NHL Prospect Watch: When Will These Players Shining in the Minors Get the Call?

Now that the NHL trade deadline has come and gone, one of the few ways teams have left to improve their rosters heading into the postseason is by calling up players from the minor leagues.

The AHL is full of talented young players and veterans who may earn their shot at the NHL level this season for various reasons, such as injuries creating an opening on the pro roster.

Let's look at 15 prospects playing well right now and when they will get the call to the NHL.

Ben Scrivens

Ben Scrivens has not played in a game for the Toronto Maple Leafs since late November, but with the team's goaltending failing them right now, giving Scrivens a chance soon may help the team get back into a playoff spot.

Scrivens has some decent experience at the NHL level and is 14-11 this season for the AHL's Toronto Marlies.

The Maple Leafs cannot afford to keep losing ground in the Eastern Conference standings and have little to lose by giving Scrivens a chance to turn things around.

Zac Dalpe

Zac Dalpe has scored nine goals with 13 assists for the Charlotte Checkers this season through 36 games.

He was last with the Carolina Hurricanes in late January and should be called up for good this season, because the team isn't contending for a playoff spot and would be smart to give their young kids some valuable experience at the NHL level.

Gustav Nyquist

Gustav Nyquist is tearing it up in the AHL right now for the Grand Rapids Griffins, who belong to the Detroit Red Wings. 

Nyquist has 51 points in 49 games on 17 goals and 34 assists.

He has good speed and is a natural goal scorer who can also set up teammates with quality scoring chances.

Since the Red Wings didn't make a move for a top-six forward before the trade deadline, Nyquist could get the call to the NHL this season before the playoffs arrive.

Chris Bourque

Chris Bourque leads the AHL with 76 points on 25 goals and 51 assists through 55 games with the Hershey Bears. 

With the Washington Capitals struggling to make the playoffs, I would expect Bourque to be called up soon, because the team really needs some more depth at left wing.

The Capitals also need to play with more intensity and determination, and a young kid looking to prove himself will give them that spark.

TJ Hensick

TJ Hensick is third in the AHL in scoring with 19 goals and 45 assists through 53 games with the Peoria Rivermen.

The St. Louis Blues were quiet at the trade deadline and would be smart to call up Hensick sometime before the postseason, likely in March, and see if he can help the team in the Western Conference playoffs.

Ben Bishop

The Ottawa Senators got St. Louis Blues goalie Ben Bishop this past weekend, and it was a great trade for the Senators, because Bishop has been the AHL's best goalie this season.

With Craig Anderson hurt for several weeks after undergoing hand surgery last week, Bishop should get the NHL call soon to either start for the Senators or be used in a backup role and get a few starts here and there.

In his first game with the Binghamton Senators on Tuesday, Bishop allowed just one goal in a win.

Cory Conacher

Cory Conacher is one of the Tampa Bay Lightning's best forward prospects, and he should join the team this season because they are not going to compete for a playoff spot.

Conacher is fourth in the AHL in points, tallying 29 goals and and 34 assists through 56 games with the Norfolk Admirals.

Jacob Markstrom

Florida Panthers goaltender Jacob Markstrom is one of the top prospects in hockey in all positions, not just among goaltenders.

The Panthers would love to have him come up to the NHL level to give them some more depth as they look to secure a playoff berth and maybe the Southeast Division title.

Markstrom is 7-8 in 16 games played for the AHL's San Antonio Rampage this season.

David Savard

The Columbus Blue Jackets sent David Savard back to the AHL a few days ago, but he should be up with the team at least one more time this season.

Savard is a good player who excels in the offensive zone, but with Jack Johnson coming into the mix from the Jeff Carter trade, the Blue Jackets have a surplus of offensive defenseman at the NHL level.

Savard has nine points in 26 games with the Springfield Falcons this season.

Taylor Beck

Taylor Beck is doing very well in the AHL this season for the Milwaukee Admirals.

He has nine goals and 18 assists through 54 games.

He is a strong forward who could add some toughness to the bottom two lines of the Nashville Predators before the playoffs start.

The Predators need more offense, and giving Beck a shot to prove himself before the playoffs isn't a bad idea.

Alexander Urbom

Alexander Urbom is another big, strong defenseman who will lead the New Jersey Devils' defensive corps into the future along with current NHLer Adam Larsson.

Urbom probably won't make the NHL this season, especially after the Devils traded for Marek Zidlicky from the Minnesota Wild, but he is a very good player who excels in his own zone.

He has 11 points in 49 games this season for the Albany Devils of the AHL.

Patrick Maroon

Patrick Maroon used to be in the Philadelphia Flyers organization, but now he's with the Anaheim Ducks and is seventh in the AHL in scoring this season, with 25 goals and 30 assists through 54 games with the Syracuse Crunch.

If the Ducks fall out of the playoff race, it would be worth it to give Maroon a shot at the NHL level to see how far in his development he is.

Andrew Bodnarchuk

The Bruins don't have the amount of lefty shooting defensemen they would like, which is why Andrew Bodnarchuk of the Providence Bruins will likely be called up again, and maybe practice with the team throughout the playoffs.

Bodnarchuk is a physical player who can hold his own in the defensive end, but won't add a ton on the power play and isn't a puck-moving defenseman.

Eddie Lack

Eddie Lack of the Vancouver Canucks is one of the better goaltending prospects in hockey, but unfortunately for him, he won't get a spot on the NHL roster when Cory Schneider and Roberto Luongo are playing well.

Lack will continue to play for the Chicago Wolves of the AHL this season, and if Schneider isn't re-signed or is traded in the offseason, maybe Lack will back up Luongo for the 2012-13 season.

Chris Kreider (NCAA)

Chris Kreider isn't in the AHL right now, but since he is highly likely to sign with and join the New York Rangers this season, I have included him on this list because he has the potential to make an impact for the Blueshirts as the playoffs near.

Kreider is a left winger with good size and tremendous scoring ability.

With Boston College this season, he has scored 19 goals with 17 assists in 34 games.

Rangers general manager Glen Sather recently talked about Kreider and his availability this season.

Per the New York Post:

"

"Absolutely,” he said, when asked if he expects the 6'3", 225-pound winger who presents an uncommon blend of size, speed, power and touch, to leave Boston College at the end of the season.

“Absolutely,” Sather repeated, when asked if he intends/expects to sign Kreider in time for him to play this season.

"