The Hockey News looks at the AHL point and goal leaders and hottest teams as we head toward the New Year.
We're days away from a holiday mini-break in the AHL, and it's time to sit back, smell the eggnog, and assess the big winners of the year that has been.
Fresh off an exceptional four-goal performance against the Griffins last night, Mavrik Bourque, 21, leads the AHL with 36 points in just 25 games.
The 2020 1st overall draft pick for the Dallas Stars has found exceptional chemistry alongside fellow Dallas prospect Logan Stankoven, who is three points behind Bourque for the league lead with 33 in 25 games.
Rounding out the top five point-producers is 31-year-old Hershey Bears vet Michael Sgarbossa with 28 points, followed by high-powered Springfield scorer Adam Gaudette, and Ontario Reign rookie defenseman Brandt Clarke, each with 26 points.
Jiri Kulich of the Americans leads all AHL players with 16 goals in just 22 games. The 19-year-old 1st rounder of the Sabres in 2022 is on a point-per-game pace in his second season in Rochester.
Gaudette (15 goals), Stankoven (14 goals), Rockford's Rocco Grimaldi (14 goalies), and Hershey's Pierrick Dube (14 goals) round out the top five.
Standings-wise, the Hershey Bears are looking every bit the favorite to repeat as Calder Cup Champions. The winningest club in league history currently sits atop the AHL with 44 points and an outstanding 22-6 record.
The western conference features a tight race for first place between the Calgary Wranglers (16-6-2, 34 points), Ontario Reign (15-7-2-1, 33 points), and Texas Stars (15-7-2-1, 33 points).
The league basement is occupied by the Bakersfield Condors (8-10-0-1, 17 points) and Bridgeport Islanders (7-16-1, 15 points).