NHL rinks remain dark, but ice hockey endures. The American Hockey League season began last weekend, and with no end in sight for the NHL’s ongoing labor dispute, its top developmental league provides an excellent preview of what the post-lockout NHL will look like.

Numerous top prospects who might have otherwise been receiving minimal ice time with their NHL team are instead taking on huge roles in the AHL, and all indications are that this lockout just might turn out to be the best thing for their development.

Just one hour north of New York City on I-95, the Islanders’ AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, begin their fourth season. The team is comprised of an interesting mix of prospects and journeymen, but a few standouts will find their way to Long Island soon after the lockout ends.

First amongst them is Justin Pap ineau. The talented forward was acquired from St. Louis in the trade that sent Chris Osgood to the Blues, and since his arrival on Long Island, he has not been able to realize his immense potential. But Papineau gained 20 pounds during the off-season as a result of a vigorous workout regimen, and Tigers head coach Greg Cronin expects him to become more visible in high traffic areas.

“Papineau’s increased size should help him improve his strength on the puck, something [Islanders’ head coach] Steve Stirling identified as an important thing for him to work on,” said Tigers head coach Greg Cronin.

“The first question when I saw him, though, was whether the additional weight would slow him down, but it hasn’t. He’s bouncing off checks in the corner and he’s already scored two blue-collar goals where he’s had to get through traffic to crash the net.”

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NEW OUTLOOK FOR WOLF PACK

The Rangers’ AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past year, mostly due to the Rangers’ surprising decision to initiate a much-needed rebuilding effort. As a result, head coach Ryan McGill is blessed with a lineup that is chock full of solid young players.

“It used to be that only five or six guys on the team could be considered prospects,” McGill said. “Now we’ve got a whole team full of prospects. You’re not going to develop them all in one year, but it’s a very positive sign that they can all grow within the organization.”

Perhaps the most intriguing player on the Wolf Pack is Fedor Tyutin, who is rapidly developing into an elite-level AHL defenseman.

“Fedor needs to work on his consistency,” McGill said. “He’s an unbelievable skater for a big man, he’s willing to engage in physical play, and he has really good deception skills with the puck when he comes up the ice on the power play. He has the ability to dominate with his puck skills.”

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FAST START FOR ALBANY’S PARISE

The Devils affiliate up in Albany, the River Rats, are showcasing the team’s brightest prospect, Zach Parise. The son of former Islander J.P. Parise, Zach is an elite-level offensive talent who is expected to energize the River Rats’ power play. In his first two games with Albany, Parise tallied three points; if the entire NHL season is lost, look for Parise to finish amongst the AHL’s scoring leaders.

Many NHL scouts were turned off by Parise’s lack of size; generously listed at 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, he will never be a power forward. However, the 2004 Hobey Baker finalist’s winning attitude and top-notch finishing skills will make him a cornerstone of the Devils’ future.

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HOW TO GET YOUR HOCKEY FIX

For fans craving hockey on television in the NHL’s absence, the MSG Network will be airing at least six Wolf Pack games between now and the end of December, utilizing the Rangers’ award-winning broadcasting team of Sam Rosen and John Davidson.

For those seeking college hockey, Devils play-by-play man Mike Emrick joins the insightful Billy Jaffe on CSTV’s Friday Night Hockey (CSTV is available to Time Warner subscribers as part of a college sports programming package). Numerous games are also scheduled to appear on the included Fox College Sports networks.

Quite appropriately, CSTV’s slogan is “No lockouts, just hockey,” and for the NHL’s locked-out and disillusioned fans, the NCAA and AHL will provide a much-needed oasis. Even in a world without the NHL, the “coolest game on Earth” lives on.

Mr.Greenstein is the editor-in-chief of INSIDE HOCKEY (insidehockey.com).