Patrick Williamswriter for theahl.com
This past weekend, the AHL officially reached the midway point of its 2024-25 regular season schedule.
Three months into the game has begun to provide some (though hardly all) answers NHL front offices seek to understand their prospects and their respective AHL affiliates.
What works? What’s not? With the pressure on as the team battles to lock down a berth in the Calder Cup playoffs, which prospects will take a big step forward in the second half? Is there a veteran out there who might be able to come in and help?
How will the March 7, NHL trade deadline affect AHL rosters? Will top prospect leave in deal that strengthens NHL parent club? If an NHL front office chooses to trade and build for the future, will a group of prospects arrive?
Some teams have begun to change their appearance. Needing scoring help after several recalls from Nashville Predators, Milwaukee Admirals proven Chase de Leo Eschewing AHL waivers; the veteran signed an AHL contract with Charlotte after starting the season overseas. Wednesday brings forward swap between Anaheim and San Jose Justin Bailey with san diego seagulls Pavol Regenda With the San Jose Barracuda. Checkers ink former AHL All-Star forward CJ Smith. Belleville added 1,043 NHL vets on Friday Sam Gagner Take a trial.
Team comments from the Eastern Conference first. Now let’s look back at the Western Conference.
Abbotsford Canucks
Just when it seemed like they could be dragged into a battle simply to stay within the Pacific Division playoff line, they are now more comfortable on the strength of their current eight-game winning streak. first year head coach Manny MalhotraThe current club can now target second or third place in the Pacific while still trying to keep the team within striking distance. forward aaturäty Has 13 points in his last seven games and is the reigning Hockey Tape/AHL Player of the Week.
Bakersfield Bald Eagle
Just two weeks ago, the Condors lasted 30 points against Abbotsford. Since then, they’ve trailed the Canucks by eight points and are in danger of missing out on the playoffs for the first time since 2018 – such is the tension of these playoff games. team leader Seth Griffith has been his usual productive self and the most promising Matthew Savoie In the midst of a 20-goal rookie season.
calgary wrangler
Calgary has barely stumbled upon this season despite last month’s coaching shift Joe Cirella took over a temporary role Trent Cull Moved up to Calgary Flames staff. Devin Cooley Perform well online, Rory Kerins is breaking through one year, Dryden Hunt Ranked second in the entire league. Eight players have reached double-digit goal totals and with a record of 18-5-0-0 at the Scotiabank Saddledome, the Wranglers can Quickly abandon the point.
chicago wolves
How will this Wolves team come together this season? It’s a fair question. Chicago reunites with the Carolina Hurricanes after a year apart, which means most of this season’s roster is at least somewhat new to each other, if not completely new to each other. The Wolves found themselves battling some sizable headwinds early but fell behind in the first half for fourth in the Central Division. rookie Scott Morrow,,,, Bradley Nadeau and Justin Robidas Is the team’s leading scorer, Spencer Martin Veteran stability in the network has been provided. Chicago has a tight defensive game and ranks among the top five clubs in the AHL in field goal percentage per game.
Coachella Valley Firebirds
New head coach. A significantly remodeled veteran base. The shift to having less experience and more prospects continues as Seattle Kraken has now amassed four draft classes. The two-time defending Western Conference champions had to sift through a lot of changes, and it took them some time to stabilize themselves. But what hasn’t changed is that the Firebirds are once again a top contender in the Pacific Division. twenty years old Jani Nyman Leads all AHL rookies with 16 goals this season.
colorado eagle
A roster with the likes of a two-time AHL MVP TJ TynanSharpshooter Matthew Phillipsreliable captain Jayson Megnaand experienced two-way defenders Jacob MacDonald and Calle RosenIt’s no surprise that the Eagles are among the league leaders in both offense and defense, among other things. As always, they have been a reliable talent for the Colorado Avalanche, who have fielded over a dozen players in the NHL this season.
grand rapids griffins
An 11-3-1-0 start to the season has put the Griffins in control of their own destiny, and they’ve barely slowed down as they prepare for an All-Star break in first place in the Central Division. Experienced foursome sheldon dry,,,, Joe Snively,,,, Dominik Shine and Austin Watson Already carries a lot of offensive output Nate Danielson,,,, Elmer Söderblom,,,, cross hanas,,,, William Wallinder and Shai Buium continue their development. Sebastian Cossa has become one of the AHL’s elite nets and earned its NHL debut earlier this season.
Henderson Silver Knights
rookie forward Braeden Bowman Henderson has been one of the best stories of the season, earning a one-year AHL contract last summer after playing an over-the-top season with Guelph in the Ontario Hockey League. Now, Bowman, 21, leads the league with nine goals and is in contention for an NHL deal at some point. The Silver Knights won five games for the first time in a row as they tried to get back into the Pacific Division playoff race.
iowa wild
Iowa goalies have to deal with preseason injuries from offseason signing Troy Grosenick and the high side of top prospects. Jesper Wallstedt. But the rookie Liam Öhgren and Hunter Hite Scored a total of 22 goals and 21 David Jiricek Brought a blue-chip resume to the defense after being acquired in a mid-season trade from Columbus.
manitoba moose
The Moose have given glimpses of what they’re capable of, including a recent four-game winning streak in road stops in Calgary, Milwaukee and Grand Rapids. rookie defenseman Elias SalomonssonWinnipeg’s second-round pick in 2022, had 12 points in 17 games before suffering an injury in early December.
milwaukee admiral
The Admirals won eight of their first nine games on early season points. That start helped them environmentally recall Nashville, including Vinnie Hinostroza,,,, Kieffer Bellows,,,, Nick Blankenberg,,,, Zach L’Heureux,,,, Fedor Svechkov,Spencer Stastney and Adam Wilsby. That’s a lot of talent, but management has been aggressive about asking for help. Ryder Rolston With 12 points in 25 games since the Chicago Blackhawks organization engaged in a trade, the Admirals add veteran forward Anders Bjork and Chase de Leo Serves as mid-season reinforcements.
ontario rule
Between Nov. 13 and Jan. 3, Ontario tore 15-2-0-1 in the Western Conference and maintains second place in the Pacific Division. Samuel Fagemo Already has 21 goals in 2024-25 and 51 goals in his final 72 regular season games, the equivalent of a full AHL season. In 39 games, the dominance was achieved just 15 times. If that number could be improved so that the domination doesn’t come early in the later games, that would be another way to make them more dangerous.
Rockford Ice Road
Rockford has to risk losing rookie Frank Nazar Promoted to the Chicago Blackhawks. But the AHL All-Stars Cole Gutman Leads team (18), assists (20) and points (38) while rookie Landon Slaggert Instant contributions have been added. Rockford’s first ten power plays punish opponents and Kevin Korchinski and Artyom Levshunov On the blue line. And if all of the Icehogs arrive in full force, they’ll likely have a lot to deal with.
san diego seagull
head coach Matt McIlvaneSan Diego is tasked with bringing in and developing prospects in the Anaheim organization and providing a sense of stability after going through four head coaches in five seasons. Anaheim is building for the future, and that could mean players like All-Star rookies Sam Colangelo Moving back and forth between Anaheim and San Diego. One area where gulls can help themselves is by guarding late lead. They have won just six of 11 games (6-2-2-1) when leading after two periods.
san jose barracuda
goalkeeper Yaroslav AskarovThe organization’s big-season acquisition came during his All-Star season with the Barracuda while also making 11 appearances with the Sharks. rookie Collin Graf and Luca Cagnoni Excellent job, veteran. Andrew Poturalski He leads the league with 42 points as he eyes his third career scoring title. The Barracuda appear to be in a good position to extend their Pacific Division playoff spot.
texas star
Isn’t it fun to watch the stars every night? They are the AHL’s top-scoring team, mobile and have a top-tier offensive vision. Their power play can separate opposing kill units, and they possess considerable depth. antonio strange Rookie has a breakout season Justin Hryckowian thrive, MatejBlümel Had a team-best 18 goals, Arttu Hyry Has quickly adapted to the North American game, Kyle Capobianco Still one of the best defensemen in the AHL, former Firebird Cameron Hughes and Cole Lind Bringing playoff-tested wine to the Texas lineup. The Stars once again look like a significant player in the Western Conference.
Tucson passerby
Josh Doan and Keller Yamamoto The Utah tenure showed up early in the season and contributed quickly. Since then, Doan Egor Sokolov,,,, Andrew Agozzino and AHL All-Stars Cameron Hebighe has set goals for a new career. Artem Dudaa second-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, has 16 points and plus points in the Tucson Blue series.
After five decades in the American Hockey League, Theahl.com writer Patrick Williams currently also covers the league for NHL.com and Flosports and is a regular contributor to Siriusxm NHL New Network Radio. He received the AHL’s James H. Ellery Memorial Award for outstanding league coverage in 2016.
