Chirps from Center Ice

Welcome back to the AHL Previews at Chirps from Center Ice. If you missed the South Division earlier today, it’s here and also above in the drop down menu listed above.

The Midwest Division loses the Charlotte Checkers to the South Division and gains the Grand Rapids Griffins from the North Division. The Penguins don’t play anyone in this division either.

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Chicago Wolves (Vancouver Canucks)

Last Year: 42-27-4-3 (91 pts., 1st place Midwest Division)

Playoffs: 3 seed – lost in five games to the San Antonio Rampage in the Western Conference Semifinals.

Head Coach: Scott Arniel

Arena: Allstate Arena

ECHL Affiliation: Kalamazoo Wings

Offseason Moves: Brett Sterling, Nathan Longpre, Zach Miskovic

Lockout Additions: Derek Joslin, Zack Kassian

The case for: Darren Haydar and Brett Sterling are back together, albeit a few years older, but ready to lead the Wolves deep into the playoffs come the Spring. Your favorites to win this division should be this team.

The case against: Everyone brings their best when they play a favorite. It’s also difficult to repeat as division winner.

Media coverage: Chicago Sun-Times

Fan Blog: None – or I haven’t found it yet.

Twitter: @Chicago_Wolves

Facebook: /chicagowolveshockey

Broadcaster: Jason Shaver (twitter)

vs. WBS: Do not play.

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Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit Red Wings)

Last Year: 33-32-7-4 (77 pts., 4th place Midwest Division

Playoffs: Did not qualify.

Head Coach: Jeff Blashill

Arena: Van Andel Arena

ECHL Affiliation: Toledo Walleye

Offseason Moves: Nathan Paetsch, Triston Grant

Lockout Additions: Brendan Smith, Gustav Nyquist

The case for: The Griffins open the season as your typical “young teams looking to improve on last seasons results.”

The case against: With youth, when adversity shows up things can go poorly. How the Griffins adjust to the adversity will likely spell how well Grand Rapids does this season.

Media coverage: MLive

Fan Blog: None – or else I haven’t found it yet.

Twitter: @griffinshockey

Facebook: /grgriffins

Broadcaster: Bob Kazer

vs. WBS: Do not play.

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Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville Predators)

Last Year: 40-29-2-5 (87 pts., 2nd place Midwest Division)

Playoffs: 5 seed – swept in three games by the Abbotsford Heat in the Western Conference Semifinals.

Head Coach: Dean Evason

Arena: Bradley Center

ECHL Affiliation: Cincinnati Cyclones

Offseason Moves: Magnus Hellberg

Lockout Additions: Gabriel Bourque, Ryan Ellis, Jonathan Blum

The case for: Milwaukee always ices a quality team. They could be on a list or two for dark horse as division winner. They could play upset in playoffs, too.

The case against: Hellberg is going to backup Jeremy Smith this year. This will be his first time on North American ice. The Admirals waterloo may be in goal this year.

Media coverage: Journal Sentinel – Dave Boehler (twitter / blog)

Fan Blog: Admirals Roundtable (twitter / blog)

Twitter: @mkeadmirals

Facebook: /mkeadmirals

Broadcaster: Aaron Sims (twitter)

vs. WBS: Do not play.

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Peoria Rivermen (St. Louis Blues)

Last Year: 39-33-2-2 (82 pts., 4th place Midwest Division)

Playoffs: Did not qualify.

Head Coach: Dave Allison

Arena: Carver Arena

ECHL Affiliation: Evansville IceMen

Offseason Moves: Taylor Chorney, Mike McKenna, Scott Ford, Brett Regner

Lockout Additions: Ian Cole, Andrew Murray

The case for: The aforementioned Wolves and Admirals have company as frontrunners for this division. It doesn’t take long to look at the Rivermen lineup and convince yourself that this team will give its opponents fits night in and night out.

The case against: While staring at this team, a lot of characteristics from last years team could be seen. That team was going to be an upset threat for a Calder Cup and didn’t even sniff playoff air.

Media coverage: Peoria Journal Star – Dave Eminian (twitter / blog)

Fan Blog: Peoria Rivermen Blog (twitter / blog)

Twitter: @Peoria_Rivermen

Facebook: /PeoriaRivermen

Broadcaster: Brendan Burke (twitter)

vs. WBS: Do not play.

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Rockford IceHogs (Chicago Blackhawks)

Last Year: 35-32-2-7 (79 pts., 5th place Midwest Division)

Playoffs: Did not qualify.

Head Coach: Ted Dent

Arena: BMO Harris Bank Center

ECHL Affiliation: Toledo Walleye

Offseason Moves: Martin St. Pierre, Brett Lebda

Lockout Additions: Ben Smith, Nick Leddy

The case for: Only one way for this team this season, up.

The case against: I said that last year and the IceHogs didn’t get off the ground.

Media coverage: Rockford Register Star

Fan Blog: Rockford IceHogs Fan Blog

Twitter: @goicehogs

Facebook: /RockfordIceHogs

Broadcaster: Mike Peck

vs. WBS: Do not play.

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Stop by the blog tomorrow for the North Division. We’ll do one division a day until Friday.