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.
Laval Rocket - David Reinbacher
Jacob Fowler was the initial pick for this, and considering the Montreal Canadiens goaltending situation, he might be there for a while. The Rocket are a veteran-heavy team but the prospect who has stood out is David Reinbacher, the defenseman who is still developing at the AHL level. The Canadiens have a top-heavy defense, and the question is whether Reinbacher can prove he’s ready to join that unit. A playoff run will be the big test.
Syracuse Crunch - Ryan Fanti
At 26 years old, it’s hard to call Ryan Fanti a prospect. However, he’s a late-blooming goaltending prospect. He’s stepped up on a Crunch team that wins low-scoring games and might be the goaltender who emerges as Andrei Vasilevskiy’s backup in the near future.
Cleveland Monsters - Luca Del Bel Belluz
Luca Del Bel Belluz has developed into a star in Cleveland. The top-line 22-year-old center always had the skill, and the question was whether he could build up strength and play a 200-foot game. This season, Del Bel Belluz has done that and remains one of the explosive game-changing forwards in the league.
Toronto Marlies - Luke Haynes
Credit head coach John Gruden for getting the most out of a team that doesn’t have a lot of prospects and, more importantly, developing some players into potential NHLers, which Toronto will need soon enough. One of those prospects is Luke Haymes, a rookie forward with 15 goals and 11 assists. Haymes is also heating up at the right time with six goals in his last 10 games, so he’ll be a player to watch as the Marlies look to make a playoff run.
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Rochester Americans - Konsta Helenius
Konsta Helenius burst on the scene as a rookie with 14 goals and 21 assists in 2024-25. He’s followed it up with 15 goals and 30 assists while also adjusting to the center position. Helenius is ahead of schedule, and with the Americans struggling, he’s become a player they’ve had to lean on for wins.
Belleville Senators - Carter Yakemchuk
Carter Yakemchuk is a prime example of a promising and exciting defenseman who is still learning the position. He has nine goals and 26 assists, yet his breakdowns defensively are one of the reasons Belleville is having a rough season (and hasn’t given their goaltending any breaks). That said, Yakemchuk is the defenseman they'll rely on for big plays to make a push for the players.
Utica Comets - Ethan Edwards
It’s been a disastrous season for the Utica Comets, which goes hand in hand with the New Jersey Devils. They are in last place and heading towards an overhaul this offseason. A bright spot, however, is Ethan Edwards, who has stepped up on the defense. If the Devils trade Dougie Hamilton or Simon Nemec, Edwards will likely be on the NHL team fighting for a regular role.