Patrick Williams, TheAHL.com Options Author
AHL rosters proceed to take form, and opening weekend is within the books.
Eight groups throughout the league have new head coaches, and each workforce has a new-look roster to 1 diploma or one other. The primary a number of weeks of the AHL season are for constructing familiarity amongst new personnel, getting methods work down pat, and establishing a basis that may carry a workforce within the season’s second half and into the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Let’s look team-by-team on the Western Convention. A breakdown of the Jap Convention got here earlier this week.
ABBOTSFORD
With Abbotsford only a brief drive from Vancouver, Swedish Hockey League rookie of the yr Jonathan Lekkerimäki’s full-time arrival within the AHL will create loads of curiosity. The fifteenth general choice within the 2022 NHL Draft had 31 factors (19 objectives, 12 assists) in 46 video games final season with Örebro HK. Lengthy-time NHL ahead and Calder Cup champion Manny Malhotra is the brand new head coach in Abbotsford.
BAKERSFIELD
One other first-round decide who has come to the Pacific Division is Condors rookie ahead Matthew Savoie, Initially taken by Buffalo ninth general in 2022. Savoie had 71 factors (30 objectives, 41 assists) in simply 34 video games within the Western Hockey League final season break up between Wenatchee and Moose Jaw, and got here to the Edmonton Oilers in a July commerce with the Sabres.
CALGARY
Loads of change has swept by way of the Wranglers of late. Captain Brett Sutter continues to be round, however now he’s an assistant coach after retiring this summer time. Goaltender Dustin Wolf, who collected an armful of awards throughout his time within the AHL, has graduated to the Calgary Flames. Martin Frk, the ultra-dangerous sharpshooter, is again within the AHL following a season in Europe and can give the Wranglers a potent menace.
CHICAGO
It’s a reunion this fall for the Wolves and the Carolina Hurricanes, who teamed as much as win a Calder Cup in 2022. New head coach Cam Abbott involves North America after a profitable tenure within the SHL. Bradly Nadeau, a 2023 first-round decide, has turned professional after one standout season on the College of Maine. Two different new younger forwards, Gleb Trikozov and Felix Unger Sorum, and defenseman Scott Morrow have been additionally latest excessive picks by the Hurricanes.
COACHELLA VALLEY
After going to the Calder Cup Finals in back-to-back seasons, the Firebirds have a a lot completely different workforce in 2024-25. To start out, Derek Laxdal takes over for head coach Dan Bylsma. A number of prime gamers from final season’s playoff run have departed, however captain Max McCormick and ahead John Hayden are among the many holdovers. Goaltender Nikke Kokko together with forwards Jagger Firkus and Eduard Sale are a few of the new faces for whom Seattle has excessive hopes.
COLORADO
The Eagles have one of many prime free brokers from this previous summer time’s crop in ahead T.J. Tynan, a two-time AHL most useful participant. He’s again with Colorado, the place he spent two seasons. So is one other former Eagles captain, ahead Jayson Megna, whereas defenseman Jacob MacDonald is one other addition in his second go-round with the Eagles. Ahead Matthew Phillips is a two-time 30-goal scorer within the AHL, and Jere Innala, who had 11 objectives in 14 SHL playoff video games for Frölunda final spring, brings eight seasons of European professional expertise.
HENDERSON
Goaltender Carl Lindbom is coming off a powerful first season within the SHL with Färjestad; the 21-year-old was a seventh-round decide by the Vegas Golden Knights who has turn out to be a outstanding prospect. Rookie ahead Matyas Sapovaliv can be with Henderson after profitable the Memorial Cup final season with Saginaw of the Ontario Hockey League. After bouncing forwards and backwards on waivers between Edmonton and the Golden Knights, 2024 AHL All-Star Raphael Lavoie is with Henderson and provides a prime offensive possibility.
IOWA
The Wild underwent an in depth summer time makeover, with Travis Boyd, Brendan Gaunce, Ben Jones and Devin Shore among the many new veterans requested to steer Iowa. Goaltender Jesper Wallstedt is again with Iowa in what needs to be his last spin by way of the AHL earlier than he goes to Minnesota; he signed a two-year contract extension final week.
MANITOBA
Nikita Chibrikov, Brad Lambert, Chaz Lucius and Danny Zhilkin supply loads of younger expertise up entrance for the Moose. Defenseman Elias Salomonsson, Winnipeg’s second-round decide in 2022, involves North America after profitable a Swedish championship with Skelleftea final season. Underneath head coach Mark Morrison, Manitoba is at all times a well-structured, hard-working problem within the tight Central Division.
MILWAUKEE
The Admirals have reached the Western Convention Finals in every of the previous two springs and produce again one other sturdy roster. Ahead Zach L’Heureux, Joakim Kemell and Fedor Svechkov are prime ahead prospects who’ve already proven appreciable promise. Ozzy Wiesblatt, a late-season mortgage from San Jose, stays with the Admirals as he will get a recent begin in a brand new group. Milwaukee additionally has an all-new goalie tandem in Matthew Murray and Magnus Chrona.
ONTARIO
Rookie defenseman Jakub Dvorak, a 2023 second-rounder, is simply 19 as he begins this season with the Reign. Goaltender Erik Portillo had a powerful rookie season and will probably be given an opportunity to construct on that. Samuel Fagemo is again with the Reign after operating up 43 objectives in 50 video games final season, ending second within the AHL in that class, and would be the catalyst of a well-balanced offense.
ROCKFORD
Ahead Frank Nazar and defenseman Kevin Korchinski (who spent final season with the Chicago Blackhawks) are two big-name 20-year-olds on the Rockford roster. There may be additionally rookie Gavin Hayes, who had 37 objectives final season within the OHL between Flint and Sault Ste. Marie. On the again finish, there may be AHL All-Star Ethan Del Mastro, who had a formidable first professional season. Goaltender Drew Commesso is again for his second yr as he tries to solidify his place as a part of Chicago’s future in web.
SAN DIEGO
The Gulls introduced in a confirmed goal-scorer in Ryan Carpenter together with veterans Dillon Heatherington and Roland McKeown for the blue line. Jansen Harkins and Carson Meyer are extra skilled assist. Nathan Gaucher is a first-rounder amongst a bunch of younger prospects despatched to San Diego by the rebuilding Anaheim Geese.
SAN JOSE
Yaroslav Askarov’s arrival with the Barracuda following two sturdy seasons with Milwaukee provides the San Jose Sharks a detailed take a look at their potential future in web. Coming in are Justin Bailey, Andrew Poturalski and Colin White, prime veterans who can assist up entrance, whereas defenseman Joey Keane returns to the AHL the place he was an All-Star in 2019-20. Extremely regarded ahead prospect Filip Bystedt is with the Barracuda for his first full North American professional season.
TEXAS
The Stars have two main additions from Coachella Valley in ahead Cameron Hughes and Kole Lind, two top-end gamers for a roster that has graduated AHL rookie of the yr Logan Stankoven and MVP Mavrik Bourque to the Dallas Stars. Eddie Shore Award winner Kyle Capobianco, whose 54 factors final season with Manitoba led all AHL defensemen, is with Texas now as a part of a protection corps that features first-rounder Lian Bichsel.
TUCSON
Affiliated with the Utah Hockey Membership, the Roadrunners have benefitted from an aggressive summer time by the top workplace. Coming in are veterans Robbie Russo and Kevin Connauton on the blue line whereas Andrew Agozzino and Egor Sokolov present confirmed help as forwards. Ahead Aku Räty had a 44-point efficiency in his first AHL season and has returned. Julian Lutz and Noel Nordh are two different intriguing ahead prospects.
On the American Hockey League beat for 20 years, TheAHL.com options author Patrick Williams additionally presently covers the league for NHL.com and FloSports and is a daily contributor on SiriusXM NHL Community Radio. He was the recipient of the AHL’s James H. Ellery Memorial Award for his excellent protection of the league in 2016.
