There must be something in the drinking water, because the LA Kings goalie prospects in the last few seasons have been nothing short of outstanding.
First there was Jonathan Bernier, then Jonathan Quick and now Jeff Zatkoff(39) continues the success rate for the Monarchs between the pipes. Time will tell if there’s room for Zatkoff in the NHL but right now his chances look decent.
Monarchs‘ forward Bud Holloway(9) was drafted in 2006 by the Kings but has yet to find a spot on the roster with the big club. In his last year of an entry level contract, he will likely find himself wearing a different jersey next season.
He’s crafty in the A and was one heck of a playoff performer notching 14 points (7 goals, 7 assists) in 16 postseason games last year.
I think that Charlotte Checkers has a good chance of going pretty far in the AHL season and could possibly play for the Calder Cup, except for one little drawback, goaltending.
With Justin Pogge(1) as their #1 netminder I think it spells trouble.
Last Saturday night at the DCU, he was sharp stopping 42 of 44 shots in the team’s 4-2 win. Maybe he’s finally living up to the potential he flashed in juniors with the Calgary Hitmen.
Checkers‘ team captain, Bryan Rodney(33) was undrafted and has worked his way up from AA hockey to stints in the NHL with the Hurricanes in the last two seasons.
He’s still trying to prove he’s got what it takes to play in the show full-time. Maybe a switch of scenery next season will do it for him.
He’s over a point per game guy in the AHL, Jerome Samson(17) will easily get another look up in Raleigh soon.
Let’s Dance – put on your red shirt and dance the moves: Charlotte Checkers (formerly Albany River Rats) forward Nicolas Blanchard(26) drops the gloves with Worcester Sharks‘ new guy on call-up from the Stockton Thunder of the ECHL, Jason Pitton(42). They wailed on each for what seemed like a good long while.
ex-Boston University Terriers‘ defenseman and Braintree, MA native Sean Sullivan(37) signed a one-year, two-way with San Jose in the off-season and has been assigned to play with their AHL affiliate Worcester Sharks. He has found somewhat of a goal scoring touch as of late potting 6 tallies in 18 games so far.
Columbus Blue Jackets, parent team of Springfield Falcons signed Gustaf Wesslau(40) to a one-year two way contract for his first year in North America after two big seasons in the Swedish Elite League.
He looked strong in net for the team’s 4-3 loss vs. Worcester on 11/21, but a one-year deal seems like the Blue Jackets throwing a piece of cooked spaghetti against the refrigerator to see if it sticks trying to solve potential goalie woes.
Center Nick Tarnasky(26) started 2010/2011 in the ECHL with the Florida Everblades but was recently signed to a pto with Springfield, the team he started with 6 years ago as a Tampa Bay Lightning prospect.
Just last season he was playing in the NHL for the Florida Panthers. He spent his last two campaigns in their system.
Look for him to stick with the Falcons for the rest of the calendar and likely split for Europe next year.
Tough guy Frazer McLaren(10) has spent the early part of the 2010/2011 season up in San Jose playing limited minutes on the team with no points in 9 games to his credit.
He was reassigned to Worcester on 11/19 and played his first game back at the DCU on 11/21. He’s not expected to stay in the AHL for too long before being called back up.
