Category: AHL

26Sep

Derek Smith(24) Calgary Flames

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Defenseman Derek Smith(24) has played his entire pro career in Ottawa Senators‘ system mostly with their AHL affiliate Binghamton Senators, other than 11 games over the last couple seasons up in the NHL.

Coming back from injury he helped the B-Sens win their 1st Calder Cup in a very memorable playoff run.

For his 5th season, he signed a one-year, two-way contract with Calgary Flames.

He’ll likely spend most of his time with Abbotsford Heat. He was undrafted.

We’ll miss his presence in the Eastern Conference.

25Sep

Jeff Jakaitis(31) Rochester Americans

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Undrafted goalie Jeff Jakaitis(31) enters his 5th pro season with his first AHL contract for the 2011/2012 season courtesy of Rochester Americans.

He played most of last year with Dayton Gems of the Central Hockey League but was called up by Worcester Sharks and then Portland Pirates where he dressed for 9 games (5 wins, 3 losses).

After participating in Buffalo Sabres training camp and recently reassigned, he’ll join the Amerks for the start of their camp this week.

Tough to say where he’ll fit in with Drew McIntyre and David Leggio signed to two-way NHL deals with the parent club.

24Sep

Dylan Reese(2) New York Islanders

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5th year defenseman Dylan Reese(2) looks to become a full-time NHL player after splitting time with New York Islanders and their AHL affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers the last couple seasons.

He scored the Isles first two goals in their preseason game against the Bruins on 9/23 (a 6-3 loss) and looked good offensively but less stable in the defensive zone.

It’s almost certain that he’ll be making a few car trips between Long Island and Connecticut again in 2011/2012.

Originally drafted by New York Rangers in the 7th round of the 2003 draft (#209 overall), he only skated 10 games with Hartford Wolf Pack at the end of his college career with Harvard Crimson but never signed with the team.

22Sep

David Marshall(42) San Antonio Rampage

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After seeing playing time last season with three AHL teams (Worcester, Wilkes-Barre, Rochester for a combined 43 games, scoring 5 goals, 4 assists and another 11 playoff games with WBS Penguins), undrafted 3rd year pro signs a contract with San Antonio Rampage for the 2011/2012 season. No official word, but it’s believed to be a one-way deal.

He’s had stints in the ECHL with Wheeling and Charlotte over the course of the last couple seasons.

Playing for one team, I expect him to be at least a 20-point guy for the Rampage.

 

 

21Sep

Brayden Schenn(11) Philadelphia Flyers

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In what could have been his rookie season last year, Los Angeles Kings‘ 1st round pick in the 2009 draft (#5 overall) Brayden Schenn(11) was on a bit of a roller coaster ride starting the season with the NHL team for 8 games before getting demoted to the AHL where he scored 4 goals, 3 assists in 7 contests and then ultimately sent back to his junior team in the Western Hockey League to play out the rest of 2010/2011.

He returned to the Manchester Monarchs to help them in the Calder Cup Playoffs after finishing up his final season in juniors.

In the offseason, he was dished by Los Angeles to Philadelphia Flyers as part of a deal that got the Kings Mike Richards.

It looks likely that he’ll crack the Flyers‘ lineup on opening night but he’ll have to produce with consistency to stay there or it could be a few car rides between Philly and Adirondack in 2011/2012.

 

21Sep

Eric Tangradi (25)

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Entering his third season, extra large-sized Pittsburgh Penguins‘ forward Eric Trangradi(25) at 6’4″ 221 lbs. looks to make himself a permanent fixture in the team’s lineup for the 2011/2012 season.

He seemed to be on his way last year but got derailed when he was knocked out for over a month with a concussion.

Originally drafted by Anaheim in 2007 in the 2nd round (#42 overall) he was traded before ever playing with them.

He’s spent most of his first two seasons with the Pens‘ AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton becoming a fan favorite at Casey Plaza.

I would say he should find a spot on the NHL roster for himself if he stays healthy.

20Sep

Jared Cowen(4) Ottawa / Binghamton Senators

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Ottawa Senators 1st round pick in the 2009 draft (#9 overall) defenseman Jared Cowen(4) is going to make it difficult to not give him a spot on the roster opening night. He scored 2 goals and got into a fight in the team’s first preseason matchup vs. the Maple Leafs in Toronto, a 4-2 loss.

He showed up to Binghamton late last season, after his junior team finished, to help the B-Sens in the final two rounds of their storied ride to capture the 2011 AHL Calder Cup.

 

19Sep

Johnny Boychuk(55) Boston / Providence Bruins

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One-time Providence Bruins‘ defenseman, Johnny Boychuk(55) is the first player to step on the TD Garden ice for Group B at the 2nd day of training camp.

He was originally drafted by Colorado Avalanche in the 2nd round of the 2002 draft (#61 overall). He only suited up for one game with them before being traded to Boston in 2008.

He played for four seasons with AHL affiliates of Colorado in Hershey, Lowell, Albany and Lake Erie before making his way to the NHL full-time a couple of seasons ago.

There’s no sign that he’ll ever go back.