Griffins' hot start, Olympic call-ups spotlight AHL's NHL pipeline

Grand Rapids' early-season surge has become the headline in the American Hockey League, and for good reason. Through 31 games the Griffins were enjoying an unprecedented run, piling up wins and points at a pace that drew leaguewide attention and reshaped how NHL clubs view depth options. That stretch has not only energized fans in Grand Rapids but also forced NHL clubs to reassess which prospects are ready to step into bigger roles.

A major reason for the Griffins' climb has been the play in net by Sebastian Cossa. At the time of the midseason notebook, Cossa led the AHL in goals-against average and save percentage and had earned consecutive monthly goaltender honors. His dominance has been both a stabilizer for Grand Rapids and a clear signal to Detroit Red Wings management that reliable crease options can be developed in the AHL rather than simply shuttled from the NHL.

The international stage added another layer to the story. Five AHL clubs — Charlotte, Hershey, Grand Rapids, Iowa and Providence — each had a player named to an Olympic roster for Milano Cortina. Those selections underline how the AHL is not just a development circuit but a producer of Olympic-caliber talent. Olympic call-ups remove players from AHL lineups for the short term and create openings for other prospects to log meaningful minutes. That domino effect can accelerate development for younger players and provide NHL clubs with short-term depth during a grueling schedule.

Prospects who have benefited from increased AHL responsibilities include Isaac Howard and Quinn Hutson, both of whom logged notable minutes in the AHL and were part of recent NHL recalls and assignments. Those moves show how strong AHL play leads directly to NHL opportunities, whether as injury insurance or as auditions for permanent roles. For club personnel, keeping tabs on hot streaks and monthly award winners like Cossa informs roster decisions and waiver strategies heading into the second half.

For the community — fans, season-ticket holders and local media — this stretch offers tangible reasons to follow AHL games beyond prospects' names. Home stands become talent showcases, and every recall or Olympic selection has ripple effects that matter to local ticket sales, player development timelines and fan conversations.

Our two cents? Keep your eyes on the AHL score sheet and goaltending stats — that's where late-season call-ups and playoff contributors are often revealed. For fans, attending games now gives a front-row seat to the next wave of NHL players and the kind of momentum that can change a season.