AHL Notebook: Prospects hit stretch run hoping for NHL call-up

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- The American Hockey League, which played its All-Star Classic on Monday, will begin the second half of its season Thursday and there are several players ready to make a bigger impression.

Josef Korenar, San Jose (San Jose Sharks)
All-Star competitions are not generally kind to goalies, and it wasn't pleasant for Korenar. He allowed seven goals on 22 shots for the Pacific Division, but he should not be judged on that performance.
Coach Roy Sommer has developed most of the Sharks' home-grown talent in his 21 years with their AHL affiliate, including goalies Miikka Kiprusoff, Evgeni Nabokov and Johan Hedberg, and he sees promise in Korenar (6-foot-1, 185 pounds).
"This kid right here, I think he is as good where he is as those guys were [in their AHL careers]," Sommer said. "I really think he has a great future. I think he is the real deal. He's special."
The Sharks signed the 20-year-old as an undrafted free agent on July 13, 2017. He has a 15-3-1 record in 19 games, and his 2.10 goals-against average ranks second in the AHL, and his .924 save percentage is third.
Curtis Lazar, Stockton (Calgary Flames)
For every young player like Korenar trying to establish himself as a full-time NHL player, there are others trying to hit the reset button on their NHL career.
Lazar, who played 245 games with the Flames and Ottawa Senators, has had to take that route after being assigned by Calgary to the AHL coming out of training camp this season.
Selected by the Senators in the first round (No. 17) of the 2013 NHL Draft, the forward, who will turn 24 on Saturday, is fourth in scoring for Stockton with 33 points (14 goals, 19 assists) in 42 games.
"For myself, that's what I needed," Lazar said. "I've used this as a developmental year. I'm seeing that growth, getting that confidence and getting ready for that chance at the NHL level. Whenever it comes knocking, I'll be ready."
The AHL has provided Lazar (6-0, 205) the ice time that Calgary could not, and he plays in all situations.
"The way that I look at it, I'm 23 years old and in my fifth year of pro," Lazar said. "I'm pretty fortunate with the path that I've had to have that experience in the NHL. I just look at it as my best years are ahead of me.
"Taking a step back here and resetting myself, hopefully it's going to pay dividends. I think that's the way to do it. I put my work boots on and just try to get better."

Sean Walker, Ontario (Los Angeles Kings)
The Kings' struggles, and the trade of Jake Muzzin to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday may mean more opportunity for Walker, a defenseman who has one goal and two assists in 19 games.
"I think I use my feet well and skate and then make that first pass," Walker said. "Then in the [offensive] zone I try to get pucks to the net."
Undrafted, the 24-year-old turned pro after four seasons at Bowling Green, where he was captain as a junior and senior. Last season, Walker (5-11, 196) signed an AHL contract with Ontario and had 28 points (seven goals, 21 assists) in 64 games. He signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Kings on July 3, 2018.
"They have a great development staff [with Ontario], and they've worked with me a lot," Walker said. "I just went in there, had an opportunity, and took it."
Walker has 17 points (six goals, 11 assists) in 22 AHL games and scored three goals for the Pacific Division in the All-Star Classic.
John Gilmour, Hartford (New York Rangers)
If the Rangers decide to sell prior the 2019 NHL Trade Deadline on Feb. 25 at 3 p.m. ET, opportunities could open for some Hartford prospects.
Gilmour (6-0, 190) is in his third pro season and has progressed well after a difficult rookie season (minus-39) in 2016-17. Last season, the defenseman had time in New York, where he played 28 games and had five points (two goals, three assists), and had 26 points (six goals, 20 assists) in 44 AHL games.
Calgary drafted Gilmour in the seventh round (No. 198) of the 2013 NHL Draft, but he did not sign after four seasons at Providence College. The Rangers signed him as an unrestricted free agent on Aug. 18, 2016.
In his second consecutive trip to the All-Star Classic, Gilmour had a hat trick and an assist for the Atlantic Division.
An excellent skater who will shoot the puck and contribute on the power play, Gilmour has had a breakout season in Hartford through 45 games; his 14 goals and 34 points each rank second among AHL defensemen.