Welcome back to day four of the annual Chirps from Center Ice AHL Previews. Today we find ourselves in more familiar territory in the Eastern Conference. You can check out the Western Conference Previews of the West here, Midwest here and North here. You can always check out the Previews at anytime on the blog via the handy drop down menu at the top of the site.
Today we examine the Atlantic Division. There have been no affiliation changes or realignments in this division. The Penguins play everyone in this division with home games in bold. OK, here we go…
Manchester Monarchs (Los Angeles Kings)
Last Year: 37-32-3-4 (81 pts., 3rd place Atlantic Division)
Playoffs: 7 seed — Lost in four games to the Springfield Falcons in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
Head Coach: Mark Morris
Arena: Verizon Wireless Arena
ECHL Affiliation: Ontario Reign
Offseason Moves: Sean Backman, Matt Frattin
The case for: Monarchs always put a good team on the ice that contends.
The case against: But they may be just that. Good. You need to be great to win championships.
Media Coverage: Union Leader
Fan Blog: None — or I haven’t found it yet.
Twitter: @MonarchsHockey
Facebook: /MonarchsHockey
Instagram: monarchshockey
Broadcaster: Ken Cail
vs. WBS: @ 10/20, 1/4
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Portland Pirates (Phoenix Coyotes)
Last Year: 41-30-3-2 (87 pts., 2nd place Atlantic Division)
Playoffs: 6 seed — Lost in three games to the Syracuse Crunch in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
Head Coach: Ray Edwards
Arena: Androscoggin Bank Colisee*
ECHL Affiliation: Gwinnett Gladiators
Offseason Moves: Kyle Hagel, Tim Kennedy
The case for: I have the Pirates as a dark horse team that can win this division and make some noise in the Eastern Conference.
The case against: This is just an average team in a powerhouse conference.
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
Instagram: piratesahl
Broadcaster: Jeff Mannix (twitter)
vs. WBS: @ 1/18, 2/7
* – the Pirates normally play at the Cumberland County Civic Center but were unable to agree to terms for the 2013-14 season
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Providence Bruins (Boston Bruins)
Last Year: 50-21-0-5 (105 pts., 1st place Atlantic Division)
Playoffs: 1 seed — Lost in seven games to the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Head Coach: Bruce Cassidy
Arena: Dunkin’ Donuts Center
ECHL Affiliation: South Carolina Stingrays
Offseason Moves: Joe Morrow, Matt Fraser, Chad Johnson, Nick Johnson
The case for: P-Bruins can repeat as Atlantic Division champs if they do everything right.
The case against: Last years team lost a 3-0 series lead and was the first team in AHL history to lose said lead when playing Games 6 and 7 at home. The Bruins may be good. But good enough to win it all? I doubt it.
Media Coverage: The Providence Journal — Mark Divver (twitter / blog)
Fan Blog: None — or I haven’t found it yet.
Twitter: @AHLBruins
Facebook: /providencebruins
Instagram: ahlbruins
Broadcaster: Nick Gagalis (twitter)
vs. WBS: @ 1/17, @ 1/19, 2/22, 3/26
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St. John’s IceCaps (Winnipeg Jets)
Last Year: 32-36-3-5 (72 pts., 5th place Atlantic Division)
Playoffs: Did not qualify.
Head Coach: Keith McCambridge
Arena: Mile One Centre
ECHL Affiliation: Ontario Reign
Offseason Moves: Blair Riley, Jerome Samson, Andrew Gordon, Michael Hutchinson
The case for: Veteran scorers in Samson and Gordon should add offensive firepower to this St. John’s team.
The case against: I see no signs that make me believe this team will make any noise in 2013-14.
Media Coverage: St. John’s Telegram — Brendan McCarthy (twitter / blog)
Fan Blog: None — or I haven’t found it yet.
Twitter: @IceCapsAHL
Facebook: /stjohnsicecaps
Instagram: stjohnsicecaps
Broadcaster: Brian Rodgers
vs. WBS: 11/22, 11/23, @ 12/6, @ 12/7
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Worcester Sharks (San Jose Sharks)
Last Year: 31-34-4-7 (73 pts., 4th place Atlantic Division)
Playoffs: Did not qualify.
Head Coach: Roy Sommer
Arena: DCU Center
ECHL Affiliation: San Francisco Bulls
Offseason Moves: Adam Comrie, Ryan McDonough, Rob Davison
The case for: A lineup built on speed and puck movement over the grinding style used in prior campaigns. The Sharks have a solid defensive corps and a continuity in style of play to parent San Jose.
The case against: Too many rookies. Not enough “stud” goal scorers. Alex Stalock has graduated so a question in goal.
Media Coverage: Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Fan Blog: Sharks Page (twitter / blog)
Twitter: @WorcesterSharks
Facebook: /WorcesterSharks
Instagram: worcestersharks
Broadcaster: Eric Lindquist
vs. WBS: @ 10/19, 12/20
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