Chirps from Center Ice

Welcome to the third day of AHL Previews here at Chirps from Center Ice. Yesterday we looked at the West Division and last Thursday we looked at the North Division. You can click through the links or click the tab at the top labeled “AHL Preview” to get to those previews.

Probably the most notable team to join this newly formed division is the Charlotte Checkers, who completely defected from the Eastern Conference and into this new division in the Western Conference. As with the teams in the West Division from yesterday, Wilkes-Barre does not play any of these teams either.

Charlotte Checkers (Carolina Hurricanes)

Last Year: 44-27-2-7 (97 pts.) 3rd place East Division. Swept in Eastern Conference Finals by the Binghamton Senators.

Head Coach: Jeff Daniels

Arena: Time Warner Cable Arena

ECHL Affiliation: Florida Everblades

Offseason Moves: Justin Soryal, Chris Durno, Chris Murray, Mathieu Roy

The case for: Charlotte defects to the Western Conference and becomes one of the top five best teams in it. They also will boast arguably the best goaltending duo in the Conference in Mike Murphy who carried the Checkers to the Eastern Conference Finals last year and Justin Peters who spent the entire year in the NHL backing up Cam Ward. They also still have a very capable NHL ready forward corps to put the puck in the net on a nightly basis.

The case against: A young blueline. Newcomer Mathieu Roy provides some depth at the position but is hardly a cornerstone. Michal Jordan and Brett Bellemore return as the reliable defensemen. Bobby Sanguinetti is injury prone. The rest are relative unknowns. Don’t look for any +/- leaders on this team.

Beat Writer: None

Fan Blog: Chasing Checkers (blog / twitter)

Twitter: @CheckersHockey

Broadcaster: Jason Shaya

vs. WBS: Do not play

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Chicago Wolves (Vancouver Canucks)

Last Year: 39-30-5-6 (89 pts.) 6th place West Division (under affiliation with the now defunct Atlanta Thrashers)

Head Coach: Craig MacTavish

Arena: Allstate Arena

ECHL Affiliation: None

Offseason Moves: J.P. Testwuide, Mark Mancari, Steve Pinizzotto, Matt Climie

The case for: Serious off-year for the Wolves last year by not making the playoffs this year. They upgrade parents by switching from what was Atlanta to now Winnipeg to Vancouver which stacked the now defunct Manitoba Moose last year. Proof is already in the pudding getting Mancari and Climie. This team won’t miss the playoffs this year.

The case against: Mancari and Climie may not be around all year as they may be on recall. Can the Wolves manage without them?

Beat Writer: Chicago Sun-Times

Twitter: @Chicago_Wolves

Broadcaster: Jason Shaver (twitter)

vs. WBS: Do not play

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Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville Predators)

Last Year: 44-22-6-8 (102 pts.) 1st place West Division. Lost in 7 games to the Houston Aeros in the West Division Finals.

Head Coach: Kirk Muller

Arena: Bradley Center

ECHL Affiliation: Cincinnati Cyclones

Offseason Moves: Kyle Wilson, Brodie Dupont

The case for: The “other” Admirals team is always a strong one. Nice upgrades with Wilson and Dupont and Jeremy Smith is set to have a nice year in goal with the departure of Mark Dekanich to Columbus.

The case against: Competition around the division slightly upgraded and newcomer Charlotte looks like an instant threat to the Admirals’ run as division champion.

Beat Writer: Journal Sentinel 

Fan Blog: Admirals Roundtable (blog / twitter)

Twitter: @mkeadmirals

Broadcaster: Aaron Sims (twitter)

vs. WBS: Do not play

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Peoria Rivermen (St. Louis Blues)

Last Year: 42-30-3-5 (92 pts.) 3rd place West Division. Swept by the Houston Aeros in the West Division Semifinals.

Head Coach: Jared Bednar

Arena: Carver Arena

ECHL Affiliation: Alaska Aces

Offseason Moves: Brett Sterling, Jonathan Cheechoo, Danny Syvret

The case for: The Rivermen are tops on many lists as darkhorse for Calder Cup champion. The veteran presence of Sterling and Cheechoo almost guarantee playoffs.

The case against: “Veteran” is another term for “aging hockey player” and the Rivermen certainly have a group of these whom they are banking their success on this season. Can they stay healthy and how soon if they do get hurt do they recover from injury?

Beat Writer: Dave Eminian (blog)

Fan Blog: The Peoria Rivermen Blog (blog / twitter)

Twitter: @Peoria_Rivermen

Broadcaster: Brendan Burke (twitter)

vs. WBS: Do not play

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Rockford IceHogs (Chicago Blackhawks)

Last Year: 38-33-4-5 (85 pts.) 8th place West Division

Head Coach: Ted Dent

Arena: BMO Harris Bank Center

ECHL Affiliation: Toledo Walleye

Offseason Moves: Brian Fahey, Carter Hutton, Brandon Segal

The case for: There is only one way for this team, up. Fahey and Segal bring scoring and Hutton is a goaltending prospect. This team could surprise and contend for a 7 or 8 seed.

The case against: Playing an improved Peoria squad, an angry Wolves team, a stout Admirals team and a very good Checkers team a lot of times.

Beat Writer: Rockford Register Star

Twitter: @goicehogs

Broadcaster: Mike Peck

vs. WBS: Do not play

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So that’s all for the Midwest Division and the Western Conference. Tomorrow we jump into the Eastern Conference. As always, if you agree or disagree with what I have written, the comment section is open for discussion.