The NHL is on pause presently because the nationwide groups of Finland, Sweden, USA and Canada all get set for the 4 Nations Face-Off to be performed throughout the subsequent two weeks in the US and Canada. With all 32 NHL groups off till the conlusion of that event, there’s nonetheless work to be completed on participant improvement.
Whereas the veterans who didn’t make their respective nationwide groups will seemingly plan some holidays or some easy relaxation and rest, many groups are sending their key younger gamers and prospects again to the American Hockey League to maintain progressing.
Whereas there are all the time dozens of high-profile prospects taking part in within the league at any given time, the checklist goes to be rising considerably over the subsequent two weeks. That’s nice for AHL followers and it might have important advantages for the gamers in addition to they’re capable of keep the rhythm of their season by staying lively within the lineup.
Right here’s an inventory of notable gamers which were despatched down over the previous couple of days that must be extremely noticeable of their return to the AHL.
Prime NHL Prospects Loaned Again To AHL Groups
Marco Kasper, C, Grand Rapids Griffins (DET)
Kasper has made a optimistic influence for the Detroit Pink Wings as a rookie this 12 months. He was referred to as up after simply two AHL video games initially of the season and by no means got here again till now. He has performed 50 video games with Detroit and registered 20 factors together with 9 objectives whereas taking part in frequently within the center six for the Pink Wings and getting a couple of video games of top-six minutes as properly.
With the worldwide break, Kasper was despatched again to Grand Rapids presumably to maintain the prepare on the tracks as he continues discovering his method as a professional. Kasper has confirmed bodily prepared for the problem, taking part in sensible and efficient hockey whereas additionally discovering the scoresheet frequently sufficient to be a useful secondary scoring supply.
This may in all probability be our final glimpse of Kasper on the AHL stage. Grand Rapids has 5 video games in the course of the 4 Nations break.
Yaroslav Askarov, G, San Jose Barracuda (SJS)
Askarov was despatched again to the AHL simply earlier than the AHL All-Star break, but additionally in anticipation for the lengthy layoff for the Sharks. He’s been among the finest gamers within the AHL when he’s been down this season and now he’ll have an opportunity to proceed that success with the Barracuda.
San Jose has been a lot improved this season, however they’re greatest when Askarov is in internet. He has a .934 save share in 15 AHL video games this season as he additional cements his declare because the Sharks’ goalie of the long run.
Liam Öhgren, C, Iowa Wild (MIN)
Known as as much as Minnesota in mid-January, Öhgren had loved his longest stretch of video games with the large membership, accumulating 4 factors over 11 video games together with his first NHL objective of the season. With the worldwide break afoot, Öhgren headed down I-35 to rejoin the Iowa Wild the place he has been excellent.
The 21-year-old Swedish import has 23 factors in 25 AHL video games this season. He’s made the adjustment to North American professional hockey properly and extra time within the A will solely improve his potential to make an influence subsequent season.
Luca Del Bel Belluz, C, Cleveland Monsters (CBJ)
When Columbus referred to as him up, Del Bel Belluz was main the AHL in scoring with 37 factors in 34 video games. He spent 15 video games with the Blue Jackets going again to Jan. 9, and he was displaying that he belonged with eight factors over that span. You’d need to assume he’ll head again to the large membership after the worldwide break, however for the subsequent few weeks Cleveland will get considered one of its most dependable producers again.
Collin Graf, C/W, San Jose Barracuda (SJS)
Graf has gone up and down a bit this season, his first full marketing campaign as a professional. He’s nonetheless among the many high scoring rookies within the AHL with 30 factors in 33 video games with the Barracuda. Simply earlier than the worldwide break, he was taking part in top-six minutes for the Sharks, although, and beginning to come into his personal a bit. We’ll see what San Jose in the end decides after the 4 Nations is over as a result of Graf can actually assist the Barracuda make an actual push right here to have a whole lot of success late within the season and into the postseason.
Lian Bichsel, D, Texas Stars (DAL)
Known as up in late January by Dallas, Bichsel had labored his method into top-four minutes simply earlier than the worldwide break. With Miro Heiskanen injured, he’ll undoubtedly be proper again up with the large membership after 4 Nations. Till then, nonetheless, he can proceed to hone his recreation in huge minutes with Texas the place he had 9 factors in 28 video games to this point this season. Bichsel has clearly taken an enormous step this 12 months.
Josh Doan, RW, Tucson Roadrunners (UTA)
Doan headed into the worldwide break with factors in three straight video games for Utah in bottom-six minutes. He had been up since Jan. 10 and appeared his greatest within the final stretch of his most up-to-date call-up. Utah despatched him again to Tucson, however my guess is that may very well be non permanent. When within the AHL, Doan has been extra of a power, with 21 factors in 25 video games for the Roadrunners.
Matthew Poitras, C, Windfall Bruins (BOS)
Known as up in mid-January, Poitras was beginning to set up a extra outlined position with the Bruins as we headed into the worldwide break. He has 11 factors in 26 NHL video games to this point this season, whereas he has 20 factors in 23 video games with Windfall within the AHL.
Emil Andrae, D, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (PHI)
Andrae has performed 24 video games with the Flyers and 15 with Lehigh Valley Phantoms this season. This has been the 12 months that the Swedish blueliner has been proper on the sting of pushing for that full-time position within the NHL. A couple of weeks within the AHL the place he’s been productive might put him on monitor to complete the season with Philly.
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