L'Heureux Making a Case for NHL Roster Spot with Predators Next Season

Nashville Predators prospect Zachary L'Heureux could be losing the "prospect" tag sooner rather than later.

The Calder Cup Playoffs have been somewhat of a coming out party for the rookie forward and former first-round pick (No. 27 overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft. In his first professional postseason, L’Heureux leads all American Hockey League (AHL) players with 14 points after helping the Milwaukee Admirals take down the Grand Rapids Griffins in five games in the Central Division finals and return to the Western Conference finals for the second straight season.

Related: Predators' AHL Affiliate Advances to Central Division Final in Calder Cup Playoffs

“Zach is playing world class hockey in the playoffs,” Admirals head coach Karl Taylor said following the Game 5 win over Grand Rapids. “He’s done a great job for us.”

Milwaukee dropped Game 1 of the Western Conference finals to the Coachella Valley Firebirds on May 29, with L'Heureux scoring the Admirals' lone goal of the game. It was his AHL-leading ninth goal of the postseason , which is three more than the next-closest player.

L'Heureux turned pro this season after averaging more than a point per game over four seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). He put a bow on his junior career by posting 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) in 20 playoff games for the Halifax Mooseheads last season.

His first AHL season got off to a relatively slow start, but a second-half surge saw L'Heureux record 36 points (17 goals, 19 assists) in his final 43 regular-season games. That has given way to a stellar playoff performance, sending a loud and clear message that the 21-year-old will be a legitimate competitor for an NHL roster spot with the Predators next season.