The 2026-27 National Hockey League (NHL) season is now underway, and so is the American Hockey League (AHL). The AHL is the NHL farm team, and often times, players in the AHL get called up to play at the NHL level in the event of an NHL player sustaining an injury or in the event they need to step away from the team momentarily.
The Seattle Kraken's AHL affiliate team, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, has only played two games to kick off the 2026-27 season. However, several players have already shown great promise and performance.
Jani Nyman
The Firebirds might have only played two games so far, but Jani Nyman already has Coachella Valley's first hat trick of the season. He recorded three goals against the Ontario Reign on Oct. 3, helping the Firebirds take a 6-2 victory over Ontario.
In the game prior, the Firebirds lost, but Nyman scored two goals and recorded an assist for a total of three points. Just two games into the season, and Nyman already has six points to his name.
Last season, Nyman split his time between Seattle and Coachella Valley. After his stellar performance just to start the 2026-27 season, it is clear that Nyman wants to get back to playing at the NHL level. If he keeps playing the way he already has, that dream might become a reality sooner rather than later.
Jagger Firkus
Nyman is on fire, but so is Jagger Firkus. In the Firebirds' home and season opener on Oct. 2, Firkus recorded two assists. Despite the fact the Firebirds were playing on the second half of a back-to-back, Firkus scored two goals and recorded two assists on Oct. 3.
He might not have a hat trick, but Firkus has the same amount of points as Nyman just two games into the season. His offensive performance has been on fire, alongside Nyman. Firkus never got the call up to the NHL last season, but that might change if he keeps up this level of compete.
Tyson Jugnauth
While the forwards have been finding success recording their names on the scoreboard, the defense has been too. Tyson Jugnauth is supposed to be defending the blue line, but he has been finding plenty of chances to record points as well.
Jugnauth already has six points, all recorded through assists. He recorded two in the Firebirds' home opener and four in the following game on Oct. 3rd. Despite the fact Jugnauth is supposed to stop goals, his primary job so far this season has been to help find scoring chances for the Firebirds. In his second full-time season with the Firebirds, Jugnauth is already making a major impact.
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