4 Goalies Dominating In AHL Playoffs That Deserve NHL Spots Next Season

The AHL is always filled with young and exciting players ready to take the next step in their careers or veterans looking to grind their way back to the NHL. The AHL playoffs have featured some strong goaltending performances that have given the organizations hope about the future in net or opened the door back up for others. These are four goalies dominating in the AHL playoffs that deserve at least a shot at an NHL spot next season.

Devon Levi

Devon Levi dominated in college for two years and was thought of as the next best goalie prospect coming into the NHL. He has done well at times, but the Buffalo Sabres haven't given him or any of their goalies a ton of help. He has played parts of three seasons in the NHL, but also split time in the AHL for the past two, including playing extremely well in the playoffs this year where he's 3-1 with a 1.76 GAA and .944 SV%. After a .919 SV% during the regular season in the AHL, I think he needs a longer look this season and the hope is that he can put up better numbers for the Sabres.

Yaroslav Askarov

Yaroslav Askarov will be in the NHL next season. The San Jose Sharks signed him after bringing him over from the Nashville Predators, and even though he split time between the NHL and AHL, the team is going with Askarov and a veteran netminder as the tandem next season. He absolutely proved he deserves a full time spot in the NHL next season with a 2.45 GAA and .919 SV% during the AHL's regular season, .896 SV% for the last place Sharks, and a 1.68 GAA and .935 SV% in the playoffs.

Arturs Silovs

Arturs Silovs really came on many people's radar during the playoffs last season when he had to step in and did well. He didn't follow that up with a great showing in the NHL this season, but has turned things around in the AHL with a great record in the regular season and playoffs as well as a 1.74 GAA and .935 SV% in six postseason games. He will get time in the NHL because nobody expects Thatcher Demko to stay healthy, but the Vancouver Canucks' hope is that Silovs' time in the minors has really given him the confidence to become an NHL goaltender.

Kaapo Kahkonen

Unlike the others that appear in this group of goalies dominating the AHL playoffs, Kaapo Kahkonen is 28 years old and has 140 games of NHL experience. He has bounced around this season and found himself in the Florida Panthers' organization. There may be a slight chance that his performance gets the attention of the Panthers and he gets a contract and is in the mix for the backup role next season, or his play gets the attention of other teams for free agency. Kahkonen has a 1.78 GAA and .926 SV% in five playoff games this year.