AHL TARGETS (CENTRAL DIVISION)

7 years ago

We are just a few days from the NHL trade deadline, and for the Edmonton Oilers the shopping list is a little different this time. Among the things Peter Chiarelli might be shopping for are a veteran center, goaltender, and perhaps a winger, too. Beyond the NHL team, there is an extreme need at forward for the coming year, and we might see the Oilers make a deal to shore up that area of the pro depth chart. In our continuing look at what’s bubbling under, here is the Central Division, and prospects of interest. Photo by Mark Williams, all rights reserved.

AHL TARGETS

Pacific Division
Central Division
North Division
Atlantic Division

CAROLINA (CHARLOTTE CHECKERS)

LC Lucas Wallmark. 21-year old has hit the ground running in NA pro hockey. Impressive skill, scouting reports nicked him for average speed and he passed through his first draft season.
R Valentin Zykov. Has many of the elements we associate with a power forward, despite being only 6.0, 210. Has improved a lot offensively in his second AHL season.

CHICAGO (ROCKFORD ICEHOGS)

RD Ville Pokka. A fine young defense prospect continues his development in the minors. Righty two-way type, his offense (54, 3-17-20) is off from his first two years.
R Kyle Baun. He is a big (6.02, 210) winger with some skill (52, 8-15-23) that might be a little obscured by playing for an offensively challenged club. Certainly a complementary player, but has the size Edmonton values and can check his man.

COLUMBUS (CLEVELAND MONSTERS)

R Oliver Bjorkstrand. Former Portland Winterhawks winger who set the WHL on fire while there, he is in his second AHL season (37, 14-12-26). Scoring well but may be available and would certainly give Edmonton an interesting scoring option for the future on RW.
L Sonny Milano. Was apparently in play on 2016 draft day one, he is a skill winger with some defensive issues. Scoring well (40, 11-25-26) considering the Jackets have no veteran cover (like Taylor Beck).

DETROIT (GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS)

L Tyler Bertuzzi. A two-way forward with agitating style, Bertuzzi is an intelligent player and a pain in the butt. I wonder about his offense (30, 8-16-24 this season) but this is an interesting player.
R Martin Frk. Somewhat one dimensional (he is not fast and he does not check) but Frk can score goals.

MINNESOTA (IOWA WILD)

F Mario Lucia. Impressive young player in his first full AHL season. He has size (6.03, 204) but also possesses good speed. Scoring at a reasonable rate so far (44, 9-13-22) and is 23.

NASHVILLE (MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS)

L Justin Kirkland. A bigger winger who scored very well as a junior, he has been a little slow off the mark as a pro (40, 5-7-12). He fits the Chiarelli size mode at 6.03 and does have skill.
LC Kevin Fiala. First-round pick from 2014 is progressing but the Preds have other solutions at center and may have needs elsewhere. May be a window of opportunity to grab a very talented player.

ST. LOUIS (CHICAGO WOLVES)

L Magnus Paajarvi. Despite being an older player (25), he possesses impressive speed and two-way acumen—both priority items for Edmonton.
RD Jordan Schmaltz. Unlikely to be available, but an emerging prospect and a substantial offensive defenseman. He is 39, 3-19-22 so far this season, and a righty.

WINNIPEG (MANITOBA MOOSE)

C Chase De Leo. Small (5.10, 185) forward who brings an agitating style to every shift. Injury a worry but he does bring enough offense to be intriguing.
C Nic Petan. He is a marvelous player with the puck on his stick, highly creative forward who could thrive with all the Oilers skill. Winnipeg may be souring on him this year (he has struggled at even strength and has lots of competition for skill minutes) and Petan could be a solid acquisition.