AHL Stock Watch: Rangers prospect Gabe Perreault thriving with ice time in Hartford
Getting sent down to the AHL after an impressive training camp can hurt a prospect’s confidence, but the best ones continue to work, produce, and show their organization that they belong in the NHL.
That’s what Oliver Moore did in his first few weeks with the Rockford Icehogs. All over the ice, he accumulated goals, displayed his forechecking game, and positioned himself as the first call-up. A spot opened, and now he’s playing up with the Blackhawks again.
We wrote about Moore and Nick Lardis’ start to the season in this article.
Producing at a similar clip as Moore, other players on this list could follow the same path in the next few weeks.
Stock Rising 📈
Gabe Perreault, RW, Hartford Wolf Pack (New York Rangers)
Gabe Perreault is proving again that, if you give him ice-time, no matter the setting, he will have a way to write his name on the score-sheet. What’s interesting at the AHL level is how he has managed to pick up his points. His playmaking remains his biggest strength, but instead of trying to confuse defences with east-west cuts off the rush, drop passes, and cross-ice feeds like in the NCAA, Perreault is playing a much more direct, professional-style game.
He charges at opponents on the forecheck, denies them options with his stick work, and makes quicker plays, funneling shots on net and hitting the first open options he sees.
Lacking a high-end skating ability and the strength to go with it, Perreault won’t ever turn into a powerforward, but his higher octane play, increased checking pressure, and take-what-is-there mentality will help him succeed in the NHL in an eventual call-up, especially if he doesn’t get a top-six role next to the team’s best players immediately.
Matvei Gridin, LW, Calgary Wranglers (Calgary Flames)
Matvei Gridin made a name for himself in the first few weeks of the NHL calendar, scoring goals, filling the highlight reel, and making the Calgary Flames out of training camp. While his defensive game and puck management required some refinement, he looked ahead of schedule, potentially becoming a top-six piece for the team as soon as this season.
In his AHL performances, his upside remains evident. The opposition must keep track of him at all times when he steps on the ice, as he can instantly convert their mistakes into high-danger scoring chances.
Seeing plays develop ahead of time, anticipating pressure and the runs of teammates, he’s connecting clever passing plays. Defenders bite hard on his shooting feints, allowing him to create great scoring looks for his teammates. His handling looks above average for the league, and he can fire off passes and beat goalies cleanly coming down the wing.
But while the Flames did send him down to the AHL to get a bigger role and produce, there are more pressing issues in the forward’s game.
His defensive play continues to need significant work. Operating at a very low pace, he’s not always dialed into the game, but mostly waits for the puck to get to his stick. When it does, he’s not pushing transition plays quickly enough and not working hard enough to get the puck back after losing it on the walls.
Gridin should continue to put up points due to his instincts and skill level, and could even do so at the NHL level in a sheltered role on a rebuilding team. However, he will need to adjust his approach to the game to maintain his role in the long term. Playing with more urgency and pace, offensively and defensively, would significantly increase his impact.
It’s early in his professional career. Hopefully, Gridin learns from the organization’s feedback, makes the necessary changes, and becomes the play-driving, top-six caliber force he could be.
Kevin Korchinski, LD, Rockford IceHogs (Chicago Blackhawks)
With Artyom Levshunov graduating to a full-time (sheltered) NHL role, Kevin Korchinski has taken back his rightful place as Rockford’s main powerplay quarterback and offensive driver from the back-end.
In moments, he has looked like his WHL self, jumping into the play, landing cross-ice passes off the rush, and instantly spotting teammates around the net. His puck distribution ability grades a level above Levshunov’s at the AHL level. His passes are better planned, more precise, and deceptive.
Hopefully, the prime offensive roles and this great start to the season will infuse some confidence in Korchinski’s game. It’s now more of a long shot, but if he continues to showcase his offensive abilities, he could supplant one of Levshunov or Sam Rinzel for some powerplay time down the line.
To improve his odds of climbing the depth chart, however, he still has to tighten up his defensive gapping, footwork, and rotations. Those elements continue to be more weaknesses in his game.
Stock Steady ↔️
Amadeus Lombardi, C/LW, Grand Rapid Griffins (Detroit Red Wings)
Against the Grand Rapids Griffins last Sunday, Amadeus Lombardi had one of the best plays we’ve seen so far this season. He attacked down the wing on a four-on-four, froze a defender, toe-dragged around him, cut to the net, attracting three defenders on himself, before sliding a pass across to an open teammate. An elite play.
Lombardi will always be weaker and smaller than the average NHL forward. His skating also projects as average in the NHL. But at some point, he will deserve an NHL shot. He’s continuing to score and his board play is improving. Capable of handling contact, spotting teammates in all directions, and dragging defenders with him to open lanes, he’s becoming one of the best playmakers outside the NHL.
Stock Falling 📉
Otto Stenberg, LW, Springfield Thunderbirds (St. Louis Blues)
Otto Stenberg hasn’t played poorly. He’s rotating well defensively, supporting plays, engaging in battles, and making some efficient passes. Solving defenses off the rush continues to be a strength for him. If they gap up with him in the neutral zone, he kicks the puck wide or uses his skating to get ahead. If they close on him at the offensive line, he pushes through and drops the puck to a teammate coming in behind. He’s also effective at finding space in the offensive zone.
In his second AHL year, however, playing regular minutes and getting some powerplay chances, he should be driving the play more effectively and producing more.
His development seems to have stagnated over the past couple of seasons. It’s hard to project what he will become at the NHL level. His open-ice, playmaking game isn’t strong enough to earn him a top-six role on its own. He will either have to become a much better creator and scorer or significantly refine his puck-retrieval and defensive skills to become a bottom-six option.