Chirps from Center Ice

Welcome back! The Chirps from Center Ice AHL Previews are moving along into the Eastern Conference. I capsulized each team in the Western Conference Monday and Tuesday. For a look back at those, the drop down menu is right above you labeled “AHL Previews” and you can get yourself caught up.

Today we find each other in the Atlantic Division. The Penguins play every team in this division at least twice, once on the road and once at home. As always, all Penguins home games are listed in bold.

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Manchester Monarchs (Los Angeles Kings)

Last Year: 39-32-2-3 (83 pts., 2nd place Atlantic Division)

Playoffs: 8 seed – lost in four games to the Norfolk Admirals in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

Head Coach: Mark Morris

Arena: Verizon Wireless Arena

ECHL Affiliation: Ontario Reign

Offseason Moves: Andrew Bodnarchuk

Lockout Additions: Vyacheslav Voynov, Jordan Nolan

The case for: Manchester looks to continue to improve on last season. This is yet another team that will benefit from the lockout in the NHL.

The case against: Contending with a very good St. John’s team as well as a new and improved Worcester team. These Atlantic Division opponents play each other all the time, so whether or not the Monarchs are contenders will be known sooner rather than later.

Media coverage: Union Leader

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

Twitter: @MonarchsHockey

Facebook: /MonarchsHockey

Broadcaster: Ken Cail

vs. WBS: @ 11/2, 2/1, @ 3/10, 4/20

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Portland Pirates (Phoenix Coyotes)

Last Year: 36-31-4-5 (81 pts., 3rd place Atlantic Division)

Playoffs: Did not qualify.

Head Coach: Ray Edwards

Arena: Cumberland County Civic Center

ECHL Affiliation: Gwinnett Gladiators

Offseason Moves: Chad Johnson, Chris Conner, Joel Rechlicz, Rob Klinkhammer

Lockout Additions: Oliver Eckman-Larsson

The case for: The Pirates should be in good enough shape this season to contend for a 6 seed or lower later in the year. Additions of Conner and Klinkhammer bring offense with them.

The case against: There are a lot of good teams in the Conference. Compared to the other rosters here, the Pirates look mediocre at best.

Media coverage: Chris Roy for the Maine Hockey Journal (twitter / blog)

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

Twitter: @portlandpirates

Facebook: /PortlandPirates

Broadcaster: Jeff Mannix (twitter)

vs. WBS: 11/10, 12/8, @3/9, @ 3/16

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Providence Bruins (Boston Bruins)

Last Year: 35-34-3-4 (77 pts., 4th place Atlantic Division)

Playoffs: Did not qualify.

Head Coach: Bruce Cassidy

Arena: Dunkin’ Donuts Center

ECHL Affiliation: South Carolina Stingrays

Offseason Moves: Chris Bourque, Christian Hanson, Garnet Exelby

Lockout Additions: Jordan Caron

The case for: Providence could play dark horse this season with the offseason moves they made. Bourque should lead the team in points, Hanson is a big power forward, Exelby is a crafty veteran. Add in the mix of youth led by Carter Camper and Providence is a playoff team.

The case against: The above sounds nice but, can it be expected? Time will tell.

Media coverage: The Providence Journal – Mark Divver (twitter / blog)

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

Twitter: @AHLBruins

Facebook: /providencebruins

Broadcaster: Nick Gagalis (twitter)

vs. WBS: @ 3/8, 3/29

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St. John’s IceCaps (Winnipeg Jets)

Last Year: 43-25-5-3 (94 pts., 1st place Atlantic Division)

Playoffs: 2 seed – swept in four games by the Norfolk Admirals in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Head Coach: Keith McCambridge

Arena: Mile One Centre

ECHL Affiliation: Colorado Eagles

Offseason Moves: Hunter Tremblay, Dean Arsene, Ryan Schnell, Ray Kaunisto, Tyler Plante, Mark Dekanich

Lockout Additions: Alexander Burmistrov

The case for: Serious upgrades with Dekanich and Plante in goal to complement Eddie Pasquale up on “The Rock” which could see the IceCaps lead the league in GAA provided everybody stays healthy.

The case against: Ask yourself if you firmly believe this team is championship caliber.

Media coverage: St. John’s Telegram – Brendan McCarthy (twitter / blog)

Fan Blog: The Ice Flow (twitter / blog)

Twitter: @IceCapsAHL

Facebook: /stjohnsicecaps

Broadcaster: Brian Rogers

vs. WBS: 12/1, 1/23, @ 4/13, @ 4/14

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Worcester Sharks (San Jose Sharks)

Last Year: 31-33-4-8 (5th place Atlantic Division)

Playoffs: Did not qualify.

Head Coach: Roy Sommer

Arena: DCU Center

ECHL Affiliation: San Francisco Bulls

Offseason Moves: Jon Matsumoto, Bracken Kearns, Danny Groulx

Lockout Additions: James Sheppard

The case for: The Sharks are the dark horse pick for Calder Cup contender. Bringing in an all-star cast of Matsumoto, Kearns and Groulx and re-signing incumbent all-stars Matt Irwin and G Alex Stalock the stock is way up in Wormtown for the Sharks to be at the top of the Atlantic Division all season.

The case against: Often with minor pro hockey, teams on paper that should be successful usually are not. Time will tell if Worcester is that team.

Media coverage: Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Fan Blog: Sharks Page – (twitter / blog)

Twitter: @WorcesterSharks

Facebook: /WorcesterSharks

Broadcaster: Eric Lindquist

vs. WBS: 1/5, @ 3/13, @ 3/15, 4/19

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Northeast Division comes at you tomorrow.