AHL Pocket book: NHL hopefuls vie for Calder Cup with Charlotte, Chicago

In 2018-19, 87.6 of NHL gamers are American Hockey League alumni. In that group, 356 performed not less than one recreation every within the NHL and AHL this season.Here’s a take a look at some gamers competing for the Calder Cup who might problem for NHL jobs subsequent season: CharlotteAfter an AHL-best 51 wins and 110 factors within the common season, Charlotte (51-17-7-1) eradicated Windfall (Boston Bruins), Hershey (Washington Capitals) and defending Calder Cup champion Toronto (Toronto Maple Leafs) in a six-game Japanese Convention Closing.G Alex NedeljkovicWith the Hurricanes’ goaltending image for subsequent season but to be determined, the 23-year-old (6-foot-Zero, 189 kilos) continues to bulk up his resume. Chosen within the second spherical (No. 37) of the 2014 NHL Draft, Nedeljkovic was an AHL First All-Star Staff member and winner of the Aldege “Baz” Bastien Memorial Award because the league’s excellent goaltender within the common season after going 34-9-5 with a 2.26 goals-against common and .916 save share in 51 video games.Within the postseason, Nedeljkovic is Eight-Three with a 2.28 GAA and .914 save share. After being pulled in Sport 2 in opposition to Toronto, he made 100 saves on 108 photographs in his subsequent three video games, together with a 43-save efficiency within the series-clinching Sport 6 win.D Jake BeanAt 20 years outdated, Bean (6-1, 186) is trying very near NHL-ready. Carolina selected him with the No. 13 decide within the 2016 NHL Draft and he earned a spot on the AHL All-Rookie Staff after having 44 factors (13 objectives, 31 assists) in 70 regular-season video games.With a crisp, puck-moving recreation, he additionally spent a portion of Charlotte’s postseason on recall with the Hurricanes earlier than returning for the Toronto sequence. F Morgan GeekieThe draft-and-develop mannequin actually begins to pay dividends when it may possibly produce expertise taken in later rounds.Carolina could have that with Geekie (6-Three, 192). Handed over within the 2016 draft, the 20-year-old went to the Hurricanes a 12 months later as a third-round decide (No. 67). His hard-working, no-frills type makes him a simple match with linemates and he has earned vital minutes as a rookie in a deep lineup. Geekie had 46 factors (19 objectives, 27 assists) in 73 regular-season video games. His 15 postseason factors (seven objectives, eight assists) in 17 video games lead all AHL rookies.F Martin NecasNecas (6-2, 189) went to the Hurricanes because the No. 12 decide within the 2017 NHL Draft.He didn’t flip 20 till Jan. 15 however survived the conventional highs and lows that almost all AHL rookies endure. He had 52 factors (16 objectives, 36 assists) in 64 regular-season video games with ahead Tomas Jurco’s arrival from Springfield (Florida Panthers) sparking him down the stretch.Within the postseason, Necas has seven factors (two objectives, 5 assists). Captain Patrick Brown’s return from the Hurricanes earlier than the convention last gave Charlotte a line with Jurco and Necas that supplied loads of issues for Toronto.F Nicolas RoyAt 6-Four, 205 kilos, the cellular 22-year-old is usually a lot for opposing defensemen to deal with.Carolina selected Roy within the fourth spherical (No. 96) of the 2015 NHL Draft. In his second professional season, he had 36 factors (17 objectives, 19 assists) in 69 regular-season video games and performed six video games for the Hurricanes. He has 11 factors (three objectives, eight assists) in 14 postseason video games with Charlotte.F Aleksi SaarelaSaarela (5-10, 200) is 22 and coming off a 30-goal common season.Carolina acquired Saarela in a commerce with the New York Rangers for ahead Eric Staal on Feb. 28, 2016. He was a third-round decide (No. 89) by the Rangers within the 2015 draft. He is been restricted to 12 of Charlotte’s 17 playoff video games due to an undisclosed damage and a recall to the Hurricanes for a part of their Stanley Cup Playoff run, however has 12 factors (six objectives, six assists). ChicagoThe Golden Knights shortly constructed a profitable AHL program. Chicago has led the Western Convention in factors in back-to-back seasons.Chicago (44-22-6-Four) defeated Grand Rapids (Detroit Pink Wings) and Iowa (Minnesota Wild) earlier than eliminating San Diego (Anaheim Geese) in six video games within the Western Convention Closing.G Oskar DanskDansk (6-Three, 195) signed with the Golden Knights on July Three, 2017.The 25-year-old took over the No. 1 job halfway by way of the primary spherical. He’s 9-5 with a 2.16 GAA and .921 save share after going 27-9-Four with a 2.46 GAA and .913 save share in 40 regular-season video games.He might push for the backup job in Vegas subsequent season behind Marc-Andre Fleury.D Nic HagueThe 20-year-old (6-6, 215) went to the Golden Knights as a second-round decide (No. 34) within the 2017 draft and is dealing with the rookie grind.He had 32 factors (13 objectives, 19 assists) in 75 regular-season video games. His 9 postseason factors (three objectives, six assists) are tied for third amongst AHL defensemen.D Zach WhitecloudThe Golden Knights signed Whitecloud (6-2, 209) as a free agent March Eight, 2018.One among Chicago’s three common rookie defensemen, the 22-year-old is first within the AHL amongst defensemen with 12 factors (two objectives, 10 assists) in 17 playoff video games. He had 28 factors (six objectives, 22 assists) in 74 regular-season video games.F Cody GlassGlass (6-2, 178) continues to justify the Golden Knights selecting him with the No. 6 decide within the 2017 draft.The 20-year-old joined Chicago late within the common season from Portland of the Western Hockey League. He has 12 factors (six objectives, six assists) in 17 playoff video games.