Let us ring in the new year by looking at some of the hottest names in the AHL. These prospects have seen their stocks steadily rise this season, and they are quickly becoming staples in competitive dynasty leagues.
Not only are we tracking new names, but the AHL Top Prospect rankings have changed as well. Most notably, Chernyshov has climbed from 12th place to 8th after torching the NHL during his recent call-up.
Ryan Ufko was featured early in the season after putting up 12 points in 10 AHL games — and he has not slowed down. After racking up 35 points in 33 games, Ufko has held his position in the ranks despite multiple blue-chip names making the list since.
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Carter Yakemchuk, RHD, 6-4 — 7th overall in 2024
3G, 15A, 27GP — OTT
Before the hulking defenseman was injured in mid-December, he was lighting up the AHL offensively. Recently, trade speculation has circled his name as the Sens front office backed themselves into a corner — and out of a playoff spot.
Yakemchuk attracts the attention of NHL managers on account of his physical tools, his tendency to assert his frame whenever possible, and the fact that he oozes talent. The question that still remains is whether Yakemchuk can pull it all together cohesively.
So far, his AHL play has shown promise. He has controlled the pace of play and provides enough offense to overlook his regular defensive lapses. As long as Yakemchuk continues to show he can translate the core of his game to the pro level, he will remain atop the pipeline in Ottawa.
Fantasy managers should keep an eye on him for a call-up near the end of the year, but it is unlikely he becomes a full-time NHL player until 2027–28.
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Felix Unger Sorum, RW, 5-11 — 64th overall in 2023
8G, 17A, 33GP — CAR
Carolina really knows how to find a diamond in the rough. Nadeau was recently featured on this monthly roundup, and now his linemate, Unger Sorum, has proven he is a top-end prospect.
Unger Sorum is a ferocious forechecker and backchecker. He is consistently engaged defensively and treats every change of possession like a scoring chance. Because of his well-rounded play, the speedy winger gets plenty of ice time.
The jump Unger Sorum made from last season to this season is staggering. As an AHL rookie, he scored 20 points in 61 games. This season, he has already piled up 25 points in just 33 games.
This is a name that is still very unknown in most formats, but he should be rostered in any league deeper than 16 teams. If he stays on his current trajectory, Unger Sorum is a future top-six defensive forward in the NHL.
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Tyson Jugnauth, LHD, 5-11 — 100th overall in 2022
4G, 22A, 35GP — SEA
It is surprising how often Seattle seems to find NHL-caliber defensemen in the later rounds of the draft — and what is more stunning is how Jugnauth has burst onto the scene.
The Kraken selected Jugnauth in 2022 after he posted 50 points in the BCHL. He spent the next season underwhelming in the NCAA before jumping to the WHL after 13 NCAA games in 2023–24. He then finished off his WHL career with 130 points in 96 games.
A defenseman producing at that clip tends to turn more heads, but Jugnauth somehow slipped under the radar. Seattle has let the kid develop on his own terms — and now they are letting him run the top pairing in Coachella.
His current 0.74 PPG is high-end offensively, but that level of production is typically followed by a cushioned plus-minus. Jugnauth has just a +1 through 35 games. In order to hit his ceiling — which to me screams second-pairing offensive specialist — he will need to carry his own defensively.
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Isak Rosen, LW, 6-0 — 14th overall in 2021
15G, 11A, 21GP — BUF
Has it really been five years since the Sabres drafted Rosen in the first round? He was initially selected for crushing junior competition with his elite shot, but his game was incomplete at the time.
Fast forward five years — Rosen has translated his shot to the AHL. He nearly reached 30 goals last season, finishing with 28. This year, he has already notched 15 in just 21 games. The production has followed him to the NHL when recalled, making him one of the most intriguing prospects in the AHL.
Defensively, Rosen has also come a long way. He has stopped relying on his stick and is consistently using his body to separate opponents from the puck. The Sabres have been white-hot this year, and Rosen remains on the outside.
As soon as a real opportunity opens up in Buffalo’s top six, Rosen will be the first player given a chance to lock it down.
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Dimitri Simashev, LHD, 6-5 — 6th overall in 2023
4G, 10A, 14GP — UTA
It is a tale of two seasons for Simashev. The sixth-overall pick in “The Bedard Draft” spent 24 games in the NHL without scoring more than two points and was subsequently sent down to the AHL.
But, wow, did the kid ever need it. He is now setting the league on fire — scoring at a point-per-game rate through his first 14 games. Meanwhile, Simashev is providing positive defensive play in all three zones. This is the first time since being drafted that he has shown the offensive upside teased in the KHL during his draft year.
Simashev brings as much intellect as he brings physical tools to the blueline. His game is cerebral, and he mostly processes the play faster than anyone on the ice. His stock was declining to new lows — but now, Simashev might be a name to put on your shopping list.
He has a high floor, but his fantasy ceiling might be higher than initially thought.
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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.
- Gabe Perreault
- Nick Lardis
- Andrew Cristall
- Sebastian Cossa (G)
- Jacob Fowler (G)
- Konsta Helenius
- Carter Yakemchuk
- Igor Chernyshov
- Bradley Nadeau
- Dimitri Simashev
- Ilya Protas
- Isak Rosen
- Ryan Ufko (D)
- Felix Unger Sorum
- Matvei Gridin
- Daniil But
- Tyson Jugnauth
- Sergei Murashov (G)
Final Thoughts
If any of the names on this roundup are available in your dynasty leagues — claim them. Immediately. Do not hesitate. If they are rostered, see what the owner wants to do with them. They might be willing to move on if they have not been paying close attention this season.
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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