ROCHESTER — After Konsta Helenius’ first NHL recall last month left the Americans thin at center, coach Mike Leone shifted Buffalo Sabres prospect Anton Wahlberg up to pivot the Americans’ top line.
Normally, a neophyte about 100 games into his AHL career wouldn’t have been thrust into such a high-profile role.
“It’s extremely difficult to do what he’s doing right now as a young player,” Leone said last month of the 20-year-old.
But the 6-foot-4, 205-pound Wahlberg, who on Tuesday earned his first recall to the Sabres, responded well to the challenge.
“The more I play, the better I play,” Wahlberg told GNN Sports earlier this month following a pregame skate in Blue Cross Arena.
Amerks assistant coach Vinny Prospal believes the Swede, a natural winger who has spent some of his career in the middle, might be better suited to play center.
“Wally has something to be probably, in my own opinion, a better center than a winger, because I actually love now the way he plays now with his stick, he uses his stick, how he’s responsible in the D-zone,” Prospal said. “He’s approaching it a great way. He’s getting more opportunity.”
It’s unclear what kind of opportunity Wahlberg, a second-round pick in 2023, 39th overall, could have in the NHL.
The Sabres possibly summoned him as insurance if center Tage Thompson, who just won a gold medal with Team USA at the Olympics, can’t play tonight when they begin their three-game road trip against the New Jersey Devils.
On Tuesday, Thompson and some of his U.S. teammates visited Washington. The Sabres had the day off, so Wahlberg did not practice
Wahlberg’s offensive numbers don’t wow you. That’s a big reason why prospects like Helenius and winger Isak Rosen often overshadow him.
He has registered six goals, 25 points and 12 penalty minutes in 47 games this season. His plus-12 rating leads the Amerks. His 19 assists rank second among forwards and third overall.
Since joining the Amerks almost two years ago, he has compiled 18 goals, 59 points and 24 penalty minutes in 119 games.
“If you just look at the box scores … you’re thinking (he’s) a second-round pick and he should have more points,” Leone said. “But his ability to impact a game of not getting points is extremely high with his length. He’s really good with his stick, especially forechecks (in the) D-zone, he can kill a lot of plays.”
Wahlberg has showcased some offensive development this season, recording as many assists as he did in 63 games last year.
“He’s starting to produce a little bit more,” Prospal said. “That’s always been a knock on him, that’s he not productive enough on the wing, maybe because he’s not as explosive as much.”
Wahlberg generates scoring chances; he just doesn’t finish enough. His shooting percentage has dropped from 13.8 last season to 8.2 this year.
“My point production, that’s one thing that can be better,” he said. “I think I get a lot of chances every game, and I think I got to score more goals. But, yeah, I feel this year I’ve been skating a lot more, (playing) more physical.”
If he keeps playing aggressively, it should eventually pay dividends.
“He’s putting himself in good scoring positions,” Prospal said. “There’s always been a lot of production with him, at times, but I love the way right now, he’s driving the net, he’s actually holding onto the pucks in the offensive zone.
“He can protect the puck with his frame, and this is only going to get better once he gets stronger and more stable.”
That style has extended to all areas of the ice.
“He has been able to have two or three big hits in the last few games, and he’s separating other players from the puck,” Prospal said.
Still, Leone said Wahlberg must display more physicality before he’s classified as a “heavy” player.
“He’s shown signs of heaviness in the game that he can play,” he said. “I think with his strength, he has the ability to play a heavy game where he can be a load to play against. Now, he has to get stronger where you’re not getting knocked off of as many pucks in the O-zone.”