Plays a smart game with a edge when needed. Has a nose for getting the puck into the net or to the open teammate at the AHL level. Good numbers for the AHL level, would have easily been the needed Crunch scorer last year. Not afraid to go in front or the corners, more often than not coming out with puck control.
They just put up the contract info on Gordon on capgeek. We already knew he was going to make $250k in the AHL next season compared to league minimum in the NHL. The interesting part: in 2012-13, there won't be a difference between NHL and AHL salary ($550k). So front office does appear to believe he will be ready by next year, at the latest, adding to our expections that he will be given at least a good shot later this summer.
Hey guys, would like to let you know that Brad Lauer has signed on to coach with the Crunch. It is close proximity to Ottawa where he coached last and his family lives. I know he had some other offers (CHL HC, etc) and has the same Kootenay Ice roots as Holick.
Interesting on Lauer. Will have to check the background info regarding coaching success. Thanks for the heads up.
The new divisional alignment makes the upcoming season a very big hurdle for the Crunch already. Penguins, Norfolk Admirals, Senators, and Bears in the same division as the Crunch. All four of those teams are solid Hershey and Binghamton have won the last three league titles. Hope we get some additional signing news in the near future or some of the "fringe" Crunch fans are going to be seriously whining about the season before it even gets started.
Gives the Crunch a much needed veteran quarterback on the power play. Lots of points at the AHL level, but poor plus minus. Nice signing and one which I have no problem with.
Now if the Ducks will just bring back McGratton to enforce and keep then other clubs honest. Gratz likes Holick and has made it clear he would have no problem playing in Syracuse if signed. The team played tougher, bigger, and sounder hockey with him in the lineup. More importantly, the Crunch won a lot more than they lost once he was acquired.
As a Crunch fan, I can live with that line up on defense to start the season. Clark and Mitera matured nicely as the season progressed. Tough to say regarding Newton as he was injured just when he seemed to be taking a huge stride in the right direction.
I am ok with the goaltending and defense right now, any more help is a depth bonus. My thought is the Ducks will allow the Crunch to sign a couple of dmen to Crunch contracts.
Gordon is an important addition at forward, but will probably end up as one of the last cuts and have to clear waivers. Ducks will most likely allow the Crunch a couple of signings here as well. Should be interesting to see if the "policeman" is under a Ducks contract like McGratton, or a Crunch one like Salters and Mirasty from last season.
Is there any confirmation on the signing of Brad Lauer as a new addition to the coaching staff here in Syracuse. We are seeing nothing other than a previous post on this site.
Interesting on Lauer. Will have to check the background info regarding coaching success. Thanks for the heads up.
The new divisional alignment makes the upcoming season a very big hurdle for the Crunch already. Penguins, Norfolk Admirals, Senators, and Bears in the same division as the Crunch. All four of those teams are solid Hershey and Binghamton have won the last three league titles. Hope we get some additional signing news in the near future or some of the "fringe" Crunch fans are going to be seriously whining about the season before it even gets started.
This is something I ripped from an article when Brad was named associate coach w/ the Senators two seasons ago
Quote:
During his seasons with the Ice, from 2002-03 to 2006-07, the team picked up more than 100 points twice and won 40 games three times. Kootenay’s winning percentage during that span was .638, while its 139 wins over Lauer’s last three seasons are the most in any three years combined in team history.
For the past two seasons, Lauer has been assistant coach under Lane Lambert with the Milwaukee Admirals. The Ads finished the 2008-09 season tied for the best record in the AHL with 107 points, posting a 49-22-3-6 record. Milwaukee lost to the Houston Aeros in the West Division Finals four games to three. In his first season with the Admirals in 2007-08, they finished fourth in the West Division with 95 points (44-29-6), losing in the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs.
The New York Islanders’ second-round pick in the 1985 draft, Lauer played three seasons with the Canadian Hockey League’s Regina Pats beginning in 1983-84. He completed his 16-year pro playing career at the end of the 2001-02 season and posted 111 points on 44 goals and 67 assists in 323 career NHL games with the New York Islanders, Senators, Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins. His most successful NHL campaign came during the 1987-88 season when he recorded 35 points (17 goals, 18 assists) in 69 games with the Islanders. He was also a member of the 1991-92 Blackhawks team that reached the Stanley Cup final.
Lauer also played 13 seasons in the AHL and the International Hockey League. Suiting up with the Indianapolis Ice, Las Vegas Thunder, Cleveland Lumberjacks and Utah Grizzlies of the IHL, he recorded 273 goals and 275 assists for 548 career points. He also skated for the AHL’s Springfield Indians and Capital-District Islanders, where he registered 28 points (10-18) in 26 games.
In 1992-93, his best minor-league campaign, Lauer topped all IHL players with 50 goals and finished fifth in the league in scoring with 91 points in only 62 games with the Indianapolis Ice.
The 42-year-old native of Humboldt, Sask., finished his playing career with the Sheffield Steelers of the British Super League in 2001-02.
As a Crunch fan, I can live with that line up on defense to start the season. Clark and Mitera matured nicely as the season progressed. Tough to say regarding Newton as he was injured just when he seemed to be taking a huge stride in the right direction.
I am ok with the goaltending and defense right now, any more help is a depth bonus. My thought is the Ducks will allow the Crunch to sign a couple of dmen to Crunch contracts.
Gordon is an important addition at forward, but will probably end up as one of the last cuts and have to clear waivers. Ducks will most likely allow the Crunch a couple of signings here as well. Should be interesting to see if the "policeman" is under a Ducks contract like McGratton, or a Crunch one like Salters and Mirasty from last season. Is there any confirmation on the signing of Brad Lauer as a new addition to the coaching staff here in Syracuse. We are seeing nothing other than a previous post on this site.
I know it hasn't been officially announced yet but I'd expect a press release about it sometime this week.
Thank you Duke for posting that, it is appreciated. Looks like a solid signing with experience at the AHL level to supplement Holick on the bench to oversee the progress of the Duck's prospects in Syracuse.
As for the "policeman" position, there is at least one mention that former Oiler JF Jacques may be on the verge of signing a two way deal with the organization. Jacques has the size and experience to fill the role here in Syracuse, but would he be better off on the fourth line with Parros for the organization as additional protection at the NHL level? There are still several capable AHL/NHL level players out there who can fill the role in Syracuse if Jacques is indeed signed and makes the Ducks out of camp.
Radio guy (Jason Gregor) in Edmonton says Jean-Francois Jacques is close to signing with Anaheim.
Likely just for the farm with a chance call-ups during the season.
I'm not so sure of that with the Ducks budget. Afterall, he has only played four games in the AHL the last couple of years. I'm thinking he'll be the 13th or 14th forward.
Congrats on picking up Gordon. Great guy and a spectacular hockey player, you guys will love him. As an FYI, he is very prolific on Facebook and Twitter. Interesting following him during the UFA process. Lobster dinner to celebrate and now yardwork today.
