Winnipeg Jets: Three Players That Should Be Called Up From the AHL

2. Dylan Samberg

While Jets fan Twitter rages over the merits of playing either Ville Heinola or Logan Stanley as the sixth defenseman with the club, likely the best Jets defense prospect, Dylan Samberg, continues to excel in the AHL for the Manitoba Moose.

Fortunately for the young defenseman, the Jets called him up on April 7 on an emergency basis and reassigned Ville Heinola to the Manitoba Moose. Samberg has played in 32 games for the Moose this season and has put up 12 points.

While his offensive output has not been great at the AHL level, Samberg is a defenseman that the Moose rely on to play heavy minutes in a variety of situations including extensive time on penalty killing. The Jets have waited patiently for Samberg through his four-year college career with the University of Minnesota-Duluth, and in his initial pro seasons, which were unfortunately hampered by injuries.

Samberg is a big, physical defenseman who moves the puck well out of his own end. His lack of offense likely limits him as a top pair player at the NHL level, but he could slide nicely into a second pair role with the big club. The Jets may even be auditioning him with the hopes that he may be able to replace one of the club’s more expensive veteran defensemen next season.