The goaltending is great and the defense will be solid. That will be your bread and butter. Also Weber is a good coach I think. The Esposito-McArdle trade was made I think to get some more scoring for your second line. A lot of good defensive and tough forwards. The Kennedy-Cullen-Repik line should be a very respected line in the league. For your sake, hope that Repik doesn't make the Panthers and clears waivers when he gets sent down. I think the offense should be about middle of the road, maybe better. D and G will be your strong points like I said. But if a couple of Wilson, Luciani, Jenks, and Hazen surprise, which they have the potential to, then you guys will be a really strong team. I think the East is tougher anyway so I like San Antonio's chances for a playoff spot.
As Coolburn said though, in 12-13 you guys will be getting an incredible influx of talent from the junior and college ranks. Nick Bjugstad, Drew Shore, Corban Knight, Quinton Howden, John McFarland, Alex Petrovic, and David Pacan should all in San Antonio that year. If I was a Rampage fan I'd be giddily looking forward to 12-13 like a kid on Christmas Eve.
I'm think Wilson could be a huge suprise this season in AHL.
Interesting day. I like the Seabrook deal. Adds to an already strong AHL level blue line. If Esposito all of a sudden "gets it", I love that deal as well. The Rampage, in their current incarnation have a lot of redundant players up front. Not a fan of the Shirokov deal from a Rampage fans perspective. But I completely get it from Florida's end.
I like to at least see the effort being put into the AHL team. It's a nice change of pace.
Changing the subject a bit...has anyone seen anything on the length of the affiliation agreement? Haven't seen anything in any of the reports.
Nick Bjugstad, Drew Shore, Corban Knight, Quinton Howden, John McFarland, Alex Petrovic, and David Pacan should all in San Antonio that year. If I was a Rampage fan I'd be giddily looking forward to 12-13 like a kid on Christmas Eve.
I have a question on these guys. Bjugstad, Howden, McFarland, Petrovic look like they are to young to come to the AHL. If Gudbranson is then these guys are the same age.
Did anyone get any news that Shore and Knight are not going back to school? They don't have contracts. And if you could help, I can't find any info on Pacan.
I have a question on these guys. Bjugstad, Howden, McFarland, Petrovic look like they are to young to come to the AHL. If Gudbranson is then these guys are the same age.
Did anyone get any news that Shore and Knight are not going back to school? They don't have contracts. And if you could help, I can't find any info on Pacan.
We were talking about the following yr, not next season. All of those guys will be 20 yrs old (or turning 20 before the cutoff) by then. I'd be betting money that all 4 of those guys will be in San Antonio the following yr (unless Bjugstad decides to return to college).
Shore is definitely returning for his junior season and there was an article I posted not too long ago about it. Knight I believe is also heading back for his junior season. Neither have contracts because if they are signed, they have to turn pro since they are college amateurs. Pacan will most likely return to juniors next season with the addition of Esposito (not that I totally expected Pacan to turn pro). He's only played 1 yr of juniors (after playing 1 yr of college) so he'll benefit from going back and playing basically as an overager.
And the matrix is out. No games vs the East once again which means we won't be seeing the Phoenix kids, but they do play Rochester once here and once there.
I'd really love to see this team kick some serious arse this year. Having any success at any level associated with this franchise would be a welcome change. I'm really looking forward to the season.
Could you guys provide a report of what was said at that event for those of us not in San Antonio? Definitely curious to hear what Santos & Tallon say to the Rampage faithful.
It's hard to become attached to players and a team if they might up and go in a year. I'd like to know how long they plan on being around.
From the presser it sounds like 2-3 years minimum. I'm sure both orgs want to see how the first year goes before they make any long term public announcements. Smart move IMO.
Was a basic Q&A, what more did you expect? One thing I do see is that we won't see a lot of PTO's or Rampage signed players on this team. The core of the main players will be Florida prospect filled in with veterans. We are at the Veteran max. with those signed allready.
Also didn't say that we will have 1 pure aggresor but have what they call a collective team toughness.
Did say they will stay with the current ECHL team. But may look at a closer A league (Central hockey league) team.
Tried to get something out of Mr. Tallon on where the contract talk is with Matthias and any possible trades. He said if I could keep a secret? And came back with so could he. So does look like he might have something up his sleve.
Had pretty good crowd of about 80 or so people there. Looking forward to the upcoming season and this affliation with the Panthers.
Was a basic Q&A, what more did you expect? One thing I do see is that we won't see a lot of PTO's or Rampage signed players on this team. The core of the main players will be Florida prospect filled in with veterans. We are at the Veteran max. with those signed allready.
Also didn't say that we will have 1 pure aggresor but have what they call a collective team toughness.
Did say they will stay with the current ECHL team. But may look at a closer A league (Central hockey league) team. Tried to get something out of Mr. Tallon on where the contract talk is with Matthias and any possible trades. He said if I could keep a secret? And came back with so could he. So does look like he might have something up his sleve.
Had pretty good crowd of about 80 or so people there. Looking forward to the upcoming season and this affliation with the Panthers.
From the presser it sounds like 2-3 years minimum. I'm sure both orgs want to see how the first year goes before they make any long term public announcements. Smart move IMO.
Yeah, smart move. Unfortunately I'm a creature of habit and love my teams, even if they stink. I think they'll appreciate us and give us a good product. I'm looking very forward to this season.
I feel we as hockey fans in San Antonio should start a campaign to push for more coverage in the media for our team... I've already emailed numerous outlets.. I think everyone else should as well. Thoughts?
I think people have tried in the past. I heard they won't cover the Rampage b/c they think people will immediately change the channel if it's on the news. BUT last year there were quite a few tv commercials and a lot of commercials on the radio. I think they're workin on it.
One thing I got from Santos and Tallon was how much they and Rochester didn't get along. I hope this is a long stable relationship that works out for both fan bases.
Thanks for trying!
I think they'll appreciate us and give us a good product. I'm looking very forward to this season.
