It’s that time in the American Hockey League season when the rosters, for the most part, are set. Teams are making their playoff pushes and want to see what they have in their prospects. For fans of some NHL teams, this is also a good time to look to the future and at the next generation of players.
Providence Bruins - Matthew Poitras
Initially, the prospect to watch was Dans Locmelis but the Latvian winger with 15 goals is out for the season with an upper-body injury. So, the 22-year-old Matthew Poitras is the prospect to watch. With 13 goals and 25 assists, he’s stepped up on the offensive end and made his linemates better, and this season, he’s emerged as a pivotal two-way center, something the NHL team is hoping he develops into.
Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins - Sergei Murashov
An argument can be made that Sergei Murashov is the best goaltender in the AHL. He’s a rookie yet plays like a veteran and acts like one, too. Murashov is only 21, yet he is ahead of schedule, so it’s only a matter of time before he’s part of the Pittsburgh goaltending tandem.
Charlotte Checkers - Jack Devine
The Florida Panthers depleted their farm system by going all in on back-to-back Stanley Cup runs. Yet, they always manage to have prospects playing above their weight. This year’s team has Jack Devine, a 2022 seventh-round pick, score 15 goals and added 19 assists to the offense.
Hershey Bears - Ilya Protas
Ilya Protas is having one of the best rookie seasons in Hershey history. He’s 19 yet already looks like a top prospect in the Washington Capitals system. Centering the top line, Protas has 25 goals and 25 assists, which leads the team in points.
It’s worth adding Andrew Cristall to this watch list. The winger has 14 goals and 32 assists, which are second-most on the Bears behind Protas. The top two scorers on the Bears are rookies, as crazy as that sounds.
Lehigh Valley Phantoms - Oliver Bonk
With Alex Bump called up to the NHL, and presumably staying there, the prospects to watch on the Philadelphia Flyers AHL team are on the defense. They recently acquired David Jiříček, a standout two-way defenseman but the player to watch is Oliver Bonk. He got off to a slow start but Bonk has found his footing lately to become a key part of the team’s success.
Bridgeport Islanders - Isaiah George
At the start of the season, the prospect who impressed was Matthew Maggio, who was starting to look like a fourth-line center capable of playing at the NHL level. He’s tailed off lately but Isaiah Georgie is a consistent part of the defense. He’s had flashes with the NHL team but is rounding out his game at the AHL level and looking like a complete defenseman down the stretch.
Springfield Thunderbirds - Aleksanteri Kaskimäki
It’s been a rough season for the St. Louis Blues AHL team but they’ve had a few bright spots, notably Aleksanteri Kaskimäki. The 22-year-old forward has made significant strides this season, scoring 14 goals and adding 18 assists, and has notably adjusted to the North-South style of the AHL after coming over from Finland before the 2024-25 season.
Hartford Wolf Pack - Brett Berard
Brett Berard is day-to-day with an injury but there’s a lot of pressure on him to deliver when he returns. Like Brennan Othmann, the clock is ticking on him to deliver and prove he can be a key part of the New York Rangers forward group (Othmann was traded to Calgary at the trade deadline). It’s been a rough season for Berard, so a strong finish can change his outlook heading into the offseason.