On October 1st and 2nd, I published two articles regarding NHL-ready prospects, the links to which can be found below. Please also find below a continuation of this theme regarding the Edmonton, St. Louis, Calgary & Washington organizations.
Forward Vitamin Marjala, Edmonton (159th overall in 2021 by BUF) – Marjala posted 60 points (17G 43A) in 72 games last season in Bakersfield in his rookie campaign in the AHL. This puts him firmly in the call-up conversation along with Condors’ forward teammate Quinn Hutson, particularly considering the fact that he has been a proven scorer wherever he’s been. The best evidence for this is his 52 points (8G 44A) in 54 games in Finland’s highest pro league for 2024-25. Also, he is a very productive goal-scorer and assist man on Bakersfield’s top power-play unit.
Forward Justin Carbonneau, St. Louis (19th overall in 2025) – Tied for the league lead in goals last season (51) in the QMJHL, Carbonneau has picked up right where he left off in his inaugural professional season. He has amassed 3 points (2G 1A) in 2 games for AHL Springfield, and came into the season with 3 playoff games under his belt with the Thunderbirds last season. Although not projected to make his NHL arrival until the 2027-28 season, Carbonneau’s early-season productivity, combined with his track record as a big-time sniper, make an early debut in St. Louis a definite possibility.
Forward Aydar Suniev, Calgary (80th overall in 2023) – Suniev has been with the Flames for seven games in the past two seasons, and his AHL reassignment came as a bit of a surprise given his extremely strong showing in the pre-season. Sending him back to the AHL was solely a product of the log-jam the Flames have up front, and is intended to benefit his continued development by receiving many more meaningful minutes with the Wranglers. With his enhanced scoring prowess (3 goals in 2 pre-season games) and defensive awareness, look for him to challenge for an extended call-up role at some point this season.
Forward Andrew Cristall, Washington (40th overall in 2023) – Coming off an AHL rookie season where he had 60 points (20G 40A) in 72 games, Cristall already has 3 assists in 2 games this season for Hershey. He also had a very eventful pre-season for the Caps. First, he was assessed a five-minute major penalty for his response to a heavy hit by Philly d-man Hunter MacDonald on Caps’ forward Ryan Leonard, where he was both lauded for sticking up for a teammate and criticized for taking an undisciplined infraction. Cristall followed that up by leading a heavily-laden prospects lineup with two points (1G 1A) in a 5-1 win versus a veteran Philadelphia lineup in the pre-season finale. Already projected to land in the NHL this season, his production thus far warrants early call-up consideration.
