AHL notebook: Top performers through 2 rounds of Calder Cup Playoffs
Rangers goalie prospect Garand, Lind of Kraken affiliate among standouts
ByPatrick Williams
NHL.com Independent Correspondent
Reputations are made in the Calder Cup Playoffs.
The American Hockey League postseason is an opportunity for young prospects to prove that they are ready for NHL duty. It also can present a chance for older players to revive their own NHL hopes.
Here is a look at eight revelations through the first two rounds of the Calder Cup Playoffs:
Arshdeep Bains, Abbotsford (Vancouver Canucks)
The forward attracted considerable attention when his 112 points (43 goals, 69 assists) in 68 games for Red Deer led the Western Hockey League last season.
Vancouver signed Bains to an entry-level contract March 11, 2022. The 22-year-old played for Abbotsford this season and had 38 points (13 goals, 25 assists) in 66 games and three assists (two goals, one assist) in six playoff games to help Abbotsford eliminate Bakersfield (Edmonton Oilers) in the Pacific Division First Round before losing to Calgary (Calgary Flames) in the division semifinals.
Anton Blidh, Hartford (New York Rangers)
Hartford needed a new look. This veteran forward stood to benefit from a fresh start.
The Rangers acquired the 28-year-old in a trade with the Colorado Avalanche for forward Gustav Rydahl on March 3 as part of extensive makeover of their AHL roster. Hartford had not qualified for the Calder Cup Playoffs since 2015 and the Rangers wanted the edge that Blidh could bring.
After coming to Hartford, Blidh had 11 points (seven goals, four assists) in 17 games. He's third on the Wolf Pack in playoff scoring with six points (two goals, four assists) in six games.
Hartford eliminated Springfield (St. Louis Blues) in the Atlantic Division First Round and Providence (Boston Bruins), the Eastern Conference regular-season champion, in the division semifinals. The Atlantic Division Final against Hershey (Washington Capitals) is next.
Dylan Garand, Hartford
The 20-year-old goalie was chosen in the fourth round (No. 103) of the 2020 NHL Draft and has shown early promise.
Garand helped Canada win a gold medal at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship by going 6-0-0 with a 1.98 goals-against average and .925 save percentage.
Veteran Louis Domingue handled much of the goaltending work in Hartford, with Garand going 13-14-3 with a 3.01 GAA and .894 save percentage as his understudy. When Domingue was recalled for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Garand become the starter. He shut out Providence in Games 1 and 4 and is 5-1 with postseason bests in GAA (1.17) and save percentage (.954).
Erik Kallgren, Toronto (Toronto Maple Leafs)
Toronto needed a boost from a goalie.
The Marlies split the first two games of the North Division Semifinals against Utica (New Jersey Devils) and were on the road for Games 3 and 4 of the best-of-5 series. The Adirondack Bank Center is one of the most difficult buildings in the AHL for visiting teams.
Kallgren, 26, had been on recall with the Maple Leafs. He made 24 saves in Game 3, a 5-2 win, and 28 saves in Game 4, when Toronto eliminated Utica. He's 2-0 with a 1.50 GAA and .945 save percentage.
Toronto will face Rochester (Buffalo Sabres) in the North Division Finals.
Kole Lind, Coachella Valley (Seattle Kraken)
The 24-year-old forward has been solid at the AHL level and is delivering when Coachella Valley has needed him most.
Through eight playoff games, the Firebirds faced elimination three times already, yet eliminated Tucson (Arizona Coyotes) in the first round and Colorado (Colorado Avalanche) in the semifinals.
Lind's 11 points (four goals, seven assists) lead the postseason. He has five points (three goals, two assists) in the three games Coachella Valley staved off elimination.
Sam Malinski, Colorado
The 24-year-old defenseman has showed early pro promise.
An undrafted free agent, Malinski had 26 points (eight goals, 18 assists) in 34 games as a junior at Cornell University and signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Avalanche on March 30. He had five points (three goals, two assists) in seven AHL games and five assists in five playoff games, tied for second scoring among rookies at his position.
How would Pelletier reacclimate himself to the AHL after limited action down the stretch with the Flames?
The 22-year-old forward is answering that question for the regular-season champions. He assisted on Matthew Phillips' overtime goal against Abbotsford in Game 2 and has a goal and two assists through four games.
Pelletier had 62 points (27 goals, 35 assists) in 66 games last season for Stockton, the Flames' former AHL affiliate, and was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team. He had seven points (three goals, four assists) in 24 NHL games.
Malcolm Subban, Rochester
The veteran goalie has been down this path before. He went to the Eastern Conference Final with Providence in 2017, when played behind Zane McIntyre. This time he is the No. 1 goalie at age 29.
Rochester eliminated Syracuse (Tampa Bay Lightning) in the best-of-five North Division Semifinal. Subban made 44 saves in the deciding Game 5, a 5-4 overtime victory. He is 3-2 with a 2.71 GAA and .921 save percentage.
