Gimme five! Welcome to the fifth annual installment of the Chirps from Center Ice AHL Team Previews. This process involves an examination of every AHL team, even the ones that the Penguins do not play.
For those unfamiliar, this process involves NHL Affiliation, record last season, playoff information, Head Coach, Arena, ECHL affiliate information, offseason moves, media coverage and fan blog information, team social media information (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) and how many games the team plays against the Penguins.
I also add the, “case for” and “case against” each team. With these teams that are unfamiliar to the Penguins, I may sound like I have no idea what I am talking about.
The American Hockey League realigned this season, again. The two new teams are the Adirondack Flames and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. I’ll address divisional additions and subtractions in each Division caption.
Don’t forget to follow the AHL @TheAHL on Twitter, /TheAHL on Facebook and TheAHL on Instagram.
Here we go…
Today, we begin in the Western Conference with the North Division. The Penguins do not play anyone in this division, nor do they play any Western Conference opponents at all this season. The changes here in the North Division are the Lake Erie Monsters out and the Adirondack Flames in. The Flames are the reincarnate of the Abbotsford Heat.
NHL Affiliation: Calgary Flames
Last Year: 43-25-5-3 (94 pts., 2nd place West Division, playing as the Abbotsford Heat)
Playoffs: 5 seed — Lost in four games to the Grand Rapids Griffins in the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Head Coach: Ryan Huska
Arena: Glens Falls Civic Center
ECHL Affiliation: Colorado Eagles
Offseason Moves: Brad Thiessen, Sena Acolatse, Mathieu Tousignant
The case for: The Flames are eager to build off of last seasons success, where they were a contender for a majority of the year, in a new city with a great fanbase.
The case against: Adirondack is probably in the most competitive division in the Western Conference.
Media Coverage: Diana Nearhos for the Post Star
Fan Blog: None — or I haven’t found it yet.
Twitter: @AHLFlames
Facebook: /AHLFlames
Instagram: AHLFlames
Broadcaster: Cameron Close
vs. WBS: Do not play.
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NHL Affiliation: Montreal Canadiens
Record: 33-35-1-7 (74 pts., 5th place North Division)
Playoffs: Did not qualify.
Head Coach: Sylvain Lefebvre
Arena: FirstOntario Centre
ECHL Affiliation: Wheeling Nailers
Offseason Moves: T.J. Hensick, Jake Dowell, Joe Finley, Eric Tangradi
The case for: Bulldogs showed promise last year but couldn’t put it together. Does another year and the arrival of All-Star Hensick swing things in their favor?
The case against: It’s going to be easier said than done in Hamilton this season. Even with a slight improvement, that may not be enough to make the Bulldogs playoff contenders.
Media Coverage: Teri Pecoskie for The Hamilton Spectator / Dan Kramer for TSN 690 / The Bulldogs Hockey Report
Fan Blog: None — or I haven’t found it yet.
Twitter: @BulldogsAHL
Facebook: /hamiltonbulldogs
Instagram: bulldogsahl
Broadcaster: Matt Holmes
vs. WBS: Do not play.
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NHL Affiliation: Buffalo Sabres
Record: 37-28-6-5 (85 pts., 2nd place North Division)
Playoffs: 7 seed — Lost in five games to the Chicago Wolves in the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Head Coach: Chadd Cassidy
Arena: Blue Cross Arena at the Rochester War Memorial
ECHL Affiliation: Elmira Jackals
Offseason Moves: Tyson Strachan
The case for: Amerks look to build off of last years second place finish in the North Division.
The case against: The Amerks always come into a season as marginal playoff contenders. There are a lot of other marginal playoff contenders that upgraded this offseason.
Media Coverage: Kevin Oklobzija for the Democrat and Chronicle
Fan Blog: Amerks Sin Bin
Twitter: @AmerksHockey
Facebook: /RochesterAmericans
Instagram: amerkshockey
Broadcaster: Don Stevens
vs. WBS: Do not play.
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NHL Affiliation: Toronto Maple Leafs
Record: 45-25-2-4 (96 pts., 1st place North Division)
Playoffs: 3 seed — Lost in seven games to the Texas Stars in the Western Conference Finals.
Head Coach: Gord Dineen
Arena: Ricoh Coliseum
ECHL Affiliation: Orlando Solar Bears
Offseason Moves: Denver Manderson, Spencer Machacek, Brendan Mikkelson
The case for: Last years division champions look to repeat, again. If they put it all together this season, they shouldn’t have a problem.
The case against: Competition is going to be stiff with a hungry Utica squad and a strong Adirondack club.
Media Coverage: Kyle Cicerella (at large)
Fan Blog: None — or I haven’t found it yet.
Twitter: @TorontoMarlies
Facebook: /TorontoMarlies
Instagram: torontomarlies
Broadcaster: Todd Crocker
vs. WBS: Do not play.
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NHL Affiliation: Vancouver Canucks
Record: 35-32-5-4 (79 pts., 3rd place North Division)
Playoffs: Did not qualify.
Head Coach: Travis Green
Arena: Utica Memorial Auditorium
ECHL Affiliation: Kalamazoo Wings
Offseason Moves: Linden Vey, Dustin Jeffrey
The case for: The Comets need to continue the momentum from late last season, where they were narrowly edged out of a playoff spot despite a terrible start.
The case against: It’s all about the first month of the season for Utica. Another bad start will probably end up dooming the Comets postseason chances again.
Media Coverage: Don Laible for Comets Tales / Utica Observer Dispatch
Fan Blog: Comets Army
Twitter: @UticaComets / Comets In Game
Facebook: /UticaComets
Instagram: uticacomets
Broadcaster: Brendan Burke
vs. WBS: Do not play.
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In keeping with prior years, we double stack Divisional Previews on Day One, so check back at noon today to check out the Midwest Division.
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