Oftentimes, when an NHL coach is fired or removed from their role in any fashion, it’s natural to immediately look for candidates who are next in line to take that job. The obvious picks are outside hires who have NHL experience and who are one or two years removed from an NHL coaching position.

However, there is another path for a team’s brass to go down when it comes to narrowing down a coaching search, and that path leads them to the AHL. All the great coaches once coached in the American League at some point.

 In fact, 21 of the 32 coaches in the NHL have coached in the AHL at some point in their careers. That includes Stanley Cup winners Paul Maurice, Jon Cooper, Joel Quenneville and more.

Here’s a list of AHL coaches who could earn a promotion to the NHL in the near future, in no particular order.

Manny Malhotra, Abbotsford Canucks

Manny Malhotra is coming off a Calder Cup championship in his first year as a professional head coach. He led the Abbotsford Canucks to their first championship since the franchise moved to Abbotsford in 2021.

It’s not uncommon for AHL coaches who win championships to get some time as an NHL bench boss. Sheldon Keefe is an example of that when he was with the Toronto Marlies and was promoted to the Toronto Maple Leafs just a couple of seasons later.

It may seem unlikely for Malhotra to get promoted to the Vancouver Canucks, considering Adam Foote was just hired. However, it doesn’t mean other teams around the league aren’t taking note of his accomplishments in the minors.

Geordie Kinnear, Charlotte Checkers

Geordie Kinnear has been a head coach in the AHL for a long time now. He’s been the bench boss for the Springfield Thunderbirds and the Charlotte Checkers for nine seasons. The 52-year-old is coming off his best season with the Checkers, leading them to the Calder Cup final.

Aside from last season’s fourth-place finish in the regular season and final appearance, Kinnear was the man behind a few other solid campaigns with Charlotte. Since the 2021-22 season, Kinnear’s team has put up a minimum winning percentage of .590.

Trent Vogelhuber, Cleveland Monsters

Trent Vogelhuber, the youngest head coach on this list, has had an impressive start to his short coaching career. After missing the playoffs in his first year, he made the AHL post-season in back-to-back seasons to get to this point.

Due to his leadership behind the bench, the Cleveland Monsters have been a promising team for the past two years, and look to continue that reputation for 2025-26. It may be a matter of time before an NHL team recognizes the young prodigy in Cleveland.

Blue Jackets’ Jet Greaves To Challenge For Starting Gig: AHL Goaltenders To Make The ShowThe goaltender is arguably the most important position in hockey. It is believed that without a great goalie between the pipes, a team has little chance of winning silverware, let alone hoisting the Stanley Cup.

Karl Taylor, Milwaukee Admirals

Since becoming the head coach of the Milwaukee Admirals in 2018-19, Karl Taylor has been as consistent as any coach in the AHL. Aside from the 2019-20 season, when the AHL playoffs were cancelled due to COVID-19, Taylor’s Admirals have qualified for the playoffs every year. It’s a shame because in that cancelled season, Milwaukee had a 41-14-8 record, dominating the league.

Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz might be keeping one eye on Taylor and his success in the minors, especially considering Andrew Brunette's tenure with the team so far. Furthermore, Taylor has taken the Admirals to the third round of the playoffs for three straight years. It’s only a matter of time before he can make a breakthrough in the post-season.

Ryan Mougenel, Providence Bruins

Ryan Mougenel could be on the cusp of a strong season with the Providence Bruins. Several great players could be suiting up for Providence this year, including Fraser Minten, Alex Steeves, Fabian Lysel, Michael DiPietro, Matej Blumel, Matthew Poitras, and more.

Mougenel should be in line to have one of his best seasons as the Bruins’ bench boss. Up to this point, he has been solid with three straight 40-plus win seasons and three consecutive playoff appearances.

Check out our AHL to KHL signing tracker and AHL Free Agency signing tracker.  

Training camp is officially underway, and hockey is back. This means the team get to take a closer look at all their line combinations and ideas on the ice rather than just on paper.

One thing coaches would like to look at is what sort of talent they have coming up from the AHL. Some will get the opportunity to share a line with some great NHL players and participate in a few pre-season contests to prove their worth.

Here are a handful of wingers who played in the minors last season, looking to become full-time NHL players.

Matthew Savoie, RW, Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers got younger in the off-season, acquiring NCAA star Isaac Howard, and all signs point to Matthew Savoie becoming a regular in this upcoming season. 

Savoie is coming off a great rookie campaign with the Bakersfield Condors, scoring 19 goals and 54 points in 66 appearances. The 21-year-old right winger is going to be given plenty of opportunity and responsibility in what will likely be his first full NHL season alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

Matej Blumel, RW, Boston Bruins

After three consecutive solid seasons with the Texas Stars in the AHL, the Boston Bruins now hold the rights of Matej Blumel, as they signed him on July 1. Blumel was the AHL’s leading goal scorer last season with 39 tallies and finished second in scoring with 72 points in 67 games.

The Czech right winger has a clear opportunity to make the Bruins roster out of training camp, depending on his performance. Boston struggled to score last season, and if he shows that he can be the offensive threat that he was with Texas, he may not have to report to Providence.

Trey Fix-Wolansky, RW, New York Rangers

Trey Fix-Wolansky signed a one-year deal with the New York Rangers following parts of seven seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 26-year-old right winger registered three straight 60-point seasons with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters.

Last season, he scored 26 goals and 60 points in 65 games for the Monsters. Despite his success in the AHL, including a 71-point season in 2022-23, he was never able to get regular time in The Show. Whether that’ll be with the Rangers or more time in the American League with the Hartford Wolf Pack, Fix-Wolansky could make a name for himself this training camp.

Isak Rosen, LW, Buffalo Sabres

Isak Rosen, selected 14th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2021 draft, is coming off back-to-back 50-point campaigns with the Rochester Americans. The 22-year-old left winger has demonstrated consistency in the minors, with progress and improvements evident with each passing season.

He has dipped his toe in the NHL, playing 15 games across two seasons with the Sabres, but this could be the year he becomes a full-timer for them. Last season, he scored 28 goals and 55 points, leading the Americans in both those scoring categories.

Arshdeep Bains, LW, Vancouver Canucks

Arshdeep Bains earned some attention as he was a key contributor to the Abbotsford Canucks’ Calder Cup championship. In the regular season, he registered a respectable 11 goals and 43 points in 50 games. In the playoffs, he averaged a point per game, scoring seven goals and 24 points.

If the Vancouver Canucks struggle to score or miss offensive depth, Bains should be an obvious solution to that for Adam Foote’s team. The 24-year-old has played 21 NHL games across the last two seasons, recording one goal.

Vancouver Canucks Announce Contract Extension For Abbotsford Canucks Head Coach Manny MalhotraAbbotsford Canucks Head Coach Manny Malhotra will be staying with the organization for the next couple of seasons. On Tuesday, GM Patrik Allvin announced that the Canucks have picked up Malhotra's option for the 2026-27 season. This will keep Malhotra in Abbotsford for the next two seasons, where he can continue to help develop Vancouver's top prospects. 

Check out our AHL to KHL signing tracker and AHL Free Agency signing tracker.      

The San Jose Barracuda announced they have signed forward Oliver Wahlstrom to PTO/AHL contract for the 2025-26 season.

Wahlstrom will attend San Jose Sharks training camp with an opportunity to make the team but has a guaranteed AHL deal with the Barracuda.

The 25-year-old had four points in 27 games with the New York Islanders, two points in 16 games with the Boston Bruins, and 15 points in 19 games with the Providence Bruins last season. 

A native of Portland, ME., Wahlstrom has recorded 37 goals and 73 points in 236 career NHL games and 21 goals and 40 points in 69 career AHL games. 

The #SJBarracuda have signed F Oliver Wahlstrom to an AHL Contract for the 2025-26 season pic.twitter.com/OZ8gVXNG5G

— SJ Barracuda (@sjbarracuda) September 16, 2025

If he does not make the NHL out of camp Wahlstrom will make a nice addition to a Baracuda team that lost reigning AHL MVP Andrew Poturalski this off-season. 

The 11th overall selection of the Islanders in 2018, Wahlstrom is extremely talented but has struggled to find consistently in the NHL, he should have lots of opportunity with the Sharks organization.

Check out our AHL to KHL signing tracker and AHL Free Agency signing tracker.      

Lots of current and future AHL talent was on display this past week across 10 different NHL Prospect Tournaments.

It is tough to base long-term opinions on such a short showcase but we took a look at a few players who have played in the AHL or are on AHL deals below that stood out in their rookie tournament 

Scott Morrow - (D) New York Rangers 

Morrow played 14 games with the Carolina Hurricanes and notched 39 points in 52 games with the Chicago Wolves last season. 

The 22-year-old was one of the most experienced players at the tournament but looked like the best player on the ice most of the time. He displayed his offensive ability with five points over two games against the Philadelphia Flyers. 

Jacob Fowler - (G) Laval Rocket 

After a tremendous performance in 11 appearances with the Rocket, including in eight Calder Cup Playoff games, Fowler picked up right where he left off in the rookie showcase.

The 20-year-old allowed just two goals in 60 minutes of game time and looks to continue to develop his game alongside veteran Kaapo Kahkonen in Laval this season. 

Jacob Quillan - (F) Toronto Marlies

After posting 37 points in 67 games as an AHL rookie with the Marlies last season Quillan stood out offensively against Ottawa and Montreal.

The 23-year-old will look to be a driver offensively with the Marlies and compete for playing time with the Maple Leafs this season. 

Joakim Kemell - (F) Nashville Predators

Another player with lots of professional experience, Kemell looked dangerous and constantly created plays in the prospect tournament.

The 21-year-old looks to graduate to the NHL full-time after 40 points in 65 AHL games last season.

Joakim Kemell with a LASER 🎯 pic.twitter.com/7SNGpUTu6l

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) September 12, 2025

Kenny Connors - (F) Los Angeles Kings

Connors picked-up a hat trick and added an assists in two games against the San Jose Sharks.

A fourth round pick of the Los Angeles Kings in 2022, Connors seems set to jump into a big role with the Ontario Reign this season after three years at UMass. 

Check out our AHL to KHL signing tracker and AHL Free Agency signing tracker.    

The upcoming 2025-26 season could see a handful of talented defensemen transition to full-time NHL roles. 

Some of these blueliners are simply growing, maturing and improving all the way to NHL consideration. Others may benefit from a change of scenery, opening themselves up to an opportunity that might not have been possible in another organization.

Here are three AHL D-men to break into the NHL for this coming season.

Logan Mailloux, St. Louis Blues

Following a solid campaign with the Laval Rocket last year in the Montreal Canadiens organization, Logan Mailloux was traded to the St. Louis Blues, and there’s no sign of him suiting up for the Springfield Thunderbirds.

All signs point to Mailloux playing in his first full NHL season after the Blues acquired the 22-year-old for Zack Bolduc on July 1.

The right-handed D-man has played two full AHL seasons since he was drafted by the Canadiens in 2021, with a handful of NHL games mixed in. Last season, he made 63 appearances for the Rocket, scoring 12 goals and 33 points. The season before that, he registered 14 goals and 47 points in 72 games.

His NHL experience is light, with a total of nine games and five points to his name. But his experience in The Show should be a lot higher at this time next year.

Luca Cagnoni, San Jose Barracuda

Despite being a fourth-round pick by the San Jose Sharks in the 2023 draft, Luca Cagnoni has been a pleasant surprise for the organization thus far. As a rookie in the AHL with the San Jose Barracuda last year, Cagnoni scored 16 goals and 52 points in 64 outings. He finished tied for third in scoring among all AHL defensemen.

The 5-foot-9 blueliner may have a small frame, but he has proven to be a dynamic player who has a notable offensive impact at different levels. He played six games with the Sharks last year, recording two assists. But it was in junior when he might’ve turned some heads.

Following his draft year, Cagnoni had an offensive explosion in his final season with the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks. He led all CHL defensemen in scoring for that 2023-24 season, recording 18 goals and 72 assists for 90 points. 

If Cagnoni can keep up that scoring pace, he could earn consistent NHL time with the Sharks at some point next season.

Blue Jackets’ Jet Greaves To Challenge For Starting Gig: AHL Goaltenders To Make The ShowThe goaltender is arguably the most important position in hockey. It is believed that without a great goalie between the pipes, a team has little chance of winning silverware, let alone hoisting the Stanley Cup.

Tristan Luneau, San Diego Gulls

The final defenseman on this list is Tristan Luneau of the San Diego Gulls and Anaheim Ducks. After a handful of games between the AHL and NHL in 2023-24, Luneau played a full season with the Gulls last year.

In 59 games, Luneau scored nine goals and 43 assists for 52 points, equalling Cagnoni’s total for the third most by a D-man in the AHL, also as a rookie. 

Luneau’s chances to crack the Ducks roster are a little tougher than the rest of the defensemen on this list. Anaheim has an abundance of young blueliners, including Pavel Mintyukov, Jackson LaCombe, Olen Zellweger and Drew Helleson.

However, it’s not impossible for Luneau, as the 21-year-old played a total of 13 NHL games across the last two seasons. Only time will tell if he can rise Anaheim’s depth chart and become a full-time NHLer.

Check out our AHL to KHL signing tracker and AHL Free Agency signing tracker. 

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed Brett Murray to a PTO and the Florida Panthers have signed Daniel Walcott and Josh Lopina professional tryouts, per Frank Seravalli. 

Murray notched 27 goals and 49 points in 66 games with the Rochester Americans last season, finishing second on the team in both categories.

The 27-year-old has 206 points in 325 career AHL games and six points in 26 career NHL games. 

A fourth round selection of the Buffalo Sabres in 2016, Murray would be a great veteran addition to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and could play NHL games for the Pittsburgh Penguins if needed.

Walcott had four goals and 12 points in 61 games with the Syracuse Crunch last season.

A respected leader, the 31-year-old served as an assistant captain with the Crunch for eight seasons and won the AHL's Yanick Dupré Memorial Award for his involvement in the community in 2024. 

A fifth round selection of the New York Rangers in 2014, Walcott has 147 points and 568 penalty minutes in 495 career AHL games and is pointless in one career NHL game with the Tampa Bay Lightning. 

Lopina recorded three goals and 13 points in 62 games with the San Diego Gulls last season.

A fourth round selection of the Anaheim Ducks in 2021, he has accumulated 44 points in 203 career AHL games. 

Murray and Walcott were named on our top remaining AHL free agents list earlier this week. 

Check out our AHL to KHL signing tracker and AHL Free Agency signing tracker.  

The goaltender is arguably the most important position in hockey. It is believed that without a great goalie between the pipes, a team has little chance of winning silverware, let alone hoisting the Stanley Cup.

All netminders start somewhere. Some are excellent right out of the draft, but many goaltenders need time to develop before they make it to the big stage. Here is a list made up of goaltenders who had a great 2024-25 campaign in the AHL and have a decent chance of earning multiple games in the NHL in this upcoming season.

Jet Greaves, Cleveland Monsters

Jet Greaves had a stellar season with the Cleveland Monsters last season in the AHL. In 40 appearances, the 24-year-old recorded a .920 save percentage and a 2.62 goals against average. He showed out to be one of the best goalies in the league last year.

Even in the post-season, despite a second-round exit for the Monsters, Greaves put up solid numbers - a .912 SP and 2.67 GAA.

All signs point in the direction of Greaves taking on a big role with the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL. To conclude the 2024-25 season, he played five straight games for the Blue Jackets. The Cambridge, Ont. native finished all those contests with a save percentage of .950 or higher, including two shutouts.

Leevi Merilainen, Belleville Senators

Leevi Merilainen is another goaltender who is set to become an NHL regular this season. In the off-season, the Ottawa Senatorssigned Merilainen to a one-year deal worth $1.05 million. His brief time in the NHL last season, as well as his AHL campaign with the Belleville Senators, put him on this path.

With Belleville in his second full AHL season, Merilainen recorded a .913 SP and a 2.37 GAA, along with four shutouts. In his 12 NHL appearances, the Finnish netminder registered an 8-3-1 record, earning a 1.99 GAA and .925 SP.

Now, with former Senators goaltender Anton Forsberg with the Los Angeles Kings, Merilainen has a wide-open opportunity to become Ottawa’s full-time backup.

Matthew Murray, Milwaukee Admirals

The Milwaukee Admirals’ goaltender Matthew Murray is coming off his third full season in the AHL. He had a great campaign, recording a 2.07 GAA and a league-leading .932 SP. His performances last season should be enough to draw the attention of the Nashville Predators in his first year with the organization.

Murray, 27, has spent the previous three years in the Dallas Stars’ system before the Predators signed him to a two-year, $1.55-million contract ahead of last season. He played four total NHL games with the Stars, but hasn’t featured in The Show since his 23-save shutout against the Minnesota Wild on Jan. 8, 2024.

Justus Annunen is Nashville’s current backup goalie. He is the measuring stick for Murray, and his biggest competition if he wants to make the Preds’ lineup.

Carl Lindbom, Henderson Silver Knights

Carl Lindbom is the only netminder on this list who hasn’t featured in the NHL. Lindbom was a rookie in the AHL with the Henderson Silver Knights. The 22-year-old played 36 games, putting up a .912 SP and a 2.65 GAA.

The Vegas Golden Knights drafted the Stockholm native in the seventh round of the 2022 draft. Since then, he’s spent multiple years in his home country, playing in the Swedish League. Before last season’s campaign with the Silver Knights, Lindbom played 26 games for Farjestad, recording a 2.12 GAA and .911 SP with two shutouts along the way.

It’ll be challenging for Lindbom to sneak his way onto the Golden Knights’ roster after just one season in North America. However, Akira Schmid, who is projected to be Vegas’ backup goalie next season, also featured in the AHL last year. Schmid played 30 games, registering a .886 SP and 3.58 GAA, making Lindbom’s numbers look even better.

Check out our AHL to KHL signing tracker and AHL Free Agency signing tracker.  

The Providence Bruins announced they have signed forward Jacob Perreault to a one-year deal for the 2025-26 AHL season. 

Perreault went pointless is in six games with the Laval Rocket and notched five points in five ECHL games before being dealt to the Bakersfield Condors where he picked up three goals and 14 points in 31 games.

A first round pick of the Anaheim Ducks in 2020, Perreault has 36 goals and 107 points in 218 career AHL games with the Rocket, Condors, and San Diego Gulls. He is pointless in one career NHL game with the Ducks. 

The 23-year-old has flashed high-end offensive skills at different points throughout his AHL career and looks to become a more consistent producer with a good Providence team. 

📰 PROVIDENCE BRUINS SIGN JACOB PERREAULT TO AHL CONTRACThttps://t.co/eDqv5PJpAf

— Providence Bruins (@AHLBruins) September 10, 2025

Check out our AHL to KHL signing tracker and AHL Free Agency signing tracker.  

The key to being a successful team in the big leagues is depth in all positions. One of the most crucial and effective positions is the center position. They facilitate the offense, they play on both sides of the ice, and they’re in the dot for faceoffs.

Last season, the AHL saw a handful of centers stand out, and they likely caught the attention of their NHL clubs. Here are a few AHL centers with a chance to make it to the NHL next season. 

Luca Del Bel Belluz, Cleveland Monsters

Luca Del Bel Belluz has played parts of two seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Cleveland Monsters. In the AHL last season, he saw a big jump in offensive production. 

In his first year in Cleveland, he scored nine goals and 31 points in 58 games, finishing sixth on the team in scoring. Last year, the 21-year-old registered 27 goals and 53 points in 61 appearances, good enough for third-best on the Monsters’ roster.

Despite playing 16 NHL games across those two years, Del Bel Belluz has played his way into the conversation of playing even more games with the Blue Jackets next year.

Alex Steeves, Providence Bruins

Alex Steeves has been a top player in the AHL for several seasons now. Since signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization in 2021, he has played four seasons with the Toronto Marlies. 

In each of those seasons, Steeves has been a top-three scorer on his team. Last year was his best, as he scored 36 goals and 62 points in 58 games, finishing second in the AHL in goals and eighth in points. In addition, Steeves became the Marlies’ all-time leader in goals (105) and points (216).

With those accolades and consistency, Steeves should be destined to get a full NHL season with the Boston Bruins, who signed him in free agency to a one-year deal. 

Bradly Nadeau and Ryan Suzuki, Chicago Wolves

Bradley Nadeau and Ryan Suzuki are both in a similar position when it comes to where they stand for the Chicago Wolves and their chances with the Carolina Hurricanes. 

These centers, who are also capable of playing the wing, finished one point away from each other last season in the AHL. Nadeau scored 32 goals and 58 points in what was his rookie season, while Suzuki recorded 12 tallies and 59 points, leading the Wolves in scoring.

One distinguishable attribute between these two players is that Nadeau, 20, is far younger than Suzuki, 24. If either of these players gets an honest look in the NHL, it could all depend on how management sees the situation. One could be called up because they have more experience, or the other may get that opportunity because they have shown more promise at a younger age.

Check out our AHL to KHL signing tracker and AHL Free Agency signing tracker.

As training camp approaches, prospects are looking to challenge for a spot on their NHL teams.

As hard as they compete, sometimes it’s best for these young players to spend some time in the AHL to mature and get more ice time than they would in the NHL. Nonetheless, they’ll bring plenty of excitement to the American League.

While it’s possible for these players to see games in the NHL, here are three players to look out for in their first AHL season.

Easton Cowan, LW, Toronto Marlies

Easton Cowan is easily the most coveted prospect in the Toronto Maple Leafs organization. After trading away Fraser Minten to the Boston Bruins for Brandon Carlo and a 2026 first-round pick, Cowan stands alone at the top of the prospect chart.

The left winger is coming off back-to-back OHL championships and a Memorial Cup victory last year. Along the way, Cowan picked up many awards and accolades from his exceptional play, especially in the post-season. 

The 20-year-old has led the OHL in playoff points for the last two seasons, was named OHL playoffs MVP, Memorial Cup MVP, and led the Memorial Cup in points twice, in addition to other achievements.

Cowan has accomplished and performed like a player who should be a regular NHL player in no time, so his first season with the Toronto Marlies in the AHL should be one to watch for Maple Leafs fans and hockey fans.

Andrew Cristall, C, Hershey Bears

Andrew Cristall had a season for the ages last year for the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets and the Spokane Chiefs. He scored 48 goals and led the WHL with 132 points in 57 games. He was just as impressive in the playoffs, leading the league in goals with 21 tallies and recording 41 points in 19 games, which puts him in the top 10 for most points in a WHL post-season.

Cristall was selected in the second round of the 2023 draft by the Washington Capitals and could be set to debut for the Hershey Bears next season. 

The Bears have been a force to reckon with for the past three seasons, winning two straight Calder Cups in that span. The addition of Cristall could make their case for a third Calder Cup in four years all the more plausible.

Detroit’s Sandin-Pellikka Among Rookie Defensemen To Look Out For Next AHL SeasonNHL Training camp will be kicking off soon, and each team’s prospects will be looking to fight for their spot on that roster.

Brayden Yager, C, Manitoba Moose

Brayden Yager is a complete, two-way center who has recorded three straight solid seasons in the WHL. Last season, he registered 82 points in 54 contests between the Moose Jaw Warriors and the Lethbridge Hurricanes. 

In Yager’s five-year junior career, he was named CHL and WHL rookie of the year, a Hlinka Gretzky gold medalist and a WHL champion with the Warriors in 2023-24.

He was also named captain for Team Canada at the latest World Junior Championship. Yager recorded three helpers in that tournament.

The 20-year-old from Saskatoon is ready for a new challenge next season - whether that’s a sniff with the Winnipeg Jets in the NHL or a season with the Manitoba Moose in the AHL - he’ll be one to look out for.

Check out our AHL to KHL signing tracker and AHL Free Agency signing tracker.