Love is in the air — and so is the rising stock of young guns in the AHL. This edition contains the biggest rankings shakeup of the season.
The AHL is ripe with talent — the kind that translates to the NHL. Young players are not just producing; they are showing they are ready for the next step.
The AHL Prospect Board looks much different than last month. Most notably, Gabe Perreault has fallen out of the top five after struggling to translate his game at the NHL level — and Igor Chernyshov takes his spot.
Nick Lardis moves into the number one spot after proving his shot can impact NHL games and showing improved consistency. Simashev continues to climb, and Helenius rises to third — not flashy, but consistently driving positive results in all three zones.
One thing is certain: next year’s NHL rookie race is going to be dynamite to track.
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Isaac Howard, LW/C, 5-11 — 31 overall in 2022 (TBL to EDM)
12G, 18A, 22GP (Bakersfield Condors)
Since arriving in Edmonton, Howard has played 28 NHL games and 22 in the AHL. He has taken another step after a huge NCAA season.
Drafted by Tampa after combining for 119 points in 87 games between the NTDP and USHL in 2021-22, Howard was viewed by some as having one of the highest offensive ceilings in his class. His sub-six-foot frame caused him to slide to the end of the first round.
He spent his D+1 and D+2 seasons in the NCAA and struggled to find his stride. In his third NCAA season, he broke out — 26 goals and 26 assists in 37 games, fifth in the nation in total points.
Howard left a lot to be desired in Edmonton, scoring just five NHL points, but he is dominating the AHL. At 21, he has 30 points in his first 22 AHL games.
The Oilers swapped prospects with Tampa and appear to have landed the better bet. Howard is worth stashing as a potential top-six piece in the coming years.
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Luca Cagnoni, LHD, 5-9 — 123 overall in 2024 (SJS)
5G, 21A, 41GP (San Jose Barracuda)
A chunk of the Barracuda roster could be playing in the NHL, and Cagnoni is one of the leaders of that group. The only chip in his armour is his 5-9 frame — a reason he slipped to the fourth round.
He exploded for 90 points in 65 WHL games after being drafted and has not slowed down. As a rookie, he put the AHL on notice with 52 points in 64 games — 15 goals.
That was not a flash in the pan. Through 41 games this season, he has 26 points.
Cagnoni now has 78 points in his first 105 professional games as a 5-9 defenseman. Translating cerebral play to pro competition that quickly signals a high ceiling.
San Jose is not rushing him. He projects as a top-four option, with the upside of a top-pairing offensive defenseman if everything hits.
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Adam Engstrom, LHD, 6-2 — 92 overall in 2022 (MTL)
10G, 20A, 34GP (Laval Rocket)
Another gem mined by Montreal on the back end. Engstrom is poised. He scans, holds, and distributes with patience. The 22-year-old joins the rush and drives play from the blue line effectively.
His skating needs work. He can get caught flat-footed on the backcheck and in transition. If he is going to drive offence at the NHL level, his foot-speed must improve.
As of now, Engstrom should play a lot of NHL games. Whether he produces at a high clip remains the question. Montreal is smart to slow-play him.
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Ville Koivunen, LW, 6-0 — 51 overall in 2021 (CAR to PIT)
6G, 19A, 20GP (Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins)
Koivunen is clearly too good for the AHL — and not quite a full-time NHLer yet. He thrives as a top-six driver, and in that role in the AHL he flourishes. He has 1.25 points per game through 20 contests this season.
But the NHL is faster and less forgiving.
Despite his intelligence and motor, Koivunen has been streaky at the next level. Scouts often point to his lack of explosiveness. Without that separation burst — something he creates nightly in the AHL — he absorbs far more contact in the NHL.
Koivunen’s upside is that of a top-line forward — if you ignore the skating and size concerns. That also makes his floor volatile. If the physical tools do not improve, the NHL runway shortens quickly.
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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.
- Nick Lardis
- Andrew Cristall
- Konsta Helenius
- Sebastian Cossa (G)
- Igor Chernyshov
- Gabe Perreault
- Dimitri Simashev (D)
- Carter Yakemchuk (D)
- Bradley Nadeau
- Luca Cagnoni (D)
- Isaac Howard
- Jacob Fowler (G)
- Matvei Gridin
- Ilya Protas
- Sergei Murashov (G)
- Felix Unger Sorum
- Ville Koivunen
- Adam Engstrom (D)
- Isak Rosen
- Ryan Ufko (D)
- Daniil But
- Tyson Jugnauth (D)
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Final Thoughts
The AHL was once viewed as a step below the KHL, SHL, and even Liiga. It has since become arguably the second-most competitive league in the world. As NHL talent has improved, the AHL floor has risen with it.
It is now a must-track league for prospect development. With new CHL rules, more high-end U20 talent will enter the AHL in the coming years. Expect graduates to arrive in the NHL with more complete, pro-ready games.
The players producing at this level, at this stage of development, project to be highly relevant fantasy assets — and in most formats, they are must-owns.
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Thank you for reading this article on AHL prospects. I’m Arden — a Vancouver-based Online Journalism and Broadcasting student with a passion for community storytelling, hockey, and photography. You can find more of my work and my contact information on my website: ardenmcleod.ca