Chirps from Center Ice

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.

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

Back for day three here for the Chirps from Center Ice AHL Previews as we complete the tour of the Western Conference in the North Division. Get caught up on the West Division here and the Midwest Division here or at anytime on the drop down menu box at the top of the blog.

This years North Division loses the Abbotsford Heat to the West Division and gains the Utica Comets. The Comets are the old Peoria Rivermen franchise and are the affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks. I’ll use last years record for the Chicago Wolves (who were affiliated with Vancouver last year) as the record for the Comets. The Penguins play every team in this division except the Lake Erie Monsters. Home games are listed in bold.

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Hamilton Bulldogs (Montréal Canadiens)

Last Year: 29-41-1-5 (64 pts., 5th place North Division)

Playoffs: Did not qualify.

Head Coach: Sylvain Lefebvre

Arena: Copps Coliseum

ECHL Affiliation: Wheeling Nailers

Offseason Moves: Drew Schiestel, Joël Chouinard, Christian Thomas, Nick Tarnasky, Martin St. Pierre

The case for: The newcomers give fans in the Canadian version of the Steel City hope.

The case against: Hope is one thing. Results are another.

Media Coverage: The Hamilton Spectator

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

Twitter: @BulldogsAHL

Facebook: /hamiltonbulldogs

Instagram: bulldogsahl

Broadcaster: Derek Wills (twitter)

vs. WBS: @ 3/8, 3/14

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Lake Erie Monsters (Colorado Avalanche)

Last Year: 35-31-3-7 (80 pts., 3rd place North Division)

Playoffs: Did not qualify.

Head Coach: Dean Chynoweth

Arena: Quicken Loans Arena

CHL Affiliation: Denver Cutthroats*

Offseason Moves: Mikaël Tam, André Benoit, Nate Guenin, Nick Holden, J.T. Wyman

The case for: Solid group of players on the shores of Lake Erie. Could surprise a few people. Especially in this division.

The case against: Don’t hold your breath waiting for this team to shock people.

Media Coverage: The Plain Dealer

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

Twitter: @monstershockey

Facebook: /lakeeriemonsters

Instagram: monstershockey

Broadcaster: Doug Plagens (twitter)

vs. WBS: Do not play.

* – the Lake Erie Monsters don’t have an affiliate in the ECHL, rather affiliating with the Central Hockey League’s Denver Cutthroats

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Toronto Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs)

Last Year: 43-23-3-7 (96 pts., 1st place North Division)

Playoffs: 2 seed — Lost in six games to the Grand Rapids Griffins in the Western Conference Semifinals.

Head Coach: Steve Spott

Arena: Ricoh Coliseum

ECHL Affiliation: Orlando Solar Bears

Offseason Moves: Trevor Smith, Troy Bodie

The case for: Expect another strong season for the Marlies, who should be around playing in late May.

The case against: Carrying the target of a team to beat may wear on players as a season progresses.

Media Coverage: Kyle Cicerella — at large — (twitter / blog)

Fan Blog: MarliesHQ

Twitter: @TorontoMarlies

Facebook: /TorontoMarlies

Instagram: torontomarlies

Broadcaster: Todd Crocker (twitter)

vs. WBS: @ 3/9, 4/13

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Rochester Americans (Buffalo Sabres)

Last Year: 43-29-3-1 (90 pts., 2nd place North Division)

Playoffs: 7 seed — Lost in three games to the Toronto Marlies in the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

Head Coach: Chadd Cassidy

Arena: Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial

ECHL Affiliation: None

Offseason Moves: Mike Zigomanis, Drew Bagnall, Jamie Tardif

The case for: The Americans can capitalize on the fact they are a good team playing in a weak division.

The case against: One of the teams in the division is the Toronto Marlies, who own the Amerks.

Media Coverage: Democrat and Chronicle — Kevin Oklobzija (twitter / blog)

Fan Blog: Amerks Sin Bin (blog / twitter)

Twitter: @AmerksHockey

Facebook: /RochesterAmericans

Instagram: amerkshockey

Broadcaster: Don Stevens (twitter)

vs. WBS: @ 11/20, 2/1

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Utica Comets (Vancouver Canucks)

Last Year: (as the Chicago Wolves) — 37-30-5-4 (83 pts., 4th place Midwest Division)

Playoffs: Did not qualify.

Head Coach: Travis Green

Arena: Utica Memorial Auditorium

ECHL Affiliation: Kalamazoo Wings

Offseason Moves: Benn Ferriero, John Negrin, David Pacan, Brandon DeFazio, Zach Hamill

The case for: This is the first year Vancouver is running an AHL team on its own. Expect the unexpected.

The case against: Travel. Good players will be up and down between the Mohawk Valley and Hollywood North all season. Plus playing 6 times out in Abbotsford and being one of the more geographically Eastern teams in the Western Conference. Will there be any gas in the tank left come April?

Media Coverage: The Observer-Dispatch

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

Twitter: @UticaComets

Facebook: /UticaComets

Instagram: uticacomets

Broadcaster: Brendan Burke (twitter) and Alex Faust (twitter)

vs. WBS: 12/14, @ 3/7, 3/22, @ 4/19

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Tomorrow, we come in from left field with these previews and transition into the Eastern Conference with the Atlantic Division Preview at noon. As always, like, share and comment on these Previews.