I thought Brittain was in the ECHL with Elmira? Kinda disappointed that he hasn't played to expectations, even after being demoted to Elmira. 6'5" 210 and instead of being a scorer the stats read like he's going to have to resort to being an enforcer to make it.
Brittain was a disappointment last year, at Syracuse and Elmira. Poor balance, bad fighting style, and bad timing on his penalties, reminded me of Tom Sestito during Tito's first season in Syracuse.
As for the lines, look for Maroon and Jacques to make big pushes for fourth line spots. Maroon earned an extended look with his play after joining the organization last year, he is tough to move from in front of the net and plays with an edge. His reputed attitude issues did not come over in the trade, at least that we saw from the fan's view.
Still too early to call the lines, but the team is looking respectable, at least on paper.
I thought Brittain was in the ECHL with Elmira? Kinda disappointed that he hasn't played to expectations, even after being demoted to Elmira. 6'5" 210 and instead of being a scorer the stats read like he's going to have to resort to being an enforcer to make it.
He finished the season there. Doesn't mean he won't be in Ducks camp and Crunch camp.
glad to see Bob working on mending the bridges he burned a little but with the Crunch. I really like the Gordon signing for the Ducks and Crunch and the other three will help to make Syracuse a better environment for the young guys.
How is Igor Bobkov coming along? Looks like the Ducks are going to add another goalie on a two-way contract for the Crunch.
Bobkov will most likely head back to the OHL for an over-age year. His rights were traded a little while ago so he will be able to get plenty of playing time as compared to playing in Syracuse as a backup.
So now the Crunch are set in goal any way you look at it. Defense looks fine, we have a policeman as well. Status of forward depends on camp. Dont be too surprised of Gratz makes the Ducks out of camp and Jacques gets sent down as Gratz says he is going into camp looking to earn a fourth line spot.
So is there any other Crunch focused message boards out there? Going to be following them pretty heavy this season.
Stay away from the local newspaper boards, they're full of idiocy. I think the main local page is mostly gone, the admin got tired of it. But there are a good handful of us locals here that post relatively frequently. Anytime you have a question at least one of us will answer.
Duke, this is far and away the best place for all things Ducks/Crunch. Some of the other sites think they can compete, but they are like feeder fish in a tank of sharks compared to this place.
Hockeyfights.com may have better recaps of scraps, but overall there is much more information right here.
Originally Posted by Lindsay Kramer/The Post-Standard
Lauer:
"I'm looking forward to it. I'm excited for the next chapter of my coaching career. I know I can coach. I feel very fortunate Anaheim has given me this opportunity to work with their young players.''
On losing his job with Ottawa at the end of last season:
"It's never fun when you get let go. It means you didn't accomplish what you wanted to accomplish. You have to take the positives out of it. I have to get better as a coach. What I've learned the last two years has only made me better.
"I see myself as a young coach yet. I'm still learning. I'm still improving. Even though I'm not in the NHL, I don't look at it as a step backward in my career.''
Relating to today's players:
"When I retired from the game in 2001, I really didn't understand the younger guys coming into the league. Some of them were more business-oriented. I was an old-school player. That was why I went back to juniors (with Kootenay), to better myself as a coach, understand younger guys.''
Having two assistants on the Crunch staff:
"Our job is to develop the players and to get them to the next level. You want to make sure every day you bring them something you can teach them. Having one or two extra guys will never hurt, as long as each of us is doing our job. We're going to be very organized. There's so much information now out there for the players. It's up to us to give them as much as we can.''
Lauer said he has a three-year deal with the Ducks. He is married, and he and wife Daria have two daughters, Camryn, 8, and Addison, 5.
Wilford:
Wilford was a player/coach in Italy last season. He also said when he played in Norfolk there was no assistant coach, so he was one of a handful of players who unofficially filled that role.
"I've followed everybody since, what they taught. I've always wanted to stay in the game. It's all I know,'' he said.
Making his coaching debut:
"I do think I have experience. I related to coaches. I understand players, what they want. I have an understanding of how to deal with them. It will be no different than being a captain or leader on your team. It's about building relationships. I've always done that.''
Working as a three-man staff:
"As coaches, you talk, put your minds together, share opinions. It spreads it (the workload) out a little bit.''
Division of responsibilities with Lauer:
"I'm not sure what the titles are. But I'm sure I'm under Brad. I'm very fortunate to work under a guy like Brad. I'm sure we'll get more into that (job descriptions) the next month. I'm looking forward to helping any way I can.''
Wilford is married and he and his wife, Shelly, have three children: daughters Emerson, 7, and Graycen, 4; and son Nash, 1.
Something the Crunch fans will probably like to hear:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Murray (on Syracuse)
I’m tired of losing. We are going to try to play better down there. If the kids win, they get the habit of winning. If they lose, they get in a habit of losing. We are trying to make a better environment for our players down there. I’m trying to create a winning environment.
The Ducks organization is really taking an aggressive approach to help the Crunch for this season. Most of the issues from last year have been addressed, and now is is wait for camp to see who makes the cut and who is sent down.
Goaltending should have two new faces in net, with Timo likely getting max ice time in Elmira. That is great for his development and should benefit the organization in the future.
Defense looks solid and steady. Forwards should be better. Cuts from Duck's camp will give us a better idea of how the team is going to look on ice.
Coaching staff is filed in now, and getting positive notes from folks here in Syracuse. Two assistants with lots of experience should help Holick deal with the on and off ice tasks much better this season.
The signings may also be in preparation of being able to send rookies to the Ducks (Palmieri, Bonino, Holland, Deschamps, Maroon, Gordon).
But definitely if a good amount of rookies are given time to develop together at the AHL level, Syracuse is going to be a pretty good team.
I'm not very familiar with the Crunch in terms of lines but is this pretty accurate? If so, there is a good amount of skill and toughness throughout the lineup.
Deschamps - Bonino - Palmieri
Maroon - Holland - Gordon
J.F. Jacques - Macenauer - McGrattan
I really think this guy is going to be a regular in Anaheim this year. Maybe not in the lineup, but up with the team. Why would he accept such a smaller salary in the minors? His play last year seems like it alone would get him a much higher salary in the AHL. I have a feeling that Murray gave him strong indications he'd most likely be with the big club this year. I think Gordon and Sexton will be one of the last cuts in camp as well, with one of them making the team. I can't see Gordon leaving the top AHL team aside from the fact that he's got a great chance to make the big club this year.
I really think this guy is going to be a regular in Anaheim this year. Maybe not in the lineup, but up with the team. Why would he accept such a smaller salary in the minors? His play last year seems like it alone would get him a much higher salary in the AHL. I have a feeling that Murray gave him strong indications he'd most likely be with the big club this year. I think Gordon and Sexton will be one of the last cuts in camp as well, with one of them making the team. I can't see Gordon leaving the top AHL team aside from the fact that he's got a great chance to make the big club this year.
I think you're reading too much into it. The players and agets just look at our forward situation and see the possible roster spot. I doubt there were any promises or winkwinknudgenudge moments.
I think you're reading too much into it. The players and agets just look at our forward situation and see the possible roster spot. I doubt there were any promises or winkwinknudgenudge moments.
I'm not saying Murray guaranteed him a spot, but didn't Moose post that he's taking a 400k discount in the minors? I wouldn't think much of it but when max AHL salary is like 550k, that's a hell of a discount. I can't imagine he'd accept that if there wasn't strong indication he'd be with the big club, if so, he should fire his agent.
I'm not saying Murray guaranteed him a spot, but didn't Moose post that he's taking a 400k discount in the minors? I wouldn't think much of it but when max AHL salary is like 550k, that's a hell of a discount. I can't imagine he'd accept that if there wasn't strong indication he'd be with the big club, if so, he should fire his agent.
McGratton stated at the end of last season he would love to stay with the Ducks and if he could not get a one way offer he would only want to play in Syracuse because of the coaching staff, So it looks like he took a discount as he wanted to play for the Crunch if not in the NHL, Here is the link
Syracuse Crunch Announce Schedule Format 2011-12 - Lindsay Kramer
Quote:
The Syracuse Crunch has announced its schedule format for the 2011-12 season.
As is the case with many teams this year, it's tilted more toward geographical rivalries than divisional loyalty. And if you like variety, or the chance to see what a Western team looks like, forget it.
The Crunch will remain in the Eastern Conference in the newly-aligned, five-team East Division along with the Binghamton Senators, Hershey Bears, Norfolk Admirals and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
The Crunch will play a mere 26 of their 76 games against East Division opponents (Binghamton 8, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 8, Norfolk, Hershey 6, Norfolk 4). Syracuse also has 26 contests against the newly-formed Northeast Division (Adirondack 10, Albany 10, Bridgeport 2, Connecticut 2, Springfield 2).
In addition, the Crunch will face-off against North Division teams 18 times (Rochester 10, Lake Erie 4, Hamilton 2, Toronto 2) and Atlantic Division clubs six times (St. John’s 4, Worcester 2).
So, to sum up, Syracuse plays 30 games total against two teams not in its division (Albany and Adirondack) and one not even in its conference (Roch).
