AHL Pocket book: Prime NHL prospects from West named to All-Star Traditional

The 2020 AHL All-Star Traditional will probably be performed on the West Coast when Ontario (Los Angeles Kings) hosts the two-day occasion, which contains a abilities competitors Jan. 26 and the sport Jan. 27. It is the primary time in 84 seasons of the American Hockey League that the occasion will happen out west.The AHL makes use of a round-robin Three-on-Three event with a staff representing every of the league’s 4 divisions, much like the NHL format.Among the many 48 gamers named, 12 per division, 12 are first- or second-round NHL draft picks, and 23 gamers have performed within the NHL this season.Hartford’s Kris Knoblauch (Atlantic Division), Rochester’s Chris Taylor (North Division), Milwaukee’s Karl Taylor (Central Division) and Tucson’s Jay Varady (Pacific Division) are the 4 all-star coaches.A breakdown of a number of the high Japanese Convention expertise ran final week. Here’s a have a look at 5 of the highest Western Convention prospects within the 2020 AHL All-Star Traditional. Kale Clague, Ontario (Los Angeles Kings)Clague (6-foot, 177 kilos) is on monitor in his second professional season.Los Angeles selected the 21-year-old defenseman within the second spherical (No. 51) of the 2016 NHL Draft.He has 15 factors (six objectives, 9 assists) in 30 video games for Ontario. His six objectives tie him for sixth amongst AHL defensemen. In 2017-18, his remaining season within the Western Hockey League, he had 71 factors (11 objectives, 60 assists) in 54 regular-season video games between Brandon and Moose Jaw. That season, he was honored because the WHL Prime Defenseman and completed first with Canada on the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship.He made his debut with the Kings on Dec. 21 towards the Buffalo Sabres and has performed 4 NHL video games. Lucas Elvenes, Chicago (Vegas Golden Knights)Elvenes (6-1, 173 kilos) got here to the AHL from the Swedish Hockey League and made a right away impression.The 20-year-old, taken by the Golden Knights within the fifth spherical (No. 127) of the 2017 NHL Draft, had 4 factors (one objective, three assists) in his AHL debut towards Grand Rapids on Oct. 15, 2019. He was named CCM/AHL Rookie of the Month for October with 15 factors (4 objectives, 11 assists) in 10 video games. He had an 11-game level streak from Oct. 12 to Nov. 7.Final season, he had 20 factors (three objectives, 17 assists) in 42 regular-season video games for Rogle (SHL). Competing for Sweden on the 2019 World Junior Championship, he had 4 factors (one objective, three assists) in 5 video games. Connor Ingram, Milwaukee (Nashville Predators)Ingram (6-2, 196) had proven appreciable promise earlier than he wanted to reset his profession with a brand new group through the offseason.Chosen within the third spherical (No. 88) of the 2016 draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning, Ingram had a .922 save share, six shutouts and a 2.26 goals-against common in 22 video games (14-7-Zero) for Syracuse when he was assigned to Orlando (ECHL) final season.The 22-year-old was acquired by Nashville in a commerce with Tampa Bay on June 14, 2019 for a seventh-round choose within the 2021 NHL Draft.Ingram has teamed up with AHL veteran Troy Grosenick to offer first place Milwaukee (26-7-Four-2) among the best goaltending tandems within the league. He’s 12-Four-Four with a 2.11 GAA (fourth within the AHL) and .928 save share (fifth) in 21 video games. Brennan Menell, Iowa (Minnesota Wild)Menell (5-11, 172) has confirmed doubters incorrect at a number of ranges.The defenseman had three profitable seasons within the WHL, break up between Vancouver and Lethbridge, together with 71 factors (12 objectives, 59 assists) in 70 video games with Lethbridge in 2016-17. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Wild on Sept. 26, 2017.He had 25 factors (eight objectives, 17 assists) in 72 regular-season video games as an AHL rookie in 2017-18. Final season, he had 44 factors (two objectives, 42 assists) in 70 regular-season video games and helped Iowa attain the Calder Cup Playoffs for the primary time.In his third professional season, the 22-year-old has 25 factors (three objectives, 22 assists) in 33 video games, tying him for fifth within the league amongst defensemen. His 87 photographs put him 10th amongst AHL defensemen.Menell’s efficiency earned him a recall to Minnesota, the place he made his NHL debut towards the Anaheim Geese on Dec. 10. He performed 4 extra video games earlier than returning to Iowa. Lane Pederson, Tucson (Arizona Coyotes)Very similar to Menell, Pederson has emerged as an ignored discover.Pederson (6-Zero, 190) is 10th in AHL scoring with 34 factors (16 objectives, 18 assists) in 35 video games for Tucson, the Pacific Division chief. Arizona signed the ahead as an undrafted free agent Oct. 13, 2016.He had 26 factors (12 objectives, 14 assists) in 63 regular-season video games as an AHL rookie in 2017-18. He had 47 factors final season, together with 23 objectives, in 67 regular-season video games.This season, the 22-year-old has continued to attain objectives. He is scored 16, together with eight in Tucson’s first seven video games this season.