Usually you'll get more shoots if you wait for the stems to harden then prune but there's never a single hard outcome in all cases. If the tree declines in health while you wait for lignification you'll probably get less new shoots. If you neglect fertilization while it grows it will become weaker and you'll get less response.
It also seems that the older the wood the more horizontal the new shoots will grow. Shoots grown from younger stems tend to shoot straight up almost in line with the previous stem but prune to older wood and the new shoots tend to grow outward at a greater angle before heading vertical.
Almonds will happily bud from bare wood so no problem cutting back to stems that have lost leaves - allowing for other factors as above and below.
Almonds are prone to a number of different diseases, some of which get started when they trees are pruned during cool, wet weather so the usual recommendation is to do most pruning whole the tree is still growing.