Utah: On Friday, the Mammoth sent its top two prospects, forwards Tij Iginla (6th overall in 2024) and Caleb Desnoyers (4th overall in 2025), to AHL Tucson for the start of the 2026-27 season. With respect to Iginla, the move was expected, as he was projected to begin the season with the Roadrunners. Regarding Desnoyers, this move was a bit of a surprise, as he was projected to earn a roster spot with Utah out of camp. Look for these players to be in-season call-ups, as both are slated to make their NHL arrivals this season. Also, Utah sent top goaltender prospect Michael Hrabal (38th overall in 2023) to the AHL as part of this roster move.
Philadelphia: Similar to Utah, multiple top prospects in the Flyers’ system are headed to the AHL to continue their professional development, being forwards Cole Knuble (103rd overall in 2023) & Jett Luchanko (13th overall in 2024), as well as d-man Oliver Bonk (22nd overall in 2023). This move was expected with respect to Knuble and Bonk, as both were projected to begin the season in Lehigh Valley. The decision to send Luchanko to the AHL was a bit more surprising, given that he has enjoyed 4-game stints with Philly in each of the past two seasons, and was expected to secure a roster spot out of camp this year. Regardless, the move was driven by GM Daniel Briere‘s desire for Luchanko to receive top-6 minutes with the Phantoms in order to continue his development. He and Bonk are very likely to be in-season call-ups.
Buffalo: Top forward prospect Konta Helenius (14th overall in 2024) appears to be with the Sabres to stay. After 9 regular-season games with Buffalo last season, followed by a two-goal effort in 4 playoff games with the club (both coming in clutch situations against Montreal in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals), he is now slotted into a top-9 role in the Sabres’ forward group. This was in addition to the point-per-game effort he enjoyed in AHL Rochester last season, where he also developed a reputation as the league’s top agitator and one of the AHL’s least-liked players. He will complement teammate Zach Benson very well in Buffalo, as he has earned the same status at the NHL level.
New York Islanders: D-man prospect Kashawn Aitcheson (17th overall in 2025) is on the brink of making an early NHL arrival, as he remains in Long Island pending final roster cuts. His latest and perhaps most impressive outing came in a 5-goal loss against the New York Rangers, in a game featuring the Rangers’ opening-night roster against Isles’ prospects. Aitcheson was one of the few members of that squad to have a positive player rating, and made a solid impact in the physicality department as well. Although projected to spend the entire season in AHL Hamilton, he may have played his way onto the Isles’ current roster. Additionally, fellow first-round 2025 pick Victor Eklund (16th overall) stands heavily favored to make the Isles’ opening night roster, taking the place of injured pivot Matthew Barzal in the lineup.
