5 Prospects That Will Break Out and Become Full-Time NHLers in 2024-25

All five of these prospects had breakout campaigns in the AHL last season. Will they continue their rise in the NHL in 2024-25?

The American Hockey League (AHL) is a stepping stone for many players in their journey to the NHL. Some stay there for only a season before becoming full-time NHLers while others need more development and bounce between the AHL affiliate and the parent club for a few seasons. In the case of these five prospects, they all had impressive 2023-24 seasons and look poised to leave the AHL in the rearview mirror in 2024-25.

Shane Wright, Seattle Kraken

Shane Wright was the belle of the ball for most of the 2021-22 season, securing projected first-overall pick status and the fame and media attention that went with it. Up until the draft, many people thought he would go first to the Montreal Canadiens. But he didn’t, and fell not only out of the top spot but the top three, landing in the laps of the Seattle Kraken at fourth overall.

Since being drafted in 2022, Wright has worn many jerseys. In 2022-23 alone he donned Kraken, Coachella Valley Firebirds, Windsor Spitfires and Team Canada colors, ultimately finishing the season in the Ontario Hockey League with the Spitfires where he scored 15 goals and 37 points in 20 games. He also won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2023 World Juniors, wearing the “C” and scoring four goals and seven points in seven games.

Shane Wright, Seattle Kraken (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

All in all, Wright has only five goals and seven points in 16 games at the NHL level, which is well behind his cohorts in the top three who have combined for 47 goals and 123 points in 263 games. Juraj Slafkovsky, who was selected by the Canadiens, leads the way with 24 goals and 60 points in 121 games so far.