The AHL’s Chicago Wolves announced today that they have agreed to a two-year affiliation deal with the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks through the 2012-13 season. - Read More -
The Portland Pirates announced today that they have reached a multi-year affiliation agreement with the Phoenix Coyotes to begin with the 2011-12 season.
The announcement was made by Pirates Managing Owner/CEO Brian Petrovek at a press conference at the Civic Center this afternoon. - Read More -
I wouldn't mind the Ducks moving to San Antonio (closer for call ups and letting Florida take over Syracuse. And after reading all the whinny Crunch fans and their crappy whinny beat writer for the local paper, I don't think they would miss us much.
Yes indeed, Parrosfan, we are whinny fans here in CNY. At the start of the season, it was suggested what was need here to provide a winning atmosphere for the Crunch. Crunch were told the Ducks knew what they were doing from Portland days. Crunch were allowed to sign Mirasty (bad move teamwise good for PR at the time) and ended up with two rookie goaltenders. In fact, the opening day lineup featured 13 rookies. All season, the Crunch asked for a vet goaltender to help stabilize and teach the kids. Seemed to fall on deaf ears. Mirasty had a falling out with eh staff and was shipped out (good move) and the coach suddenly developed a turn the other cheek attitude and the team stopped sticking up for each other and was a freaking embarrassment to watch and root for. But we held out hope. Sellars was brought in as the heir apparent to Mirasty and never panned out on the ice or for the fans. Suddenly, late in the season, lights go off in SOCAL due to lack of quality time by both Crunch goalies when called p and the Ducks bring in Emery. The vet goalie shows the Crunch they can win if they support the goalie and the team seems to turn a corner. McGratton is brought in at the trade deadline and the Crunch re-find their manhood, closing with a record of around 15 and 5, too little to late to make the playoffs for a team that had seemingly given up first of the year.
Had we had the team at the start of the year we had at the end, different story. Odd enough, the makeup at the end of the year was almost what the Crunch management had asked for at the start. The organization essentailly wasted a year by not listening to the Crunch and their whinny fans about what was needed to win. the Ducks are working much more closely this off season with the Crunch staff, so that will help. Coach needs to mend some fences after telling a group of fans to "Shut the f%$# up" during a home game when they were getting on his case about the way the team was playing. So before you refer to us as whinny fans, maybe take a look at what we are complaining about concerning the progress of the organizations young talent or lack there of.
That was last season and it looks like all the rumors about a breakup are just that. Here's to a productive and playoff bound season for both teams.
Fair enough, I am good with the peace treaty. As for the animal reference, the Crunch mascot is an "Ice Gorilla", whatever the heck that is supposed to be. Interesting news on the qualifying offers. Williams was an absolute bust here, and JP did not live up to expectations. Good choice on Maroon as he played solid all year once he joined the organization. Certainly hope he gets a look with the Ducks if his play is close to what it was at the end of last season.
This is actually a HUGE signing for the depth here in Syracuse. Gordon was better than a point per game last year, and was one of the top ten if not five potential young players out there available at the AHL level. Gordon has a bit of an edge, knows when to shot and when to pass, and is an excellent addition. Any Crunch fans who cry that the Ducks are not serious need to step back and say "If this is the start, it is going to be a good year".
Goaltending is still young, make that very young; there is no quarterback on defense; and no policeman (ie sign McGratton while he is still available and wants to play for the organization), but it is early in the free agent market and there are several potential depth players out there.
In short, this one is "outta da park" at the AHL level. Next batter.
This is actually a HUGE signing for the depth here in Syracuse. Gordon was better than a point per game last year, and was one of the top ten if not five potential young players out there available at the AHL level. Gordon has a bit of an edge, knows when to shot and when to pass, and is an excellent addition. Any Crunch fans who cry that the Ducks are not serious need to step back and say "If this is the start, it is going to be a good year". Goaltending is still young, make that very young; there is no quarterback on defense; and no policeman (ie sign McGratton while he is still available and wants to play for the organization), but it is early in the free agent market and there are several potential depth players out there.
In short, this one is "outta da park" at the AHL level. Next batter.
Tarkki was signed to address the goaltending. He'll be more than adequate as an AHL starter.
Good call on my forgetfulness about Tarkki. If his stats are close to as good here as he was overseas, certainly an improvement over the goaltending we had most of last season. So goaltending can be considered addressed as well. I believe we are still looking for an assistant coach. Any rumors from the left coast for us folks here on the right coast about that spot??
Maybe we should not quite send him to the Crunch in our heads just yet. He may be closer to the NHL than some of our young guys, and maybe our staff would prefer to keep him up here while allowing to give others some more top-minutes with the Crunch. Who knows. But it should be considered an option at this point.
I see the fact that he's making 525/250 is telling me they expect him to play the majority of the time in Anaheim with being able to save some money by sending him to Syracuse if that doesn't work out like they expect.
I expect him to get a long look at camp and if he gets sent down, it's because he proved he doesn't deserve a spot.
Either way it is a win/win signing for the organization. At 25, perhaps a change in scenery is just what was needed, look at the play of Maroon after the trade. Once the frenzy of signings settles down and we get to see who is still out there, that is when it should get really interesting for folks here in CNY regarding players potentially heading this way.
Either way it is a win/win signing for the organization. At 25, perhaps a change in scenery is just what was needed, look at the play of Maroon after the trade. Once the frenzy of signings settles down and we get to see who is still out there, that is when it should get really interesting for folks here in CNY regarding players potentially heading this way.
Very true. If Gordon ends up on the Ducks' roster, that means one less spot to be taken by Palmieri/Maroon/etc., so it's a good step for both sides regardless. Hopefully there will be a little more of this.
I'm not really excited about him but it's really a win-win -situation so I guess I can't complain really. Good numbers in AHL, ok size too. What kind of play does he play? Agitator? Power forward?
