Expansion to Las Vegas will benefit AHL players

ALLENTOWN, PA. >> Cory Conacher knows all too well how quickly a hockey player appears old.

Conacher is only four years removed from being a Calder Trophy candidate as NHL rookie of the year but has been in four different organizations and spent time in Europe since then. He sees the sport getting younger and faster — and more players his age getting squeezed out.

“I wouldn’t have thought myself to be old, but I’m 27 and now that’s considered almost too old,” Conacher said Monday at the American Hockey League All-Star Game. “You see some of these guys going on waivers and playing in the AHL (to make room for) the younger guys.”

That trend isn’t likely to change, but Conacher and other top AHL players are in luck. Aside from new owner Bill Foley, fans in Las Vegas and the 30 other NHL owners cashing in on expansion fees, no one will benefit more from the addition of the Golden Knights than the best of the best in the minors.

Many AHL stars are too young to be eligible for selection by Vegas in the expansion draft, but a 31st team means 20-plus more NHL roster spots that need to be filled beginning next season.

“It’s just more jobs for guys in the NHL and that’s all these guys’ goals to play in the NHL,” said goaltender Michael Leighton, a veteran of 126 NHL and 487 AHL games. “If it’s with an expansion team or a guy gets picked up (by Vegas) and he moves up, that’s great for everyone.”

It could be particularly great for AHL top scorers Kenny Agostino, Jordan Weal and Jake Guentzel, defensemen Matt Taormina, T.J. Brennan and David Warsofsky and goaltenders Tristan Jarry and Anton Forsberg. Players like Jordan Subban, brother of P.K., aren’t thinking much about expansion, but if the Vancouver Canucks lose a defenseman to Vegas, he could be a full-time NHL player sooner rather than later.