Future Watch: The AHL’s under-20 all-stars

He’s in the suitable metropolis, however not on the suitable workforce.
With Travis Dermott on the sidelines, Rasmus Sandin made the Toronto Maple Leafs out of coaching camp and made his presence identified, albeit in a minor function at occasions. His six-game stint had its ups and downs, as Sandin posted two assists whereas taking part in with Justin Holl on Toronto’s third pairing. However after 23 video games and one teaching change, Holl remains to be with the large membership. Sandin just isn’t.
Holl is 27 and has been within the Leafs’ system for the previous 5 years, in order that’s not stunning. However Sandin proved final yr that he might grasp with the AHL’s elite and deserved a shot on the subsequent stage, so the demotion in October stung a bit of. However the top-pairing defenseman has finished nothing however excel again with the Marlies, recording a point-per-game by way of 9 contests because the Marlies’ most essential blueliner.
Few AHLers make as large of an affect as Sandin has whereas nonetheless assembly the under-20 requirement. Martin Necas led all U-20 gamers with 52 factors in Charlotte final yr, with Filip Zadina, Eeli Tolvanen and Erik Brannstrom ending within the 30-point vary. Prior to now decade, solely Mikko Rantanen (60 factors in 2015-16), Kyle Palmeri (51 factors in 2010-11) and Kevin Fiala (50 factors in 2015-16) have damaged the 50-point mark as U-20 gamers within the AHL.
In fact, only a few U-20 gamers are allowed to take part in AHL video games as it’s. Simply 13 U-20 gamers have participated in AHL video games this yr, and Kirby Dach, an 18-year-old rookie for the Chicago Blackhawks, was solely allowed to play resulting from a conditioning stint. On account of agreements with the CHL, gamers who’re assigned to Canadian major-junior groups are unable to play within the AHL till they’re 20, besides in uncommon conditions. This season, Grand Rapids’ Joe Veleno was permitted to play within the AHL after taking part in 4 years within the QMJHL after being granted distinctive standing in 2015.
So, when a 19-year-old performs a pivotal function for an AHL workforce like Sandin has finished for the Marlies, it’s notable. Listed here are 5 different U-20 gamers taking part in a key function for his or her respective AHL golf equipment this season:
Oliver Wahlstrom, RW (Bridgeport)Now that is the Wahlstrom the New York Islanders envisioned once they drafted him within the first spherical in 2018 (11th general). Wahlstrom struggled within the NCAA, recording simply eight targets and 19 factors as a freshman with Boston School earlier than departing for the professional ranks. Wahlstrom earned a nine-game stint with the Islanders earlier within the season however did not file a degree, as a substitute returning again to the AHL. With Bridgeport sitting on the backside of the Japanese Convention, Wahlstrom instantly jumped into an essential top-six function and already appears to be like like a seasoned veteran, posting seven factors by way of 9 video games. Wahlstrom might be on Workforce USA’s high line on the World Junior Championship, and he’s monitoring to hit 50 factors as an AHL rookie. Not too shabby for somebody who, if all the pieces went to plan, could be sitting in a school classroom proper now.
Simon Holmstrom, RW (Bridgeport)Wahlstrom isn’t the one impactful U-20 participant on the Sound Tigers this season. Since veteran Andrew Ladd was despatched all the way down to Bridgeport, 5 of Holmstrom’s six factors have come previously seven video games. Having somebody like Ladd, a former NHL captain with a handful of 50-plus level campaigns and two Stanley Cups below his belt, as a mentor has finished wonders for Holmstrom, who’s lastly beginning to look snug in his new residence. A primary-round decide in 2019 (23rd general), Holmstrom’s high-end velocity has been evident from the get-go and as soon as he figures out the way to make the most of his sport in tighter areas, he’ll emerge as a real NHL prospect.
Moritz Seider, D (Grand Rapids)Detroit Purple Wings followers who had been upset in regards to the workforce taking Seider within the first spherical in June (sixth general) are rapidly altering their tune. With eight factors in 17 video games, Seider has instantly discovered himself taking part in alongside Gustav Lindstrom on the Griffins’ high pairing on a workforce stuffed with younger expertise. It’s good to see Seider adjusting nicely to the North American sport after exhibiting promise in a restricted function within the German league, leaving groups to query simply how good he might presumably be. The 6-foot-Three defenseman might be Germany’s most essential rearguard on the World Junior Championship subsequent month, so it’ll be fascinating to see if that mid-season break helps or hurts his play for the second half of the marketing campaign.
Joe Veleno, C (Grand Rapids)Veleno is a undertaking that the Purple Wings ought to be thrilled about. Certain, he’s the one participant the QMJHL has ever granted distinctive standing and the second participant after Sean Day to earn the unique honor within the CHL to not make the NHL instantly, however that’s fully OK. The Purple Wings are nonetheless constructing in the direction of the long run and permitting Veleno to gel with different younger weapons in the same place may have its advantages as soon as the workforce is able to contend. In his first 18 video games of professional motion, Veleno has eight factors whereas beginning to modify his sport to the extra bodily nature of the AHL. Sure, he’s being outperformed by guys like Seider and Filip Zadina, however studying from veterans comparable to Chris Terry and Matt Puempel on an offensively gifted membership like Grand Rapids has allowed Veleno to turn into a extra rounded two-way participant. Persistence is essential with Veleno, who’ll be considered one of Canada’s most essential gamers on the World Junior Championship subsequent month.
Tobias Bjornfot, D (Ontario)The Los Angeles Kings had top-of-the-line drafts of any NHL workforce in 2019, touchdown Alex Turcotte, Arthur Kaliyev and Lukas Parik, amongst others. However Bjornfot was the one one who made the instant soar to the NHL after going 22nd general, incomes a three-game stint to kick off the season. Since getting despatched all the way down to Ontario, Bjornfot has recorded six factors in 12 video games, placing him only a level behind AHL sophomore Kale Clague for the workforce lead in factors by a defenseman. AHL ice-time statistics aren’t out there publicly, however Bjornfot has performed large minutes with Paul LaDue and hasn’t struggled to regulate to the smaller North American ice. He’s adequate to crack the Kings proper now, however given the state of the franchise, it’s not a nasty concept to let him determine issues out with the Reign.
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Tags: prospects, l. a. kings, detroit pink wings, ahl, big apple islanders, toronto maple leafsConnect: In regards to the AuthorSteven EllisSteven Ellis is a Digital Content material Producer for The Hockey Information. He spends his free time listening to music you would not like and watches obnoxiously-long motor races.