Part 2: BRHL youth - Impact players for next year?

In this second article, we will look at top candidates from each team’s AHL and prospect lists to break through in the NHL and make an impact in the BRHL next season. We will publish this in two versions, given the depth and volume of review.

Western Conference

Pacific

Flames

Jiri Kulich – draft big jumper was excellent in the AHL last season. With Jack Quinn injury, I suspect he finds a top 6 role with up and coming Sabres. Watch out. The Flames have more depth coming! Disgusting.

Cam York – Flyers of the NHL are rebuilding and with Provorov moved out, it opens top two time up for one of their top prospects. He is coming and suspect in BRHL next year.

Josh Doan – the NHL Coyotes are developing some depth, but still lacks and as such, with a strong offseason, Doan might surprise and crack NHL roster through the year.

Danila Klimovich – solid AHL work last season with 29 pts in 67 games as a 19 year old former 2^nd rounder. Suspect pushes for some NHL time with Canucks this season.

Vladislav Kolyachonok – Can we just call this kid Koly? Former 2^nd rounder had a cup of NHL coffee last season and played 71 gp at Tucson. I suspect he makes jump though depth traded for  (Durzi, Dumba, Dermott) might mean one more season in the minors.

Ivan Miroshnichenkov – prospect was top 5 rated before his diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Has signed to come to NHL and being groomed for opportunity to have a season with Ovechkin. Might be a draft day steal. 

Golden Knights

Fabian Lysell – NHL bruins has offensive spots open. Lysell had 37 pts in 54 gp and suspect has an inside track on one of the spots. Likely BRHL ready next year.

Simon Edvinsson – should be a lock for NHL Wings team this year. Yzerman does like to marinade as per old Red Wings model though so might start year in AHL but talent too much not to be in top 4 by end of season. 

Yaroslav Askarov – with Wallstedt and Levi, one of the top goaltenders outside of the NHL. With Saros in front of him though, will they keep down? NHL ready when opportunity arises

Oilers

In win now mode, not much coming. 

Kings

Picks, Picks, Picks…this team will be competing for Berard and other top 5 picks for years to come.

Nolan Foote – power winger will struggle to get into NHL Devils lineup. With 37 gp in 55gp did not look out of place but given NHL depth will likely be another AHL season before BRHL debut.

Cayden Primeau – likely will push Sam Montembault for playing time in Montreal. Has 1B upside so might make BRHL Kings lineup soon.

Sharks

William Eklund – high pick might not make BRHL debut with Sharks as seems to be being shopped. Solid AHL season with 41 pts in 54 games for the Barracuda and 3 pts in cup of coffee in NHL. He will be in the NHL this season and will find a roster spot and BRHL next season.

Canucks

Vasili Podkolzin – is this kid finally going to breakthrough? All Canuck fans are hoping this isn’t Jakey V 2.0! 7 pts in 39 gp in NHL last season showed he wasn’t ready, but wasn’t that much better with Abbotsford with 18 pts in 28 gp. It was a step back season. Can he make the jump?

Kevin Korchinski – is a chance to crack a rubbish NHL Hawks lineup, but more likely WHL return. Will be interesting to watch to see if can make the NHL jump, but not expecting in BRHL for two seasons.

Ducks

Aatu Raty – the key return for Horvat, Raty will be given a chance to play in the NHL this season in Vancouver. Solid pro start as draft dropper looks to redeem his pro career after going from slam dunk top 5 pick to out of the first round in draft season. Now 20 years old, Played 15 NHL games last year with 3 pts, and modest 27 points in 52 games. 

Jacob Perreault – former first rounder made AHL debut last season with 19 pts in 48 gp. I suspect another year in AHL, but could push for lineup spot.

Olen Zellweger – Will compete with Jackson Laccombe and Pavel Mintyukov for NHL spot. 80 pts in 55 gp in junior sees him possible to make jump but suspect given smaller stature is a year away after some time in AHL.

Pavel Mintyukov – draft riser might make NHL roster after 88 pts in 69 gp. Bigger frame, so suspect he or LaCombe will push for NHL roster spot this year in Anaheim. 

Kraken

Dylan Holloway – cup of coffee in NHL had injury issues. Oilers need cheap players that can fit into top 12 forwards and Holloway will be there this year. 

Raphael Lavoie – is now or never for this kid. Not waiver eligible so either makes Oilers or will be likely lost on waivers. Big man had 45 pts with 25 goals in AHL. Oilers could use that size in the lineup. Suspect he is in the BRHL next season.

Samuel Fagemo – Saw 9 gp in NHL last season but was solid in AHL with 50 goals over last two years. Kid is likely ready to make the NHL Kings given the depth traded to get Dubois. 

David Jiricek – high BRHL pick will be in BRHL next year. Solid 18 year old year in AHL. CBJ has given him time to marinade but expect him to make the NHL jump this year.

Joel Hofer – another goalie in pipeline. Likely backing up Binnington in the NHL and will be ready for BRHL time next season. 

Lukas Dostal – wonder in minor leagues might finally make the jump. Another in stable. 

Dustin Wolf – stranded in AHL until the Flames make a move. Would they carry three tenders? Vladar likely on way out, unless perhaps a big move is made for Markstrom? Would they? Wolf needs to make NHL move soon and when does, Kraken are licking their chops. 

Central

Blackhawks

Brendon Brisson – NHL Golden Knights kids usually get traded but they kept this kid. He was a standout at the NCAA level and as a pro in 65 gp has got 45 pts. With high cost top of lineup in Vegas, he might make the Knights in bottom six role. 

Gregori Denisenko – will the former first rounder finally find time to play? He has marinated in AHL last season with the AHL Checkers. Was solid with 36 pts in 56 gp and 18 gp cup of coffee in NHL with 3 assists. Can he find a top 9 role this year. I am betting on yes.

Egor Afanaseyev – NHL Preds are going in a new direction surrodnding their youth. This kid is big and played 17 gp last year. In the AHL, he had 13 g and 13a and bet takes a top 9 role in Nashville.

Stars 

Justus Annunen – back up role to Georgiev possible given injury issues in Colorado system. Other than that, not much from Junya’s team as they continue in win now mode.

Avalanche

Jack Drury – will be in NHL full time after strong rookie season. He had 38 gp with 8 pts but 24 pts in 37 gp in AHL. 

Not much else in next while as Bryce left team in win now mode.

Predators

Brandt Clarke – was outstanding in juniors and cannot see him not in NHL after Kings moved depth out to fit him in. Future top 2 stud.

Nolan Allen – former first rounder and WJC player might push for spot on Blackhawks blue line this season. Could be a season away, but will not be surprised if pushes through

William Wallinder – sneaky early 2^nd rounder from Red Wings. Might be one of their top prospects but hardly gets mentioned. Likely two years away from regular pro time. 

Blues

Victor Soderstrom – former high first rounder should be in the top 4 defense in the desert. Had 30 games in NHL last season with 9 pts, will assuredly be starting year at the Arizona State University.

Denton Mateychuk – Suspect will not make NHL this year, but two years away but early picks always surprise. Columbus has depth with Provorov, Werenski, Severson brought in the offseason and Jiricek pushing so very likely two years away at minimum.

Jets

Sam Poulin – time off for health reasons in 2022-23. The Pens will need cheap quality forwards so might be prime candidate to join the star heavy lineup. 

John Beecher – modest AHL season, former first rounder in position to make jump given depth in NHL Bruins with retirements. Very hopeful he can make the jump!

Emil Heineman – exceptional AHL debut post European season last year with 7 goals, 9 pts in 11 gps for AHL Laval Rocket. Given youth movement with Habs, might see surprising action this season.

Lukas Cormier – strong draft riser, may push for time this season in the NHL. Strong AHL season with 35 pts in 62gp from the blue line. 

Zachary L’Heureux – with NHL Preds youth movement, the gritty two way forward might make an impact. Most likely AHL seasoning, but could he push the Preds to keep him. I think so. Reminds me of Marchand.

Lian Bichsel – Stars have a deep back end, but this guy is a moose. If they have injury issues, I suspect Bichsel gets NHL time, but more likely two years from now. 

Tyler Boucher – absolute trade flier. Can he stay healthy? Can he crack the Sens improving lineup. Is a make or break season I think for the former NHL tenth overall.  I am hoping he is playing the BRHL Jets next year.

Wild

Jackson LaCombe – 4 year UM pro likely will make the Ducks opening night lineup. Good skater who has two way game. Likely Wild next season

Maxim Grochev – will start the season in AHL, but Tampa has let this kid grow in KHL. Will be interesting to see how game transitions to North America in first season. More likely two years away.

Coyotes

Oskar Olausson – made pro debut last year with 20 pts in 63gp. Might push for sometime in NHL this season as cheap entry level deal and skill if injuries. More likely two years away.

Ryker Evans – AHL surprise. Early 2^nd round pick has developed wonderfully and will not be long to join NHL Kraken with 44 pts in 71 gp in regular season but 26 pts in 26 AHL games. Will be a soon to be steal!

Mads Sogaard – monster of a goaltender is likely a backup or AHL starter this year. Might push Korpisalo for playing time but suspect he will be full time BRHLer within the year.

Logan Stankoven – solid junior career will go pro this year. Diminutive forward likely will need some AHL seasoning but may push the Stars to get into lineup soon. Stars development system is solid.