AHL Pocket book: Defenseman prospects to look at in Western Convention

In a seamless have a look at the crop of latest prospects coming into focus within the American Hockey League, the eye turns to defensemen, who face a difficult studying curve. Mastering the ups and downs that include the transition to the highest developmental league on this planet is a should for many who hope to search out success at this stage and, finally, promotion to the NHL.Every of the primary two weeks of this collection featured a have a look at among the high younger goalie prospects within the American Hockey League. Final week’s installment was a have a look at 5 of the highest defenseman prospects within the AHL’s Jap Convention. Here’s a have a look at 5 AHL Western Convention defensemen with ample NHL potential (all statistics are via Monday). A breakdown of ahead prospects will observe every of the following two weeks. Adam Boqvist, Rockford (Chicago Blackhawks) The No. eight choose within the 2018 NHL Draft, Boqvist has the difficult process of dealing with the AHL as a 19-year-old.Boqvist (5-foot-11, 179 kilos) began the season with Rockford and had one purpose in six video games. Chicago referred to as him up for the primary time Oct. 31, sooner or later after he scored. He performed six video games with the Blackhawks, scoring as soon as. He was returned to Rockford on Nov. 14 and has dealt with the transfer nicely as a part of a bunch of younger prospects that features defensemen Nicolas Beaudin, Lucas Carlsson, Dennis Gilbert and Chad Krys. He had three assists in a 7-6 shootout loss at Texas (Dallas Stars) on Nov. 23 and had two extra assists the following day at San Antonio (St. Louis Blues).Video: CHI@ANA: Boqvist scores off iron for first NHL purpose Evan Bouchard, Bakersfield (Edmonton Oilers) Bouchard (6-Three, 194), the 10th choose within the 2018 draft, is likely one of the prime examples of the affected person strategy the group is taking with its prospects.Except for a short call-up in the beginning of the 2018-19 NHL season, Edmonton has stored the 20-year-old with Bakersfield, the place he has 10 factors (three targets, seven assists) in 18 video games.This isn’t Bouchard’s first style of the AHL. He joined Bakersfield final season within the Calder Cup Playoffs for its first-round collection in opposition to Colorado (Colorado Avalanche). He had three factors (one purpose, two assists) in Recreation Three and completed the postseason with eight factors (three targets, 5 assists) in eight video games. Kale Clague, Ontario (Los Angeles Kings) Clague is a key a part of the Kings’ rebuilding course of however shouldn’t be being rushed.Clague (6-Zero, 177), taken by Los Angeles within the second spherical (No. 51) of the 2016 NHL Draft, had a robust end to his Western Hockey League profession in 2017-18 with 71 factors (11 targets, 60 assists) for Brandon and Moose Jaw in 54 regular-season video games. He was named the WHL’s high defenseman and gained the 2018 World Junior Championship with Canada.In 2018-19, he had 29 factors (seven targets, 22 assists) in 52 regular-season video games for Ontario in his rookie AHL season, which was lower quick by an damage.This season has began higher for the 21-year-old. Clague has seven factors (three targets, 4 assists) in 18 video games, and Ontario is in the midst of the pack within the Western Convention after ending final in 2018-19. Jeremy Davies, Milwaukee (Nashville Predators) Davies was acquired from the New Jersey Devils with defenseman Steven Santini, a second-round choose within the 2019 NHL Draft and a second-round choose within the 2020 NHL Draft for defenseman P.Okay. Subban on June 22.Nashville despatched Davies to Milwaukee for additional seasoning, a path shared by Shea Weber, Roman Josi, and Ryan Suter, amongst different top-flight defensemen who’ve been within the group.A seventh-round choose (No. 192) within the 2016 draft by the Devils, the defenseman had his inventory rise significantly throughout his time with Northeastern College (NCAA). He was a finalist final season for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the very best males’s NCAA participant, scoring 36 factors (eight targets, 28 assists) in 37 video games. Davies (5-11, 180), who turns 23 on Dec. Four, has six factors (two targets, 4 assists) in 19 AHL video games for Milwaukee (14-Three-1-2), which leads the AHL with 31 factors and has gained 10 consecutive video games. Niko Mikkola, San Antonio (St. Louis Blues)A fifth-round choose (No. 127) by the Blues within the 2015 NHL Draft, Mikkola (6-Four, 185) has steadily climbed the organizational depth chart since arriving in North America to start out the 2018-19 AHL season. The 23-year-old had 9 factors (two targets, seven assists) in 70 regular-season video games for San Antonio final season however ended on a excessive be aware when he had 5 factors (two targets, three assists) in 10 video games to assist Finland win the 2019 World Championship.This season, Mikkola has seven factors (two targets, 5 assists) in 20 AHL video games and has made himself a robust candidate to affix the Blues if a necessity arises.