Alex Barre-Boulet

Barre-Boulet has been one of the best players in the AHL since turning pro six years ago. Despite that, he is yet to earn a full-time gig at the NHL level. He appeared in a career-high 36 games for the Lightning a year ago, posting six goals and nine points. Seeking to add depth to their lineup, Montreal handed ABB a one-year, $775,000 contract in free agency. It would be great to see what Barre-Boulet can do with an enhanced role, but it would likely take multiple Canadiens injuries in order for it to happen in 2024-25.

Barre-Boulet played the waiver game a season ago, starting the year in Tampa Bay before heading to Seattle and then back to the Lightning. He played in 16 games combined between the two teams, posting three goals and three assists. Barre-Boulet was a massive scorer in his junior days in the QMJHL and deserves a chance at extended minutes at the NHL level. Set to play this entire season at age 25, it's a surprise one of the league's weaker teams hasn't snatched him up. There's no guarantee Barre-Boulet's long-term future is with Tampa Bay.

Barre-Boulet followed up the Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year award in 2017-18 with an AHL All-Rookie Team award in 2018-19. Not bad for a small, undrafted center-turned-right winger out of the QMJHL. His skating isn't what you'd expect from a slithery 5-foot-10 forward. but Barre-Boulet knows how to score. I mean, all he did was lead all rookies with 34 goals and 68 points in 71 games last season. Those 34 goals were good for a tie to lead the AHL overall and 17 came on the power play, another league-leading stat. Barre-Boulet has elite vision and hockey IQ, and Tampa isn't afraid to invest in little guys. He won't be up with the big squad in 2019-20, but he'll compete for a third-line spot in 2020-21, and should be a second-liner at his peak. Stash B-B if you can afford to wait on a sneaky scorer.