AHL Pocket book: Western Convention forwards in highlight

In a seamless have a look at the crop of recent prospects coming into focus within the American Hockey League, the eye turns to forwards.Mastering the ups and downs that include the transition to the highest developmental league on the earth is a should for many who hope to seek out success at this degree and, ultimately, promotion to the NHL.The primary two weeks of this collection featured a have a look at among the high younger goalie prospects within the AHL. Every of the 2 installments that adopted checked out 5 of the highest defenseman prospects in one of many two conferences.After a have a look at one of the best Japanese Convention forwards final week, listed here are 5 from the Western Convention with ample NHL potential to conclude the collection (statistics are by Monday): Jason Robertson, Texas (Dallas Stars)Like the remainder of his Texas teammates, Robertson is beginning to determine the AHL.Texas had a 12-game dropping streak (Zero-11-Zero-1) in November, however a 6-Zero-1-Zero run has pushed it again into the Central Division race. The 20-year-old has a team-leading 18 factors (10 targets, eight assists) in 25 video games, fifth in AHL rookie scoring, and leads Texas in targets. Not unhealthy contemplating he had eight factors (4 targets, 4 assists) in his first 18 video games.The left wing (6-foot-Three, 213 kilos) was named CCM/AHL Participant of the Week for the week ending Dec. eight.Dallas selected Robertson within the second spherical (No. 39) of the 2017 NHL Draft, and he has progressed. He led the Canadian Hockey League in scoring final season with 117 factors (48 targets, 69 assists) in 62 video games between Kingston and Niagara of the Ontario Hockey League. He additionally helped america to a second-place end on the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship. Jansen Harkins, Manitoba (Winnipeg Jets) Harkins, who leads the AHL in assists, is a textbook instance of Winnipeg’s affected person strategy to improvement.The 22-year-old is third in AHL scoring with 28 factors (six targets, 22 assists) in 26 video games for Manitoba, however his climb has been a gradual one.The Jets chosen Harkins (6-1, 182) within the second spherical (No. 47) of the 2015 NHL Draft. He went by a 2017-18 rookie professional season that included an project to the ECHL and had 13 factors (two targets, 11 assists) in 46 regular-season video games for Manitoba.Final season, Harkins had 31 factors (15 targets, 16 assists) in 70 regular-season video games. Brayden Burke, Tucson (Arizona Coyotes) The undrafted 22-year-old (5-10, 165) has pushed his method right into a ninth-place tie in AHL scoring with 24 factors (11 targets, 13 assists) in 23 video games. He’s two targets shy of his complete as a rookie final season.Arizona signed Burke as a free agent March 2, 2018 after he was handed over within the NHL Draft thrice. He had 109 factors (27 targets, 82 assists) with Lethbridge of the Western Hockey League in 2015-16 and 113 factors (31 targets, 82 assists) for Moose Jaw in 2017-18.He has at the least one level in 18 of his 23 video games.  Matthew Phillips, Stockton (Calgary Flames)Calgary has proven a knack for locating unheralded gamers after which placing them by a affected person improvement course of.Phillips bears just a few similarities to Flames ahead Andrew Mangiapane, who was chosen by Calgary within the sixth spherical (No. 166) of the 2015 draft. Phillips additionally went within the sixth spherical (additionally No. 166) within the 2016 NHL Draft. Like Mangiapane (5-10, 184), the 21-year-old has needed to face questions on his dimension (5-7, 140). Like Mangiapane, Phillips is placing up AHL numbers that make him more and more tough to miss — the Flames known as ihim up on Tuesday.Phillips was tied for seventh in AHL scoring with 25 factors (9 targets, 16 assists) in 22 video games earlier than he was recalled by the Flames on Tuesday. He is additionally been constant; he has not gone multiple sport with out a level. Final season, he had 38 factors (13 targets, 25 assists) in 65 regular-season video games as a rookie. Glenn Gawdin, StocktonGawdin (6-1, 191) was chosen within the fourth spherical (No. 116) of the 2015 draft however performed an over-age season in junior earlier than turning professional. In that 2017-18 season, Gawdin was second in WHL scoring with 125 factors (56 targets, 69 assists) in 67 regular-season video games. He helped Swift Present to the 2018 Memorial Cup with 32 factors (14 targets, 18 assists) in 24 playoff video games and was named WHL most respected participant within the postseason.The 2018-19 season, Gawdin’s first within the AHL, proved to be a major bounce, however he had 38 factors (11 targets, 27 assists) in 64 regular-season video games.