Us dynasty nerds are extremely lucky this season — and it is not slowing down. 

We get to invest early in players who are already making an impact on NHL teams and their fans. It has been an exceptional year for young, budding talent, and the AHL product has, at times, been must-watch TV.

This December update puts five deserving players centre stage. They could have been featured in past articles, and plenty of others had to be left off this list — for the sake of my time and yours.

We will touch on arguably the best goalie prospect in hockey, and four forwards you should be sneaking into trade offers.

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Sebastian Cossa, G, 6-6 — 15 overall in 2021

11-1-0, .935 SV%, 1.76 GAA — DET

Not only is Cossa an enormous obstacle in the net, he is also extremely mobile and athletic. He moves laterally better than many smaller goalies, which can make it near-impossible for attackers to find an angle.

On top of all of these intangibles, Cossa is a technically sound goalie. He is composed, and his constant tracking keeps him in position. Cossa has steadily ironed out weaknesses at every level, most recently his rebound control and pace.

His current AHL dominance reaffirms the starter-level upside that got him drafted 15th overall. The next time Cossa gets a call-up, he may not let go of the crease.

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Ilya Protas, LW, 6-5 — 75 overall in 2024

11G, 10A, 22GP — WSH

It is rare for elite size to be paired with elite hockey IQ, and that is exactly what the Capitals have in the towering winger.

While not physically aggressive, Protas asserts himself with pace and poise. He uses his big frame to shield the puck and create space for teammates to exploit, and with Protas on the ice, scoring chances are rarely wasted — he processes the game exceptionally well.

Protas has now adapted seamlessly to the USHL, the CHL, and now the AHL as a rookie — at just 19 years old. His upside mirrors that of a top-six forward, like his older brother, and he is a must-own.

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Bradley Nadeau, C, 5-11 — 30 overall in 2023

8G, 9A, 15GP — CAR

Despite an injury, Nadeau has not slowed down after a 32-goal AHL rookie campaign. He proved his shot is elite last year — and has potted goals at a 0.53-per-game rate this season.

He is also facilitating plays that lead directly to scoring chances, while maintaining an intense pace more consistently. He brings tenacity in all three zones.

The Hurricanes got an absolute steal in the late first round with Nadeau. If he continues to develop his playmaking, he will be the complete package at centre.

If you are not rostering him, you are missing out on a potential top-line centre — one who would be deployed in all situations.

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Nick Lardis, RW, 5-11 — 67 overall in 2023

12G, 13A, 23GP — CHI

A sniper through and through, Lardis is lighting up the AHL as a rookie. He has been streaky through his first 23 games, but has already amassed 25 points — 12 of them goals.

Lardis scored 135 goals in his final 135 OHL games. His release has translated seamlessly to the pro level, and he is getting shots off with ease. He is registering over three shots per game and has eight power-play goals.

Chicago is giving Lardis time to flourish and round out his physical game, but the scoring touch is already there. He owns the most sought-after trait in the league — goal-scoring prowess.

At the NHL level, Lardis projects as a top-six forward who would be wasted anywhere other than the first power-play unit.

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Konsta Helenius, C/RW, 5-11 — 14 overall in 2024

9G, 14A, 25GP — BUF

Helenius may not be as flashy as some of the other names on this list, and he may never crack a top line in the NHL. But he will earn ice time thanks to his defensive acumen.

That is what sets him apart from most young AHL forwards. His intelligence allows him to put teammates in scoring positions before they know it — and strip opponents of the puck before they see his stick.

Whether in the offensive or defensive zone, Helenius consistently makes smart plays with the puck on his stick.

After an underwhelming AHL debut last season, he started this year slowly. But in his last five games, Helenius has notched eight points.

Any reasonable dynasty owner knows the name, but many still underestimate his value. He will improve whatever NHL line he plays on.

In banger leagues, expect solid peripheral coverage paired with top-six production.

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Top AHL Prospects (covered so far):

This list will maintain the prospects covered in the Dobber Prospects monthly AHL updates. The player ranks will be based on fantasy upside and updated with every new article. Contract status and NHL team situation is considered.

1. Gabe Perreault
2. Bradley Nadeau
3. Nick Lardis
4. Jacob Fowler (G) 
5. Sebastian Cossa (G)
6. Andrew Cristall
7. Konsta Helenius
8. Ilya Protas
9. Matvei Gridin
10. Daniil But
11. Sergei Murashov (G)
12. Igor Chernyshov
13. Ryan Ufko (D)

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Final Thoughts

The next wave of talent is here. It is flooding the AHL and is barrelling toward the NHL. This is the result of NHL teams honing in on their drafting and developing systems, an increasing trend over several years. 

These players are going to continue to add value to the AHL, and refine their games. Many will spend a few games in the NHL, but by next year none are likely to be featured in AHL updates — they will all be full-time NHL players. 

It was extremely difficult to leave off a few players that have deserved a spotlight, but they will have to kick off 2026 at DobberProspects.

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Thank you for reading this article on AHL prospects. I am Arden — a Vancouver-based Online Journalism and Broadcasting student with a passion for community storytelling, hockey, and photography.

Find my work here: https://linktr.ee/ardenmcleod

Twitter: @HockeyArden