Chirps from Center Ice

Two more divisions to look at here in the Chirps from Center Ice AHL Previews. Western Conference teams and the Atlantic Divisions have been discussed already, bring the drop down menu above you down to check out those respective divisions. Today, it’s the Northeast Division. Wilkes-Barre plays each team multiple times, with home dates listed in bold. Here we go.

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Adirondack Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers)

Last Year: 37-35-2-2 (78 pts., 3rd place Northeast Division)

Playoffs: Did not qualify.

Head Coach: Terry Murray

Arena: Glens Falls Civic Center

ECHL Affiliation: Trenton Titans

Offseason Moves: Luke Schenn, Danny Syvret, Zack Fitzgerald, Scott Munroe

Lockout Additions: Sean Couturier, Brayden Schenn, Zac Rinaldo

The case for: The lockout lasting all season long. Adirondack has a look of scoring a ton of goals and shutting other teams down for as long as the lockout goes.

The case against: Before the addition of Scott Munroe in goal, the Phantoms goaltenders were Cal Heeter and Nikko Hovinen. If there is a gaping handicap to this team, it’s in the blue crease. Munroe can’t do it all himself.

Media coverage: The Saratogian – Michael Cignoli (blog / twitter) and The Post Star – Diana Nearhos (blog / twitter)

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

Twitter: @PhantomsHockey

Facebook: /ADKhockey

Broadcaster: Bob Rotruck (twitter)

vs. WBS: 1/12, 2/2, @ 2/22*, @ 4/5

* – game played at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA

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Albany Devils (New Jersey Devils)

Last Year: 31-34-6-5 (73 pts., 5th place Northeast Division)

Playoffs: Did not qualify.

Head Coach: Rick Kowalsky

Arena: Times Union Center

ECHL Affiliation: Trenton Titans and Elmira Jackals

Offseason Moves: Phillip DeSimone, Alexandre Carrier

Lockout Additions: Bobby Butler, Adam Henrique, Adam Larsson

The case for: This won’t be your fathers New Jersey Devils AHL affiliate team anymore. The Devils need to be taken seriously and can win the Northeast Division.

The case against: If the lockout ends, so does the chances for long term success for the Devils.

Media coverage: Albany Times Union – Pete Dougherty (twitter / blog) and The Daily Gazette – Bill Cain (twitter / blog)

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

Twitter: @AlbanyDevils

Facebook: /albanydevils

Broadcaster: Josh Heller (twitter)

vs. WBS: @ 11/25*, @ 12/12, 3/2, 4/6

* – game played at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ

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Bridgeport Sound Tigers (New York Islanders)

Last Year: 41-26-3-6 (91 pts., 1st place Northeast Division)

Playoffs: 3 seed – swept in three games by the Connecticut Whale in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

Head Coach: Scott Pellerin

Arena: Webster Bank Arena

ECHL Affiliation: None

Offseason Moves: Colin McDonald, Brandon DeFazio, Jesse Joensuu

Lockout Additions: Travis Hamonic

The case for: The Sound Tigers will continue to knock around about the Northeast Division as well as the middle to top of the conference. If the lockout does end, the talent excision from the farm club will not be as steep as it is for the Adirondack’s and Albany’s in the division.

The case against: I can’t convince myself that the Sound Tigers are a threat this season.

Media coverage: Connecticut Post – Mike Fornabaio (twitter / blog)

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

Twitter: @TheSoundTigers

Facebook: /soundtigers

Broadcasters: Phil Giubileo (twitter) and Carmine Vetrano (twitter)

vs. WBS: 10/20, @ 11/4, 11/16, @ 2/24

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Connecticut Whale (New York Rangers)

Last Year: 36-26-7-7 (86 pts., 2nd place Northeast Division)

Playoffs: 6 seed – lost in six games to the Norfolk Admirals in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Head Coach: Ken Gernander

Arena: XL Center

ECHL Affiliation: Greenville Road Warriors

Offseason Moves: Sean Collins, Logan Pyett, Brandon Segal

Lockout Additions: Michael Haley, Chad Kolarik, Chris Krieder

The case for: A team bolstered by offseason signings looking to build on last years results.

The case against: A team stymied by opponents bolstered by NHL talent if this lockout drags on.

Media coverage: The Hartford Courant – Paul Doyle (twitter / blog) and Howlings Today (twitter / blog)

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

Twitter: @CTWhale

Facebook: /ctwhale

Broadcaster: Bob Crawford (twitter)

vs. WBS: @ 1/6, 2/23

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Springfield Falcons (Columbus Blue Jackets)

Last Year: 36-34-3-3 (78 pts., 4th place Northeast Division)

Playoffs: Did not qualify.

Head Coach: Brad Larsen

Arena: Mass Mutual Center

ECHL Affiliation: Evansville IceMen

Offseason Moves: Jonathan Audy-Marchessault, Tim Erixon, Nathan Moon, Ryan Craig

Lockout Additions: Cody Bass, Cam Atkinson, John Moore, David Savard

The case for: As with prior seasons, the Springfield Falcons out of the box look ready to roll and have success this season.

The case against: As with prior seasons, the Springfield Falcons could stumble out of the box and have no success at all this season.

Media coverage: MassLive.com

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

Twitter: @TheFalconsAHL

Facebook: /falconsahl

Broadcaster: Mike Kelly (twitter)

vs. WBS: @ 10/19, 11/14

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Tomorrow we conclude the Previews with the East Division, on the dawn of the 2012-2013 AHL Season.