A pair of NHL debuts and well-deserved call-ups to AHL standouts will take place on Saturday
We've already seen a crop of AHL talent thrive upon receiving an opportunity in the NHL, with Hunter Shepard earning a win for the Capitals over the offensively-minded Devils, and Connor Zary recently scoring in his NHL debut with the Calgary Flames.
Now four more gifted AHL talent will look to parlay their strong season starts to NHL glory.
Bakersfield's Raphael Lavoie, Hartford's Jonny Brodzinski, Cleveland's Yegor Chinakhov and Calgary's Martin Pospisil have all earned call-ups to their respective clubs and are expected to suit up for tonight's slate of games.
Lavoie, recently named AHL Player of the Week, will make his NHL debut off the back of a strong start to his AHL season, where he's put together seven points and four goals in five games with Bakersfield. The 23-year-old was drafted 38th overall by the Oilers in 2019.
Brodzinski has suited up for 101 NHL games since being treated in the 5th round by the Los Angeles Kings in 2013. The 30-year-old has spent the last three seasons in the Rangers system, putting together a strong campaign with Hartford, where he currently sits with 11 points, including six goals, in only seven games.
Yegor Chinakhov, the 21st overall pick by the Blue Jackets in 2020, has already suited up for 92 NHL games, contributing 27 points and 11 goals in that span. The 22-year-old has four points and three goals in just three games with the Monsters this season.
Pospisil, 23, a fourth-round pick of the Flames in 2018, has spent the entirety of his North American pro career in the Calgary system, alternating between the Heat and Wranglers, with 22 games spent in the Slovakian Kosice HC. He's off to a strong start in his AHL campaign with six points in as many games, earning a long-awaited call-up for his NHL debut this weekend.