Top 10 NHL prospects dominating the AHL in 2025-26
The NHL might have been on a break, but the AHL sure wasn’t.
The AHL regular season features 10 fewer games, but they finish around the same time as the NHL. That’s because the schedule is often geared more toward weekend games, with a few weekday outings thrown in. But with the NHL taking time off for the Olympics, many teams were able to send some of their top young players back down to the AHL to keep in game shape.
Today, we’re looking at 10 notable prospects having monster years in the NHL’s top developmental league. We’re going to focus on skaters aged 23 and under for this one. Guys like Jakob Pelletier and Arthur Kaliyev have been great but are on the older side of the equation. We also decided to leave off Conor Geekie, because while he’s having an excellent season, he played 52 games in the NHL last year. This way, we’re giving some love to guys still trying to grind their way up who might only have a handful of games to their credit.
So, let’s check out 10 prospects you need to know right now:
Konsta Helenius, C, 19, Rochester Americans (Buffalo Sabres)
Helenius wasn’t loaned out to Finland’s World Junior team, but it may have led to him getting the promotion he was looking for. The 19-year-old received a call-up to the big club in January and put up a respectable four points in nine games. Helenius was loaned back to Rochester following the start of the Olympic break and immediately put up six points in his first three games. He’s up to 38 points in 40 games, which puts him on track for 60. Given he had 35 as a rookie, this has been an absolute mega season for the youngster with four years of pro hockey under his belt already. It won’t be long until he’s a full-time NHLer – and a good one at that.
Justin Robidas, RW, 22, Chicago Wolves (Carolina Hurricanes)
The Hurricanes have a handful of standouts in the AHL, including Bradly Nadeau and Felix Unger Sorum. But today, we’re focusing on a fifth-rounder who hasn’t gotten much love. The former QMJHL star spent his first year of pro hockey playing in the AHL two seasons ago. He quickly turned that into a very competitive AHL rookie season, and even registered two points in his first two NHL games. The 5-foot-8 winger is on pace for more than 30 goals and 70 points in his second AHL campaign and has even skated in another two NHL games. Robidas is a high-volume shooter who routinely gets five-plus quality chances a night. Whenever Chicago is thriving, Robidas is one of the top dogs making it happen.
Luca Del Bel Belluz, C, 22, Syracuse Crunch (Columbus Blue Jackets)
LDBB has been excellent at just about every level, and he even had eight points in a 15-game NHL run a year ago. He struggled in early-season action with the Blue Jackets but is still tracking for more than 20 goals and 65 points this season. Del Bel Belluz is excellent with the puck, has always been good transitionally and has often been used in high-stress defensive situations because he reads plays well. His skating is still a work in progress, but there’s long-term middle-six NHL potential here.
Sebastian Cossa, G, 23, Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit Red Wings)
Could the Griffins beat one of the NHL’s bottom-feeders this season? Probably, and Cossa is a big reason why. Cosssa has a 23-4-2 record with five shutouts and a .928 save percentage. His numbers are downright mind-boggling, and he absolutely should be in the NHL right now. The Red Wings have a logjam in net, but it would be surprising if Cossa wasn’t in the NHL next season (trade chip, anyone?). Cossa has been one of the top goaltending prospects for about half a decade now, with his size, athleticism and high-end play reads allowing him to be a dominant force at every level.
Viljami Marjala, LW, 23 Bakersfield Condors (Edmonton Oilers)
The Sabres drafted Marjala 159th overall in 2021 but elected to have his rights expire. Shortly after, he became one of the most productive forwards in the top Finnish league and earned himself a contract with Edmonton. This year has been an unbelievable success – Marjala is on pace for about 20 goals and 60 points. His quick hands and deceptive offensive style have made him so dangerous in Bakersfield, where he currently sits third in team scoring. He’s not the only prospect making waves with the Condors, though. Ike Howard, Josh Samanski and Quinn Hutson has been great, too. We also can’t ignore Connor Ungar – he might only have played 12 games, but he boasts an insane 9-2-1 record with a .926 save percentage. Sure, the Oilers might not have a ton of high-end power in the system. But they’ve stumbled across a few hidden gems along the way.
Adam Engström, D, 22, Laval Rocket (Montreal Canadiens)
Engström had a solid rookie season with Laval last year, but has upped the ante this season. He’s tracking for about 50 points while playing more than 20 minutes a night. The 6-foot-2 defender is a puck-mover who plays with a ton of confidence, and he’s physical when he needs to be, as well. Engström’s skating is excellent – he’s quick, mobile and doesn’t lose many races. Scouts also like that he’s really dynamic – he can shut you down when needed, but he can also join in on the rush and be effective. The Habs have something here in Engström.
Ryan Ufko, D, Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville Predators)
Ufko is having himself a breakthrough season in the AHL. When the Preds selected Ufko 115th overall in 2021, they were banking on his skill trumping his smaller 5-foot-10 frame. Ufko had a productive three-year run with UMass and is now set to smash the 60-point barrier in his second full AHL campaign. That would double his output from a year ago, which is incredible. Ufko’s lack of pure muscle and size will make it tough for him to step up to the next level, but he’s doing everything in his power to prove himself in Milwaukee right now.
Sergei Murashov, G, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh Penguins)
The Penguins love Murashov, and for good reason. The 21-year-old came over to North America last year and put up a 12-3-0 record in the AHL. It was only a matter of time until the Penguins gave Murashov a chance, given his minor-league dominance. He nabbed a shutout in his second NHL start, proving many people right. He is 20-6-1 with three shutouts and a .924 save percentage with the Baby Pens, putting on some absolutely dazzling performances in the process. WBS is a good team, and most of the team’s netminders have looked solid. But Murashov is the best of the bunch, and has a strong argument to become a full-time NHLer next season if the club doesn’t keep Stuart Skinner.
Jagger Firkus, RW, Coachella Valley Firebirds (Seattle Kraken)
Firkus fell out of the first round in 2021 – not due to skill, but mostly due to his smaller frame. Since then, he managed to snag a 126-point season with Moose Jaw in the WHL and is now tracking for 70 points as a sophomore with Coachella Valley. Scouts saw him as a guy who could step into a top six and challenge for 30-goal seasons – and it still looks entirely possible. Firkus hasn’t received an NHL call-up yet, but it’ll come. Logan Morrison and Tyson Jugnauth might not receive as much love as Firkus in the prospect community, but both have been excellent this year, as well, while Jani Nyman has been fantastic since getting loaned back to the AHL.
Ilya Protas, C, 19, Hershey Bears (Washington Capitals)
Last year, Protas’ 124-point OHL rookie campaign was mind-blowing. This year, he’s on track for just under 60 points as a 19-year-old pro rookie. Seriously wild stuff, especially when you realize he’s also a 6-foot-5 physical beast. This year has proven that Protas wasn’t carried by the high-end offensive talents of Michael Misa and that Protas is legitimately one of the most exciting prospects in hockey right now.
Other notables: Isak Rosén, LW, 22, Rochester Americans (Buffalo Sabres); William Strömgren, LW, 22, Calgary Wranglers (Calgary Flames); Dylan Duke, LW, 22, Syracuse Crunch (Tampa Bay Lightning)
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