We are almost wrapped up here in the annual Chirps from Center Ice AHL Previews. To get caught up on the Western Conference Divisions from a few days ago and the Atlantic Division from yesterday, use the drop down box at the top of the blog and select your division.
No affiliation or realignment changes with the Northeast Division. The Penguins play everyone in this division with home games in bold.
Adirondack Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers)
Last Year: 31-38-3-4 (69 pts., 5th place Northeast Division)
Playoffs: Did not qualify.
Head Coach: Terry Murray
Arena: Glen Falls Civic Center
ECHL Affiliation: Greenville Road Warriors
Offseason Moves: Steven Delisle, Yann Danis, Kris Newbury
The case for: The Danis and Newbury signings were huge for Adirondack this offseason. The Phantoms can contend in this division.
The case against: Did you laugh as you read that last sentence?
Media Coverage: The Post Standard — Diana Nearhos (twitter / blog)
Fan Blog: None — or I haven’t found it yet.
Twitter: @PhantomsHockey
Facebook: /ADKhockey
Instagram: phantomshockey
Broadcaster: Bob Rotruck (twitter)
vs. WBS: 10/18, @ 11/27, @ 1/10, 2/8
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Albany Devils (New Jersey Devils)
Last Year: 31-32-1-12 (75 pts., 4th place Northeast Division)
Playoffs: Did not qualify.
Head Coach: Rick Kowalsky
Arena: Times Union Center
ECHL Affiliation: None
Offseason Moves: Rostislav Olesz, Riley Boychuk, Rod Pelley
The case for: The majority of the corps returns, including leading scorer Joe Whitney. Rookie Reid Boucher broke Steven Stamkos’ OHL goals scored record (62)
The case against: Consistency. The Devils just aren’t consistent in the AHL’s known “back to back games” league. Also, the Devils were a league worst in shootouts last season with 12 losses. Those 12 points lost add up at the end of the season.
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
Instagram: albanydevils
Broadcaster: Josh Heller (twitter)
vs. WBS: 11/8, @ 3/1*, @ 3/23, 4/5
* – at Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ
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Bridgeport Sound Tigers (New York Islanders)
Last Year: 32-32-7-5 (76 pts., 3rd place Northeast Division)
Playoffs: Did not qualify.
Head Coach: Scott Pellerin
Arena: Webster Bank Arena
ECHL Affiliation: Stockton Thunder
Offseason Moves: Justin Johnson, Shane Harper, Chris Bruton
The case for: The Sound Tigers will improve on last seasons mistakes under Pellerin and should be expected to contend.
The case against: The above is easier said than done.
Media Coverage: Connecticut Post — Michael Fornabaio (twitter / blog)
Fan Blog: None — or I haven’t found it yet.
Twitter: @TheSoundTigers
Facebook: /soundtigers
Instagram: thesoundtigers
Broadcaster: Phil Giubileo (twitter)
vs. WBS: @ 10/5, 4/4
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Hartford Wolf Pack (New York Rangers)
Last Year: 35-32-6-3 (79 pts., 2nd place Northeast Division)
Playoffs: Did not qualify.
Head Coach: Ken Gernander
Arena: XL Center
ECHL Affiliation: Greenville Road Warriors
Offseason Moves: Brendon Nash, Danny Syvret, Danny Kristo
The case for: Someone has to win this division. Why not the Wolf Pack?
The case against: The answer for the Wolf Pack may be the Springfield Falcons.
Media Coverage: The Hartford Courant — Paul Doyle (twitter / blog) and Mitchell Beck for Howlings Today (twitter / blog)
Fan Blog: None — or I haven’t found it yet.
Twitter: @WolfPackAHL
Facebook: /HartfordWolfPack
Instagram: hartford_wolfpack
Broadcaster: Bob Crawford (twitter)
vs. WBS: @ 1/3, 1/11
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Springfield Falcons (Columbus Blue Jackets)
Last Year: 45-22-5-4 (99 pts., 1st place Northeast Division)
Playoffs: 2 seed — Lost in four games to the Syracuse Crunch in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Head Coach: Brad Larsen
Arena: MassMutual Center
ECHL Affiliation: Evansville IceMen
Offseason Moves: Joe Lavin, Mike McKenna, Jeremy Smith, Frédéric St. Denis
The case for: The Falcons look like the class of the Northeast Division. I don’t see a reason why the Falcons can’t repeat as division winners.
The case against: Instead of getting younger, the Falcons added two aging goaltenders in McKenna and Smith. Last year may have been a flash in the pan.
Media Coverage: Francis Sypek for MassLive.com — (twitter)
Fan Blog: None — or I haven’t found it yet.
Twitter: @TheFalconsAHL
Facebook: /falconsahl
Instagram: thefalconsahl
Broadcaster: Mike Kelly (twitter)
vs. WBS: @ 11/10, 12/11
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We wrap up the Fourth Annual Chirps from Center Ice AHL Previews with the East Division, Friday at noon.
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