Which skaters who spent last season in the AHL made the strongest case to make the NHL roster and stay there?
NHL rosters are starting to take shape with the regular season less than a week away.
By this time, the dust is starting to settle on roster battles throughout camp, and final cuts are on the horizon.
These five players from the AHL last year have made a case to make the leap to the big leagues this season.
Matthew Phillips, Washington Capitals
One of the AHL’s best forwards over the last few years has earned a long-overdue NHL audition.
Since turning pro at the start of the 2018-19 season, Matthew Phillips recorded 236 points in 199 AHL games and led the league in 5-on-5 goals through that span, according to AHLtracker.com.
Despite all of that, the 5-foot-7 forward never got much of a shot with the Calgary Flames — who drafted him in the sixth round in 2016. It became a bit of a running joke, especially for those who actually saw Phillips play and can attest to the fact that despite his small stature, the Calgary native doesn’t play a small man's game, and he’s skilled at creating slot chances.
Phillips ultimately opted to leave the Flames this off-season — reportedly turning down a multi-year deal from his hometown team — and signed a one-year, one-way contract worth $775,000 with the Washington Capitals.
In four exhibition contests, Phillips has recorded three points, including two goals. Given that he’s skated alongside Anthony Mantha, Dylan Strome Sonny Milano, Aliaksei Protas and Connor McMichael — Phillips appears to be a near-lock to start the year in the NHL
Will Cuylle, New York Rangers
You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who pencilled Will Cuylle into the New York Rangers opening night roster before the pre-season.
Given the number of veterans New York signed this off-season, 21-year-old Cuylle was at a disadvantage heading into camp. If anything, it appeared Cuylle was fighting for the first call-up spot.
The 2020 second-round pick was coming off an impressive first full campaign in the AHL — recording 25 goals and 45 points in 69 games while demonstrating an aggressive style of play. It was a promising year, but questions remained about what Cuylle’s ceiling would be at the next level and if his offensive abilities would translate to the big leagues.
Cuylle seems to have put those doubts to rest this pre-season.
In five exhibition games, Cuylle has recorded three points, team highs in individual expected goals (1.99) and scoring chances (17), and a 72.91 expected goals-for percentage during 5-on-5 play, according to naturalstattrick.com. He also fared well on both special team units, and odds are he will carve out a role on the penalty kill once the regular season gets underway.
All in all, Cuylle has solidified himself as much more than Just Another Guy.
Bobby Brink, Philadelphia Flyers
Flyers GM Daniel Briere ought to be ecstatic with what he’s seen from Bobby Brink.
Coming off an up-and-down rookie pro year with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Brink wasn’t a favorite to land a roster spot this season. After missing the first half of the 2022-23 season while recovering from a torn labrum, the 22-year-old recorded 28 points in 41 games. Those numbers may not jump off the page, but it should be noted that 10 of those points came in his last 11 games, and he ended the year on a six-game point streak.
To Brink’s credit, he’s carried that end-of-season momentum into this year’s pre-season.
In four exhibition games, Brink has recorded three points, posted a 60.98 Corsi-for percentage and a 56.13 expected goals-for percentage during 5-on-5 play, according to naturalstattrick.com.
“It’s hard for me to keep Bobby Brink away from a top-six spot right now, as far as how many plays he’s making,” Tortorella told reporters on Monday.
With the Flyers placing Wade Allison on waivers on Friday, it appears the final roster spot is down to either Brink or Tyson Foerster.
Connor McMichael, Washington Capitals
It’s early, of course, but it looks like Connor McMichael is actually ready to be an NHL regular this time around.
After spending the entire 2021-22 season with the Washington Capitals, McMichael was re-assigned to the Hershey Bears early into the 2022-23 season. That demotion turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the 25th overall selection in the 2019 draft. He found his game in Hershey and developed some confidence while playing a key role for the 2023 Calder Cup Champions, leading the team with six playoff goals.
Fast forward to today, and McMichael is thriving in the pre-season and improving with each passing game.
In three pre-season games, McMichael has one goal, two points, 17 shots and 11 high-danger scoring chances while logging 15:12 minutes per night. McMichael, a natural center who played on the wing through the first two games, played center and had Alex Ovechkin on his wing against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday. McMichael recorded three shots and went 11 for 14 in the faceoff circle during that game.
“He’s developed a lot, and it’s on display now. It’s the same way he looked to me at a lower level, but now, he’s looking like that in the best league in the world,” Capitals coach Spencer Carbery told reporters on Tuesday.
Simon Edvinsson, Detroit Red Wings
At the tail-end of his 2022-23 campaign, Simon Edvisson appeared destined to grab an NHL job with the Detroit Red Wings for this upcoming season.
The sixth overall pick in 2021 had a strong first season in North America, shining as a top-pairing defender in the AHL with the basement-dwelling Grand Rapids Griffins and faring well in a nine-game NHL stint at the end of the year.
After the Red Wings signed Justin Holl and Shayne Gostisbehere in free agency, the 6-foot-6 defenseman appeared to be on the outside looking in heading into camp. But in the wake of those two signings, Detroit GM Steve Yzerman made a point it wasn’t a foregone conclusion that Edvinsson would be returning to the AHL this season.
“Certainly, I don’t think it’s beyond the (realm of) possibility that Simon comes in and has an outstanding training camp, an outstanding pre-season, (and) simply forces his way into the lineup,” Yzerman told reporters in July. “That’s what I think every one of us… would love to see, and if that happens, that’s great, and we’ll figure it out.”
Given how he’s played in the pre-season, Edvinsson could very well force Detroit to keep him on the NHL roster.
In five exhibition games, Edvinsson has recorded one goal and three points while averaging 20:13 in ice time per night. He’s driven 5-on-5 play at a strong rate, with a 57.59 Corsi-for percentage and a 59.87 expected goals-for percentage to show for it.