AHL filled with players who can help NHL clubs
One season is over. Another is about to begin. Well, hopefully.
The American Hockey League officially cancelled its season on Monday, deciding there was no way it could financially hope to continue if fans aren’t allowed in the building. For Josh Norris, who was leading all rookies with 61 points — fourth best among all players — it means he won’t get a chance to parlay those numbers in the Calder Cup playoffs for the North Division-leading Belleville Senators.
“Josh has been an absolute monster as a rookie,” said
Todd Crocker, the play-by-play announcer for the Toronto Marlies. “But obviously, their future is in next season.”
For others, the wait might not be that long.
Every NHL team that goes deep into the playoffs usually carries a group of minor leaguers around in case of injury. This year, expect that number to increase substantially. After all, you’re bound to see more groin pulls and various muscle tears from players who have been spending the past few months sitting around and doing nothing — especially if the NHL forgoes the final weeks of the regular season and jumps right into the playoffs.
As Connor Mcdavid joked, if “guys are just running around killing each other and haven’t played a game in two months, it will end up the (AHL) Stockton Heat versus the Bakersfield Condors.”
While Norris’ NHL team (Ottawa) is out of the playoff picture, here are some other minor leaguers who could help their teams compete for a Stanley Cup:
■ Timothy Liljegren, D, Toronto Marlies (Toronto)
Liljegren was called up and played 10 games (11 in total) when injuries decimated the Maple Leafs’ blue line in February and March. With GM Kyle Dubas deciding not to add a defencemen at the trade deadline, the 21-year-old is an injury away from rejoining the team.
■ Jason Robertson, LW, Texas Stars (Dallas)
The rookie forward, who was a second-round pick of the Stars in 2017, scored 25 goals and 47 points in 60 games this season. If Corey Perry is unable to ramp it up after sitting out for a couple of months, then Robertson could find himself on a line with Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn on the top line.
“I think he’s ready,” said Crocker. “He was the best player on not a very good team. He’s everywhere. There was never a shift that he took off.”
■ Brogan Rafferty, D, Utica Comets (Vancouver)
Like Quinn Hughes at the NHL level, Rafferty led rookie defencemen with 45 points in 57 games — he was third among his position in scoring — while also posting an impressive plus-17 rating. Of course, those numbers might have been inflated because the Comets also had two players ranked in the top four in goals.
“He’s an offensive guy,” said Crocker, “but it’s hard to recognize if he’s that good or if it’s because he was playing with two guys that were scoring goals like crazy in Reid Boucher and Justin Bailey.”
■ Connor Ingram, G, Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville)
It’s difficult to break into the NHL when you’re playing behind Pekka Rinne and Juuse Saros.
But Ingram, who was traded from the Lightning to the Predators last year, is one injury away from getting called up. With a .933 save percentage, he’s deserving of a shot, sooner or later.
“You can never tell with goalies, but I really respect his poise,” said Crocker. “There was never a game where I thought Toronto rocked him. And the Marlies were a really quality offensive team.”
■ Jake Bean, D, Charlotte Checkers (Carolina)
A wealth of depth on the back end had Bean patiently biding his time in the minors. He saw action during last year’s playoffs. Bean may be leaned on again, especially after leading all defencemen with 48 points in 59 games.
“He certainly belongs at the NHL level,” said Crocker. “He’s such a playmaker. He rocketed to the top of a pretty deep defensive pool in the American Hockey League.”
■ Jack Studnicka, D, Providence Bruins (Boston)
If the Bruins are going to extend their championship window, then it will be because of young players like Studnicka. The 21-year-old, who was a second-round pick in 2017, counted 49 points in 60 games — a better points-per-game total than Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak did as AHL rookies.
■ Morgan Frost, C, Philadelphia Phantoms (Philadelphia)
The 20-year-old, who was a first-round pick in 2017, ranks second on the Phantoms with 13 goals and 29 points.
■ Igor Shesterkin, G, Hartford Wolf Pack (NY Rangers)
Shesterkin’s potential — he went 10-2-0 with the Rangers — has made Henrik Lundqvist expendable.
■ Shane Bowers, C, Colorado Eagles (Colorado)
Acquired from the Senators in the Matt Duchene trade, Bowers was in the top-20 in rookie scoring.
■ Kieffer Bellows, LW, Bridgeport Sound Tigers (NY Islanders)
Led the Sound Tigers with 22 goals and 31 points as a 21-yearold.
■ Klim Kostin, C, San Antonio Rampage (St. Louis)
At 6-foot-3 and 212 pounds, Kostin has the size to play the Blues style of hockey.
■ Matthew Phillips, C, Stockton Heat (Calgary)
The diminutive Phillips was an all-star this year.
■ Kristian Vesalainen, LW, Manitoba Moose (Winnipeg)
The first-round pick scored 30 points in 60 games in his first full season in North America.
■ Evan Bouchard, D, Bakersfield Condors (Edmonton)
Another injury to Mike Green might open the door for the offensive minded Bouchard.
■ Mathieu Joseph, RW, Syracuse Crunch (Tampa Bay)
The speedy Joseph split the season with the Lightning after spending all of last year in the NHL.
■ Gerry Mayhew, C, Iowa Wild (Minnesota)
Undrafted forward, who spent 13 games with Minnesota this year, led the AHL in goals (39) and finished third in points.