February 15, 2014

Continuing on with our AHL prospect update, we begin with the Hartford Wolf Pack. Remember, these are not all prospects, not necessarily even every fantasy prospect, but ones that I have an opinion on for keeper leaguers. Stats are games-goals-assists-points-penalty minutes).

Hartford Wolf Pack (New York Rangers)

Danny Krsito, RW (45-17-14-31-14)

T.J. Miller, C (22-10-15-25-24)

Connor Allen, D (44-5-13-18-49)

Oscar Lindberg, C (48-13-19-32-44)

Miller is nearly ready, and will be a top-six player for the Rangers. He should be owned in all keeper leagues. Kristo is starting to display the scoring touch he had at the University of North Dakota. Lindberg, the Coyotes’ 2nd-round pick in 2010, projects as a bottom-six forward despite leading the Wolf Pack in scoring. Allen isn’t much of a fantasy prospect.

Hershey Bears (Washington)

Nate Schmidt, D (24-1-6-7-10)

Connor Carrick, D (13-0-4-4-15)

Schmidt and Carrick have each seen NHL playing time this season and both have some offensive skill. Neither is a high-end fantasy prospect, but they are worth keeping an eye on.

Iowa Wild (Minnesota)

Zach Phillips, C (47-9-13-22-10)

Erik Haula, LW (26-11-10-21-12)

Brett Bulmer, LW (25-10-5-15-24)

Jason Zucker, LW (22-8-5-13-55)

Phillips, a former 1st-round pick that some are ready to label a bust. He’s still just 21, so it’s too early for that, but it’s time to start seeing some production. Haula is close to a regular shift in Minnesota, but is unlikely to make a fantasy impact. Bulmer is somewhat forgotten, but still has fantasy potential as a power forward. Zucker is a future NHL regular, but probably not a regular in any fantasy lineup.

Lake Erie Monsters (Colorado)

Joey Hishon, C (33-8-11-19-10)

Stefan Elliott, D (38-7-9-16-10)

Mike Sgarbossa, C (22-2-10-12-19)

Hishon is a second-tier fantasy prospect, he should be owned in deeper leagues. He is a pure offensive player but has suffered two serious concussions. Elliott has not lived up to expectations as of yet, but when (if) he gets a regular lineup spot he should be rostered. Sgarbossa is suffering through a disappointing season following a breakout year last year.

Manchester Monarchs (Los Angeles)

Linden Vey, C (29-10-22-32-18)

Tanner Pearson, LW (39-17-13-30-14)

Nick Shore, C (45-7-18-25-22)

Tyler Toffoli, C 16-13-7-20-2)

Derek Forbort, D (52-1-13-14-34)

Toffoli is a top fantasy prospect, if he isn’t owned in your keeper league, get him. Vey is rarely on any prospect lists, but all he does is score at every level. I own him in my keeper league. Pearson looks the part of a NHL player.

Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville)

Colton Sissons, C (46-17-12-29-6)

Austin Watson, C (48-12-14-26-20)

Taylor Beck, RW (38-11-17-28-22)

Filip Forsberg, RW (21-7-9-16-8)

Sissons is acquitting himself well as a rookie pro, but wasn’t a huge scorer in junior. Watson and Beck project as NHL regulars, but not big point producers. Forsberg is adapting well to the North American game and is a good fantasy prospect who may be a regular in Nashville as early as next fall.

Norfolk Admirals (Anaheim)

Emerson Etem, RW (26-11-19-30-6)

Rickard Rakell, C (35-11-19-30-10)

Max Friberg, LW (47-11-13-24-50)

Perhaps a future scoring line in Anaheim, all three are showing their wares in the AHL, with Friberg showing some offense as well as being difficult to play against. Etem has the most offensive upside but doesn’t show the same confidence in the NHL that he has in the AHL.

Oklahoma City Barons (Edmonton)

Tyler Pitlick, RW (26-6-9-15-10)

Martin Marincin, D (24-3-4-7-4)

Phillip Larsen, D (7-1-6-7-4)

Pitlick has been decent but not spectacular this season and Larsen has been up and down. Don’t let Marincin’s numbers fool you- he’s been working on his defense but still has offensive skills that should translate to the next level.

Portland Pirates (Phoenix)

Andy Miele, C (46-19-27-36-41)

Lucas Lessio, LW (41-14-16-30-40)

Chris Brown, RW (43-12-18-30-68)

Tobias Rieder, RW (41-16-11-27-4)

Brandon Gormley, D (46-6-24-30-24)

Miele has played well in Portland and deserve an extended look, either in Phoenix or somewhere else. Lessio has shown a real touch around the net, especially on the power-play. He may be a regular in Arizona next fall. Brown could become Dustin Brown lite. Gormley has the skills and instincts to quarterback a power-play, but the Coyotes are deep with offensive defensemen.

That concludes part 2 of the series. Thanks for reading, and feel free to leave feedback or questions. You can followme on Twitter @RichDillon17 if that’s your thing.