Recently having taken a look at some of the AHL’s overall top scorers, and what possible NHL opportunities may await in 2026-27, next it’s time to dive into true prospects who also put together excellent campaigns despite facing veterans several years their senior. Making their mark early in their professional careers, sometimes not the highest on the radar, how have these players changed their NHL outlook rolling into next fall?
Capitals prospect Ilya Protas had a tremendous season for the Hershey Bears, winning the league’s Rookie of the Year honors. At just 20, the 6’6″ center entered the pro rank after a 124 point output in the OHL. If there was ever any doubt on his ability to score on higher competition, there isn’t now.
Protas debuted in Hershey with 66 points in 69 games, sixth-best of all skaters in the league, and #1 for rookies. He made his NHL debut in April, following it up three days later with a three-point night in Pittsburgh, scoring and assisting on his brother Aliaksei‘s goal. Ilya’s relative, five years older, was also a third round pick of the Capitals.
It looks like Washington did it again with Ilya, a major steal at 74th overall who has serious top-six upside, possibly even sharper offensive tools than his brother who is a 30-goal-scorer. Next, Hurricanes prospect Felix Unger Sorum broke out with the Chicago Wolves in 2025-26. A team who has made one first round pick in the past five years, finally paying off with their Stanley Cup, the Canes have a nice piece with the 20-year-old winger who is a calculated playmaker.
Drafted 62nd overall in 2023, the Norway native more than tripled his AHL production in his sophomore campaign, 66 points in 72 games which is seventh best among all skaters, and tied for third in assists (49). The high floor potential middle-six forward rated second in the longtime contender’s system earlier this month by Steven Ellis of The Daily Faceoff. Recording an assist in his April NHL debut, Unger Sorum would do well to supplement the Carolina roster, but with a roster widely locked up, there’s always the possibility of an eventual trade in the club’s title defense.
Quinn Hutson of the Edmonton Oilers reached the 30-goal mark for the Bakersfield Condors in his first full pro season, best among league rookies. What makes the 24-year-old special is that he was undrafted, helped by an outburst in his final collegiate season at Boston University. Hutson looks like he has real upside at the highest level, third in his family after his brothers Lane and Cole.
He may not have the sky-high offensive NHL potential seen from his siblings, but he still carries the same high-end skating traits. With the chance to make an impression in camp under Mike Babcock, Hutson can be a reliable complementary winger for the Oilers into the future and should be on speed-dial for a call-up. He already has six NHL appearances, scoring a goal in December.
Looking at defensemen, Nashville’s Ryan Ufko was among the Milwaukee Admirals top scorers (fourth, 44 points), playing his way into 18 NHL games which cut his AHL season short to 52 appearances. Still ninth in the league for points by defensemen, despite the missed time, Ufko didn’t look back in Nashville either, with 11 more points in 18 games. Drafted in the fourth round out of the USHL, the 5’10” righty had a strong college career with UMass-Amherst.
The Predators hope Ufko is next in line to usher in a new era of their homegrown defensemen. Able to run a power play unit, the New York native needs to shore up decision making and add some strength to his 5’10” frame to reach full potential, most likely a #4/5 option who puts up points. Rounding out the group with a nod between the pipes, Sergei Murashov of Pittsburgh received All-Rookie honors for his position.
The 22-year-old Russian played in 38 games for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, winning 24 contests on a .919 save percentage, third best in the league, also tied for third with most shutouts (4). A steal in the fourth round of the 2022 draft, Murashov has what it takes to be a future strong #1 at the NHL level. They were happy in Pittsburgh to let Stuart Skinner walk away in free agency without an outside replacement, and the table is set for Murashov to have a spot on the roster next season alongside Arturs Silovs.
Murashov made his NHL debut in November, eventually playing in five games during the winter, picking up a win and holding his own during the opening act. Honorable mentions: Buffalo’s Konsta Helenius jumped from 35 points in his first AHL campaign to 62 in 63 games for the Rochester Americans. Tied for team lead, the 20-year-old forward made his mark during the Sabres’ playoff run with two goals during the second round.
A 2024 first-rounder (14th overall), Helenius is thought to be their top prospect with a spot on the roster next season, looking to build toward his top-six upside as a center. Defenseman Tyson Jugnauth, a Seattle prospect, was an AHL All-Star as a rookie after posting 45 points in 72 games for the Coachella Valley Firebirds, averaging 21 minutes a night. With serious mobility at 6’0″, the lefty has competition in camp with seven adequate defenders on the Kraken roster, but he should make his NHL debut soon next season.
The only player mentioned who hasn’t yet broken into the league, Jugnauth is a rising name to watch as a former fourth round selection (2022). Jacob Fowler, Montreal’s impressive youngster, went 19-7-1 with a .916 save percentage for the Laval Rocket. The 21-year-old, a 2023 third-round choice, earned 17 appearances for the Habs where he continued his excellent work in goal.
The efforts solidified himself as one of the very premier goalie prospects in the league. He’s somewhat blocked for now by Sam Montembeault on the NHL roster, but another year of AHL domination would have Fowler in good shape for 2027 and beyond. Image Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images (Hutson), Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images (Murashov)