Back for Day Three in familiar territory here at the Fifth Annual Chirps from Center Ice AHL Previews. On Monday and Tuesday, we looked at the North, Midwest and West Divisions. Use the handy drop down at the top of the blog to check out those teams and divisions if you missed them.
Today, we examine the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division. The Penguins play everyone in this division at least twice. Home games are listed in bold.
No changes to any teams in this Division. Here we go…
NHL Affiliation: Los Angeles Kings
Record: 48-19-3-6 (105 pts., 1st place Atlantic Division)
Playoffs: 1 seed — Lost in four games to the Norfolk Admirals in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
Head Coach: Mike Stothers
Arena: Verizon Wireless Arena
ECHL Affiliation: Ontario Reign
Offseason Moves: Yann Danis, David Van Der Gulick
The case for: Look for the Monarchs to come back with a vengeance after last years first round disappointment.
The case against: This team would struggle to contend in the tougher divisions.
Media Coverage: New Hampshire Union Leader
Fan Blog: None — or I haven’t found it yet.
Twitter: @MonarchsHockey
Facebook: /MonarchsHockey
Instagram: monarchshockey
Broadcaster: Ken Cail
vs. WBS: 10/12, 11/22, @ 3/6, @ 3/7
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NHL Affiliation: Arizona Coyotes
Record: 24-39-3-10 (61 pts., 5th place Atlantic Division)
Playoffs: Did not qualify.
Head Coach: Ray Edwards
Arena: Cross Insurance Arena
ECHL Affiliation: Gwinnett Gladiators
Offseason Moves: Evan Oberg, Eric Selleck, Dylan Reese, Alexandre Bolduc, Mike McKenna
The case for: New and improved Pirates team shouldn’t finish last in the division this season.
The case against: While I don’t think that the Pirates finish in Davey Jones’ Locker this season, they are quite a ways away from contenders discussion.
Media Coverage: Chris Roy for the Maine Hockey Journal
Fan Blog: None — or I haven’t found it yet.
Twitter: @PortlandPirates
Facebook: /PortlandPirates
Instagram: piratesahl
Broadcaster: Jeff Mannix
vs. WBS: 11/19, 2/13, @ 4/11, @ 4/12
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NHL Affiliation: Boston Bruins
Record: 40-25-2-9 (91 pts., 3rd place Atlantic Division)
Playoffs: 7 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: Steve Eminger, Christopher Breen, Jeremy Smith
The case for: Probably the deepest blueline in the AHL. The P-Bruins should be a lock to win the Atlantic Division this season.
The case against: The Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins. The Penguins own the Bruins in the playoffs.
Media Coverage: Mark Divver for the Providence Journal
Fan Blog: None — or I haven’t found it yet.
Twitter: @AHLBruins
Facebook: /providencebruins
Instagram: ahlbruins
Broadcaster: Nick Gagalis
vs. WBS: @ 1/18, 2/21
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NHL Affiliation: Winnipeg Jets
Record: 46-23-2-5 (99 pts., 2nd place Atlantic Division)
Playoffs: 4 seed — Lost in five games to the Texas Stars in the Calder Cup Finals.
Head Coach: Keith McCambridge
Arena: Mile One Centre
ECHL Affiliation: Ontario Reign
Offseason Moves: Julien Brouillette, Patrick Holland, Peter Budaj
The case for: IceCaps should be high on your list as a team that will contend for the Atlantic Division.
The case against: You just never know with this St. John’s team. A year after they were steamrolled by Norfolk in the Eastern Conference Finals a few years back, they finished near the bottom the very next season.
Media Coverage: Brendan McCarthy and Robin Short for the St. John’s Telegram
Fan Blog: Charles Dart with The Hockey Writers
Twitter: @IceCapsAHL
Facebook: /stjohnsicecaps
Instagram: stjohnsicecaps
Broadcaster: Brian Rodgers
vs. WBS: @ 10/17, @ 10/18, 11/29, 1/21
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NHL Affiliation: San Jose Sharks
Record: 36-34-4-2 (78 pts., 4th place Atlantic Division)
Playoffs: Did not qualify.
Head Coach: Roy Sommer
Arena: DCU Center
ECHL Affiliation: None
Offseason Moves: Evan Trupp, Jeremy Langlois, Tye McGinn, Bryan Lerg, Taylor Fedun, Matt Taormina
The case for: Sharks added a bunch of solid AHLers this offseason. Can they put it together and contend this season?
The case against: If you have followed the Sharks closely in the past few years, the answer to the question above is probably no.
Media Coverage: Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Fan Blog: Darryl Hunt for Sharks Page
Twitter: @WorcesterSharks / Sharks AHL In Game
Facebook: /WorcesterSharks
Instagram: worcestersharks
Broadcaster: Eric Lindquist
vs. WBS: @ 1/17, 4/3
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We continue tomorrow at noon examining the Northeast Division.
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