Welcome back to The Journey, where we track the development of prospects as they excel in junior, make the NHL, and push towards stardom.

The AHL is not a development league. By most equivalency metrics, it is the second hardest league in the world, behind only the NHL. That is why what happens there matters so much for fantasy. When a young player produces strongly in their first season, it is usually a marker of an elite prospect on a fast track to NHL impact. On the flip side, if a player struggles to adjust to the pace and grind of professional hockey, it can be an early sign that their path to relevance will be slower or more uncertain. For dynasty managers, keeping a close eye on how prospects handle this transition is one of the most reliable ways to separate future stars from long shots.

We'll analyze which first year AHL players will be most relevant to track. Some of these, like Zayne Parekh, are likely to play in the NHL. But any of these players, though they may split time between the NHL and AHL, what they do in the AHL will have a tremendous impact on their future relevance for their future NHL production.

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Zayne Parekh (D, Calgary Flames)
Parekh has all the makings of an elite offensive defenseman, with outstanding puck-moving instincts, excellent vision, and a knack for finding shooting lanes from the blue line. His offensive toolkit is advanced enough that it could carry him straight onto Calgary's roster out of camp. If he does stick, expect him to see sheltered minutes at even strength with opportunities on the power play. That said, the Flames may also decide his defensive acumen needs more polish against professionals, and a stint in the AHL, whether brief or for most of the season, could serve as an important step in his development. How he handles that assignment will say a lot about how quickly he can become fantasy relevant.

If Parekh does land in the AHL, his offensive game has the potential to dominate at that level, which would only accelerate his path back to the NHL. Either way, his hockey prospecting chart shows a player with elite long-term upside. For him to reach that ceiling and eventually run a top power play, he'll need to prove he can defend consistently against professional forwards, rounding out his game enough to earn and hold heavy NHL minutes. His offensive ceiling makes him one of the more exciting fantasy defensemen in this draft class, and patient managers could be well rewarded.

Easton Cowan (F, Toronto Maple Leafs)
Cowan plays with a nonstop motor and strong vision that give him a reliable foundation to succeed quickly in the AHL. Fresh off an impressive season with the London Knights, capped by OHL and Memorial Cup titles, he enters the professional ranks with momentum and confidence. His playmaking and willingness to drive into hard areas should translate well against professionals, and if he produces right away, his stock could rise faster than many expect.

He's unlikely to make the Maple Leafs roster out of camp and will almost certainly spend the season in the AHL. This year will be a critical test of whether his offensive touch carries over against stronger, faster competition. If it does, his long-term outlook could shift from dependable middle-six contributor to a player capable of bringing real offensive punch in addition to his reliable work ethic and defensive responsibility. That would boost his slightly depressed stock in the pNHLe model.

Carter Yakemchuk (D, Ottawa Senators)

Yakemchuk will almost certainly get a long look in Ottawa's camp, but the more realistic outcome is significant time in Belleville to start the season. His offensive upside is undeniable, with a heavy shot, sharp instincts in the offensive zone, and the confidence to drive play from the back end. That package could eventually make him a fixture on the Senators' blue line and a legitimate power-play option.

The challenge, as it was throughout his WHL career, is the defensive side. His reads and positioning can be inconsistent, and it is tough to envision him handling NHL matchups right away. AHL reps in Belleville to refine that area of his game seems like the best path forward. If he can stabilize defensively, his offensive skill set gives him one of the higher fantasy ceilings among young defensemen. Even if the scoring takes time to come, his shot volume and physical play provide a solid peripheral floor, as reflected in his Fantasy Hockey Life player card.

Ilya Protas (F, Washington Capitals)
Few players boosted their stock more last season than Ilya Protas. The younger brother of Aliaksei Protas went from under a point-per-game in the USHL during his draft season to over a point-per-game in the OHL. The USHL to OHL is a big jump, and now he will be making another steep climb to the AHL. If he can produce right away, he will quickly establish himself as one of the best young prospects.

The Hershey Bears will give him plenty of runway to refine his pace, consistency, and offensive timing against stronger competition. According to Hockey Prospecting, he already looks to be on a better trajectory than his older brother. Aliaksei just broke out with a 71-point pace for Washington, and it looks like Ilya could eventually reach that level or more. He is definitely a prospect to keep an eye on.

Carson Rehkopf (F, Seattle Kraken)
Rehkopf's overall offensive game is his calling card, and it will be his ticket to fantasy relevance. He wrapped up a productive final season in the OHL, finishing over a point-per-game with the Brampton Steelheads while showing he can score, distribute, and create offense in different ways. That growth earned him a brief taste of the AHL with two games in Coachella Valley at the end of last season, experience that should help him acclimate more quickly this year.

The AHL will be the real test, challenging him to generate chances against professionals who defend with more pace and structure. If he adapts well and clicks with playmakers in Coachella Valley, he has the potential to put up eye-catching numbers right away. More than likely though, Rehkopf will have some growing pain in his development, particularly in his 200-foot game. If that improves at a rapid rate, his stock will rise significantly.

Thanks for reading! See you next week. For more content/fantasy hockey analysis, or if there's a prospect, topic, or theme you'd like me to cover, follow and message me on X https://x.com/VictorNuno12