Let me preface this by saying I attend almost every home game in person. Based upon play this season, my rankings for the top forward prospects that are in the AHL as of today are in this order:
1. Amadio
2. Brodzinski
3. Mersch (inj)
4. Kempe
5. Auger
Amadio is blossoming quickly into an NHL player right before our eyes at the ripe age of 20. What a great pick by the scouting staff at #90 overall. His all-around game excels above the other prospects. Amadio has the ability to slow the game down, and his skating has noticeably improved (quickness/acceleration) as the season has progressed. Not fast or dynamic, but rather surgical in his ability to spot the open player on the rush or from along the boards. He is the guy that seems to end up with the puck on his stick more often than not in puck battles. For a 50 goal scorer in Juniors last year, he is more of a pass first guy in the AHL who is getting more confidence in his shot (his last two goals are against experienced NHL goaltenders). Not a physical player by any means, but rest of his game and appearance remind me so much of a Mike Richards before his decline. He is deficient in the face-off circle but improving. As he gets stronger and more mature, look for Amadio in the NHL sooner rather than later. He could end up landing anywhere from the 2nd to 4th line center.
Brodzinski's shot is his strongest asset. He's a goal scorer's goal scorer. He is not a player that controls the play on the ice, but rather works to find the seems to get into position to shoot when not battling along the boards. He has NHL speed (came in third in the speed skate at the AHL all-star game). He may have the hardest slap shot in the organization, and his wrister I would but a notch below Carter and Toffoli. Right now, I would consider him a player similar to Toffoli with a touch less skill, but a bit stronger on his skates than Tyler. It seems the Kings plan on letting him get two full years in the AHL before giving him a shot at the roster next season. He is 23 years old.
Mersch suffered a significant leg injury and is likely out until April. He started the season slowly before picking up his game significantly. I was hoping to see some growth in his overall game, but I am afraid he is what he is. A potential PP, SH specialist that can grind away some minutes as a third or fourth liner (if he can keep up). He occasional lack of sense of the game (skating in backwards with the puck at the blue line=offsides) and poor skating speed are his Achilles heal. He doesn't have much of a shot, except when he is within 10 feet of the goal where he makes his living. Strong on his skates with an NHL build, he can be a force in front of any opposition net. Adept at tipping the pick for goals. He has a frustrating lack of vision when it comes to trying his wrap around play behind the net (misses seeing the wide open guy nine out of ten times). He can play in the NHL, but may end up with a bucket more often than not unless he can find the right line mates. He is 24 years old.
Adrian Kempe is still an enigma in his second full AHL season. Wildly inconsistent, you just never know if he will dominant one day and disappear the next four games. A gifted skater, he has improved his vision and passing but struggles sometimes when it's best to use his above average wrist shot or pass the puck. His defense is making strides when the effort is there. He has never seemed to be able to find line mates whose own games will help Kempe prosper. There maybe something to be said that with his tools he just may be a better NHL player than an AHL one. Time will tell. Kempe is 20 years old.
I have listed Auger here but personally, I just don't think he has the quickness and overall game to play in the NHL. Once he gets going he is fine and can make some nifty moves. He has a decent wrist shot and is pretty good around the net. He sheer height causes him to lose a lot of puck battles along the boards simply because opposing players closer to the puck seem to be able to get leverage on him. He is not a physical player despite his size. I may be wrong, but I think the NHL game pace would eat him alive. Auger is 22 years old.
Others in the mix Lowry and Bjorkstrand, but for whatever reason Lowry was relegated to lower lines at the start of the year and played poorly, followed by a significant injury that has essentially washed out his year. At 25 years old, he doesn't have the luxury of development time as his window is closing. Bjorkstrand was in Stothers dog house, I assume because of his less than stellar defensive play to begin the season, however has shown that he is not only one of the fastest players on the team, but a pretty good goal scorer as well. Look for Bjorkstand to play everyday now that the team is really banged up. He is 24 years old.
