AHL Players Making An Impact In Western Conference NHL Training Camps

Whatever you do, make an impression.

This is NHL training camp for players who live – and in some cases have lived for years – on the NHL-AHL bubble. Before roster cuts begin to come down, it is a chance to don an NHL jersey, skate in an NHL building, and share ice with some of the sport’s top stars.

At the very least it is a chance to leave an impression for NHL management and to create some potential early chemistry with prospective AHL teammates. Or maybe it is a chance to win an NHL roster spot, get into the opening-night line-up, and build a path toward full-time NHL employment. Leave something for the NHL parent club’s front office and coaching staff to remember and keep front-of-mind when an injury or a line-up change necessitates a recall from the AHL affiliate.

Let’s break down some familiar AHL names who are trying to show something as NHL training camps continue. Next up is the Western Conference. A look at the Eastern Conference can be found here.

Graeme Clarke – Minnesota Wild (Iowa Wild)

It was time for a change for Clarke, who was dealt to Minnesota by New Jersey this summer in a swap for Adam Beckman. Clarke, a 23-year-old forward, had been in the New Jersey system going all the way back to when the NHL club was still affiliated with the Binghamton Devils. The 2019 third-rounder had back-to-back 25-goal seasons with the Utica Comets and only had three NHL games last season to show for that work. As with so many of these cases, Clarke may well have to force Minnesota management to make space for him. If not, though, he has a chance to go to Iowa and what should be a much-improved AHL line-up.

Matt Coronato – Calgary Flames (Calgary Wranglers)

With the Flames going through an organizational transition, Coronato is a 21-year-old forward who is along for that ride as well. He went to the Flames 13th overall in 2021 and hovered on the NHL-AHL bubble last season. He churned out 42 points (15 goals, 27 assists) in 41 games with the Wranglers. He also appeared in 34 games with the NHL club, finishing with 3-6-9 and averaging 12:37. If he stays with the Flames, the question will be whether a fourth-line fit is right for him. Going 3-2-5 in four preseason games so far does not hurt his case, however.

Samuel Honzek – Calgary Flames (Calgary Wranglers)

The Flames went into training camp with any number of options for Honzek, a forward they took 16th overall by the Flames in the 2023 NHL Draft. He…