Patrick WilliamsTheahl.com features a writer
The AHL officially reached the Halfway point of the 2024-25 regular season last weekend.
Three months of play has begun to provide some – though not all – of the answers NHL front offices want to learn about their prospects and potential AHL contacts.
What works? What? When the pressure builds as the teams battle to lock down berths in the Caller Cup playoffs, hopes are set for an important step in the second half? Are there veterans out there who can come in and borrow?
And how, if any, does the March 7 NHL Trade Deadline impact the AHL schedule? Will the high hopes come from the sale made to strengthen the NHL Parent Club? Will a group of prospects come if the NHL front office wants to trade and build for the future instead?
A few groups have already started rocking their look. Needing help getting the next several goals that missed the Nashville Raiders, the Milwaukee Admirals were proven up front. Chase until today off ahl waivers; The veteran had signed an AHL contract with Charlotte after starting this season overseas. Wednesday brought a change of pace between Anaheim and San Jose Justin Bailey with the san diego gulls again Pavol Revelta for the San Jose Barracuda. Checks are pre-compiled ahl an-star forward CJ Smith. And this morning, Belleville added a 1,043-game NHL veteran Sam gagner in trying.
More decisions and moves are sure to come. How did the first half of this season fare for each AHL team and where do they rank as the schedule heads into the second half?
Let’s review the Eastern conference first. Team by team reviews from the Western Conference will follow.
Belleville Senators
Eight points below the payoff line in the North Doradition Playoff, B-Sense has six games on the team they chased, Syracuse Crunch. They were able to stay in contention despite the injury-ravaged Nets and missing the Senators in Ottawa. They have been doing their bit for Ottawa, sending several players to their parent club at different points this season. Forward Wyatt bongiovanni it’s been a great story with 13 goals in just 23 games. Fighting for a playoff spot is something Belleville proved they can pull off last season.
BROLDEPORTERS
Chris Terry it’s been his usual productive habits, and he’s an AHL All-Star Brian Pinho developed Bridgeport’s best scoring touch. Rookie forward Alex Jefferies2020’s fourth PICK, has made a successful transition to the pro game. ISAIAH GEORGE and Marc Gatcomb made their longest NHL punts this season.
CHARLTE CHECH
With one of Ahl’s best offences, the Czechs are able to dominate when they are in the lead. Management brought in several players on AHL contracts in the offseason, and those moves have paid off. Starting with the leading scorer John Leonard and AHL All-Star Defenseman Trevor Carrick. Ken Applebyanother Affessional Ahl Signal, with four high volutes. Injuries hit the checks hard in the first half, but they are a top opponent.
Cleveland Monsters
The Monsters saw three top prospects depart, on defense David Jiricek trade to the Minnesota Wild and AHL All-Star Picks Denton mateychuk and Luca del bel belluz Getting an extended view with columbus blue. But where the monsters are, they are still there in the mix of the lead of the Northern Divide. Head coach Trent VogelhuberThe team’s team turned heads last spring in the run to overtime of Game 7 of the Eastern conference, even after the most important money his team still has this same battle.
Hartford Wolf Pack
AHL All-Star prospect Dylan Garand He took another step to become one of the top netminders in the league. First choice Brennan Othmann he returned after no further injuries were found. Brett Berard, Victor Mancini and Matt Rempe It all got a long look with the New York Ranger.
Hey bears
Aiming to become the first team to win three Peat-Peat Cups since the Springfield Indians. Top sniper Ethen Frant it has the washington capitals, but the bears also got ahead Ivan Miroshnichenko and Hendrix LapierreJack A. Butterfield Trophy Winner as MVP of the Plowoffs finished cup. A 10-way road trip awaits the bears in March; The good news for them, however, is that they have been stellar on the road with a 13-1-3-0 performance so far.
Laval rocket
With a roster brimming with prospects, Laval is fun to watch on any given night. Instead of chasing that young talent, the Montreal Canadiens opted for more acquisitions in Laval with a new head coach Pascal Vincent. Joshua Roy, Owen Beck, Jared Davidson, Adam Enström, Logan mailloux and Florian xhekaj Provide a strong young core, and a goaltender Jakub dobeš He has stepped up to the habs and has been an instant success story as they have faced controversy.
The Lehigh Valley Phantoms
Even with a schedule that includes its fair share of days with Hershey and Wilkes-Barre / Scranton, the phantoms have managed to keep themselves above the Atlantic Division Playoff Line. The Goaltender Alexei Kolosov returned Wednesday from Philadelphia flyers and can ease other activities of Cal petensen. Samu tuomala and Olle Lyckell provide an offensive punch, while Jacob Gaucher Leads the club with 14 goals.
Providence Bruins
It’s another time of typical providence: start small, find yourself, then move on to tears as the calendar starts to move toward December. After a 6-7-0-0 start, the Bruins’ 15-6-1-1 rebound has made them the size of the playoff conversation. You remember the boston bruins beat providence rost, but their depth makes them dangerous. Georgii Merkulov he’s having a strong season, too Michael Disiembo He emerged as one of the top scorers in the league.
ROCHESTER AMERICANS
Jstling with charlotte to be the top team in the conference, the Amerks can compete with any team in their schedule. Devon LeviArriving in November gave the Americans an immediate boost as they tore through their schedule with a 13-2-0-0 Run. Ahl All-Star forward Isak Rosén keep producing, too Brett Murray17 goals so far just matched his last season.
The Springfield Thunderbirds
St. Louis Blues Pick First Dalibor Dvorsky it was different as a 19-year-old taking over the AHL. To bring forward Matt Luff After the team’s slow start, it turned out well, along with the goaltender Colten Ellis It’s his first time getting a regular AHL load. The Thunderbirds currently sit out of the Atlantic Division Playoffs, but only by two points. This is a team that put together a 9-1- 2-1 effort earlier this season and could be a threat.
Syracuse crunch
COALTender for the ninth year Brandon Halverson It has one of the best news in the AHL this season, rebuilding the star after an injury after a career that saw him in the second round in 2014. Veterans Derrick Pouliot and Conor Sheary led the charge, while a rookie Dylan Duke it has 11 excellent 11 goals.
The Toronto Marlies
Much like Halverson, Matthew Murray he has been working to revive his career. The two-time Stanley Cup winner, who missed most of last season with an injury, helped carry the Marlies with a .934 save percentage in 15 appearances. Toronto’s deep pipeline is also coming through, led by two AHL-time champions Alex Steeves and his league-high 21 goals.
The Utica Comets
After an 0-1-1-1-12 start, the Comets are hitting above .500 over the past two months (13-7-1-) and have done an impressive job of putting their season back together. Isaac Poulter you got a nice rhythm and gave a good complement NICO DAWS To the interim head coach Ryan’s parentagewho took the place Kevin Deineen November 6. Devenseman Simon Nemec Has 19 points and a PLUS-7 rating in 27 games since returning from New Jersey.
Wilkes-Barre / Scranton
Change is managed as a total of Wilkes-Barre / Scranton this past summer, as Kirk MacDonald He got behind the team’s bench and Pittsburgh’s management brought in a few veterans to appeal to their membership plan. But how could they do all those new faces? Well, as it turns out. They won despite not being injured up front Jimmy Huntingtonimportant offseason signing. Emil BEMSTRÖM leads the team’s goals, and 21 years old Ville Koivunnen Has 27 points in 33 games in his first full season
In the American Hockey League Beat twenty and twenty, Theahl.com Features Writer Patrick Williams and currently covers the league for NHL.com and flosports and is a regular contributor to the network. He was the recipient of the AHL’s James H. Ellery Memorial Award for his outstanding coverage in the league in 2016.
