Five AHL Players Who Deserve An NHL Opportunity In 2026-27
Every new NHL season provides a chance for some AHL-affiliated players to compete for an everyday role in the lineup on the biggest stage. Andre Leal looks at a few candidates who have built up impressive resumes in the minors that warrant an NHL opportunity.
Video Transcript
Okay, in the Central, I think the St. Louis Blues had the best offseason.
They had Connor McMichael.
They moved out Cairo, but they had Connor McMichael.
They had Mason McTavish, on Brandon Carlo on defense.
And I think those additions, you know, both, both McTavish and McMichael can play center.
They may not because they have Robert Thomas there, but I think those moves were, were excellent and they, they could contend for a wildcard spot.
In terms of worst, I mean, I'll, I'll say Dallas, but I'll give an honorable mention because we, of everything we just talked about with Dallas.
The honorable mention might be the Chicago Blackhawks because they way overpaid for Bo and Byram, not only return, but salary.
They way overpaid for Patrick Kane.
And the moves that they made were basically band-aids on a bullet hole.
They're, they're still not anywhere close to being a contender and they should be with the young talent that they've drafted over the last few years.
Kelsey, what do you think best and worst, offseason in the Central Division?
So I did like the St. Louis Blues offseason as well, but I'm actually going to go with the Utah Mammoth here.
I like a lot of the moves that they made.
They obviously got some, guys under contract.
They re-signed John Marino.
Obviously Logan Cooley has been signed to that massive extension as well.
They acquired Vincent Trochek.
They got Anders Lee.
So I mean, I think in, in essence, they're improving the weak areas of their roster.
They're a lot stronger down the middle than they were last season.
I do think they might still need a little bit of a better situation and goal, at least a better tandem there.
But I mean, I, I like what this team's doing.
I think that this is a playoff team again this year.
I think this is a team that's going to keep improving and I like their offseason so far.
And actually, Mike, I'm going to go with Chicago for the worst offseason because to me, I mean, over, I wouldn't, I wouldn't necessarily, I think the overpayment for Patrick Kane makes a little bit more sense.
Just given his stature with the organization.
They needed some veteran presence.
They're obviously, needed to fill in some cap space, but I still will never understand that extension for Bo and Byram.
That's a vast overpayment.
I think in parts of their roster, they're investing money in the wrong places.
And that might come back to bite them even with the rising cap.
I don't think they've done enough to really take a substantial step, forward.
So, I would grade them as the worst offseason only because they overpaid and they didn't get a whole lot in terms of adding to the actual roster and bolstering their standings place.
So I don't think this is a playoff team and it's still probably not going to be a playoff team for a few more years unless they start to course correct a little bit.
