Pretty soon it will be the off-season and fans of NHL teams will turn to prospect pipelines to keep them entertained. That is when it gets increasingly difficult to assess values. So much speculation from so many new voices in the room can get confusing, so let’s clear the air now.
Very few prospects outside of the AHL are ready to make the next jump unless they are bona fide blue chip players. The list we have been tracking — only players covered so far — is a great starting point to mine value in your dynasty trades.
If you are in a deep league, the players outlined in this edition of AHL Roundup will be must-own at this point.
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Trevor Connelly, LW, 6-1 — 19th overall in 2024 (VGK)
10G, 18A, 29GP (Henderson Silver Knights)
Connelly was always seen as a high-ceiling talent leading up to draft day, but as is the case with many Vegas draft picks, scouts had questions around his character. He struggled in the NCAA after returning from injury, scoring only 13 points in 23 games.
The Golden Knights decided to give Connelly a real shot to prove himself by putting him in the AHL as a 19-year-old. He started off hot and cold, but Connelly is tearing it up on a nightly basis. He is proving to be worth the first-round pick, and the conversation should really be whether or not he was taken roughly nine spots too late.
He could turn out to be one of the most impactful fantasy players in his class. Connelly controls the pace due to a cerebral and patient approach. His shot is deceptive, quick, and accurate — he can get it off in any situation. This alone creates scoring chances for his team, but it is his excellent vision and playmaking that set him apart.
Connelly is a blue chip prospect and in a matter of time he will be playing on an NHL team’s top six. It might not be in Vegas — if history is any indication.
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Dmitri Simashev, LHD, 6-5 — 6th overall in 2023 (UTA)
8G, 21A, 32GP (Tuscon Roadrunners)
Speaking of blue chip fantasy prospects, there is no denying Simashev’s place among them anymore. He was viewed as a defensive specialist on draft day by most scouts and fans. There were murmurs of his untapped offensive ceiling, but in the two seasons after he was taken sixth overall, he left a lot to be desired.
The same could be said for his jump to North America. He logged a single point in his 25 NHL appearances. Then Utah’s management made the right call and sent him down to the AHL to develop his game.
Simashev exploded onto the scene in the AHL. He racked up a point per game in his first ten games and never slowed down. On top of being the youngest defenseman to produce at that clip this year, he is also highly engaged in all three zones.
Simashev shuts down offense with his length, using it to block lanes, separate players from the puck, and make outrageous stretch passes.
He is going to be a top-pairing defenseman at the NHL level, and will likely produce at least 40 points on average.
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Sergei Murashov, G, 6-2 — 118 overall in 2022 (PIT)
20-6-3, 0.922 SV%, 2.15 GAA (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins)
This is Murashov’s second appearance in these roundups, and he probably deserved another in between. He is an average-sized goaltender, but extremely athletic and dialed in. Murashov never misses a beat.
When shooters have an edge on him, he swallows it whole. His frame is a lot more imposing on the ice due to his positioning and aggressive tendencies. He should be rostered in any dynasty format. As soon as he gets a real NHL look with an up-and-coming team, the sky is the limit.
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Conor Geekie, C, 6-4 — 11 overall in 2022 (UTA to TBL)
14G, 37A, 47GP (Syracuse Crunch)
At the moment, Geekie has 71 points in 71 career AHL games. He has transitioned seamlessly from the WHL — a rarity these days. Geekie is a hulking 6-4, and he completes checks like it is his mission.
His shot is strong from the inside and he is deft with his stick. As a shooter outside the slot, he is not a great option. His strides are awkward but he gets to the puck before almost any player on the ice most nights. If Geekie can outwork NHL opponents with the same intensity, he will be an impactful piece.
Expect him to take a step in the NHL next season with more of a leash. The Lightning know what they have in Geekie, and they want to maximize every ounce of it.
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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)
- Trevor Connelly
- Isaac Howard
- Jacob Fowler (G)
- Conor Geekie
- 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
It’s been a fun and exciting season to monitor the top AHL prospects. We will not be able to cover every prospect that deserves to be featured, but a dent is being made. Use this as a starting point, and have fun digging in.
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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