Five Draft Picks Ready to Make Their AHL Mark Next Season

Not every first-round pick is ready for the NHL grind, and that's perfectly fine - some of the league's best prospects need a year or two in the minors to develop their game. These five 2026 draft selections have the tools and trajectory to dominate at the AHL level while they continue their professional development. The teams that drafted them are banking on patience paying dividends when these players eventually make the jump to the show.