The Coming Thing: Labanc's Shot

This was a much busier week for prospect movement than last week and I don't really feel like I have much to rant about (unless you want to talk about what's worse, the name "Vegas Golden Knights" or their logo, but that's sort of old news at this point). That in mind, let's launch right into the latest movements as youngsters for a number of teams try to carve out their NHL futures.

Comings and Goings

Kyle Connor, LW, WPG – A college megastar, Connor ripped it up to the tune of 35 goals and 36 assists in 38 games for the University of Michigan last year; those are Jack Eichel-like numbers. In fact, they're better. However, Connor's first taste of NHL action hasn't gone quite so well as that of, say, fellow Jets rookie Patrik Laine – where the 18-year-old Finn is contending for the NHL goal lead, Connor is "celebrating" his 20th birthday Friday by planning a trip to AHL Manitoba. He started out in a big role with the Jets after looking good in camp, but a lack of production landed him in the press box for 10 of the last 13 games, so the team wisely chose to send him down to gain some experience in the minors. I fully expect Connor to tear it up in the AHL and earn his way back to the Jets later this season.

Anthony DeAngelo, D, ARI – Here we have a somewhat odder situation, as DeAngelo didn't share Connor's lack of production – he was off to a terrific start through his first 11 NHL games, netting a couple goals and five assists (including four power-play points) accompanied by an even rating. Yet the 'Yotes sent him back to the AHL on Sunday, presumably because they want him to learn greater defensive responsibility. Of course, DeAngelo's always been an offense-first blueliner – this is, after all, a guy who put up 43 points to go with a minus-18 rating in 69 AHL contests last year. But at just 21 years old, he's more than capable of making adjustments to play a sharper two-way game, and let's face it – Arizona needs his offense. He'll be back.

Kevin Labanc, RW, SAN – A sixth-round pick in 2014 coming off a meager 35-point season for OHL Barrie, Labanc has raised his stock considerably since. He went nuts for his next two junior seasons – 107 and then 127 points – and brought that productivity straight to the AHL, ripping off 13 points in eight games this year. That strong play has resulted in Labanc spending plenty of time with the Sharks, although he's yet to win a major role; the 20-year-old was sent to the AHL on Saturday, only to be called back up Tuesday (without missing a single game), and he's averaging less than 12 minutes of ice time. This is a Sharks team that's been surprisingly patient with unproductive wingers like Patrick Marleau, Joonas Donskoi and Joel Ward, and when coach Pete DeBoer gets tired of getting such minimal scoring from his top-sixers, Labanc will get his shot. It's only a matter of time.

Jake Guentzel, C, PIT – A five-game-long cup of coffee led Guentzel – who received the privilege of spending significant time alongside Evgeni Malkin – to pick up four points and a dozen hits with the Penguins, but with no room for him to stick in the lineup, they sent him down Wednesday after scratching him for three straight games. The 22-year-old has excelled in the AHL, netting 17 points in 16 games, and although he doesn't have great size, the former University of Nebraska-Omaha stud's skills clearly translate to the biggest level. The Penguins seem to be unable to go too long without racking up injuries, and Guentzel will surely be at the top of their list of recall candidates the next time they have a forward go down.

Hunter Shinkaruk, LW, CGY – Now 22 and three years removed from being taken in the first round (24th overall) by Vancouver, Shinkaruk is looking to break in as an NHL regular with his second organization after being dealt to Calgary for Markus Granlund last year. His month of action with the Flames, however, didn't move him very far in that direction; Shinkaruk got bottom-six playing time for seven games and spent nine in the press box, culminating in Monday's reassignment to AHL Stockton. The Calgary native has flashed plenty of potential in the minors – between last season and this one, Shinkaruk has posted 59 points in his last 71 AHL games. The skill, speed and tenaciousness are unquestioned, but his strength and own-zone play still need work, and it's hard to break into the Flames' top-six mix right now.

Pontus Aberg, LW, NAS – A nine-game jaunt with Nashville resulted in only two points for the Swedish winger, and he got sent back down to AHL Milwaukee on Monday. A 2012 second-rounder, Aberg is now an older prospect at 23, but he's shown signs of noteworthy fantasy potential in the AHL – 25 goals last year and nine points in 10 games this year.

Juuse Saros, G, NAS – Sent down in the same transaction as Aberg, the 21-year-old Saros has been a sensation in the AHL this year, posting a 10-1-0 record with a 1.54 GAA and .946 save percentage. His three games in Nashville have been just as impressive – although he's been stuck with a couple losses, his GAA (1.70) and save percentage (.940) are just as impressive as his numbers in the minors. It sure looks like the Predators are going to reap major rewards from selecting him No. 99 overall in the 2013 draft. Own Saros in dynasty leagues and know true happiness.

Prospect of the Week
Sam Steel, C, ANA – Last week, I discussed Steel's teammate Adam Brooks, who's one point ahead of him for the WHL scoring lead. This week, the Ducks' 2016 first-round pick (No. 30 overall) gets his time in the spotlight. The Albertan winger has 21 goals and 46 points through 22 games, showcasing his speed and spectacular skill for a Regina team that's been almost impossible to beat as a result. He'd posted fairly mediocre results over the past two campaigns (not to spit on a 70-point season, but it's not that impressive in juniors), so there were some questions about whether he'd plateaued. Well, he hasn't. The consistency issues the lefty-shooting pivot used to suffer from have vanished, setting him firmly on a path toward the NHL.