Chirps from Center Ice

A fan blog about the AHL's Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins

Best of What’s Available

Leave a comment Posted by on July 13, 2011

We are about two weeks into free agency and a majority of the big names are signed with new teams. I have chronicled who has signed with our East Division brethren throughout the month. For a refresher, simply scroll down on the page and click “older posts” at the bottom left.

Wilkes-Barre is still in need of a goaltender and ** either a power forward or a center or maybe both, depending on whom you talk to. So I decided to go through Bombulie’s list again and come up with a top ten of “best of what’s available” at the center / wing and goaltending position, in no particular order:

Name Position Blurb
Robbie Earl, HOU RW I had him on my list a few weeks ago. Speedy guy who can kill penalties and lead a rush.
John Zeiler, MCH C Another from my initial list. From Pittsburgh area and an ex-teammate of Geoff Walker.
Paul Szczechura, NOR C I’m probably the only one in Wilkes-Barre save for Bombulie or anyone on Coal Street who can spell Szczechura without having to look it up.
Tim Wallace, WBS RW Why not? Two different schools here. One side says if he didn’t re-sign initially he was gone, the other say the longer he isn’t signed the more likely he is to come back.
Carter Hutton, WOR G Bombulie had him at 212 on his list. Unqualified RFA. It is a guy like this that Wilkes may be pursuing and not someone like… **
Tyler Weiman, MTB G Tops on this wish list from a few weeks ago. Shocked that he has not signed yet. If Pittsburgh wants to add a fourth goalie to an NHL deal to push Thiessen on the farm, he’d be the perfect fit. **
Denis Hamel, ADK LW Ageless wonder. Started last season without an AHL team. Phantoms sign him and nearly turn their season around. 66 games and 50 points at 34 years old.
Barry Brust, BNG G We couldn’t beat Binghamton last year and it was in large part due to this guy. **
Brandon Segal, TEX RW When you look up, “power forward” in the dictionary, Segal’s face is there.
Graham Mink, PEO RW When you look up, “power forward” in the encyclopedia, Mink’s face is there. *

* – Mink signed with Hershey today. The rich keep getting richer.
** – three hours after this blog post published, the Pens went out and signed Scott Munroe from the KHL.

So there you have it. The natives are getting restless for a backup goalie and another winger / power forward. Nab one of these names, and I think it is safe to say that people will feel good about going into the 2011-2012 campaign.

The AHL, WBS

Comments are closed.