Chirps from Center Ice

Welcome back to the Previews! Two divisions left. To see the North, West, Midwest and Atlantic Divisions from earlier past week, click the drop down tab at the top of your computer screen and select your division.

Today is the Northeast Division’s turn in the spotlight. This division is a hodgepodge of teams from the East Division and Atlantic Division, much like the Midwest Division is in the Western Conference with teams from the North and West. Wilkes-Barre plays each team in this division at least twice, with home games listed in bold.

Adirondack Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers)

Last Year: 31-39-4-6 (72 pts.) 7th place East Division

Head Coach: Joe Paterson

Arena: Glens Falls Civic Center

ECHL Affiliation: Trenton Titans

Offseason Moves: Jason Bacashihua, Andy Bohmbach, Blake Kessel, Garrett Roe

The case for: Moving out of the East Division. Adirondack surged late in the year. They resigned the ageless Denis Hamel. Bacashihua helped Lake Erie make the playoffs for the first time. Could the Phantoms be a 7 or 8 seed?

The case against: Springfield may be the only team out of this division to make the playoffs, with the East potentially sending at least three teams or more and the Atlantic sending that many potentially.

Beat Writer: Tim McManus (blog / twitter)

Twitter: @PhantomsHockey

Broadcaster: Bob Rotruck (blog / twitter)

vs. WBS: @ 3/4, 3/23

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Albany Devils (New Jersey Devils)

Last Year: 32-42-1-5 (70 pts.) 8th place East Division

Head Coach: Rick Kowalsky

Arena: Times Union Center

ECHL Affiliation: Kalamazoo Wings

Offseason Moves: Adam Larsson, Stéphane Veilleux

The case for: Moving out of the East, same case for Adirondack. The Devils return four of their top five scorers. Jay Leach on the back end will mentor the blueline.

The case against: Goaltending. Jeff Frazee has yet to complete a full season without injury. His health could determine if this team is a playoff team or not. Also the Devils need to be more disciplined as they were the most penalized team in the league last year.

Beat Writer: Pete Dougherty (blog / twitter) and Bill Cain (blog / twitter)

Fan Blog: Thoughts Inside the Box (blog / twitter)

Twitter: @AlbanyDevils

Broadcaster: Josh Heller (twitter)

vs. WBS: 12/19, 2/4, @ 2/18, @ 3/31

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Bridgeport Sound Tigers (New York Islanders)

Last Year: 30-39-4-7 (71 pts.) 7th place Atlantic Division

Head Coach: Brent Thompson

Arena: Webster Bank Arena

ECHL Affiliation: None

Offseason Moves: Tim Wallace, Trevor Frischmon, Sean Backman

The case for: Veteran help in the form of the new additions. Young core ready to turn things around and compete and contend in the truncated division led by ECHL Coach of Year and Kelly Cup Champion Brent Thompson.

The case against: I have a sense that if things go bad for this team they could go bad in a hurry and the Sound Tigers could be out of it before Winter.

Beat Writer: Michael Fornabaio (blog / twitter)

Twitter: @TheSoundTigers

Broadcaster: Phil Giubileo (twitter)

vs. WBS: 12/31, @ 3/10, 4/14, @ 4/15

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Connecticut Whale (New York Rangers)

Last Year: 40-32-2-6 (88 pts.) 3rd place Atlantic Division. Lost in Atlantic Division Semifinals to the Portland Pirates in 6 games.

Head Coach: Ken Gernander

Arena: XL Center

ECHL Affiliation: Greenville Road Warriors

Offseason Moves: André Deveaux, Brendan Bell

The case for: Mainstays in the playoffs year after year, the Whale look to be at the top of the table this season again. Also, it looks like Rangers defensemen Wade Redden is going to again spend another year toiling in the minors.

The case against: Can this team beat Springfield? If the answer is no, then the Whale may not be a playoff team under the new playoff format this season.

Beat Writer: Bruce Berlet (blog / twitter)

Twitter: @CTWhale

Broadcaster: Bob Crawford (blog)

vs. WBS: 10/9, @ 1/27, @ 3/30, 4/7

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Springfield Falcons (Columbus Blue Jackets)

Last Year: 35-40-2-3 (75 pts.) 6th place Atlantic Division

Head Coach: Rob Riley

Arena: MassMutual Center

ECHL Affiliation: Chicago Express

Offseason Moves: Alexandre Giroux, Andrew Joudrey, Martin St. Pierre, Cody Bass, Curtis Sanford

The case for: Columbus has its minor league affiliate loaded for bear to start the year. Giroux will get you 30 goals and whoever loses the battle as number two in goal in Columbus between Dekanich and Sanford will dominate this division and potentially the conference. This team makes the playoffs and could go deep, if it stays healthy.

The case against: Teams that look like they can win it all on paper usually don’t.

Beat Writer: MassLive.com

Twitter: @TheFalconsAHL

Broadcaster: Mike Kelly (twitter)

vs. WBS: 10/14, @ 10/21, @ 3/11, 3/25

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Tomorrow we finish off the Previews with the East Division. Oh, and HOCKEY IS BACK with the AHL openers!