Artyom Levshunov Makes Debut, Kemell’s Five-Pointer: NHL Prospects in AHL

Each week, FloHockey analyst Chris Peters breaks down notable performances in the AHL that NHL fans should pay attention to.

Here’s a look at some of the players we’ve been following this weekend, including a top defensive player who will make his professional debut.

Artyom Levshunov has arrived

Saturday marked the highly anticipated professional debut of Artyom Levshunov, the second overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks. After missing the first few weeks of the season with a season-ending broken foot, Levshunov was able to hit the ice with the Rockford IceHogs in their road series against the Manitoba Moose.

Levshunov didn’t waste much time to get involved. He was on Rockford’s top power-play team with fellow first-round pick Kevin Korchinski, and saw plenty of ice at even strength. Levshunov showed good movement and confidence with the puck. He also behaved well enough defensively, but showed a few times where his awareness could have been better.

He had one assist and five shots on goal during the series split against Manitoba.

Artyom Levshunov and the Rockford IceHogs are back at it at 3pm ET👀
After a 5-3 win over Manitoba yesterday, they look to repeat this afternoon!

📺: https://t.co/qmiCQxtpqS#AHL #RFDvsMB pic.twitter.com/RQMRBpGB0h

— FloHockey (@FloHockey) October 27, 2024

The late start to the season may not have been great, but Levshunov being able to spend time in Rockford to get his technical legs under him will help him accelerate now. The IceHogs have a number of key prospects on their roster right now, with Levshunov, Korchinski and forward Frank Nazar among the key prospects in the Blackhawks rebuild alongside Connor Bedard.

The IceHogs have had an up and down start so far this season with a 2-3-0-0 record so far in what looks to be a very challenging Central Division.

They will face one of those tough teams especially in the Central on Friday night on the road against the hot Grand Rapids Griffins before returning home to the ice Saturday night to face their rival Chicago Wolves.

Milwaukee’s Joakim Kemell Has a Good Five-Point Night

After the first two weeks of the season, with just one goal in his first five games for Milwaukee, Kemell exploded for six points in two games in a home-to-home series against the Chicago Wolves.

Kemell had an assist Friday night before putting together an impressive five-point night that saw him make three goals on six shots on target, including a power play and game winner.

It was a successful game for the Nashville Predators 17th overall pick from 2022. The Finnish shooter looked impressive in Saturday night’s exhibition where the Admirals dominated.

What a night to be called Kieffer or Joakim and play @mkeadmirals or @Chicago_Wolves 👀#AHL #MILVsCHI pic.twitter.com/tUHvD4O14L

— FloHockey (@FloHockey) October 27, 2024

At his best, Kemell is a confident finisher who can pick up corners, take one-on-one shots and has the ability to beat defenders one-on-one. Now in his second full season in North America, there should be a step toward becoming a consistent producer, pushing for a point per game and scoring 25 or more goals on the season, if not better.

With the additions made by Nashville in the offseason, the Predators’ top six will be hard to come by next season. We’ll see if this one big night is enough to launch the 20-year-old into a real breakout campaign.

Kemell and the Admirals travel to Canada for a weekend series with the Manitoba Moose beginning Friday night.

Collin Graf, Rookies Fuel San Jose’s Hot Start

While San Jose’s NHL team recently tied the record for most consecutive losses to start the season, their AHL affiliate won five of their first six games fueled by youth.

Four of the team’s top five players are first-year AHL players led by Collin Graf. His seven assists and nine points lead the Barracuda and all AHL rookies through six games this season. Fellow first-year players Luca Cagnoni and Filip Bystedt are both near the top of that leaderboard with seven points apiece.

After a decorated college career at Quinnipiac, Graf was one of the hottest undrafted free agents in the NCAA last spring. The Sharks were able to acquire his rights and put him in seven NHL games at the end of last season.

Graf didn’t make the NHL roster in camp, but he responded by being the offensive driver for the red-hot San Jose Barracuda. He should be recalled if necessary, but one would think the Sharks would benefit greatly from letting their prospects bolster a highly competitive team.

The Barracuda currently sit four points clear of first place with two games in hand on leader Calgary. They are a legitimate competitor in the Pacific.

Sharks organizations need look no further than arch-rivals the Tampa Bay Lightning to see the benefits of letting many of their prospects thrive in the AHL before making the jump to the big club where it’s hard to come by later. Tampa’s Stanley Cup pedigree had many players coached through their AHL program first, including a Calder Cup winning team.

Learning to win matters and the Barracuda will likely win more games than their parent NHL team this season.

Tucson’s Egor Sokolov Always Finds the Net

In the early days of free agency last summer, the Ottawa Senators and Utah Hockey Club traded restricted free agents for entry-level contracts. Utah sent Jan Jeník to Ottawa, and got Egor Sokolov in return. Both players have signed one-year contracts with their new clubs.

The move gave two players who had yet to make it to the NHL a new opportunity and a one-year deal gave them something to play for.

Both have adapted well to their new surroundings, but Sokolov in particular has made a big impact with his new club.

In six games with the Tucson Roadrunners, Sokolv has five goals and eight points to lead the team in both categories. Four of those goals came last weekend as he scored twice in each game against the Bakersfield Condors. He hit the game-winner in each of Tucson’s weekend sweeps of the Edmonton Oilers, including one in overtime Saturday night.

Selected in the second round of the 2020 NHL Draft as a re-entry, Sokolov has been a legitimate goal scorer in the AHL. The 6-foot-3, 216-pound winger has a heck of a shot and puts himself in good scoring positions.

At 24 years old, this feels like an age where he has to prove he can get through. Now in his fifth AHL season, Sokolov has earned 13 games in the NHL entering the 2024-25 campaign. The hot start at least gives Utah something to think about if they feel like they need to inject more goals into their lineup.

Prospect News And Notes

Justin Hryckowian, LW, Texas Stars

The Texas Stars forward is second in AHL rookie scoring with eight points. The undrafted college free agent has points in five of six games played this season and has been at the center of everything for the Stars as he finds life behind Logan Stankoven and Mavrik Bourque, who were among the AHL’s best forwards last season.

Dylan Peterson, C, Springfield Thunderbirds

St. Louis Blues prospect has been impressive with the Springfield Thunderbirds this season. He has four goals and six points in his first eight games this season and has been involved in two fights, dropping the gloves with veteran players in the game. The 2020 third-round pick was never a very productive player in college, but he could impact the game with his body. He doesn’t back down from anyone as a first-year pro.

Domenic DiVincentiis, G, Manitoba Moose

Through his first three professional starts, DiVincentiis looked like a rookie. He hasn’t allowed more than two goals in any game and has two starts with 30 or more saves. DiVincentiis has a .947 save percentage through three starts and shined in the Moose’s win over Rockford on Sunday with 30 saves and one goal allowed.

Luke Tuch, LW, Laval Rocket

Playing less than an hour in his hometown game against the Utica Comets, Luke Tuch put on a show for friends and family. The AHL rookie scored a goal in each of his first two professional games as the Rockets earned a narrow 4-3 win over the winless Comets. Tuch has a great figure and uses his large frame well. Through six games this season, Tuch has four points and looks more comfortable with each passing week. Laval returns home this weekend for two games against the Providence Bruins.

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