As the National Hockey League continues to ponder the future of the 2019-20 season, the AHL announced on Monday that the rest of its season and the Calder Cup playoffs were canceled. The announcement brought an end to the professional hockey season for many of the league's top prospects; however, for a number of players, the season may not be over just yet.
Sportsnet's Chris Johnston reported on Monday that NHL teams are planning on fielding rosters of 30 players or more if the season resumes, especially if it skips straight to the postseason. If that does end up happening, it's likely that teams would call up a number of players from the AHL level to fill out their rosters.
These "taxi squads" are common during the postseason each year to help give up-and-coming prospects a taste of the playoff atmosphere and provide reserves in case of an injury. This year is obviously a bit different.
MORE: With AHL season canceled, what's next for Canadian teams and affiliates?
Considering the vast majority of players haven't been skating during the pandemic, they probably won't be in game-shape if the season does resume. In addition, injuries could be much more frequent than normal if athletes have to quickly prepare for the postseason after months away from the ice. With those things in mind, AHL players may get some minutes if the postseason does eventually take place.
Here is Sporting News Canada's list of predicted call-ups for each Canadian team still eligible for the playoffs (sorry, Ottawa). The players listed below all spent the majority of this past season in the AHL and have contracts that would allow them to represent their NHL team.
MORE: Ranking the top three prospects for each Canadian NHL team
Calgary Flames
AHL team: Stockton Heat
Forwards: Alan Quine, Austin Czarnik, Byron Froese, Buddy Robinson, Glenn Gawdin, Matthew Phillips, Luke Philp, Eetu Tuulola, Adam Ruzicka, Martin Pospisil
Defensemen: Alexander Yelesin, Andrew Nielsen
Goalies: Jon Gillies, Artyom Zagidulin
The Flames have plenty of offensive depth to pick from, considering the Heat tied for third in goals scored (194) in the AHL's Western Conference this season. Postmedia's Wes Gilbertson gave a possible shortlist for Calgary's call-ups on Twitter.
#Flames list would presumably include likes of Austin Czarnik, Glenn Gawdin, Matthew Phillips, Alan Quine, Buddy Robinson, Alexander Yelesin, one or two goalies. https://t.co/7ZA3HOFFrw
— Wes Gilbertson (@WesGilbertson) May 11, 2020
Alexander Yelesin was the only blueliner included in his tweet, with the Russian appearing in four games for the Flames already this season. At the goalie position, it's a dead heat as far as experience with both Jon Gillies and Artyom Zagidulin having appeared in 30 games for Stockton this season. Gillies has a slight edge in stats, however, with a save percentage of .907 to Zagidulin's .898.
Edmonton Oilers
AHL team: Bakersfield Condors
Forwards: Josh Currie, Tyler Benson, Cooper Marody, Ryan McLeod, Kirill Maximov, Joe Gambardella
Defensemen: Evan Bouchard, Logan Day, Caleb Jones, William Lagesson, Dmitri Samorukov
Goalie: Stuart Skinner
Wingers Josh Currie and Tyler Benson were the Condors' top scorers this season, combining for 77 points in 103 appearances. That should be enough to earn them a spot in the Oilers' "taxi squad" alongside fellow standouts Joe Gambardella and Cooper Marody.
On defense, Evan Bouchard has the look of a future star and will likely get the chance to add to his NHL minutes after making seven appearances for the Oilers last season. Other blueliners that could get a call-up include the American duo of Logan Day and Caleb Jones as well as William Lagesson.
Stuart Skinner is the favorite to get the nod as a goalie after starting 41 AHL games this season.
Montreal Canadiens
AHL team: Laval Rocket
Forwards: Jake Evans, Ryan Poehling, Lukas Vejdemo, Charles Hudon, Alexandre Alain
Defensemen: Otto Leskinen, Gustav Olofsson, Josh Brook, Karl Alzner, Noah Juulsen, Xavier Ouellet
Goalies: Cayden Primeau, Charlie Lindgren
It would be nothing short of a miracle if Montreal did make the playoffs, but because they're still technically mathematically alive (0.1 percent chance according to hockey-reference.com), they would be a part of the proposed 24-team postseason reportedly being considered by the NHL.
It would certainly be a great chance to give their prospects some experience, and forwards Jake Evans, Ryan Poehling and Lukas Vejdemo would all be likely call-ups considering their solid play in the AHL this year. Winger Charles Hudon has already spent plenty of time in the NHL, and he'd be a near-lock for the squad as well.
Young blueliners like Otto Leskinen and Gustav Olofsson could be joined by veteran Xavier Ouellet to add depth to the team's defense, while promising goalie prospect Cayden Primeau could also get a call after making 33 starts for the Laval Rocket this season.
MORE: NHL 2020 free agency tracker
Toronto Maple Leafs
AHL team: Toronto Marlies
Forwards: Kenny Agostino, Nic Petan, Jeremy Bracco, Yegor Korshkov, Tyler Gaudet, Adam Brooks, Pontus Aberg
Defensemen: Timothy Liljegren, Teemu Kivihalme, Joseph Duszak, Jesper Lindgren
Goalies: Kasimir Kaskisuo, Joseph Woll
Kenny Agostino led the way for Toronto's AHL affiliate this season, racking up 49 points (27 goals, 22 assists) in 53 games for the Marlies. He looks likely to be joined by Pontus Aberg and Jeremy Bracco at the forward position. Nic Petan could also quite possibly make the squad after appearing in 21 games for the Leafs over the last two seasons.
Timothy Liljegren is arguably Toronto's top defensive prospect, and he'll almost certainly get selected to participate, while Teemu Kivihalme and Jesper Lindgren could also be chosen to help shore up a disappointing defensive unit for the Leafs this year. Kasimir Kaskisuo and Joseph Woll are both highly-rated goalie prospects and both could well be traveling with the team come this postseason.
MORE: Who was the Maple Leafs' MVP of the 2019-20 season?
Vancouver Canucks
AHL team: Utica Comets
Forwards: Reid Boucher, Justin Bailey, Sven Baertschi, Kole Lind, Lucas Jasek, Francis Perron
Defensemen: Brogan Rafferty, Olli Juolevi, Guillaume Brisebois, Ashton Sautner, Jalen Chatfield
Goalie: Michael DiPietro
The Comets were the third-highest scoring team in the AHL when the season was postponed and they have plenty of forwards that would be useful for a "taxi squad". Reid Boucher had the second-most points (67) and goals (34) in the AHL this year and he'll look to build on his 21 career games with the Canucks, while Sven Baertschi could be called back up after tallying 46 points (13 goals, 33 assists) this year on assignment in Utica.
Brogan Rafferty has been the Comets' highest-scoring defenseman this season with 45 points (seven goals, 38 assists) in 57 games. He'll likely be chosen alongside Olli Juolevi to provide some defensive reinforcements. Michael DiPietro has served as the starting goalie in Utica this season, and therefore will likely be the only netminder called up.
Winnipeg Jets
AHL team: Manitoba Moose
Forwards: Kristian Vesalainen, David Gustafsson, Andrei Chibisov, Michael Spacek, Joona Luoto, Seth Griffith, JC Lipon, C.J. Seuss
Defensemen: Logan Stanley, Leon Gawanke, Cameron Schilling, Dylan Samberg, Nelson Nogier
Goalie: Mikhail Berdin
The Jets have been shaky on defense all year, so you would expect Paul Maurice and his staff to call up a few blueliners to add depth if the season returns. Ville Heinola would be ideal but his status is unclear considering he spent most of the season playing for Lukko in Finland rather than in the AHL. 20-year-old German Leon Gawanke will likely fit the bill, though, leading the Moose in points by a defenseman this season with 20. Veteran Cameron Schilling could also be selected to help make up the numbers.
At forward, Seth Griffith has stood out in the AHL this season with 41 points in 58 games and looks likely to be chosen as a "black ace" alongside wingers JC Lipon and Kristian Vesalainen. Mikhail Berdin looks likely to be the goalie selected after starting 41 games for Manitoba this year.
