AHL Gets a Boost

Tom Szczerbowski-US PRESSWIRE

While the NHL lockout is bad for many – including players, owners, fans, arena workers, surrounding bar & restaurant owners – it may not be the worst thing for the AHL, as many young stars are headed there to suit up for their respective clubs. While it may be temporary, the boost will almost certainly help.

Many players who were recently sent down to the AHL were fairly expected; however, with the NHL lockout recently going into effect, a few surprises were thrown into the mix.

One example of this is the Edmonton Oilers team. Young stars Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Magnus Paajarvi were all loaned to the AHL’s Oklahoma City Barons. If it weren’t for the lockout, the trio surely wouldn’t have been in Oklahoma right now – but alas, there they are.

The Buffalo Sabres sent down a number of players as well, including some which were on the Rochester Americans roster last year. While most weren’t much of a surprise, there were a few players who could have been suiting up in the blue & gold this year, such as rookie forward Marcus Foligno, who made his NHL debut last season, and Cody Hodgson, recently acquired from the Vancouver Canucks.

Another team also following this trend is the Florida Panthers, who sent down several players who had (and have) a chance at playing for the NHL this season… if the lockout ends, that is.

While these may only end up being temporary boosts, with the players returning to their respective NHL clubs when the lockout is ended, who knows? These players could provide valuable experience and leadership to their AHL clubs. Despite their youth (and AHL eligibility), there’s many strong players going to the AHL this year.

Will it make a difference? If anything, it might make some fans more likely to pay attention to the sometimes-otherwise-ignored league.

The trick will be keeping their attention once the NHL lockout ends and players return to their proper teams – but they’ll face that problem when the time comes.