Syracuse Crunch | CollegeHockeyPlayers

18Jun

Andrej Sustr (2)

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6’8″ 225 lbs. Czech Republic-born, undrafted defensive tower Andrej Sustr(2) signed a two-year entry level deal with Tampa Bay Lightning that included the remainder of 2012/2013 after deciding to turn pro at the conclusion of his third season at University Of Nebraska-Omaha.

He appeared in a pair of NHL games without registering a point while skating an average of 10 minutes in each contest and had a couple of shots of goal and a +1 rating before being reassigned to their AHL affiliate Syracuse Crunch to finish off the regular season.

In 8 games, he scored his first 2 pro goals and added an assist.

The 22-year old has skated in all 17 Calder Cup Playoff games with the team, adding another goal and 5 assists to his totals while going a rock steady +9 plus/minus and showing a willingness to fire pucks on the net and mix it up when the situation calls for it.

With a bit more grit he will easily develop into a feared blue liner much like another extremely large, former countryman. Very possibly this could be his only stop in the minors.

27May

Dmitry Korobov(44) Syracuse Crunch

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Tampa Bay Lightning‘s extra large undrafted defensemen, 6’3″ 239 lbs. Belarus-born rookie Dmitry Korobov(44) scored his first ever playoff goal, the game-winner for minor league affiliate Syracuse Crunch in game two of the Calder Cup Eastern Conference Finals to help tie the series vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at 1 apiece.

He also has one assist in 8 playoff contests.

In 65 AHL games in 2012/2013, he scored 3 goals and 19 assists with a +20 rating on what was a very good team.

He signed a 2-year entry level deal after spending the last couple of seasons in the KHL with Dinamo Minsk.

The 24-year old was left off the long list of call-ups in the NHL lockout shortened season but has to be on the short list for 2013/2014.

He’s a big, powerful blue liner with seemingly limited offensive upside but easily keeps the offense at bay in front of his own cage.

15May

Dylan Reese(2) WBS Penguins

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6th year defenseman Dylan Reese(2) had a homecoming with his offseason signing on the first day of free agency, when he was picked up by team he watched growing up, Pittsburgh Penguins.

Signed to a one-year two-way deal, he had to wait for the NHL lockout to thaw until he got his chance to play in front of the hometown crowd, suiting up for 3 games with the parent club but registering no points.

He has been on reassignment with their minor league affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins since the start of the 2012/2013 season and a career high 8 goals.

The 6’1″ 205 lbs. d-man is currently skating in the Calder Cup playoffs for as long as that lasts and if they are exited will likely be brought up as one of the “black aces” practice squad.

It seems like an easy fit to bring the 28-year old back into the fold for another season but he could also have other suitors out there wanting to bring him up to the show on a more regular basis.

He’s played 77 NHL games with 3 goals and 14 assists to his credit. He was originally a New York Rangers‘ 7th round pick in the 2003 draft (#209 overall) but only played as part of their system with Hartford Wolf Pack for four games when his college career at Harvard University was finished.

He signed his first contract with San Antonio Rampage and spent his first two pro seasons with the team. He’s appeared in 326 AHL games scoring 21 goals with 100 assists to his credit.

08May

Brian Lee(25) Syracuse Crunch

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Former Ottawa Senators‘ 1st round pick in the 2005 draft (#9 overall), 6th year defenseman Brian Lee(25) was a 2012 trade deadline acquisition of Tampa Bay Lightning.

He played the rest of the regular season with the Lightning recording no goals but his 8 assists set a new career high mark for helpers (15) and points (16).

Not exactly ice shattering marks for such a high draft selection that was pegged to have an offensive upside.

The 6’3″ 205 lbs. blue liner is signed through next season on a one-way contract but was recently reassigned to their minor league affiliate Syracuse Crunch, when he was failing to put up the numbers in the lockout shortened campaign and the parent club wanted to have some longer looks at younger players in the system.

In 10 AHL games, his first appearance in the league in a few years, he had only one assist through the remainder of the regular season. In 3 Calder Cup Playoff games he has yet to put up any points but at the very least maintains a +2 rating.

The recently turned 26-year old may not be a shoe-in for a roster spot to start 2013/2014.

He’s played in 209 NHL games and will need to have a breakout year or might have a tough time finding future deal in the show.

No doubt, with his size, he has to keep a good attitude in place and put a lot more backbone into his game.

03May

Chad Johnson(30) & Cedrick Desjardins(30)

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A pair of number 30 goaltenders meet at center ice for the traditional handshake at the end of the AHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals best-of-five.

Portland Pirates‘ Chad Johnson(30) congratulates Syracuse Crunch Cedrick Desjardins(30) 0n the 3-0 series victory.

Both net minders will be unrestricted free agents as of July 1.

Chances have to be highly likely 4th year, 26-year old Johnson signs a one-year extension to stay in Phoenix Coyotes‘ system. He appeared in 4 NHL games this lockout shortened season and had a 1.21 GAA and .954 SV%.

He could easily score the back up job in 2013/2014.

27-year old Desjardins was reacquired by Tampa Bay Lightning on Valentine’s Day in a goalie swap with Montreal Canadiens. It’s his second time with the only team he’s played NHL games with, 5 total including three this past season.

He’s basically won everything at the junior and ECHL levels and is still waiting for a real opportunity in the show but for now will be concentrating on climbing that next rung with an AHL Championship.

16Mar

Nicolas Deschamps(9) Hershey Bears

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Originally an Anaheim Ducks‘ 2nd round pick in the 2008 draft (#38 overall), center Nicolas Deschamps(9) is in the last season of his 3-year entry level deal.

He was skating with AHL affiliate Syracuse Crunch, putting up good numbers (15 goals and 31 assists in 80 games) in his rookie campaign before his point production all but evaporated in the first half of his sophomore season.

The 6′ 173 lbs. forward was dished mid-year to Toronto Maple Leafs in a minor league transaction and was reassigned to the Marlies.

It was easily the change of scenery he needed because he finished the regular season with 7 goals and 23 assists in 40 games and added another 3 strikes and 9 helpers in a playoff run that went the distance to the Calder Cup Finals before falling.

The 23-year has been erratic at best in 2012/2013, barely marking up the scoresheet.

Realizing there’s still potential and really having nothing to lose, Washington Capitals become the latest suitors hoping he can kickstart that scoring touch and help Hershey Bears gain a more solid run in the postseason.

Chances are the low-risk gamble will put the fire back on his stick in the last 20 or so games that remain, but will it be enough?

12Mar

Kyle Wilson(25) Norfolk Admirals

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7th year center Kyle Wilson(25) joins his 5th NHL team as he was involved in a recent trade that sent him from Tampa Bay Lightning to Anaheim Ducks‘ organization.

He never suited up for the Lightning in his short time with the team after an offseason deal with Nashville Predators.

Signed in 2011 for two years (1-way in the 2nd year), he spent almost his entire first campaign with minor league affiliate Milwaukee Admirals, where the 6’1″ 200 lbs. forward had an AHL career high 32 assists in 68 games. He did suit up for 5 games with the Preds but registered no points.

As the lockout loomed to put off the start of 2012/2013 season, the 28-year old sat out until it was resolved, reporting to Tampa Bay training camp but reassigned to Syracuse Crunch, where he stumbled with only 5 goals in 22 games.

A former Minnesota Wild 9th round pick in the 2004 draft (#272 overall), he spent the first 4 seasons of his pro career with Washington Capitals but only appeared in 2 games (2 assists) with them.

He won back-to-back Calder Cup Championships in 2009 and 2010 with farm club Hershey Bears.

Looking for renewed opportunity, he reports to a streaking Norfolk Admirals to play out the remainder of his contract unless recalled by the equally hot Ducks.

Where the unrestricted free agent ends up from here is another puzzle piece but we’re guessing he heads to Europe to see what’s left in the tank.

07Mar

Brandon McMillan(15) Anaheim Ducks

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Anaheim Ducks‘ 3rd round pick in the 2008 draft (#85 overall) center/left wing Brandon McMillan(15) is in the final season of his 3-year entry level contract.

He played more NHL games in his rookie campaign than he did through his sophomore season, spending more time with their minor league affiliate Syracuse Crunch.

He put up some pretty decent numbers, in 55 AHL games scoring 12 goals and 18 assists. The small-ish 5’11” 190 lbs. forward actually produced respectably for the Ducks in first season with 10 goals and 11 assists in 60 games and added another goal and an assist in 6 playoff match-ups.

No telling which league he would spend more time in for 2012/2013 with the lockout effectively knocking out half the year, but he received his first recall after 36 games with new farm team, Norfolk Admirals.

In his 2013 debut he skated 11 shifts for 6:32 total ice time, was a -1 plus/minus in the overtime loss and won 62% of his face-offs. He’s making his 2nd appearance of the season and looks to be getting some increased opportunities.

21Jan

Vladislav Namestnikov(18) Syracuse Crunch

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Tampa Bay Lightning 1st round pick in the 2011 draft (#27 overall), Russian-born rookie center Vladislav Namestnikov(18) starts his pro career with their AHL affiliate Syracuse Crunch. Not that he had a chance to begin in the NHL with the lockout erasing all of 2012.

Seemed a bit peculiar that he wasn’t invited to attend the Lightning‘s shortened training camp but they probably thought it was better for their young prospect to continue uninterrupted development with their farm team.

The 6’ 170 lbs. forward did suffer a fairly bad shoulder injury only a few contests into his 2012/2013 debut that sidelined him for 5 weeks.

Returning to action as the calendar flipped to a new year, the 20-year old has skated in 14 games scoring a pair of goals and 3 assists.

He’s pegged to become an elite power forward in the top league and despite playing at a weight that’s probably 15-20 pounds under where he should be, he muscles his way into situations and looks to have the abilities to turn into what’s projected for his future.

24Dec

Brett Gallant(44) Bridgeport Sound Tigers

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4th year, undrafted pugilist Brett Gallant(44) has already just about doubled a penalty minute high total from all of last season in just his first 26 games played in 2012/2013.

He’s currently second in the league with 138 pims, right behind dance partner in the pic, Bobby Robins.

The 6′ 185 lbs. left wing re-signed an AHL deal with Bridgeport Sound Tigers for a 2nd straight campaign after being recalled from Reading Royals late in 2011, where he proved his might in 17 appearances.

Not overly big-sized, the 24-year old is one tough customer to do battle with and has taken down much burlier opponents.

He started his pro career with almost two full seasons in the ECHL, leading Elmira Jackals in minutes spent in the sin bin with only half a slate of games to his credit and scored himself an invite to New York Islanders‘ prospect and training camps to put him on their radar.