AHL: Cracking Roster No Little Task

It is not easy for a young player to crack the Chicago Wolves roster, as the team has six players who meet the AHL's definition of a non-developmental player (260+ games at the NHL, AHL, former IHL, or European elite levels), and all of them play key roles on the team. Those prospects who do establish themselves as regulars, will have veteran support that may help bolster their offensive numbers. McKeen's had the opportunity to see the Chicago Wolves on two occasions, once in November and once in December, and enters notes on Bryan Little (pictured), Brett Sterling, and other top Atlanta prospects.

Bryan Little (Atl), C, Chicago Wolves

Has decent speed with the puck and can handle it well when in his top gear .. could still use additional speed, though .. patient with the puck, does not rush things, and can outwait goaltenders .. has a hard shot and is dangerous around the crease .. conscientious in trying to play a two-way game and positions himself to intercept passes or create turnovers and then capitalizes on those chances .. worked hard at improving his conditioning over the summer and another such summer should help him further improve his body composition and help him become stronger.

Brett Sterling (Atl), LW, Chicago Wolves

Small in height, but has a pretty good build (5-foot-7, 180 pounds) .. dangerous player offensively due to his speed and quickness .. able to beat defensemen wide or split the defense and is not afraid to venture into traffic or engage physically .. able to use his speed and positioning to intercept passes and quickly move the puck .. has a quick wristshot with good accuracy .. a goal scorer who had more goals than assists all four years of college and his first year of AHL hockey, and is on his way toward duplicating that again in his second pro season.

Boris Valabik (Atl), D, Chicago Wolves

Towering defenseman who plays a physical game, but whose effectiveness as a physical defenseman is questionable .. efforts to knock opponents off the puck or to step up on opponents often end without the desired result .. is leveled by opponents not known for being big hitters and gets penalties retaliating when he is hit hard .. has quick feet, with or without the puck .. puckmoving is still somewhat inconsistent, although he makes crisp passes more often than not.

Nathan Oystrick (Atl), D, Chicago Wolves

His 5-foot-11 height is no issue, as his 216-pound frame makes him Chicago's most effective defenseman defensively .. has good all-compass mobility with or without the puck .. has quick feet but also has good power and decent speed .. handles the puck well, makes crisp, accurate passes and has the offensive vision to find open forwards low and create plays .. does collapse low to the crease offensively from time to time, but is responsible in doing so .. defensive position is very good, as he is often in place to intercept passes and transition the puck well .. typically maintains a short gap .. plays his odd-man rushes well, makes timely pokechecks, but is also very good at angling opponents wide and rubbing them out .. is also able to layout big hits and has the strength to eliminate opponents from the play along the boards and in the corners .. often uses his strength and positioning to establish position in races for the puck .. active stick on the PK and is not afraid to block shots .. had an NHL-caliber showing in his December viewing.

Jordan LaVallee (Atl), LW, Chicago Wolves

Big 6-foot-2, 224-pound left-winger who forechecks hard and can pressure defensemen into errors .. finishes his checks .. also puts in a good effort on the backcheck .. has a quick wristshot .. has done well this season and last season to get regular icetime on an AHL team that is difficult to crack with so many veteran AHL scorers.

Jesse Schultz (Atl), RW, Chicago Wolves

Acquired by Atlanta from Vancouver for Jimmy Sharrow .. 25-year-old having a good season surrounded by some of the top veteran scoring talents in the AHL .. has a hard shot that he can snipe from time to time .. decent playmaker who can thread traffic with passes .. not very big at 5-foot-11 and 191 pounds, but will initiate contact in races for pucks to establish position, although he can be muscled-off the puck himself.

Colin Stuart (Atl), LW, Chicago Wolves

Has a powerful stride and has good speed, which he uses in beating defensemen wide or in races for the puck .. has the speed and size (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) to be effective crashing the net .. all shots in his arsenal are hard .. third-year pro out of Colorado College recalled by Atlanta Dec. 28.

Joey Crabb (Atl), RW, Chicago Wolves

A good two-way player at the AHL level .. plays with good intensity and some aggressiveness but does not pick up many penalties doing it .. finishes his checks with some force .. has decent speed and quickness .. overshadowed offensively in Chicago, but still displays good offensive awareness with smart passing plays .. also has a nice wristshot.