AHL TARGETS (ATLANTIC DIVISION)

AHL TARGETS

• Pacific Division
• Central Division
• North Division

BOSTON (PROVIDENCE BRUINS)

• C Danton Heinen. Talented forward can play center or wing and may have enough offensive talent for an NHL career. The big positive is his skating, he is 43, 10-19-29. Bruins probably give him a full shot, but they have a lot of forward talent coming.
• LD Matt Grzelcyk. Undersized (5.10, 175) puck-moving defenseman, his speed and creativity are the major positives. As is the case with Heinen, it would be easy for the Bruins to push others ahead and have this young player fall through the cracks.

FLORIDA (SPRINGFIELD THUNDERBIRDS)

• RD MacKenzie Weegar. A seventh-round pick from 2013, Weegar is in his third AHL season (45, 12-15-27) and is posting enough offense to be interesting. He is under six feet and is more offense than defense, but has progressed nicely as a pro player. 
• RC Jayce Hawryluk. Small and very skilled forward, Hawyrluk is a former Brandon Wheat King and has been quality in AHL debut (26, 5-11-16). Drafted in the second round in 2014, the Panthers probably see his value. Still, he would be worth following (injured hand responsible for low GP).

NY ISLANDERS (BRIDGEPORT SOUND TIGERS)

• R Josh Ho-Sang. Famous for hockey and a confident presentation, which is cool if you can back it up. As a rookie pro (47, 10-25-35) he is showing real offensive talent. The Islanders often trade their good prospects, so this young man could be available.
• RD Ryan Pulock. Young defender with a big shot and size (6.02, 215), he caused quite a stir during an early NHL audition in 2015-16. NYI have plenty of good prospects, Pulock might be a player who could be acquired at the deadline, or in summer.

NY RANGERS (HARTFORD WOLF PACK)

• LD Ryan Graves. The Rangers don’t have a lot bubbling under (they should be adding), but Graves is a big defender with a good shot.
• C Adam Tambellini. Second AHL season sees more offense (54, 11-17-28), he is 6.02 and if he can deliver enough offense there is a chance he has a career in the NHL. Dad Steve Tambellini played in 553 NHL games, brother Jeff in 242.

PHILADELPHIA (LEHIGH VALLEY PHANTOMS)

• LD Robert Hagg. Big defender who has two-way ability, may get run over by the Provorov/Sanheim train that is arriving in Philadelphia. He has the entire range of skills, with AHL numbers (48, 7-7-14) that suggest he is being used in a defensive role.
• L Danick Martel. Appears to be a late bloomer, this is his solid offensive (50, 14-18-32) season in a row. Undrafted (probably size, he is 5.08, 166) but he is a talented forward.

PITTSBURGH (SWB PENGUINS)

• G Tristan Jarry. Former Edmonton Oil Kings goalie is having a very nice season in the AHL (35, .920) and would appear to be building a resume that will see him as backup in Pittsburgh soon. That said, NHL teams often prefer a veteran backup to a young starter (Matt Murray). Jarry has stepped forward nicely this year.
• C Oscar Sundqvist. He is 6.03, 209 and has a good two-way reputation. What makes him interesting is his offensive spike in year two of AHL play. Sundqvist is currently 50, 16-21-37 and might be a more substantial player than his Swedish league numbers implied.

WASHINGTON (HERSHEY BEARS)

• L Zach Sanford. Big forward appears to have the complete package (size, speed, skill) and his AHL (25, 11-5-16) time suggests he can score goals. Just 2-1-3 in the NHL (26 games) but at 6.04, 191 he certainly gets noticed. Note: Was traded to St. Louis in Shattenkirk deal. 
• RD Madison Bowey. Owned the puck in junior (Kelowna Rockets, played with Leon) and his adjustment to pro has included a lot of lessons on playing defense and reducing chaos. Injuries have been part of his season—he is 25, 3-9-12—this is his second year in the AHL.