Chirps from Center Ice

Ah yes, what you have all been waiting for. The East Division Preview here at Chirps from Center Ice. There is so much firepower in this division this year that the entire division itself may implode at a moments notice.

If you follow me on Twitter, you will know that Pens’ beat writer Jonathan Bombulie did something similar on his blog here. JB did his in predicted order of finish. I am just going to keep it uniform, and go in alphabetical order like I did the West, North and Atlantic. Bombulie helped me out a TON by listing the new signings. Much of what I list in “offseason moves” is from JB’s post.

The East Division expands to 8 teams this year with the Charlotte Checkers joining the division. Crossover rules with the Atlantic Division apply for playoffs.

We play every team multiple times. Keeping with prior entries, games against the Penguins an Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza are listed in bold.

So here we go…

Adirondack Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers)

Last season: 32-41-3-4 (71 pts.) 7^th place East Division.

Head Coach: Greg Gilbert

Offseason moves: Greg Moore, Dan Jancevski, J.P. Testwuide, Jesse Dudas

The case for: With how loaded this division is, none of the above names give any real hope up in Glens Falls. Jancevski skated with Western Conference Champion Texas last year. These guys coupled with the core from last year can maybe play upset, but I don’t see the Phantoms in it come March.

The case against: There were locker room problems last year, and that is not because the Glens Falls Civic Center is 31 years old. It was largely the players. Most of those guys are gone, but if you are constantly losing, you are not going to have the best attitude. The Phantoms simply will not have enough guns to compete in the division and may be out of it by November.

Beat writer: Paul Post (The Saratogian) / Tim McManus (Post Star) Tim also has a twitter feed.

Twitter: @PhantomsHockey

Vs. WBS: Oct 12, Oct 29, Dec 4, Jan 15, Jan 21*, Mar 26, Apr 10

*- game played in Philadelphia at the Wells Fargo Center

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Albany Devils (New Jersey Devils)

Last season: (as the Lowell Devils in the Atlantic Division) 39-34-4-6 4^th place Atlantic Division. Lost in Atlantic Division Semifinals in 5 games to the Worcester Sharks.

Head Coach: Rick Kowalsky

Offseason moves: Chad Wiseman, Mark Fayne, Harry Young, J-S Berube

The case for: The Devils return to the New York Capital District for the first time in a long time. New head coach, new uniforms, new locker room and the Devils are ready to make a go of it in the East Division.

The case against: With the bass ackwards way that the New Jersey Devils run things and the loss of key players to other teams, the only battle the Devils may find themselves in late could be with Adirondack for last place in the division.

Beat writer: Pete Dougherty (Albany Times Union) / Bill Cain (Daily Gazette) / Chris Fitz Gerald (Troy Record)

Twitter: @AlbanyDevils

Vs. WBS: Nov 16, Nov 24, Dec 1, Dec 12*, Dec 26, Jan 22, Jan 28, Mar 23

*- game will be played in Atlantic City at Boardwalk Hall

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Binghamton Senators (Ottawa Senators)

Last season: 36-35-6-3 (81 pts.) 5^th place East Division

Head Coach: Kurt Kleinendorst

Offseason moves: David Hale, Barry Brust, Francis Lessard, Corey Locke, Andre Benoit

The case for: See above. Benoit, Locke and Brust are legit at this level. Lessard will knock the snot out of you if you look at him funny. The Sens are really high on goaltender Robin Lehner who frustrated WBS late last season and will be stronger and better. Bingo can play dark horse this season and absolutely give teams nightmares within the friendly confines of the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.

The case against: Ottawa has a minor league affiliate out of necessity it would appear at times. Binghamton hasn’t been in the playoffs for five straight seasons since the lockout year when the then-loaded Sens were destroyed in 6 games by the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins. Bingo has to prove that the past is history. Whether or not the players can will dictate this teams destiny this year.

Beat writer: As of right now the Senators do not have a beat writer.

Twitter: @BSens_Hockey

Vs. WBS: Oct 23, Nov 12, Nov 21, Nov 25, Dec 3, Jan 29, Feb 23, Mar 25

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Charlotte Checkers (Carolina Hurricanes)

Last season: (as the Albany River Rats) 49-23-3-5 (94 pts.) 2^nd place East Division. Swept by the Hershey Bears in the East Division Finals.

Head Coach: Jeff Daniels

Offseason moves: Bobby Sanguinetti, Jonathan Matsumoto, Ethan Graham

The case for: This is the team that swept WBS out of the playoffs last year, just in a different uniform and city. That team finished second and always was a step ahead of the Pens whenever Wilkes-Barre tried to get close in the race for 2^nd in the East. This team had an answer for everything we did in the 2010 Calder Cup Playoffs. The core returns. In fact, it gets better with the additions of Sanguinetti and Matsumoto who are bonafide players at this level, both being AHL All-Stars last season. It’s a loaded lineup that can easily contend and win the division.

The case against: This is also the same team that was swept itself by the Hershey Bears in the same 2010 Calder Cup playoffs. They are an AHL outpost, which means a ton of bus time and airport terminal time. You don’t see many “outpost” teams going far in the Calder Cup Playoffs anymore. Not since the Saint John Flames in 2000-2001 has a team from far won a Championship. You’d have to think come the Spring that the Checkers may be out of gas physically and mentally.

Beat writer: Not that I have seen as of yet.

Twitter: @CheckersHockey

Vs. WBS: Oct 15, Oct 17, Jan 4, Jan 5, Jan 23, Jan 24, Mar 20 and Apr 1

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Hershey Bears (Washington Capitals)

Last season: 60-17-0-3 (123 pts.) 1^st place East Division. Won 11^th Calder Cup defeating the Texas Stars in 6 games, after losing the first two games on home ice.

Head Coach: Mark French

Offseason moves: Kyle Greentree, Dany Sabourin, Brian Fahey, Brian Willsie, Lawrence Nycholat, Joel Rechlicz

The case for: All the Bears do is win. It is a winning mentality in Hershey where the players who put on the “Chocolate and White” are expected to win. They do not rebuild, they simply reload. The East remains Hershey’s division to win unless or until another team does something about it.

The case against: They don’t have Alex Giroux or Chris Bourque anymore. Bourque defected to the KHL (although Washington still maintains his rights in North America until December) and Giroux signed with Edmonton / Oklahoma City. These two were a potent 1-2 punch night in and night out. Hershey has won the last two Calder Cups. That is a ton of travel, games, man-hours and physicality. It wears on the body. Hershey has taken a few steps back to the rest of the competition. Come playoff time, the steam may run out and the Bears could be out of it.

Beat writer: Dan Sernoffsky (Lebanon Daily News) / Tim Leone (Harrisburg Patriot News) Tim also has a twitter feed.

Twitter: @TheHersheyBears

Vs. WBS: Oct 9, Oct 22, Oct 30, Nov 20, Dec 30*, Feb 13, Mar 6, Mar 27, Apr 8 and Apr 9

*- game will be played in Pittsburgh at the Consol Energy Center

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Norfolk Admirals (Tampa Bay Lightning)

Last season: 39-35-3-3 (84 pts.) 4^th place East Division. Victim of the crossover rule as the Bridgeport Sound Tigers finished with 86 pts, thus ousting the Admirals and crossing over to play Hershey in the East Division Semifinals.

Head Coach: Jon Cooper

Offseason moves: Sean Bergenheim, Mike Angelidis, Mathieu Roy, Mike Vernace, Cedrick Desjardins

The case for: It’s a new regime in Tampa Bay with three-time Stanley Cup Champion Steve Yzerman running things in Florida. These signings show that Norfolk is out for revenge this season. By all means too, holding onto 3^rd place in the East until very late in the season until being passed by the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins. Then, to throw more salt in the wound, they get jilted out of a playoff spot as victim of the crossover rule. Just like that, it’s season over for the Admirals. The vengeance this team is going to be fierce from the get-go.

The case against: Goal scoring. The addition of Bergenheim certainly helps. But, he can’t do it all. Norfolk could certainly lose its fair share of 3-2 hockey games this year on Hampton Roads.

Beat writer: The Virginian-Pilot looks like it covers the Admirals by committee. There is a forum powered by dailypress.com here.

Twitter: @NorfolkAdmirals

Vs. WBS: Nov 19, Dec 10, Dec 11, Jan 1, Feb 18, Feb 19, Feb 26, Mar 30

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Syracuse Crunch (Anaheim Ducks)

Last season: (while affiliated with the Columbus Blue Jackets) 34-39-4-3 (75 pts.) 6^th place East Division

Head Coach: Mark Holick

Offseason moves: Basically bringing in a whole new group of guys since Anaheim was the lone NHL team which did not have a full-time AHL team last year. Players of note include Jason Jaffray, Danny Syvret, Tim Stapleton, Joe DiPenta and Trevor Smith

The case for: Anaheim always ices a quality AHL team, when it has one. It looks like a lineup which can possibly play dark horse in the East and contend and be in the thick of it late.

The case against: Many of the players who will be skating in Crunch uniforms this season were spread out in other AHL uniforms last season. Cohesiveness may take time. Chemistry on the ice and in the locker room is huge. These may take a while. Trying to do so in this division may leave you on the outside looking in come April.

Beat writer: Lindsay Kramer

Twitter: @SyracuseCrunch

Vs. WBS: Nov 6, Dec 18, Dec 29, Jan 19, Feb 5, Apr 3

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Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh Penguins)

Last season: 41-34-2-3 (87 pts.) 3^rd place East Division. Swept in East Division Semifinals by the Albany River Rats

Head Coach: John Hynes

Offseason moves: Ryan Craig, Brett Sterling, Andrew Hutchinson, Chris Collins, Corey Potter, Jason DeSantis, Andrew Orpik, Geoff Walker, Ben Street

The case for: Two words: Brett Sterling. Easily the biggest free agent signing ever in the history of the team. Hutchinson was a huge contributor to the Texas Stars run last year. Ryan Craig comes in from Norfolk and adds much needed depth at center. I said when last season started that this season would be the one to watch with the maturation of Eric Tangradi, Keven Veilleux, Joe Vitale and Brad Thiessen. The addition of Sterling, Craig, Hutchinson, et. al shows that Wilkes-Barre is tired of being kicked around by Hershey. The mantra within the Penguins organization has always been, “Develop first, win second.” This philosophy comes at a grave expense of fans of the team in Wilkes-Barre Township who want to see the team win its first Calder Cup. That said, this could be the year. I repeat, this could be the year.

The case against: Goaltending. This seems to be the only department Wilkes-Barre did not upgrade this offseason. Thiessen at times last year looked lost in net, but seemed to stabilize late last year ultimately stealing #1 duties away from John Curry. Curry fell off of a cliff and never recovered. Thiessen will push Curry and vice versa. I don’t see prospects Patrick Killeen, Alexander Pechurskiy or Mattias Modig being relavant in Wilkes-Barre unless something catastrophic happens in front of them on the depth chart. 

Beat writer: Tom Venesky (The Times Leader) and since this is my blog I get to do / say whatever I want. That said, the best in the business writing for the Citizens’ Voice, Jonathan Bombulie (blog / twitter)

Twitter: @WBSPenguins

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So there you have it. All 30 teams. Feel free to agree or disagree with me. Keeping with the West, North and Atlantic before, if you see any typo’s, bad links, or other general errors please drop a line in the comment section. Feel free to share these AHL Previews with everyone you know. The season is almost upon us! Can’t wait to get going! Thank you for reading!

Day 3 of the AHL Preview here at Chirps from Center Ice find us in the Atlantic Division. Wilkes-Barre / Scranton plays every team in this Division twice, once home / away but for Portland and Manchester, whom we do not play. Again, as with the North Division Preview yesterday, the game listed in bold is a Penguins home game. Of note, the now defunct Lowell Devils finished 4^th in the division. The Atlantic contracts from 8 teams to 7 for 2010-2011. Let’s get going!

Bridgeport Sound Tigers (New York Islanders)

Last season: 38-32-4-6 (86 pts.) 5^th place Atlantic Division. Crossed over into East Division and lost in 5 games to the Hershey Bears in the East Division Semifinals.

Head Coach: Jack Capuano

Offseason moves: Jeremy Yablonski, Andy Hilbert, Rob Hisey

The case for: Bridgeport always ices a quality team. They have Nathan Lawson in goal again this year. Newcomer Mikko Koskinen is highly heralded as the next best thing in goal for the Sound Tigers. They re-signed D Dustin Kohn. They are in their 10^th season, always give teams fits and have an extremely smart coach in Jack Capuano.

The case against: Could very well be a goaltending merry-go-round. With the oft injured Rick DiPietro backing up on the Island this year, Lawson and Koskinen could easily be riding the ferry across Long Island Sound often this coming year. It also isn’t exactly a roster filled with guys which makes you say “watch this one.” They’ll make the playoffs this year, but that may be it.

Beat writer: Mike Fornabaio (twitter / blog)

Twitter: @TheSoundTigers

Vs. WBS: Jan 7 / Feb 11

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Hartford WolfPack (New York Rangers)

Last season: 36-33-6-5 (83 pts.) 6^th place Atlantic Division

Head Coach: Ken Gernander

Offseason moves: Maxime Gratchev, Jeremy Williams, Blake Parlett, Dan Ringwald, Tim Kennedy

The case for: The WolfPack have made the AHL Playoffs every single year of their existence, except last year. Jeremy Williams was the top scorer for a mediocre Grand Rapids team last year, people say that he can be a legit NHL sniper. Look for Hartford to shake things up this season.

The case against: The losses of PA Parenteau and Corey Locke are huge, huge holes to fill. You should know within a month whether or not Hartford filled them.

Beat writer: Bob Crawford (on the Pack’s website); Laurie Carr (blog / twitter)

Twitter: @HtfdWolfPack

Vs. WBS: Jan 16 / Mar 8

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Manchester Monarchs (Los Angeles Kings)

Last season: 43-28-3-6 (95 pts.) 3^rd place Atlantic Division. Lost in Eastern Conference Championship to eventual Calder Cup Champion Hershey Bears in 6 games.

Head Coach: Mark Morris

Offseason moves: Nothing to see here.

The case for: Manchester took eventual Calder Cup Champion Hershey Bears to six games before eventually losing in overtime. The core is intact. They say you gotta lose in order to learn how to win. I love this teams setup from here. If you made me pick one team from the Atlantic Division today to make it to the Calder Cup Finals, it would have to be the Monarchs of ManchVegas.

The case against: Parent Los Angeles is on the rise. Players in the City of Angels will be held to high standards. If not performing, raid the farm.

Beat writer: Ian Clark

Twitter: @MonarchsHockey

Vs. WBS: Do not play.

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Portland Pirates (Buffalo Sabres)

Last season: 45-24-7-4 (101 pts.) 2^nd place Atlantic Division. Swept in Atlantic Division Semifinals by the Manchester Monarchs

Head Coach: Kevin Dineen

Offseason moves: Colin Stuart, David Leggio, Dennis McCauley

The case for: Portland finished second in the Atlantic last year, behind the Worcester Sharks. Worcester looks shark bit (bad pun) this year. It could be Portland’s division to win.

The case against: Even if Portland does make it out of the Atlantic, they have to play a buzzsaw team in the East Division in the Conference Finals. Good luck with that.

Beat writer: Chris Roy (blog / twitter) / Dan Hickling (print) Biddleford Journal Tribune

Twitter: @portlandpirates

Vs. WBS: Do not play.

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Providence Bruins (Boston Bruins)

Last season: 36-38-5-1 (78 pts.) 7^th place Atlantic Division

Head Coach: Rob Murray

Offseason moves: Nathan McIver, Nolan Schaefer, Wyatt Smith

The case for: Last season was an anomaly for the P-Bruins. I was a freshman in college the last time the P-Bruins were left out of the playoffs. This team is an automatic lock for a postseason berth year after year. With last years lackluster performance, look for the P-Bruins to be back with a vengeance this season.

The case against: I probably can just write “the East Division come Conference Finals time” but that’s too easy. Trent Whitfield, the P-Bruins Captain, is on the shelf this season with an Achilles tendon injury. His leadership can’t be replaced. Bringing in ex-WBS Penguin captain Wyatt Smith helps somewhat. Couple the losses of Andy Wozniewski and Mikko Lehtonen to Europe and you have a ton of youth with little experience.

Beat writer: Mark Divver / Sarah Connors (fan) (twitter / blog)

Twitter: @AHLBruins

Vs. WBS: Jan 8 / Jan 11

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Springfield Falcons (Columbus Blue Jackets)

Last season: (affiliated with Edmonton) 25-39-12-4 (66 pts.) Last place Atlantic Division

Offseason moves: Trevor Frischmon, Kyle Wilson, Nate Guenin, David LeNeveu.

Head Coach: Rob Riley

The case for: I thought long and hard about this one, and have nothing. Three straight non-playoff years with Edmonton. Columbus comes in and hasn’t done bump with Syracuse in two of the last three seasons. Rob Riley the new head coach is in his first head coaching job and hasn’t even coached anything since 2004. Maybe they get magic, bang around, but with as loaded the East teams are, could be a victim of the crossover rule, if they even get there.

The case against: Nate Guenin on defense. Please keep reading.

Beat writer: Garry Brown and Fran Sypek

Twitter: @DMarkiewicz

Vs. WBS: Nov 28 / Feb 27

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Worcester Sharks (San Jose Sharks)

Last season: 49-25-3-3 (104 pts.) Atlantic Division Champions. Lost in Atlantic Division Championship in 6 games to the Manchester Monarchs

Head Coach: Roy Sommer

Offseason moves: Sean Sullivan

The case for: Worcester was the Atlantic Division champion last year. They return a core group of guys and will be right back in the thick of things come spring.

The case against: All-Star defenseman Danny Groulx’s defection to Europe coupled with the fact that San Jose / Worcester are on separate coasts. No other team had more call-ups / send backs than the Sharks organization. Hate to keep bringing up the East, but can’t see much more out of Worcester other than another early exit from the playoffs again in their 5^th season.

Beat writer: Bill Ballou

Twitter: @WorcesterSharks

Vs. WBS: Nov 13 / Mar 19

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That’s all for the Atlantic Division. Keeping with the West and North before, if you spot glaring errors or gaping omissions, drop a line in the comments section. Tomorrow we wrap up the AHL Previews here at Chirps from Center Ice with the East Division Preview.

Welcome to Day 2 of the AHL Previews here at Chirps at Center Ice. Today we find ourselves in the North Division. Some of these teams play the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins, some do not. If a team plays in WBS it will be listed in bold. WBS road games will be in regular type. Ready, get set, go!

Abbotsford Heat (Calgary Flames)

Last year: 39-29-5-7 (91 pts.) 3^rd place North Division. Lost in Division Finals in 6 games to the Hamilton Bulldogs.

Head Coach: Jim Playfair

Offseason moves: Stefan Meyer, J-P Lamoureux

The case for: Distance. Abbotsford is your typical AHL outpost. Nearest team is Manitoba, who is many many miles away. Teams have to go through extensive travel to get there. Also, the Heat didn’t lose too many real key guys, with all the firepower over in the West Division this year they will likely contend with Grand Rapids for the division title.

The case against: The aforementioned Griffins, and even the Hamilton Bulldogs. Also, distance cuts both ways, the Heat have to travel to places as near as Manitoba and as far as Wilkes-Barre / Scranton this year. That is a ton of miles. It wears on you. Abbotsford may make the playoffs, but in the grind known as the “second season” the Heat might get shut off in May.

Beat writer: Cam Tucker (website / twitter)

Twitter: @abbotsfordheat

Vs. WBS: Dec 15 / Dec 17; Mar 11 / Mar 12.

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Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit Red Wings)

Last year: 34-39-3-4 (75 pts.) 7^th place North Division

Head Coach: Curt Fraser

Offseason moves: Greg Amadio, Jamie Johnson, Chris Minard, Joey MacDonald

The case for: The signings. Minard is a sniper, Amadio on defense, an old face in MacDonald returning to the Griffs in goal and this team is loaded for bear and will look to win games early to set the tone for the winter / spring.

The case against: Depth. Recalls to parent Detroit can easily sting this team and Minard was injury-prone with Springfield last year. The team will need to stay intact and healthy to have any chance of contending.

Beat writer: (by committee) MLive.com

Twitter: @griffinshockey

Vs. WBS: Do not play.

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Hamilton Bulldogs (Montreal Canadiens)

Last season: 52-17-3-8 (115 pts.) 1^st in North Division. Lost in Conference Finals to the Texas Stars in 7 games.

Head Coach: Randy Cunneyworth

Offseason moves: Alexandre Picard, Alexander Avtsin, Jimmy Bonneau, David Urquhart

The case for: Hamilton always ices a quality team. Winners of the North Division last year, will need to fend off Grand Rapids, but should make the playoffs this year and look to avenge the Game 7 home loss to the Texas Stars in the Western Conference Final.

The case against: Youth. A quick check of who is likely to be in the AHL-version of the bleu blanc et rouge this year shows no one older than age 26. Yes, the AHL is a developmental league. But, with the experience in some of the uniforms of the other teams in the North Division this year, do I dump the puck in late in a 2-2 game or skate it in? Is this guy going to go left or go right with less than 4 minutes to go in a scoreless game? These are things which will come with games played. Thing is, pick the wrong choice and you lose that 2-2 or scoreless game.

Beat writer: Garry McKay

Twitter: @dogsplaybyplay – play-by-play voice Derek Wills. (the Bulldogs are the only AHL team without an “official” Twitter feed.)

Vs. WBS: Do not play.

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Lake Erie Monsters (Colorado Avalanche)

Last year: 34-37-1-8 (77 pts.) 6^th place North Division.

Head Coach: David Quinn

Offseason moves: David Liffiton, Greg Mauldin, Julian Talbot, David Van Der Gulik, Jason Bacashihua, John Grahame

The case for: Mauldin plays hard on defense. Bacashihua is a solid goaltender. Van Der Gulik was 2^nd on the Abbotsford Heat in scoring last year. You need scoring, solid D and great goaltending to have any chance, right? Lake Erie has the ingredients to make some noise this year.

The case against: The losses of Darren Haydar and All-Star T.J. Hensick to in-Conference foes make it difficult to have hope this season on the shores of Lake Erie.

Beat writer: Dennis Manoloff

Twitter: @monstershockey

Vs. WBS: Do not play.

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Manitoba Moose (Vancouver Canucks)

Last season: 40-33-5-2 (87 pts.) 4^th place North Division. Lost in Division Semifinals to the Hamilton Bulldogs in 6 games.

Head Coach: Claude Noel

Offseason moves: Shawn Weller, Tyler Weiman, David Shantz

The case for: If highly heralded prospect Cody Hodgson does an extended apprenticeship on the Prairie this year, watch out. Marco Rosa returns, Weiman is a great goaltender; the Moose could surprise a few people this season.

The case against: Youth. They lose the leadership veteran Mike Keane brought night after night and Michael Grabner looks graduated to The Show, so as with other teams within the division, the Moose could very well be in it early but be out of it late.

Beat writers: By committee: Winnipeg Free Press / Ken Wiebe: Winnipeg Sun

Twitter: @ManitobaMoose

Vs. WBS: Feb 4 / Feb 8; Mar 15 / Mar 16

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Rochester Americans (Florida Panthers)

Last year: 44-33-2-1 (91 pts.) 2^nd place North Division. Lost in Division Semifinals to the Abbotsford Heat in 7 games.

Head Coach: Chuck Weber

Offseason moves: Mark Cullen, Mike Santorelli, Andrew Peters, T.J. Fast, Joe Callahan, Bill Thomas, Triston Grant, Mike Kostka

The case for: Rochester is one of the most tenured teams in the AHL, rich in history; they want to put on a good show in the AHL’s 75^th Year Anniversary.

The case against: The parent team. The situation between Rochester and parent Florida is downright caustic. They are in the final year of an affiliation agreement and all signs point to a divorce at the end of the year. Fans are turning in season tickets and it is just not a good situation for all involved with the current situation with Florida. Cullen and Santorelli are bonafide players at the AHL level, both being All-Stars at some point in their careers in this league, but they may be a band-aid on a bullet wound at this point.

Beat writer: Kevin Oklobzija (blog / twitter) – Keith Wozniak is a fan running LetsGoAmerks.com and also tweets.

Twitter: @AmerksHockey

Vs. WBS: Nov 5 / Nov 7; Nov 27 / Apr 2

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Toronto Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs)

Last season: 33-35-6-6 (78 pts.) 5^th place North Division.

Head Coach: Dallas Eakins (@dallaseakins)

Offseason moves: Danny Richmond, Mike Zigomanis, Joey Crabb, Jerry D’Amigo, Matt Lashoff, Nazem Kadri*

The case for: Zigomanis should be playing in the NHL. Crabb played with the Chicago Wolves and won a Calder Cup a few years ago. D’Amigo left college early to turn pro. Lashoff is a good defenseman. (*- Kadri is a heralded prospect who, if he doesn’t stick with the Leafs could see some time with the Marlies.) Couple these guys with the youth already present in the Marlies locker room along with the fact that the parent Maple Leafs are on the rise and you have a recipe for success.

The case against: Four words: Danny Richmond on defense.

Beat writer: MarliesHQ (twitter / website)

Twitter: @TorontoMarlies

Vs. WBS: Dec 8 / Mar 4

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Like with the West Division Preview yesterday, if you spot glaring errors or omissions, please leave drop me a line in the comment section. Tomorrow we hit up the Atlantic Division.

Welcome to my 2010-2011 AHL Preview here at Chirps from Center Ice. This was a project for me that spanned over a month doing capsules for all the teams. I provide the team name, the parent NHL team, the record last year, who the head coach is, any offseason moves (not every single one), “the case for” you to believe the team will succeed this year and “the case against” you having any faith this season. I also include the teams beat writer and team twitter feed. Also, the games vs. the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins, if applicable. I am going to roll these out by division, every day this week. First is the West Division.

Huge thank you to Jason Chaimovitch from the AHL for providing me with a complete list of beat writers. For the most part, every team has one. I’m providing the ones that I know plus what the league provided me.

The West expands from seven teams to eight, with the addition of the Oklahoma City Barons. The crossover rule that applied in the Eastern Conference last year will apply in the Western Conference between the West Division and the North Division this year.

Let’s get started! 

 

Chicago Wolves (Atlanta Thrashers)

Last year: 49-26-1-9 (105 pts.) West Division Champion, lost in 2^nd round in 7 games to the Texas Stars in the Division Championship.

Head Coach: Don Lever

Offseason moves: Darren Haydar, Mark Matheson, Dave Phillips, Andre Deveaux

The case for: Everyone picked Chicago to win the Western Conference last year. That didn’t happen courtesy of the Texas Stars. With Darren Haydar and Andre Deveaux back in town, Jason Krog and friends are serious contenders for their 3^rd Calder Cup.*

The case against: The aforementioned Krog, Deveaux and Haydar are all a year older and a step slower.

Beat writer: (fan run) The Call of the Wild

Twitter: @Chicago_Wolves

Vs. WBS: Do not play.

*- Chicago won two league championships as members of the now defunct International Hockey League

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Houston Aeros (Minnesota Wild)

Last year: 34-34-7-5 (80 pts.) 7^th place West Division.

Head Coach: Mike Yeo

Offseason moves: Warren Peters, Drew Bagnall, Joel Broda, Josh Tordjman

The case for: A new coach in Mike Yeo could breathe some life into the team. The Aeros return a lot of guys from last year, so the chemistry is there from the get-go. Solid D squad and several young forwards with a lot of potential and Houston can easily play the role that Texas did last season.*

The case against: All-Star goaltender Anton Khudobin didn’t exactly play like one for the whole season. Yes, you can argue the team in front of him didn’t help. No one on the roster is an automatic point-a-game player. Houston finished dead last in a division which has only gotten better now with Alex Giroux, Darren Haydar, Jeff Taffe playing in sweaters for teams in the same division. 23 of the first 38 games are road games, not good for a young team trying to find its legs, will need to be a great road team or else they will be left behind. On top of that, Houston plays 13 three-in-three games this year. This is Mike Yeo’s first time as a head coach. Any uncertainty and it’s more of the same in Houston this year.*

Beat writer: Andrew J. Ferraro (blog / twitter) and The Third Intermission (blog / twitter)

Twitter: @Houston_Aeros

Vs. WBS: Do not play.

*- assisted by Heather Galindo on this one. Follow her on twitter. Read her blog.

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Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville Predators)

Last year: 41-30-2-7 (91 pts.) 4^th place West Division, lost in 7 games to the Chicago Wolves in the West Division Semifinals.

Head Coach: Lane Lambert

Offseason moves: Mike Bartlett, Scott Lehman, Brett Palin, Grant Lewis

The case for: If you follow Mark Dekanich and Blake Geoffrion like I do on Twitter, you will see that they are training like beasts to get ready for the year. With the early exit to the Wolves last year in the first round, the ever dangerous Admirals will be out to play dark horse in the West this year.

The case against: “Dark horse” in the West may find you in 4^th or 5^th place come Christmas and fighting a North Division foe for a cross-over spot. Things look good in Milwaukee this year, but if you lose 3 or 4 games in a row in this division this year, you may be on the outside looking in at the end of the season.

Beat writer: In the Crease (team run, you can find Twitter handles there) / Dave Boehler (print) Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Twitter: @mkeadmirals

Vs. WBS: Do not play.

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Oklahoma City Barons (Edmonton Oilers)

Last year: Expansion team.

Head Coach: Todd Nelson

Offseason moves: Alexandre Giroux, Ben Ondrus, Shawn Belle

The case for: Two words: Alexandre Giroux. Giroux is hands down the most dangerous AHL player in the league. He can get you easily 50-60 goals. If he doesn’t stick in Edmonton, will easily make the Barons instant contenders. One player does not a team make? I tried to live by that philosophy while Giroux was murdering my team while playing for the Hershey Bears.

The case against: The Oilers are one of the worst teams in the NHL aren’t they? If the Barons do make any kind of noise in the West, you’d have to assume that parent Edmonton will raid the farm at a moments notice.

Beat writer: Ryan Aber (blog / twitter)

Twitter: @OKCBaronsHockey

Vs. WBS: Do not play.

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Peoria Rivermen (St. Louis Blues)

Last year: 38-33-2-7 (85 pts.) 5^th place West Division.

Head Coach: Jared Bednar

Offseason moves: Dean Arsene, Graham Mink, Nathan Oystrick, T.J. Hensick, David Spina

The case for: Shhh! Peoria doesn’t want you to know! They only added legit AHL All-Stars and guys who know how to win Calder Cups. They are the dark horse pick this year. *BIG HANDS* Nothing to see here….

The case against: Goaltending. Incumbent Ben Bishop begins his third season as full-time netminder in Peoria this season. He’ll need to continue to improve or else the Rivermen could easily lose a lot of 6-5 games this year.

Beat writer: Dave Eminian

Twitter: @Peoria_Rivermen

Vs. WBS: Do not play.

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Rockford IceHogs (Chicago Blackhawks)

Last year: 44-30-3-3 (91 pts.) 4^th place West Division, swept in the Division Semifinals by the Texas Stars.

Head Coach: Bill Peters

Offseason moves: Jeff Taffe, Wade Brookbank, Brandon Pirri

The case for: Jeff Taffe will add firepower if he gets sent to the AHL. Fans in Rockford are hopeful he is.

The case against: Chicago won the cup. But, they lost a ton of firepower. Where do you reload? Right. The AHL team.

Beat writer: (by committee) Rockford Register Star

Twitter: @goicehogs

Vs. WBS: Do not play.

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San Antonio Rampage (Phoenix Coyotes)

Last year: 36-32-5-7 (84 pts.) 6^th place West Division.

Head Coach: Ray Edwards

Offseason moves: Joe Fallon, Matt Climie, Nolan Yonkman, Mathieu Beaudoin, Garrett Stafford, Pete MacArthur, David Brine

The case for: See above. Climie stepped in nicely in goal for the Texas Stars when #1 and AHL All-Star Brent Krahn went down with injuries, winning the Hamilton series and nearly stunning Hershey taking the Bears to six games before losing. Beaudoin and Stafford were huge reasons for the Stars’ success last year. Yonkman was the Milwaukee Admirals captain last year and will bring leadership to this team.

The case against: You can say it’s a rag tag group of role players, with no real name which strikes fear in opponents. With how loaded the West is with names like Giroux, Taffe, Hensick and Haydar, San Antonio will be better, but don’t expect a long playoff run if the Rampage do get there.

Beat writer: Tony Uminski

Twitter: @sarampage

Vs. WBS: Do not play.

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Texas Stars (Dallas Stars)

Last year: 46-27-3-4 (99 pts.) 2^nd place West Division. Won Western Conference Championship in first year of existence; lost to the Hershey Bears in the Calder Cup Championship in 6 games.

Head Coach: Glen Gulutzan

Offseason moves: Wow. This team got raided. Unless you count Cody Chupp who the Stars brought in as an amateur tryout contract late last year and 2008 sixth round draft pick Matt Tassone these are the lone signees.

The case for: Stars start season two looking to avenge the loss in the Calder Cup to the Bears, especially after being up 2-0 coming home to play three straight.

The case against: The offseason losses coupled with the fact that teams will not be snuck up anymore while playing the Stars is a recipe for mediocrity in the West Division this year.

Beat writer: (by committee) The Statesman, 100 Degree Hockey (website and twitter), D’Ann Faught (website and twitter)

Twitter: @TexasStars

Vs. WBS: Do not play.

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So that’s all in the West. If you spot glaring errors or gaping omissions, please notify me in the comments section. Tomorrow we head to the North Division.