AHL Notebook: Prospects to watch at Trade Deadline

Organizational depth is a key part of the formula for NHL general managers ahead of the 2020 NHL Trade Deadline, which is Monday at 3 p.m. ET.

At the American Hockey League level, an abundance of prospects allows a general manager to be aggressive in using those players as chips to pursue trades or as cover for players he trades away.
As always, it pays for a GM to have options, particularly with his top minor-league affiliate.
Here is a look at the affiliates of four NHL teams who are in the mix for the spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the prospects they could use to strengthen their chances.

Charlotte (Carolina Hurricanes)

The Hurricanes reached the Eastern Conference Final last season but are battling for a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season.
They appear to have a host of desirable prospects.
Forward Morgan Geekie (6-foot-3, 192), selected by the Hurricanes in the third round (No. 67) of the 2017 NHL Draft, had a 14-game point streak (11 goals, seven assists), which was the third-longest in the AHL this season. The 21-year old scored a goal in six straight games during that point streak.
Forward Janne Kuokkanen (6-1, 193), a second-round pick (No. 43) of the Hurricanes in the 2016 NHL Draft, missed Charlotte's run to the Calder Cup last season because he had season-ending surgery in March, but the 21-year-old has returned to lead Charlotte in scoring with 42 points (12 goals, 30 assists) in 50 games.
Defenseman Jake Bean (6-1, 186) was selected No. 13 of the 2016 draft. The 21-year-old has 39 points (seven goals, 32 assists) in 49 games, tying him for first among AHL defensemen with Brogan Rafferty of Utica (Vancouver Canucks). Last season, Bean was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team.
Chase Priskie (6-0, 185) is third among rookie defensemen in AHL scoring with 31 points (six goals, 25 assists) in 50 games. Selected in the sixth round (No. 177) by the Washington Capitals in the 2016 draft, the 23-year-old signed with Carolina as a free agent on Aug. 17, 2019.

Springfield (Florida Panthers)

The Panthers enter Wednesday out of the playoff picture and if they decide to buy before Monday, they have some attractive assets in Springfield.
Forward Henrik Borgstrom (6-3, 199), selected No. 23 in the 2016 draft, has 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) in 42 games this season. The 22-year-old is in his second pro season after playing two seasons at the University of Denver (NCAA).
Another forward in his second pro season is Aleksi Heponiemi (5-10, 154). The 21-year-old center was selected in the second round (No. 40) of the 2017 draft. In his first North American pro season, he has 11 points (one goal, 10 assists) in 41 AHL games.

Chicago (Vegas Golden Knights)

The Golden Knights have shown a willingness in the past to move a blue-chip prospect to bring in immediate help. Defenseman prospect Erik Brannstrom went to the Ottawa Senators as part of a trade that brought forward Mark Stone to Las Vegas on Feb. 25, 2019.
Locked in a wild five-team fight for playoff positioning in the Pacific Division, the Golden Knights may be looking to buy again. Vegas has amassed a solid base of talent with its AHL affiliate despite having just three draft classes with which to work.
Forward Lucas Elvenes (6-1, 173) has 43 points (11 goals, 32 assists) in 52 games, tied for twelfth in the AHL scoring race and third among rookies. Vegas selected him in the fifth round (No. 127) of the 2017 draft.
On defense, undrafted prospects Dylan Coghlan (6-2, 190) and rookie Jimmy Schuldt (6-0, 203) are garnering attention.
Coghlan, who turns 22 on Wednesday, signed as an undrafted free agent on Sept. 20, 2017. He has 22 points (nine goals, 13 assists) in 51 AHL games, first among Chicago defensemen. Schuldt was signed as a free agent from St. Cloud State University (NCAA) on April 3, 2019. The 24-year-old has 21 points (six goals, 15 assists) in 51 games.

Colorado (Colorado Avalanche)

The Avalanche are third in the Central Division but have suffered a litany of injuries to key players this week.
Goalie Philipp Grubauer (lower body), injured in the 2020 Navy Federal Credit Union Stadium Series on Saturday is out indefinitely, which prompted the recall of goalie Hunter Miska from the AHL on Monday. Forward Matt Calvert (lower body), injured in the same game, is out week to week. Forward Mikko Rantanen is out for weeks after sustained an upper-body injury against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday.
Though forward prospect Martin Kaut (6-2, 190) was called up on Monday, the No. 16 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft could be a trade chip. The 20-year-old has 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in 31 AHL games.