Chirps from Center Ice

A fan blog about the AHL's Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins

Category Archives: The AHL

Wally’s Hats, Boris’ Clear Eyes & Alex’s Flight

Comments Off on Wally’s Hats, Boris’ Clear Eyes & Alex’s Flight Posted by on November 2, 2011

Enough fodder to fire off a quick post…

–> Boris Valabik cleared waivers. This should come as no surprise to anyone. The only thing that I wonder is if he is healthy enough to actually slot into the lineup and play right away. Huge test this weekend coming with the Hershey Bears coming to town and the defending Calder Cup Champion Bingahmton Senators on Saturday from the Southern Tier of New York.

–> Valabik may actually play because it looks like Alexandre Picard was recalled to Pittsburgh per RDS’ Renaud Lavoie’s tweet this afternoon. Picard is most likely going to be carried as an extra body as the Penguins are on the West Coast playing against San Jose on Thursday and Los Angeles on Saturday.

–> Elsewhere, Tim Wallace had a hat trick including the game winning goal as Bridgeport beat Connecticut early this afternoon 4-3. Wallace was named the games first star. The three goals were his first of the season.

Keep chirpin’. Go Penguins!

The AHL, WBS

Oh, Hello!

Comments Off on Oh, Hello! Posted by on October 27, 2011

It’s been since Sunday afternoon since I blogged. With little to no action going on here this week with the team away on a “team building” excursion there is just nothing to speak of.

With that, I’ve been silent on Twitter and on here. I can’t make stories up.

Anyway, Bombulie checked in today with updated lines and a Robert Bortuzzo update. He’s back.

Bigger news which to me isn’t getting enough run is the potential of a new, western-centric AHL league. There’s more talks with the teams in the west, (ANA, SJ, LAK, PHO, COL, etc.) creating its own league. I don’t think it ever really happens, but you never know.

Gameday for tomorrows game in Syracuse goes up tomorrow at 4 p.m. 7:30 p.m. start in the Salt City Friday night.

Let’s Go Pens!

The AHL, WBS

East Division Preview

Comments Off on East Division Preview Posted by on October 7, 2011

Welcome back to the final installment of the AHL Previews here on the afternoon of the AHL Opener! To get refreshers on all of the other five divisions covered previously, click on the “AHL Previews” tab at the top of your computer screen and select your division.

Ah, yes. The East Division. Where the big boys play. If there is a division heavy with Calder Cup contenders, it is this one. Wilkes-Barre plays these divisional foes multiple times with the home games listed in bold. Off we go!

Binghamton Senators (Ottawa Senators)

Last Year: 42-30-3-5 (92 pts.) 5th place East Division and the crossover team in the Eastern Conference. Won Calder Cup after defeating Houston Aeros in 6 games.

Head Coach: Kurt Klinendorst

Arena: Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena

ECHL Affiliation: Elmira Jackals

Offseason Moves: Mike McKenna, Josh Godfrey, Lee Sweatt, Brian Stewart

The case for: The defending champs return league MVP Corey Locke and Calder Cup MVP Robin Lehner. Lehner is Ottawa’s future in goal but will use this season to continue to season and give opposing teams fits. Locke has scored 70+ points since 2007 and will probably do the same and will be in the discussion for MVP again in the Spring.

The case against: Those guys that helped this team win a Calder Cup are playing full time in Ottawa, some other NHL team, or some other AHL team. They lost a lot more than they gained and no one is going to be fooled by this team this year.

Beat Writer: Joy Lindsay (blog / twitter)

Fan Blog: Wrap Around (blog / twitter)

Twitter: @BSens_Hockey

Broadcaster: Grady Whittenburg

vs. WBS: 10/15, @ 11/5, 11/15, @ 11/26, @ 12/7, 12/13, @ 1/28, @ 2/17, 3/18, 4/13

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Hershey Bears (Washington Capitals)

Last Year: 46-26-3-5 (100 pts.) 2nd place East Division. Lost in East Division Semifinals to the Charlotte Checkers in 6 games.

Head Coach: Mark French

Arena: GIANT Center

ECHL Affiliation: South Carolina Stingrays

Offseason Moves: Chris Bourque, Graham Mink, Danny Richmond, Christian Hanson, Jacob Micflikier, Ryan Potulny, Matthew Ford

The case for: The Bears losing in 6 games to the Charlotte Checkers last year. What’s that you say? I knew right then and there that Hershey would do what they did in the offseason and just reload. Getting Bourque and Mink back are huge for the Bears as these were keys to the Calder Cup Championships in the past. Adding Micflikier, Potulny, Ford and Hanson are just adding more fuel to the fire.

The case against: Defense and goaltending. It looks like Braden Holtby is going to be starting the year again in Central PA and while he does look like a great NHL goaltender he has looked very pedestrian at the AHL level. And I don’t care how good you are, any defense with Danny Richmond on it is flirting with disaster.

Beat Writer: Tim Leone (blog / twitter)

Fan Blog: Sweetest Hockey on Earth (blog / twitter)

Twitter: @TheHersheyBears

Broadcaster: Scott Stuccio (twitter)

vs. WBS: 10/8, @ 10/22, 11/4, @ 11/11, 11/25, @ 12/10, 12/27, @ 12/28, 2/3, @ 2/5, @ 2/12, 4/6

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Norfolk Admirals (Tampa Bay Lightning)

Last Year: 39-26-9-6 (93 pts.) 4th place East Division. Lost in East Division Semifinals to the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins in 6 games.

Head Coach: Jon Cooper

Arena: Norfolk Scope

ECHL Affiliation: Florida Everblades

Offseason Moves: Richard Petiot, Trevor Smith, Alexandre Picard, J.T. Wyman

The case for: This team is going to break through this season and is the dark horse for division winner if Wilkes-Barre and Hershey beat each other into pulps and focus too much on each other as threats and forget about the rest.

The case against: It may be all or nothing with the Admirals. In focusing fully on the Penguins and Bears the Admirals may lose sight of teams like the Crunch, Senators and others and may be out of things by February.

Beat Writer: None

Twitter: @NorfolkAdmirals

Broadcaster: Pete Michaud

vs. WBS: @ 11/9, 11/12, @ 11/29, 12/17, 1/4, @ 1/10, 2/15, 2/26, @ 3/14, @ 4/3

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Syracuse Crunch (Anaheim Ducks)

Last Year: 35-38-3-4 (77 pts.) 6th place East Division

Head Coach: Mark Holick

Arena: War Memorial at Oncenter

ECHL Affiliation: Elmira Jackals

Offseason Moves: Andrew Gordon, Jeff Deslauriers, Mathieu Carle

The case for: This is a fish or cut bait year for the Crunch as an AHL team. They are in the last year of their affiliation agreement with Anaheim as a parent. The Ducks have certainly stocked the cabinet with the bodies who are capable enough to allow the Crunch to make the playoffs. Syracuse showed signs of life late last year with less talent, so expect this team to be much better this season.

The case against: Division heavyweights Wilkes-Barre and Hershey are virtual locks to make the playoffs. I think the East Division sends three teams to the playoffs this season. Is Syracuse better than Norfolk and Binghamton?

Beat Writer: Lindsay Kramer (blog / twitter)

Fan Blog: Chairman How’s Glorious Army (blog / twitter)

Twitter: @SyracuseCrunch

Broadcaster: Jason Lockhart (twitter)

vs. WBS: @ 10/28, 11/23, @ 12/3, @ 12/16, 1/7, 1/21, @ 1/22, 2/25

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Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh Penguins)

Last Year: 58-21-0-1 (117 pts.) 1st place East Division. Lost in East Division Fnals to the Charlotte Checkers in 6 games.

Head Coach: John Hynes

Arena: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

ECHL Affiliation: Wheeling Nailers

Offseason Moves: Scott Munroe, Andrew Hotham, Colin McDonald, Boris Valabik, Alexandre Picard, Jason Williams, Richard Park

The case for: Defense. Probably the best corps in the league. Couple that with another year experience under the belts of guys like Brian Strait and Robert Bortuzzo and you can expect great things. You also cannot forget about Brad Thiessen, named the AHL most outstanding goaltender last year. Save for injuries to Marc-Andre Fleury or Brent Johnson, it is Thiessen’s crease again for all of the 2011-2012 season.

The case against: The team about 100 miles south of here. If the rival Bears run roughshod over the league like many predict, the Penguins will be just another victim come playoff time no matter who suits up for WBS. The Pens get 12 chances against the 11-time champions to see what they have, so this season series should be a decent measuring stick as to how the playoffs will go for the Pens.

Beat Writer: Jonathan Bombulie (blog / twitter)

Fan Blog: Look no further. (blog / twitter)

Twitter: @WBSPenguins

Broadcaster: Tom Grace (twitter) and Mike O’Brien (twitter)

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Another fun project for me dissecting all of the AHL teams. Please feel free to agree / disagree in the comment section. These Previews will be available in the “AHL Previews” tab probably until mid-November.

Tomorrow, it all starts. The Gameday post should be up at 3:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon for Game 1 vs. Hershey.

Thanks for reading!

The AHL

No Checking Fees for a Game – or Six Months?

Comments Off on No Checking Fees for a Game – or Six Months? Posted by on October 6, 2011

The AHL suspended Zach Sill today for his illegal check to the head penalty (Rule 48) from last Saturday’s preseason game at Hershey. The suspension is two games. He already served one of the games by sitting out Sunday’s exhibition game vs. Adirondack. He will miss Saturday’s home opener vs. Hershey.

The AHL is cracking down on head checks with all of this concussion talk. Rule 48 is actually a new rule in the AHL Rulebook this year. Here it is verbatim, pardon my formatting:

Rule 48 – Illegal Check to the Head

48.1 Illegal Check to the Head – A hit resulting in contact with an opponent’s head where the head is targeted and the principal point of contact is not permitted. However, in determining whether such a hit should have been permitted, the circumstances of the hit, including whether the opponent put himself in a vulnerable position immediately prior to or simultaneously with the hit or the head contact on an otherwise legal body check was unavoidable, can be considered.

48.2 Minor Penalty – For violation of this rule a minor penalty shall be assessed.

48.3 Major Penalty – There is no provision for a major penalty for this rule.

48.4 Game Misconduct – There is no provision for a game misconduct for this rule.

48.5 Match Penalty – The Referee, at his discretion, may assess a match penalty if, in his judgment, the player attempted to or deliberately injured his opponent with an illegal check to the head.

If deemed appropriate, supplementary discipline can be applied by the President at his discretion (refer to Rule 28).

All Rule 28 discusses is the Supplementary Discipline policy. I won’t bore you with those details.

Probably a good guess that it will not be the last time we see the term “Rule 48” get tossed around in the AHL.

Elsewhere, Bombulie doled out some bad news today. Keven Veilleux needs knee surgery and is done for essentially the season. Jonathan say six months, but that puts Keven’s return at mid to late April. This was an extremely important season for Keven’s development. He needed to produce this year. Now, he gets the label of a guys who gets hurt all the time.

Finally, Northeast Division Previews are out. Click here or just scroll down. The East Division wraps up the Previews tomorrow at noon.

Let’s Go Pens!

The AHL, WBS

Northeast Division Preview

2 Comments Posted by on October 6, 2011

Welcome back to the Previews! Two divisions left. To see the North, West, Midwest and Atlantic Divisions from earlier past week, click the drop down tab at the top of your computer screen and select your division.

Today is the Northeast Division’s turn in the spotlight. This division is a hodgepodge of teams from the East Division and Atlantic Division, much like the Midwest Division is in the Western Conference with teams from the North and West. Wilkes-Barre plays each team in this division at least twice, with home games listed in bold.

Adirondack Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers)

Last Year: 31-39-4-6 (72 pts.) 7th place East Division

Head Coach: Joe Paterson

Arena: Glens Falls Civic Center

ECHL Affiliation: Trenton Titans

Offseason Moves: Jason Bacashihua, Andy Bohmbach, Blake Kessel, Garrett Roe

The case for: Moving out of the East Division. Adirondack surged late in the year. They resigned the ageless Denis Hamel. Bacashihua helped Lake Erie make the playoffs for the first time. Could the Phantoms be a 7 or 8 seed?

The case against: Springfield may be the only team out of this division to make the playoffs, with the East potentially sending at least three teams or more and the Atlantic sending that many potentially.

Beat Writer: Tim McManus (blog / twitter)

Twitter: @PhantomsHockey

Broadcaster: Bob Rotruck (blog / twitter)

vs. WBS: @ 3/4, 3/23

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Albany Devils (New Jersey Devils)

Last Year: 32-42-1-5 (70 pts.) 8th place East Division

Head Coach: Rick Kowalsky

Arena: Times Union Center

ECHL Affiliation: Kalamazoo Wings

Offseason Moves: Adam Larsson, Stéphane Veilleux

The case for: Moving out of the East, same case for Adirondack. The Devils return four of their top five scorers. Jay Leach on the back end will mentor the blueline.

The case against: Goaltending. Jeff Frazee has yet to complete a full season without injury. His health could determine if this team is a playoff team or not. Also the Devils need to be more disciplined as they were the most penalized team in the league last year.

Beat Writer: Pete Dougherty (blog / twitter) and Bill Cain (blog / twitter)

Fan Blog: Thoughts Inside the Box (blog / twitter)

Twitter: @AlbanyDevils

Broadcaster: Josh Heller (twitter)

vs. WBS: 12/19, 2/4, @ 2/18, @ 3/31

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Bridgeport Sound Tigers (New York Islanders)

Last Year: 30-39-4-7 (71 pts.) 7th place Atlantic Division

Head Coach: Brent Thompson

Arena: Webster Bank Arena

ECHL Affiliation: None

Offseason Moves: Tim Wallace, Trevor Frischmon, Sean Backman

The case for: Veteran help in the form of the new additions. Young core ready to turn things around and compete and contend in the truncated division led by ECHL Coach of Year and Kelly Cup Champion Brent Thompson.

The case against: I have a sense that if things go bad for this team they could go bad in a hurry and the Sound Tigers could be out of it before Winter.

Beat Writer: Michael Fornabaio (blog / twitter)

Twitter: @TheSoundTigers

Broadcaster: Phil Giubileo (twitter)

vs. WBS: 12/31, @ 3/10, 4/14, @ 4/15

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Connecticut Whale (New York Rangers)

Last Year: 40-32-2-6 (88 pts.) 3rd place Atlantic Division. Lost in Atlantic Division Semifinals to the Portland Pirates in 6 games.

Head Coach: Ken Gernander

Arena: XL Center

ECHL Affiliation: Greenville Road Warriors

Offseason Moves: André Deveaux, Brendan Bell

The case for: Mainstays in the playoffs year after year, the Whale look to be at the top of the table this season again. Also, it looks like Rangers defensemen Wade Redden is going to again spend another year toiling in the minors.

The case against: Can this team beat Springfield? If the answer is no, then the Whale may not be a playoff team under the new playoff format this season.

Beat Writer: Bruce Berlet (blog / twitter)

Twitter: @CTWhale

Broadcaster: Bob Crawford (blog)

vs. WBS: 10/9, @ 1/27, @ 3/30, 4/7

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Springfield Falcons (Columbus Blue Jackets)

Last Year: 35-40-2-3 (75 pts.) 6th place Atlantic Division

Head Coach: Rob Riley

Arena: MassMutual Center

ECHL Affiliation: Chicago Express

Offseason Moves: Alexandre Giroux, Andrew Joudrey, Martin St. Pierre, Cody Bass, Curtis Sanford

The case for: Columbus has its minor league affiliate loaded for bear to start the year. Giroux will get you 30 goals and whoever loses the battle as number two in goal in Columbus between Dekanich and Sanford will dominate this division and potentially the conference. This team makes the playoffs and could go deep, if it stays healthy.

The case against: Teams that look like they can win it all on paper usually don’t.

Beat Writer: MassLive.com

Twitter: @TheFalconsAHL

Broadcaster: Mike Kelly (twitter)

vs. WBS: 10/14, @ 10/21, @ 3/11, 3/25

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Tomorrow we finish off the Previews with the East Division. Oh, and HOCKEY IS BACK with the AHL openers!

The AHL

Atlantic Division Preview

1 Comment Posted by on October 5, 2011

Welcome back to the AHL Previews here at Chirps from Center Ice and welcome to the Eastern Conference. If you missed the Western Conference Previews you can find the North Division here, the West Division here and the Midwest Division here. I also have tabs at the top of your computer screen which drop down for the division you want to examine.

The Atlantic Division loses the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Connecticut Whale and Springfield Falcons to the newly formed Northeast Division and gains the St. John’s IceCaps who are the affiliate to the Winnipeg Jets, who replaced the AHL’s Manitoba Moose. Wilkes-Barre plays every team in this division at least four times, with the home games at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza listed in bold.

Manchester Monarchs (Los Angeles Kings)

Last Year: 44-26-4-6 (98 pts.) 2nd place Atlantic Division. Lost to the Binghamton Senators in 7 games in the Atlantic Division Semifinals.

Head Coach: Mark Morris

Arena: Verizon Wireless Center

ECHL Affiliation: Ontario Reign

Offseason Moves: Rob Bordson, J.D. Watt

The case for: Will contend for division title as they do year in and year out. Will shuffle some players to and from parent Los Angeles which will get the invaluable NHL experience.

The case against: Portland looks better. Providence isn’t going to be easy to play this year. St. John’s is the big unknown. Could be an all or nothing for the Monarchs of ManchVegas this season.

Beat Writer: None

Twitter: @MonarchsHockey

Broadcaster: Ken Cail

vs. WBS: @ 10/29, @ 11/19, 1/20, 2/23

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Portland Pirates (Phoenix Coyotes)

Last Year: 47-24-7-2 (103 pts.) 1st place Atlantic Division. (under affiliation with the Buffalo Sabres) Lost to the Binghamton Senators in 6 games in the Atlantic Division Finals.

Head Coach: Ray Edwards

Arena: Cumberland County Civic Center

ECHL Affiliation: Gwinnett Gladiators

Offseason Moves: Marc-Antoine Pouliot, Tyler Eckford, Dean Arsene, Nathan Oystrick, Justin Pogge, Marc Chevrie

The case for: An all-star cast of newcomers coming in on a new affiliation. The Coyotes may have problems in house, but they are making sure that their top minor league affiliate is stacked.

The case against: Goaltending. Pogge is a loose cannon as evidenced from his days playing for the Charlotte Checkers and Marc Chevrie is a young, untested netminder. Portland could lose a bunch of 6-5, 5-3 and 4-3 hockey games this season.

Beat Writer: Maine Hockey Journal (blog / twitter)

Twitter: @portlandpirates

Broadcaster: Jeff Mannix

vs. WBS: @ 11/18, 12/2, 2/11, @ 2/20

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Providence Bruins (Boston Bruins)

Last Year: 38-36-3-3 (82 pts.) 5th place Atlantic Division

Head Coach: Bruce Cassidy

Arena: Dunkin Donuts Center

ECHL Affiliation: Reading Royals

Offseason Moves: Jamie Tardif, Josh Hennessy

The case for: Providence used to be a mainstay in the Calder Cup Playoffs year after year. They’ve missed two years straight. Young, hungry group of guys who could give opponents fits this season give fans hope.

The case against: Young, untested goaltending. Could be a trial by fire for the netminders and another potentially long year in The Divine City.

Beat Writer: The Providence Journal

Fan Blog: Something’s Bruin

Twitter: @AHLBruins

Broadcaster: Nick Gagalis does home games. He’s @NickGagalis. Kevin Boryczki does road games, per the P-Bruins.

vs. WBS: 1/25, @ 3/9

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St. John’s IceCaps (Winnipeg Jets)

Last Year: (as the Manitoba Moose under affiliation with the Vancouver Canucks) 43-30-1-6 (93 pts.) 3rd place North Division. Lost in North Division Finals in 7 games to the Hamilton Bulldogs.

Head Coach: Keith McCambridge

Arena: Mile One Centre

ECHL Affiliation: Colorado Eagles

Offseason Moves: Jason DeSantis, Aaron Gagnon, Jason Jaffray

The case for: First year teams (Texas Stars in 2009-2010, Charlotte Checkers in 2010-2011) have made the playoffs in their maiden AHL voyages. Going purely off of that silly statistic, the Ice Caps already have the postseason ticket punched.

The case against: Don’t let the “this team came from Manitoba” tag fool you. This is basically last years Chicago Wolves, a team that underachieved and did not even whiff playoff air.

Beat Writer: Brendan McCarthy (twitter)

Fan Blog: SJIceCaps.com (blog / twitter)

Twitter: @IceCapsAHL

Broadcaster: Brian Rogers

vs. WBS: @ 1/14, @ 1/15, 3/6, 3/24

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Worcester Sharks (San Jose Sharks)

Last Year: 36-31-4-9 (85 pts.) 4th place Atlantic Division and victim to the crossover rule and the East Division’s 5th place team the Binghamton Senators.

Head Coach: Roy Sommer

Arena: DCU Center

ECHL Affiliation: Stockton Thunder

Offseason Moves: Ben Guité, Matt Pelech

The case for: San Jose always makes sure that they have NHL ready players playing in The City of the Seven Hills, evidenced by the numerous callups seen on the transactions page year after year. Steady as she goes again this season and the Sharks could surprise people.

The case against: Worcester lost a lot of key guys to other NHL, AHL and European teams. Are the fill-ins up to par?

Beat Writer: Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Fan Blog: SharksPage (blog / twitter)

Twitter: @WorcesterSharks

Broadcaster: Eric Lindquist (twitter)

vs. WBS: @ 11/20, 3/17

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Comments are open for discussion. Tomorrow we tour the new division called the Northeast Division.

The AHL

Midwest Division Preview

2 Comments Posted by on October 4, 2011

Welcome to the third day of AHL Previews here at Chirps from Center Ice. Yesterday we looked at the West Division and last Thursday we looked at the North Division. You can click through the links or click the tab at the top labeled “AHL Preview” to get to those previews.

Probably the most notable team to join this newly formed division is the Charlotte Checkers, who completely defected from the Eastern Conference and into this new division in the Western Conference. As with the teams in the West Division from yesterday, Wilkes-Barre does not play any of these teams either.

Charlotte Checkers (Carolina Hurricanes)

Last Year: 44-27-2-7 (97 pts.) 3rd place East Division. Swept in Eastern Conference Finals by the Binghamton Senators.

Head Coach: Jeff Daniels

Arena: Time Warner Cable Arena

ECHL Affiliation: Florida Everblades

Offseason Moves: Justin Soryal, Chris Durno, Chris Murray, Mathieu Roy

The case for: Charlotte defects to the Western Conference and becomes one of the top five best teams in it. They also will boast arguably the best goaltending duo in the Conference in Mike Murphy who carried the Checkers to the Eastern Conference Finals last year and Justin Peters who spent the entire year in the NHL backing up Cam Ward. They also still have a very capable NHL ready forward corps to put the puck in the net on a nightly basis.

The case against: A young blueline. Newcomer Mathieu Roy provides some depth at the position but is hardly a cornerstone. Michal Jordan and Brett Bellemore return as the reliable defensemen. Bobby Sanguinetti is injury prone. The rest are relative unknowns. Don’t look for any +/- leaders on this team.

Beat Writer: None

Fan Blog: Chasing Checkers (blog / twitter)

Twitter: @CheckersHockey

Broadcaster: Jason Shaya

vs. WBS: Do not play

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Chicago Wolves (Vancouver Canucks)

Last Year: 39-30-5-6 (89 pts.) 6th place West Division (under affiliation with the now defunct Atlanta Thrashers)

Head Coach: Craig MacTavish

Arena: Allstate Arena

ECHL Affiliation: None

Offseason Moves: J.P. Testwuide, Mark Mancari, Steve Pinizzotto, Matt Climie

The case for: Serious off-year for the Wolves last year by not making the playoffs this year. They upgrade parents by switching from what was Atlanta to now Winnipeg to Vancouver which stacked the now defunct Manitoba Moose last year. Proof is already in the pudding getting Mancari and Climie. This team won’t miss the playoffs this year.

The case against: Mancari and Climie may not be around all year as they may be on recall. Can the Wolves manage without them?

Beat Writer: Chicago Sun-Times

Twitter: @Chicago_Wolves

Broadcaster: Jason Shaver (twitter)

vs. WBS: Do not play

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Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville Predators)

Last Year: 44-22-6-8 (102 pts.) 1st place West Division. Lost in 7 games to the Houston Aeros in the West Division Finals.

Head Coach: Kirk Muller

Arena: Bradley Center

ECHL Affiliation: Cincinnati Cyclones

Offseason Moves: Kyle Wilson, Brodie Dupont

The case for: The “other” Admirals team is always a strong one. Nice upgrades with Wilson and Dupont and Jeremy Smith is set to have a nice year in goal with the departure of Mark Dekanich to Columbus.

The case against: Competition around the division slightly upgraded and newcomer Charlotte looks like an instant threat to the Admirals’ run as division champion.

Beat Writer: Journal Sentinel 

Fan Blog: Admirals Roundtable (blog / twitter)

Twitter: @mkeadmirals

Broadcaster: Aaron Sims (twitter)

vs. WBS: Do not play

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Peoria Rivermen (St. Louis Blues)

Last Year: 42-30-3-5 (92 pts.) 3rd place West Division. Swept by the Houston Aeros in the West Division Semifinals.

Head Coach: Jared Bednar

Arena: Carver Arena

ECHL Affiliation: Alaska Aces

Offseason Moves: Brett Sterling, Jonathan Cheechoo, Danny Syvret

The case for: The Rivermen are tops on many lists as darkhorse for Calder Cup champion. The veteran presence of Sterling and Cheechoo almost guarantee playoffs.

The case against: “Veteran” is another term for “aging hockey player” and the Rivermen certainly have a group of these whom they are banking their success on this season. Can they stay healthy and how soon if they do get hurt do they recover from injury?

Beat Writer: Dave Eminian (blog)

Fan Blog: The Peoria Rivermen Blog (blog / twitter)

Twitter: @Peoria_Rivermen

Broadcaster: Brendan Burke (twitter)

vs. WBS: Do not play

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Rockford IceHogs (Chicago Blackhawks)

Last Year: 38-33-4-5 (85 pts.) 8th place West Division

Head Coach: Ted Dent

Arena: BMO Harris Bank Center

ECHL Affiliation: Toledo Walleye

Offseason Moves: Brian Fahey, Carter Hutton, Brandon Segal

The case for: There is only one way for this team, up. Fahey and Segal bring scoring and Hutton is a goaltending prospect. This team could surprise and contend for a 7 or 8 seed.

The case against: Playing an improved Peoria squad, an angry Wolves team, a stout Admirals team and a very good Checkers team a lot of times.

Beat Writer: Rockford Register Star

Twitter: @goicehogs

Broadcaster: Mike Peck

vs. WBS: Do not play

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So that’s all for the Midwest Division and the Western Conference. Tomorrow we jump into the Eastern Conference. As always, if you agree or disagree with what I have written, the comment section is open for discussion.

The AHL

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