With the AHL now well into the second-half of the season numerous defensemen have made the case to see NHL action this season.
With Scott Morrow, Simon Nemec, and Logan Mailloux all having been recalled and playing NHL games in the past week we did not include them on this list.
Five defensemen we think have earned a call-up are:
Kyle Capobianco – Texas Stars
The reigning Eddie Shore Award winner as AHL’s best defenseman, Capobianco has continued his stellar play this season, his first with Texas, with four goals and 31 points in 38 games.
The Mississauga, Ont., native is a great skater, has good size, and could bring some offensive touch to an injury-filled Dallas Stars blueline.
The 27-year-old played one game for the Stars this season and has 74 career NHL games under his belt.
Luca Cagnoni – San Jose Barracuda
Cagnoni is leading all AHL rookie defensemen in scoring with 11 goals and 32 points in 43 games.
A fourth round pick of the Sharks in 2023, Cagnoni’s offensive ability has translated extremely well to the pro game.
While his defensive game needs more seasoning the Sharks are not competitive and may have an opening on their blueline after the trade deadline. Giving Cagnoni NHL minutes down the stretch would be benficial for his development long-term.
Tristan Luneau – San Diego Gulls
Anaheim’s second rounder in 2022, Luneau has 13 NHL games under his belt, six coming this season.
The 2023 QMJHL defenseman of the year has 27 points in 32 games with the San Diego Gulls this season. The 21-year-old is an excellent puck moving defenseman and thrives making a good first pass.
The Ducks have a logjam of young defensemen but Luneau deserves an extended look, especially while the team once again seems destined for a bottom-five finish in the standings.
Yan Kuznetsov – Calgary Wranglers
Calgary’s second round pick in 2020, Kuzentsov is listed at 6’5 220 and is a defensive defenseman with huge reach and good skating ability.
The 22-year-old already has 191 career AHL games under his belt. With 14 points in 47 games this season offense is not the focus of his game but his defensive ability is ready for the NHL level, he is tied for third in the AHL at +21.
Jeremie Poirier is also a viable call-up option for Calgary but would benefit from powerplay time at the next level, something he may not get while behind MacKenzie Weegar and Rasmus Andersson.
Nikita Novikov – Rochester Americans
Novikov had a strong training camp for the Buffalo Sabres and has carried it over to Rochester this season with 15 points in 43 games.
The 21-year-old is a physical defenseman who has shown a mean streak in his two AHL seasons.
It is not a tell all stat but Novikov led Rochester in plus/minus last season as a rookie and continues to lead the team this season, good things seem to happen when he is on the ice.
A sixth round pick in 2021, Novikov’s skating will need to improve to be a full-time NHLer but his size and ability to separate players from the puck should earn him a shot with the Sabres as they continue to falter in the standings.
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