AHL Stock Watch: Risers David Reinbacher, Dmitri Simashev progressing well
The AHL regular season is nearing its end. Over the next few weeks, you'll see more movement than usual in rosters as teams recall players to gear up toward the playoffs or give them an NHL try-out in preparation for next season. But mostly, AHLers are also preparing for their own postseason runs.
Below, you’ll read about a few stars in the league who have been or could be called up at some point. They should also play a large part in their club's success between now and the end of the season.
Stock Rising 📈
David Reinbacher, RD, Laval Rocket (Montreal Canadiens)
While we never anticipated that David Reinbacher would become an offensive defenceman, we did expect him to further develop his puck-moving capabilities after his draft. A lost season in HC Kloten and multiple injuries slowed down that progression, but Reinbacher seems to finally be coming into his own in the AHL.
Not only is he activating with teammates, but he’s not just looking for space and plays in front of him. He’s holding on to possession, drawing in pressure, and passes to teammates across the ice and behind him. Moving more at the offensive line, carrying the puck more often, and using his shot, he’s driving the play at a level we hadn’t seen from him since the World Junior Championship.
With his skating and physical skills, Reinbacher has a clear defensive foundation. He’s engaging opponents like an NHLer, pushing them to the outside, and sticking to his coverage. If he can continue to push his offence, complementing teammates’ movements and carrying the puck, he will fit right in Montreal’s top four.
Dmitri Simashev, LD, Tucson Roadrunners (Utah Mammoth)
Dmitri Simashev hasn't managed to earn a role with the Utah Mammoth this season. That's partly because his play has lacked confidence in the NHL, but also because of the team’s depth at the position. But in the AHL, Simashev has shown more of his potential.
Boasting unfair physical advantages, Simashev can evade the forecheck, protect possession, and find breakout outlets. He’s often carrying the puck himself up the ice, kicking it wide to teammates after entering the offensive zone. While we haven't seen him take on opponents one-on-one very often, he's capable of holding on to the puck, deceiving defenders, and creating lanes.
The defenceman has also proven hard to beat for rushing attackers off the rush. If they take him wide, he closes their path against the wall. If they try to dangle under his stick or pass around him, he backtracks and gets his stick on the puck. Even if you dump it past him, thanks to his honed skating technique, he pivots, retains his full momentum, and gets to the loose disc first.
To get more NHL minutes, however, Simashev will have to solidify his defensive-zone play by staying closer to his check, rotating quicker, and using his tools to immobilize opponents. He managed those plays regularly in the KHL, but the higher pace of play seems to be challenging him more often in the AHL.
His impressive scoring numbers, tools, and flashes of instincts still suggest that he will establish himself as a top-four defenceman.
Conor Geekie, RW/C, Syracuse Crunch (Tampa Bay Lightning)
In his NHL minutes, Conor Geekie is acting like a battering ram, attacking defencemen on the forecheck, crashing against them, and stealing the puck from them with his long reach. He’s forcing opponents to rush their plays, creating turnovers, scoring chances, and flashing his offensive skills.
Geekie is laying the groundwork for that style of game in the AHL. He’s learning to use his skating and stature in combination, playing at a higher pace and focusing on his pressure game.
Already, he looks like he could at least hold on to his fourth-line role with the Lightning. But, as one of the best stickhandlers in the AHL, he has more offensive abilities to offer. Given a chance higher in the lineup, he could become a forecheck force capable of capitalizing on the chances he’s creating.
Stock Steady ↔️
William Strömgren, LW, Calgary Wranglers (Calgary Flames)
William Strömgren is having a bit of a resurgence for the Calgary Wranglers, scoring at a slightly higher rate while flashing his skills more often. His performance has earned him his first NHL games. But a late breakout in the AHL doesn't carry the same value as an early one.
More of a soft skill player coming up, Strömgren has learned to use his size to his advantage a bit more. He's cutting in front of opponents to get to the net, absorbing their shoves and using them as extra momentum to separate from their coverage. His stickhandling ability remains his core quality. He uses it to link passing plays, cut through pressure, and catch-and-release passes.
To push his upside, Strömgren will still have to further develop his skating, add pace to his game, and become an even fiercer battler. His 6-foot-4 size and Calgary’s rebuild may offer him more chances to prove himself in an NHL role.
Stock Falling 📉
The Manitoba Moose
The Winnipeg Jets should review the way they develop their prospects. Most of them end up hitting a wall with the Manitoba Moose, getting suboptimal roles and playing a style of hockey that isn’t conducive to development. Even the talented prospects who should be able to score on the team, like Nikita Chibrikov, Brayden Yager, Brad Lambert, and Colby Barlow struggle to drive offence. Some of them didn’t get NHL opportunities when they deserved them, and now such a future in the league seems unlikely.
Something has to change.