Welcome back to Day Two of the Chirps from Center Ice AHL Previews. Today we close out the Western Conference with a look at the teams in the West Division. If you missed the North and Miwest Division previews from yesterday, you can click here for the North and here for the Midwest or at anytime utilize the drop down menu at the top of the blog.
The West Division lost the Abbotsford Heat to incarnation of the Adirondack Flames and the North Division and gained the Iowa Wild, late of the Midwest Division last season. Wilkes-Barre does not play anybody in this division.
NHL Affiliation: Carolina Hurricanes
Record: 37-36-1-2 (77 pts., 4th place West Division)
Playoffs: Did not qualify.
Head Coach: Jeff Daniels
Arena: Time Warner Cable Arena
ECHL Affiliation: Florida Everblades
Offseason Moves: Kyle Hagel, Alex Aleardi, Drew MacIntyre, Ben Holmstrom
The case for: If things fall the Checkers way, they can contend with the Stars for the division.
The case against: Past history has shown that things rarely fall the Checkers way.
Media Coverage: Charlotte Observer
Fan Blog: Chasing Checkers
Twitter: @CheckersHockey / Checkers In Game
Facebook: /charlottecheckers
Instagram: checkershockey
Broadcaster: Jason Shaya
vs. WBS: Do not play.
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NHL Affiliation: Minnesota Wild
Record: 27-36-7-6 (67 pts., 5th place Midwest Division)
Playoffs: Did not qualify.
Head Coach: Kurt Kleinendorst
Arena: Wells Fargo Arena
ECHL Affiliation: Alaska Aces
Offseason Moves: Brett Sutter, Jordan Schroeder, Joel Rechlicz
The case for: Any improvement this year is a step in the right direction.
The case against: The Wild stunk out the Western Conference last season. While I don’t expect Iowa to replicate that, they aren’t Calder Cup contenders in the least.
Media Coverage: The Des Moines Register
Fan Blog: None — or I haven’t found it yet.
Twitter: @iawild / Iowa Wild Live
Facebook: /IAWild
Instagram: iowawild
Broadcaster: Joe O’Donnell
vs. WBS: Do not play.
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NHL Affiliation: Edmonton Oilers
Record: 36-29-2-9 (83 pts., 3rd place West Division)
Playoffs: 8 seed — Lost in three games to the Texas Stars in the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Head Coach: Todd Nelson
Arena: Cox Convention Center
ECHL Affiliation: Bakersfield Condors
Offseason Moves: Jason Williams
The case for: I do think that you can pencil in the Barons as a playoff contender.
The case against: The Barons walk that line of contender / non-contender. A few bad games can tilt the needle the wrong way.
Media Coverage: NewsOK
Fan Blog: Tend the Farm
Twitter: @okcbarons / OKC Barons Gameday
Facebook: /OKCBarons
Instagram: okcbarons
Broadcaster: Jim Byers
vs. WBS: Do not play.
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NHL Affiliation: Florida Panthers
Record: 30-37-3-6 (69 pts., 5th place West Division)
Playoffs: Did not qualify.
Head Coach: Tom Rowe
Arena: AT&T Center
ECHL Affiliation: Cincinnati Cyclones
Offseason Moves: Blake Parlett, Brett Olson
The case for: Well, will they or won’t they? Will the Rampage put it together and challenge the Stars for the division this season?
The case against: You read that and were like, “you’re joking, right?”
Media Coverage: Tony Uminski for MySA
Fan Blog: Runnin’ With the Herd
Twitter: @sarampage / SA Rampage Live
Facebook: /sarampagehockey
Instagram: sarampage
Broadcaster: Dan Weiss
vs. WBS: Do not play.
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NHL Affiliation: Dallas Stars
Record: 48-18-3-7 (106 pts., 1st place West Division)
Playoffs: 1 seed — Won Calder Cup. Defeated the St. John’s IceCaps in five games.
Head Coach: Derek Laxdal
Arena: Cedar Park Center
ECHL Affiliation: Idaho Steelheads
Offseason Moves: Greg Rallo
The case for: It’s tough to repeat as Calder Cup Champions, but the Stars should pick up where they left off last season and run roughshod over the competition this season.
The case against: It’s tough to repeat as Calder Cup Champions. The odds are already against the Stars.
Media Coverage: Stephen Meserve for 100 Degree Hockey
Fan Blog: None — or I haven’t found it yet.
Twitter: @TexasStars
Facebook: /TexasStars
Instagram: txstarshockey
Broadcaster: Brien Rea
vs. WBS: Do not play.
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Tomorrow we begin the process of examining more familiar opponents. The Atlantic Division is up next tomorrow at noon!
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