A Year in Review: AHL/ECHL

The Final Written piece for the 2025/26 season

Well, this one took a little bit longer to create because the Chicago Wolves went on such a deep run, all the way to the Calder Cup Final. Led by a young core, the team made an incredible run through the Western Conference, exercising all kinds of demons on the way there. They couldn’t beat Texas in the regular season, but squeezed out a Game 5 winner. The Grand Rapids Griffins were the 2nd best regular season team in the AHL and the Wolves beat them. The Colorado Eagles made quick work of the rest of the Western Conference and the Wolves won a Game 7. If you would’ve told me that they’d be in the Final after the start to the year they had, I wouldn’t have believed you.

I also should mention the Greensboro Gargoyles, who played in their inaugural season this year. It was, well, less than successful to say the least. But there was one big main positive that came out of the season and another pretty nice one, so it wasn’t all for nothing. Going by position groups (and alphabetical order) here, so let’s get into this behemoth of a final written piece for this season.

Forwards

Bradly Nadeau, W

Going into this season, Nadeau claimed the top spot in the prospect rankings because of what he did in the AHL as a U20 player. But there were still some things he needed to work on to really cement his status as Top Dawg. To the shock of no one, he became a much better player, one that is much more well rounded and NHL ready.

While last year was an insane year from a statistical standpoint, he still had some struggles. Mainly, his defensive game needed a good amount of work and I wanted to see him get stronger in board battles and, well, in general. Not only did he start to win board battles at a good rate plus flash the improved physical game, Nadeau became an extremely important penalty killer for the Wolves. He also improved his point per game total while finishing just two points shy of his total from last year in 8 less games. Combine that with 17 points in 21 playoff games and one can easily come to the conclusion that Nadeau had a much improved season.

Outlook for 2026/27: With the injury to Seth Jarvis that will take him out of action for the first part of the season, Nadeau could have a great opportunity to further prove himself at the NHL level (even though he looked fine in the NHL this year).

Justin Robidas, C/RW

You know exactly what you can expect from Justin Robidas, who has become an extremely important player for the Wolves due to his all around play. In 79 games played this year, he had 30 goals and 46 assists for 76 points.

A perfect bottom 6 NHL winger who can take faceoffs, Justin Robidas is the go-to man for anything the Chicago Wolves need. Need an extra attacker with the goalie pulled? Robidas. Need a top unit penalty killer? Robidas. Need someone to take important faceoffs? Robidas. He does it all and has good success doing it too. Robidas is just the pillar of a solid forward.

Outlook for 2026/27: Another year of being a tweener between top line in the AHL and 4th line in the NHL. Since he is 23 years old and 5 years post draft, Robidas has aged out of prospect status.

Ivan Ryabkin, C/W

Since I completely forgot during the CHL section of that Year in Review, I’ll split Ryabkin’s year into three sections, First AHL stint, QMJHL stint, Second AHL stint. In 52 AHL games, he had 5 goals and 14 assists for 19 points. In 26 QMJHL games, he had 17 goals and 34 assists for 51 points (holy cow).

First AHL Stint

To be frank, his first stint stunk. He was heavily undisciplined and struggled to hang with the skating level. He had some nice flashes of what could be, but never could put it together for a consistent few games.

QMJHL Stint

Flat out unbelievably good for his offensive confidence. He was better than about 95% of players at this level and showed it, having incredible performances in both the regular season and the playoffs. He also remained physical and showed that a lot, while also getting suspended twice? I think? I know he got suspended at least once.

Second AHL Stint

To say that Ryabkin looked like a completely different player is an understatement. If you compared a game from his first stint to a game from his second stint, you’d be amazed at just how much better he’s gotten. The discipline improved tenfold, he was much more involved in the game both offensively and defensively, and most importantly, he became a Rat. Every team wants Rats, and Ryabkin has started the development into a Rat.

Outlook for 2026/27: A full year in the AHL, hopefully at center.

Gleb Trikozov, W

A player whose name has turned into a bit (with no ill will or malice involved, to be clear), I just really, really wanted to see a fully healthy season from Gleb for the first time in North America. He was healthy for the majority of the season, playing in 46 games, but just had 7 goals and 4 assists for 11 points in those games.

I don’t know if I fully fleshed out just how traumatic trying to come back from what Gleb went through last year. Suffering 2 broken legs in the same year is one thing, the same leg breaking twice is another thing entirely. To play hockey this year wasn’t a miracle, but it was a great feat of determination. There were good stretches of hockey and there were not so good stretches of hockey for Gleb. Sometimes, he’d look like a solid complimentary piece on a scoring line, sometimes he looked a little lost. I also have to remember sometimes that even though he’s now 4 years post draft, he’s just 21 years old who became a first time father this year while also battling back from 2 traumatic injuries.

Outlook for 2026/27: A fully healthy season playing as many games as possible.

Felix Unger Sorum, RW

The winner of the Canes Prospects’ award for Most Improved Player (and I'm pretty sure he also won Best Overall Year), Felix Unger Sorum was flat out unbelievable this year for Chicago. In 86 games this year, he had 22 goals and 56 points for 78 points.

Felix was crazy good this year and was, honestly, probably their best forward in the playoff run. Hell, I’d even go as far to say he was the important forward on their team during the regular season just for his consistency. I’ve sang his praises all throughout the year but the Canes really don’t have a player like him in the system. Ehlers has the ability to change the pace of play with the puck, but he goes faster rather than slower. Felix loves to slow the pace down to his level and make the plays at his pace. He’s elite with his playmaking and has a good shot, but has the Teuvo Teravainen trait of “would rather do anything else than shoot willingly”.

Outlook for 2026/27: While he wasn’t mentioned in the conversation when Jarvis’ injury was brought up, I think Felix has a solid chance to break through to the NHL next year and play more than one game. If that isn’t the case, another year of being a top 6 player in the AHL.

Defense

Dominik Badinka, RHD

Badinka during the year looked like a solid AHL defenseman. The defense was holding up nicely and there was some good physicality that he was able to bring on a daily basis. In 74 games played, he had 6 goals and 9 assists for 15 points.

Badinka had weeks of good games in a row, playing disciplined and being able to contribute defensively is what Badinka is making his North American name off of (right now). He became a staple in the lineup and went up and down the defensive pairings, looking most at home with Juuso Valimaki before going down with a broken back, in which he was even able to come back from! I want to see some more offense come out from Badinka, because he’s flashed it. He’s able, and incredibly willing, to join the rush in transition and is able to pick out the correct lanes and fill them. Also want to see the passing and decision making take another step.

Outlook for 2026/27: Another consistent piece on the blue line in Chicago.

Aleksi Heimosalmi, RHD

The former second round pick back in 2021 just finished up his second tour in Chicago, where he saw his +/- flipped from -29 to +11 in just one season, a nice showing of development. In 59 games played this year, he had 5 goals and 14 assists for 19 points.

One of the better skaters you could lay you’re eyes on, Heimosalmi uses his skating as a way to avoid pressure and find empty space. Big fan of the way he can walk the blue line to make the right play. The defensive development has continued, being able to stay with his man or the puck. Added bonus of being able to help in transition, whether leading it or being able to make the breakout pass from his own zone.

Outlook for 2026/27: Seeing as he was re-signed, another year in Chicago for the Finnish defenseman. Since Aleksi is 23 and 5 years post draft, he has aged out of prospect status.

Charles Alexis Legault, RHD

Charles Alexis Legault (no hyphen, I remember) has had some crazy development since being selected out of Quinnipiac in 2023. Since being drafted, he almost tripled his NCAA point total in his DY+1, played a full AHL season and was a mainstay in the top 4 in his DY+2, and then made his NHL debut in his DY+3. In 40 games in the AHL this year, he had 4 goals and 8 assists for 12 points. In 12 NHL games this year, he had 1 goal and 1 assist for 2 points.

Everyone got introduced to what Legault can bring to a lineup in the 2024 preseason, where he went toe to toe with NHL enforcer Michael McCarron and held his own. He followed that up with a really solid AHL season where he was relied on heavily at even strength and on the penalty kill. He moves well, is able to shut down opponents in a variety of ways, and is HYPER physical. I must stress hyper because this guy lays down the hammer as often as he can and his teammate’s number one protector, never failing to stand up for himself or a teammate. He still has offensive growth yet to be seen in his game, as I remain steadfast in my believe that he can move the puck effectively and efficiently. He’s shown a good ability with joining the rush, too.

Outlook for 2026/27: Another year in the AHL being the number 1 shutdown guy.

Bryce Montgomery, RHD

One of the nicest people I’ve met, Bryce has turned out a nice career for himself. The big, physical defenseman has become an extremely important piece for Greensboro and has gotten a nice run of AHL games in the process. In 24 AHL games, he had 4 assists for 4 points. In 28 ECHL games, he had 1 goal and 4 assists for 5 points.

Montgomery is almost a throwback style of defenseman. He’s gigantic, standing at 6’5 and 220 pounds, and he moves really well for his size. There are flashes of offense, mainly on passes from the blue line. But the defense and physicality is the sticking point. Combine being the size of a linebacker with the willingness and desire to disrupt plays by hitting incredibly hard. He’s also able to use his reach to break up passes and shots.

Outlook for 2026/27: Maybe a full year in the AHL? Or top pairing in Greensboro. With him being 23 and it being 5 years post draft, Bryce Montgomery has aged out of prospect status.

Joel Nystrom, RHD

“The Pillar of Consistency”, “The Rock of Rosemont”, “Joel Nystrom”. Nicknames I’ve heard (or made up in my head, probably that one) for Joel Nystrom, who’s carved out the play style that can get him consistent playing time in the NHL, while getting top pairing minutes in the AHL. Hell, he played more regular season NHL games than regular season AHL games! In 48 AHL games played, he had 3 goals and 13 assists for 16 points. In 38 NHL games played, he had 1 goal and 9 assists for 10 points. Funnily enough, if you take out AHL playoff games, he had the exact same point stat line in the AHL and NHL.

When you think of “consistency”, you think of Nystrom. When you think of “solid”, you think of Nystrom. You know exactly what you can get from Joel Nystrom on a night on, night out basis. He plays a steady game, one in which you don’t really hear his name called. He makes the smart play 90% of the time and doesn’t let the offense do anything to create chaos. He flashed offense this year, being able to wire shots and even do Jeff Skinner-esque spin moves for quality chances.

Outlook for 2026/27: The perfect NHL 7th defenseman. But since he’s 24 and 5 years post draft, Joel Nystrom has officially aged out of prospect status.

Goalie

Ruslan Khazheyev

To me, Ruslan was the one big bright star on the inaugural Greensboro Gargoyles roster. On a lot of nights, he was the main reason that he games stayed close because of his ability.

On the surface, a 3.52 goals against average and a .894% save percentage is rather ugly to look at. But my live viewing(s) of Ruslan gave me much more belief in his development that just the counting stats, something EVERYBODY needs to take into account. He reigned in some of that “Russian Goalie Aggressiveness” and really refined his technique. Again, the counting stats don’t tell the whole story and this story was a rather uplifting one.

Outlook for 2026/27: Well, I had hoped for more AHL starts. But unless Primeau is moved or not re-signed, that could become a problem as Zach Sawchenko will eat into those starts. But hell, I know nothing.