Lambert’s hot start leads Moose

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This article was published 29/10/2023 (729 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

They may largely be out of sight. But nearly two dozen Winnipeg Jets prospects are definitely not out of mind for the organization.

It’s hard to remember a time the prospect pool was as deep as it currently is. As such, the Free Press will be tracking the progress of these players over the coming season.

Our updates will appear the last Monday of each month.

Current top 10

1. F Brad Lambert (1st round, 2022) — A sizzling start to the season for “Big Bad Brad,”, who has nine points (four goals, five assists) in six games to lead the Manitoba Moose in scoring and sit tied for sixth in the entire AHL. A night-and-day difference from his rookie campaign last year in the AHL (two goals, one assist in 14 games). If he keeps this up, don’t be surprised to see the 19-year-old up with the Jets sooner than later.

2. F Rutger McGroarty (1st round, 2022) — The personable power forward is tied for the NCAA scoring lead, with 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) in eight games with the University of Michigan. He’ll play a big role for the U.S. World Juniors team and, once his college season is complete, is expected to join the Jets organization for a spring fling.

3. F Nikita Chibrikov (2nd round, 2021) — No signs of growing pains for the talented Russian, getting a first taste of North American hockey. He’s right behind Lambert with eight points (one goal, seven assists) in six games with the Moose after coming over from the KHL. Arguably the most intriguing prospect in the system right now.

4. F Chaz Lucius (1st round, 2021) — A minor injury sidelined him for a pair of Moose games this past weekend in Texas, but he’s off to a respectable start with a goal and two assists in four AHL games. He’ll be given every opportunity to spread his wings on the farm this season.

5. F Colby Barlow (1st round, 2023) — He’s largely picked up where he left off after a monster season with the Owen Sound Attack, with 11 points (six goals five assists) in nine Ontario Hockey League games. Look for him to shine with Team Canada at the World Juniors.

6. D Elias Salomonsson (2nd round, 2022) — Winnipeg’s top blue-line prospect, known for his slick skating and speed, has been limited to four games so far in the top Swedish men’s league, as a nasty cross-check led to a two-game suspension. He’s posted two assists in four games while racking up an uncharacteristic 27 penalty minutes.

7. G Thomas Milic (5th round, 2023) — So far, a seamless transition from junior to pro. Milic has made three ECHL starts with the Norfolk Admirals, with a 2-0-1 record, a 1.29 GAA and .944 SV%. He’d be playing with the Moose if not for the crowded crease situation there (Collin Delia and Oskari Salminen).

8. G Domenic DiVincentiis (7th round, 2022) — The reigning OHL goaltender of the year isn’t on the strongest squad, but he’s managed to post a 5-4-0 record with a 2.82 GAA and .896 SV%. Good chance he’s junior teammates with Barlow over the coming holidays wearing a Maple Leaf.

9. F Danny Zhilkin (3rd round, 2022) — Another player who’s made the jump from junior to pro and has made a positive early impression. He has a goal and assist in his first five games with the Moose.

10. F Daniel Torgersson (2nd round, 2020) — Opened many eyes with 11 goals and nine assists in 69 games with the Moose as a rookie last year, but hasn’t been quite as impactful yet in his sophomore campaign on a much deeper AHL team that has bumped him down the lineup. He has no goals and two assists so far in four AHL contests.

Rest of the promising pack

D Simon Lundmark (2nd round, 2019) — Playing his third season with the Moose, he has yet to register a point in two games.

F Henri Nikkanen (4th round, 2019) — Played 66 games as a rookie with the Moose last year (five goals, 11 assists) but has dressed for just three of six games so far this year due to a crowded roster, and has yet to register a point.

G Logan Neaton (5th round, 2019) — Now in his third season with Miami University, he’s finally got the net as the No. 1. He’s 4-1-0 in five starts with a 2.76 GAA and .911 SV%.

F Harrison Blaisdell (5th round, 2019) — Now in his third season with the University of New Hampshire after two years with the University of North Dakota. Has one goal in three NCAA games this year.

D Anton Johannesson (5th round, 2020) — He’s made the jump from the Swedish junior league to men’s league and has posted five assists in nine games so far. He had two assists in his one junior league contest, which is where he spent the previous three years.

D Tyrel Bauer (6th round, 2020) — The former Seattle Thunderbirds captain has one goal and no assists in six games with the Moose.

D Dmitry Kuzmin (3rd round, 2021) — He’s on the Moose roster but has yet to play in a game.

F Dmitry Rashevsky (5th round, 2021) — There’s no question he’s got major talent. The question is, can the Jets eventually get him out of the KHL to Winnipeg. Now in his fourth season with Moscow Dynamo of the KHL, he has 10 goals and seven assists through 22 games. Had a career-best 19 goals and 19 assists in 67 games last year.

D Garrett Brown (4th round, 2022) — After playing the last three years in the USHL, the son of former NHLer Curtis Brown is in his first year with the University of Denver. He’s got one assist in his first four games.

F Fabian Wagner (6th round, 2022) — Playing in the top Swedish men’s league, he has just one assist through 15 games. That’s actually one more point than he registered in 22 games last year.

F Zach Nehring (3rd round, 2023) — Considered a longer-term project, he’s in his first year in the USHL and has two goals and two assists in 11 games with the Sioux Falls Stampede.

F Jacob Julien (5th round, 2023) — The lanky teen has seven points (two goals, five assists) in 12 games with the London Knights of the OHL. He’s almost halfway to the 16 points he registered last year in 40 games.

F Connor Levis (7th round, 2023) — Maintaining the point-per-game pace he established last year in the WHL, the 19-year-old has five goals and nine assists in 13 games with the Kamloops Blazers.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X: @mikemcintyrewpg