Montreal Canadiens: A full season of the AHL could benefit Ryan Poehling
By Omar L
Similar to Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Poehling was sent down to the AHL, putting up 5 goals and 8 assists for 13 points in 36 games. Those aren’t the worst numbers, but you’d like to see a top prospect show more of an offensive presence at the lower level. Kotkaniemi was down there for 13 games in the latter half of the season and was a point-per-game player. Even though the majority of those points were assists, Kotkaniemi showed that dominating edge you’d like to see, like his game against the Utica Comets putting up three helpers.
If the Montreal Canadiens are committed to having Kotkaniemi play with the Laval Rocket for the entirety of the 2020-21 season – whenever that will be – Ryan Poehling should join him as well.
It goes beyond the confidence factor. Players who lack innate skill have to make up for it in other ways. Some improve their work ethic, others improve their skating, and some develop inklings for specialty teams and crackdown on their defensive play.
Poehling has the benefit of having good hockey sense already, and if you combine that with a high-octane grinding style of play, it could translate well to the NHL. We’ve seen that from him already.
The first two goals of his debut hat-trick were a mix of awareness and strength. He forced his way to the front of the net to create chaos and have a puck go off of him for his first. He positioned himself in front of the Leafs net to be available for the rebound for his second. Even Poehling’s goal from this season against the Calgary Flames (3:32) shows off that awareness.