Comparing Two of the Best Goalie Prospects: Wallstedt and Askarov Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTkzMDk4OTI4NTA0MTg2NTUz/usatsi_19118351.jpg] With the inevitable suspensions, injuries, and slumps ahead for NHLers, the AHL is filled with prospects hoping to earn their chance. This year, there is a plethora of first-round picks plying their trade in the AHL, including 2022 first-rounders Simon Nemec, David Jiricek, Brad Lambert, and Jiri Kulich. The next wave of impact NHL players, including these 20 prospects, are showcasing the elite talent pool in the AHL this season. Here are 20 players to watch during the 2022-23 AHL season. Simon Nemec, Utica Devils - Perhaps the only thing more shocking for many at the 2022 NHL draft than seeing Juraj Slavkofsky go first overall ahead of Shane Wright was seeing Nemec go second to the New Jersey Devils. Rather than rush Nemec to the NHL to start the year, the Devils chose to nurture their prized pick and allow his transition to North America to take place with Utica. Known for his intelligence and decision-making skills on the ice, Nemec will play in all situations in Utica preparing for his inevitable step to New Jersey. Brad Lambert, Manitoba Moose - After plunging to the end of Round 1 in the 2022 draft, Lambert wowed in camp with the Winnipeg Jets. But eventually, Jets brass decided to take the more logical path with Lambert. He has sublime tools with flashy puck skills and a scorer's instinct. If given the confidence and surrounded by other skilled players, Lambert will dazzle fans with the Manitoba Moose. Simon Edvinsson, Grand Rapids Griffins - Perhaps the most NHL-ready prospect playing with the Grand Rapids Griffins this season is Jonatan Berggren, but Simon Edvinsson will draw much of the attention from media and Detroit Red Wings faithful. Edvinsson already has a full season of professional hockey under his belt in the SHL, but the move to North America can sometimes be challenging, no matter how skilled you are. Edvinsson, however, didn’t miss a beat with the sixth overall pick in the 2021 draft off to a glowing start in Grand Rapids. He could be in the NHL now, but Detroit likes their prospects overripe. Nick Robertson, Toronto Marlies - Most Toronto Maple Leafs fans thought, and hoped, that this would be the year Nick Robertson finally arrived in the NHL. Robertson is playing with a purpose in the AHL, looking to force his way to the Maple Leafs roster sooner than later. He was called up on Sunday to the Leafs, and although he's not expected to play Monday night, his season debut could be days away. Robertson's speed and offensive instincts are NHL calibre, but he’s not a bottom-line winger, and scoring line spots with the Maple Leafs look locked in for a few more years. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Rochester Americans - Quite possibly, the Buffalo Sabres would be a better team this year with Luukkonen on their roster than not. That said, Luukkonen is back in the AHL again with Rochester to play uncontested starting minutes. He’s NHL-ready and with 41-year-old Craig Anderson as the current starter in Buffalo, it’s only a matter of time before Luukkonen’s AHL dominance translates to NHL starts. Justin Barron, Laval Rockets - Expected by almost everyone to crack the Montreal Canadiens roster, Barron lost his job to upstart defender Arber Xhekaj. The big return in Montreal’s trade of Artturi Lehkonen to Colorado last season, Barron lacks the flash of some defenders but not the effectiveness. For Montreal and Barron, it was the decision of top-pairing minutes in Laval or bottom-pairing minutes in Montreal. With Barron’s puck-moving skills, it’s only a matter of time before he arrives in Montreal. David Jiricek, Cleveland Monsters - Considered by many to be the best defender available in the 2022 NHL draft, Jiricek went sixth overall after a season of showcasing his mobility and offensive upside in Czechia’s top pro league. As a European pick, Columbus had the option to start Jiricek in the AHL as an 18-year-old, and it’s reasonable to believe they’ll leave him there untouched all season unless they choose to give him an end-of-year look or injuries mandate a promotion. The AHL is filled with high first-round picks this season, and Jiricek is one of the most talented and intriguing in the bunch. Jesper Wallstedt, Iowa Wild - There are very few 19-year-old goaltenders in the AHL. Wallstedt is the only one. It’s a testament to his poise and maturity, but also recognition that he’s played 22 games each of the last two seasons in the SHL against some of the top players in the world outside the NHL. Minnesota does not need to rush Wallstedt, who is calm, tracks the puck well, and effectively takes away space from shooters. He’ll be one of the top netminders in the NHL in due time. Dylan Garand, Hartford Wolf Pack - As a 20-year-old with four seasons of WHL experience, Garand was eligible for the AHL and in need of a new challenge. Coming off CHL goaltender of the year honors, and a world juniors gold, Garand, who is considered undersized by professional standards at six-foot, will look to prove himself this season in the AHL. With veteran pro Louis Domingue as the other half of his AHL tandem, Garand is likely to spend the entire season learning the ropes in the AHL. Up front in Hartford, Will Cuylle is another New York Rangers prospect to watch entering the league after a 43-goal season with the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires. Jiri Kulich, Rochester Americans - The youngest player in the American Hockey League this season, Kulich won’t turn 19 until the season ends. Last year, he was dominant against his peers at the U-18 and world juniors tournaments. Great speed and lateral movement will help him find space on the smaller ice in North America. Buffalo has a large cohort of forward prospects, so they’re unlikely to rush Kulich, whom they selected 28th overall in 2022. Connor Zary, Calgary Wranglers - After struggling to find his scoring in the AHL last season, Zary returns on the heels of a strong training camp looking more confident and composed. The 24th overall pick in 2020 is known for his shot but struggled to find lanes and opportunities as he did in junior. A quick start in the AHL could propel Zary to make his NHL debut and stick around with the big club in Calgary for an extended period. Ridly Greig, Belleville Senators - Endless compete, Greig’s motor makes him an immediate asset providing energy and grit to Belleville’s lineup. Learning to be more efficient and transitioning from full speed ahead to a more composed offensive structure will decide how high the 28th pick in the 2020 draft can climb. Ottawa boasts a crop of talented young forwards, and Greig looks like a prime candidate to infuse his two-way impact in a bottom-six role almost immediately. Ottawa however, would like to see him grow his offensive acumen at the AHL level in hopes that he can be more when he arrives in the NHL. Hendrix Lapierre, Hershey Bears - Opened the 2021-22 NHL season with the Washington Capitals as a surprise out of camp. He scored his first NHL goal before being returned to junior. An effortless puckhandler and playmaker with elite vision, Lapierre finds himself in the AHL this season, with Washington choosing patience with their 2020 first-round pick this time around. He looked like a threat in his first games of the season with Hershey. With holes in Washington’s lineup, it would not be surprising to see Lapierre audition in the Capitals’ top six at some point this season if he proves himself consistent in the AHL first. Lukas Reichel, Rockford IceHogs - Lukas Reichel is close, very close, to being NHL-ready. Depending on how Chicago decides to proceed this season with veterans Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, Reichel could end up in a Blackhawks uniform before the season is done. Last year, he scored more than a point per game in the AHL and is off to a hot start again this season, but he was unable to translate that to NHL success during an 11-game stint. There’s no reason to rush Reichel into what will be a losing culture in Chicago. Kirill Marchenko, Cleveland Monsters - Coming to North America as a 22-year-old, the six-foot-three Marchenko is more physically developed than most “rookies” and brings three seasons of KHL experience with him as well. He scored a goal and an assist in his first AHL game and followed that up with a two-goal performance. His goal-scoring abilities and the fact he’s an older prospect will be tempting items for the Columbus Blue Jackets to consider as the season progresses. Samuel Poulin, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins - Years of contention drained Pittsburgh’s prospect pool, and Poulin is one of the few first-round picks the organization has held onto in years. That said, the playmaking forward is in his second season in the AHL, and will be the central offensive threat for the baby Pens. Pittsburgh needs to find ways to integrate Poulin this season, as long as his play warrants, as the NHL Penguins’ core is on the wrong side of their prime. Yaroslav Askarov, Milwaukee Admirals - Few goaltenders have come to the AHL as highly touted as Askarov. The 11th overall pick of the Nashville Predators in 2020, Askarov effectively uses his size and calm demeanor to frustrate shooters. The main issue with Askarov is he has not played much in recent seasons, appearing in only 17 regular season and playoff games combined last year. Getting Askarov between the pipes and adjusting to North American angles this season will be a crucial step in the development of Nashville’s goalie of the future. William Eklund, San Jose Barracudas - After making the San Jose Sharks out of training camp last season, the Sharks sent Eklund back to Europe following the exhaustion of the nine-game window allowable under the NHL’s CBA. The return looked to impact Eklund who had a slow season with SHL Djurgarden. This year, San Jose has started the 2021 seventh overall pick in the AHL hoping to spark the creativity that saw the Sharks grab Eklund as high as they did. The San Jose organization will give Eklund every opportunity to succeed this year. Fabian Lysell, Providence Bruins - Selected 21st overall in 2021 by the Boston Bruins, Lysell is a fantastic skater, whose offensive gifts were on full display last season when he came to North America to play with the WHL’s Vancouver Giants. After scoring only three points in limited ice time during 26 SHL appearances the season before, Lysell blossomed last year and early on this season, carried that confidence to the AHL. Boston’s top six are aging, and Lysell is a soon-to-be solution in the making. Chaz Lucius, Manitoba Moose - The decision to leave the University of Minnesota and turn pro after a single, injury-shortened season in the NCAA could backfire on the Winnipeg Jets and Lucius, but the prospect said he felt ready. He scored his first professional goal in his first game, which should remove some pressure for the 2021 18th overall pick. The key to this season for Lucius will be remaining healthy, finding consistency and filling out his two-way game to earn a full-time shot with the Jets next season. Other names to watch: Isak Rosen, Luke Prokop, Tyson Foerster, William Dufour, Thomas Bordeleau, Xavier Bourgault, Jonatan Berggren, Kevin Bahl, Thomas Harley, Cam York, Aatu Raty, Rasmus Kupari, Jacob Bernard-Docker, Ronnie Attard, Jacob Perreault, Matej Blumel.
