on the puck but it sometimes appears to be an effort for Stenlund to maneuver easily in tight spots.”

Laval Rocket (Montreal Canadiens)

There is only one team in the league who conducts most of their business in a language other than English and that would be the Montreal Canadiens who have been a staple original six team as well as a symbol of French Canadian culture for decades. Now fast forward to the Laval Rocket who play in one of the nicest arenas in the AHL, La Place Bell, which housed one of the poorest performing teams in the North Division last season. Laval had a less than desirable year finishing second last in the standings having managed to score only 195 times through the whole season while every other team in their division surpassing the 200 goal mark.

Montreal has had some major prospect developments and a few small turnarounds from where they were sitting last season with Nick Suzuki, Victor Mete and Ryan Poehling all pulling their weight in the big leagues. That being said, it’s an exciting time for the Canadiens who have prospect momentum heading into the next year year with NCAA product Jake Evans in his sophomore season with Laval and Noah Juulsen, an unexpected cut from Montreal, returning to the lineup. Laval will be a dark horse this season and only time will tell where they will finish in the standings.

Players to Watch

Jake Evans

“Evans is an elite level passer who can make crisp on-the-tape passes in the most difficult of situations. He is a really solid player and has good jump to his stride and energy to his game. Evans has the full package, and he just needs to muster up more grit and stay consistent with his play and he will be set to dawn a Canadiens jersey soon.”

Noah Juulsen

“For a smooth skating defenseman who can shoot from just about anywhere on the ice, Juulsen has not had the same amount of success in the pro ranks as he had during his major junior days with Everett in the WHL. He is not the most mobile defender and his actions seem even more stiff and mechanical when he begins to think too much.”

Otto Leskinen

“A mobile defenseman, he skates well both backwards and laterally. He is light on his skates and there is little wasted motion in his stride. Leskinen has the abilities to be an impactful player offensively. He can make a crisp first pass or carry the puck up into the zone. He has a hard slap shot and a wrister with a very quick release.”

Rochester Americans (Buffalo Sabres)

For the past few seasons the Buffalo Sabres have been the team that starts out strong and finishes in last place but the opposite can be said about their feeder team, the Rochester Americans. Last season, Rochester duked it out with the Syracuse Crunch all season long for top spot in the North Division with only a three point margin separating the two teams. Rochester was led by veteran defenceman Zach Redmond and rookie forward Victor Olofsson, the latter of whom has since moved up to clinch a well-deserved spot with the Sabres.

Although Olofsson is no longer on the farm, his Swedish line mate Rasmus Asplund continues to gain momentum and acclimatize to North American play. Asplund is off to a much better start this season and his linemate C.J. Smith also looks to add to Rochester’s offensive depth. Netminder Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen remains a dark horse, soon set to return from rehab for surgery he had during the offseason. With Luukkonen, who is arguably one of the top goaltending prospects - and a future starting netminder in the NHL- joining Rochester it will be safe to say that should Rochester make playoffs their back end composure will be more than okay.

Players to Watch

Rasmus Asplund

“He is a smaller forward but a great forechecker working well to fill a spot as a grinder. Always keeping his feet moving, many of his 41 points this year came from rebounds and net scrambles. At times he is a little bit sloppy with his positioning which may be the reason why he has yet to earn a call up to the Sabres.”

Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen

“He is the complete package as a goaltender with his size and athleticism. Luukkonen moves so well in his crease, but with his size is able to square up to shooters still and take away all angles. He also reads and reacts to the play around him as he is rarely caught out of position. His composure in the crease this year was one of his more impressive features.”

C.J. Smith

“Smith is a great example of this as he is an entertaining player to watch and brings energy and drive to each game. His natural skill and scoring ability made him a stand out forward for the Americans last year, and are what will hopefully push him to work hard to gain a top six spot.

Syracuse Crunch (Tampa Bay Lightning)

Recapping the post season for the Tampa Bay Lightning franchise in the 2018-2019 season is simply depressing, as not only did Tampa fail to impress in their playoffs despite running away with the regular season, but Syracuse followed the exact same pattern. The Crunch led the North Division all season long but were swept in the first round of playoffs by the fourth place Cleveland Monsters. Truly disappointing but nonetheless a wakeup call to a franchise that may have gotten a little overconfident.

After the humbling events of last season, Syracuse has started off in a very modest middle of the pack spot with the departure of Alexander Volkov and Erik Cernak from the Crunch to the Lightning. It has been up to many of the guys heading into their sophomore seasons like Boris Katchouk, Taylor Raddysh and Cal Foote to make up for the absences on the blueline as well as on the offensive attack. Syracuse will have to work much harder with their young squad if they want to achieve the same results as they achieved in 2018-19.

Players to Watch

Cal Foote

“Foote’s ranking as Tampa Bay’s number one prospect is well deserved as he is the perfect mix of a skilled offensive blueliner with a highly physical and dependable defensive defenseman. He has exceptional awareness and his hockey IQ is what makes him a great player. He has size and plays a calm, aware positional game that makes him stand out as being the most mature and dynamic prospect on this list.”

Taylor Raddysh

“Raddysh is a natural goal scorer with a knack for getting to the net in even the most difficult of situations. He is a good skater and a strong shooter capable of getting shots off in tight situations. He is especially good with one timers and adapting to bad passes. Raddysh will have to work on being more creative and being stronger on the puck in open ice situations, his level of want for the puck will have to improve.”

Mitchell Stephens

“He is a very competitive player who likes to win and who brings such passion to the game. He wins draws, gets to the net, blocks shots and plays a strong physical game. The only thing missing is an extra gear, as he needs that extra speed to be able to make a solid impact at the next level.”

Toronto Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs)

The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the most iconic teams in the league, boasting some of the most loyal fans around. That being said, they are also one of the younger player systems in the NHL with a core group of high end young players, and theirs is not a system like Boston or Washington which are reliant on veteran talent. That also means that for the Toronto Marlies, the Leafs’ AHL affiliate, it may be harder to make the opening night lineup than ever with very few retiring and new talent being drafted every year- the only thing mixing things up being the cap hit. However, despite monetary constrictions and trades all around, the Marlies have managed to not only win a Calder Cup in 2018 but also qualify for playoffs again the following year.

This season seems a little different and so far with so many changes, the core group consisting of Jeremy Bracco, Rasmus Sandin, Timothy Liljegren, Pierre Engvall and Adam Brooks have all adjusted well and have continued to put up a North Division leading 7-0-3 record through their first ten games of the season. Look to see the Marlies either on top of the divisional race or just below in second by the time the 2019-20 season draws to a close.

Players to Watch

Jeremy Bracco

“Bracco is a creative playmaker to say the least and every play holds different possibilities thanks to his level of hockey sense. He is a powerful and agile skater that can easily maneuver around opponents with his edgework, often opting to use his inside edges for turns rather than traditional crossovers.”

Rasmus Sandin

“Sandin is a versatile defenseman capable of leading rushes and quar- terbacking them as well. He is a skilled player with a good shot and great hockey sense. He sees the plays before they happen and stays one step ahead and remains focused while doing so.”

Yegor Korshkov

“He has a lot of good traits in his game that could translate well to the NHL, like the way he can cover the puck in the corners and create scoring chances from there. He has strong balance which will get stronger with more overall strength.”

Utica Comets (Vancouver Canucks)

Having played host to the 2019 World Juniors in Vancouver as well as the 2019 NHL Draft, Vancouver has been quite the hockey destination within the past months. However, for many fans who do not reside on the west coast, it may be easier to catch a Utica Comets game instead. Utica has had quite the roster turn around from last season offering a better start to the season as well.

With the addition of former Team Canada goaltender and top prospect Michael DiPietro, Utica now can rest assured that the net is covered as DiPietro moves like no other goaltender and possesses ultimate composure and focus while in the net. Another key addition is 2016 fifth overall pick Olli Juolevi who has come back from injury and is padding up the defensive end for the Comets. Utica is battling with Toronto back and forth for first spot in the North, which should be the race all season long should Utica not move any players. Note that former Canucks regular Nikolay Goldobin is still down with Utica and only adds to their offensive talent.

Players to Watch

Michael DiPietro

“He relies on his reads and his athleticism to make saves and he can be a real game changer because of it. At the pro level, there are often growing pains for these types of goaltenders because the game moves faster, the top part of the net becomes an easier target, and confidence can wane. But DiPietro remains a very solid pro prospect and should eventually develop into an asset.”

Olli Juolevi

He is a smart defenseman capable of reading the play and being one step ahead. He is a spot on passer and he can shoot from anywhere on the ice with speed and precision. His goal should be to keep his feet moving equally in all zones of the ice and to get back to playing a physical game.

Lukas Jasek

“An underdog type of player, Jasek has the ability to sneak past opponents and get into open ice without notice, giving him a leg up on his counterparts. He is a lightweight and a rather small looking player but his deceptiveness is scary when it comes to how aggressive he is on the puck. He plays with energy and passion and never gives up on a play.”