Month: September 2012

Let the Camping Begin…

In a way continuing yesterday’s updates, I had mentioned I was still waiting on a Devil camp roster. Well ask and I shall receive, as earlier this morning things got underway in New Jersey. Earlier today the roster was revealed (I’m assuming numbers will be their jersey numbers this season; normally during preseason they wear the NJ high numbers):

Goaltenders:

1 Scott Wedgewood
31 Jeff Frazee
35 Keith Kinkaid
40 Maxime Clermont

Defense:

2 Jay Leach
5 Adam Larsson
6 Alexander Urbom
7 Brandon Burlon
8 Matt Corrente
24 Eric Gelinas
28 Dan Kelly
33 Corbin McPherson
39 Eric Baier
41 Raman Hrabarenka

Forwards:

9 Joe Whitney
10 Jacob Josefson
11 Bobby Butler
12 Tim Sestito
14 Adam Henrique
15 Steve Zalewski
16 Chad Wiseman
17 Kelly Zajac
18 Harri Pesonen
19 Mike Sislo
20 Scott Parse
21 Mattias Tedenby
22 J.S. Berube
23 Darcy Zajac
25 David Wohlberg
26 Mike Hoeffel
29 Matt Anderson
32 Harry Young
34 Phil DeSimone
36 Alexandre Carrier
37 Chris McKelvie
38 Bryan Haczyk

A few observations:

-You might be thinking, isn’t Harry Young a defenseman? Apparently during rookie camp during the summer he took a turn playing at left wing. With so many defensemen in the organization, the switch may be a way for him to get more playing time, whether in Albany or the ECHL.

-There are two new names on the list, both forwards: Chris McKelvie and Scott Parse. McKelvie, a left wing, split last season between Connecticut and Greenville (ECHL), scoring 5 points at each stop. Parse, a right wing, spent last season with the Kings, only appearing in nine games. Both are on AHL deals, along with Corrente, McPherson, Whitney, both Zajac brothers, DeSimone, Carrier, and Haczyk. Defensemen Baier and Hrabarenka are in camp on a tryout.

First practice comes tomorrow (today was for physicals and team photos), then Tuesday comes the first game action. A possible 4th game may be added on Friday afternoon in New Jersey against Adirondack. I am planning on making the trip to Binghamton next weekend for the final preseason matchup against the Sens. Then in 16 days…finally things start for real.

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On What Should Be The First Night of Hockey…

…when I should be getting ready to head back to downtown Albany for Devils-Rangers preseason action (thanks NHL), here I am with just a few items to pass along:

-This just in: let there be ICE.

-Earlier this afternoon, this year’s promotional schedule was released. Most of last year’s specials are back for another year, including GE Kids in Free and Devil Dawg’s birthday (hopefully NJ Devil isn’t locked out and will join the festivities again), $5/$10 tickets courtesy of Time Warner Cable (I believe the record setting crowd from last season stemmed from that), Pucks and Paws (bring your dog to the game), 3 player bobbleheads (hopefully no one gets the Bobblehead Curse and winds up overseas next season…see Michael Swift and Nathan Perkovich as examples), 3 post game autograph session/public skate days, and the return of Dollar Dawg Night (mostly on weekday games).

-A third exhibition game has indeed been added, but not close to here: on October 2nd the Devils will take on Adirondack at the Flyers practice facility in Voorhees, NJ at 2 PM.

-And finally,training camp on ice sessions officially kick off Friday morning in Newark. Still waiting on the official roster to be released.

Friday Odds and Ends

Just a few notes to pass on:

-Albany’s training camp officially opens on Thursday, September 27th with player physicals and photos, followed by the first on ice session on Friday the 28th. For now, camp will be at the AmeriHealth Pavilion in Newark, New Jersey’s practice rink adjacent to the Prudential Center.

-Yesterday the AHL released the full 2012 preseason schedule. Turns out Albany will only have two games: October 3rd in Connecticut against the Whale, and on October 6th in Binghamton against the Senators. No local preseason games are scheduled as of now, and with preseason in two weeks I highly doubt any are in the works.

-Finally, announced earlier today after a radio interview with Chris Lamoriello (Albany’s general manager), it appears 104.5 The Team will again be the local radio home for the Devils. However, only 35 games will actually be carried on the station (football will always be primary programming, whether it’s the Jets or college), and will not be available for Internet or app streaming (the station can be heard through an app called radioPup). So your best bet if you want to listen in will again be AHL Live.

Let the Lockout Casualties Begin…

We have reached Day 4 of the NHL lockout. With no solution in sight, you knew it would be sooner or later when the preseason would be in jeopardy. And sure enough, it became official today. Next Wednesday’s preseason tilt at the Times Union Center between the Devils and Rangers was officially canceled, along with all other NHL preseason games scheduled through September 30th. Also lost for New Jersey are two home games at the Rock, on the 28th against the Rangers and the 29th against the Islanders. Good thing I didn’t pick up my ticket yet (I was planning on buying it before the week was out)…

But, in much happier news here…

If you’re planning out your individual trips to the Capital Region this season, individual game tickets go on sale this Saturday. The Devils website breaks down prices here (and while you’re at it, check out the new team store inventory!)

Speaking of games…have any ideas on how to make the game day experience better? Sound off on the Times Union blog! For the second year in a row they’re gathering ideas on how we can better enjoy the 20th season of AHL hockey in Albany (sorry Capital District Islanders, playing at RPI doesn’t count).

The First Wave, Pre-Lockout Edition

With less than 8 hours to go before the inevitable NHL lockout begins (seriously guys, actually try to get something done? Please?), teams are starting to pass players through waivers and assigning those who can be sent down to the AHL. New Jersey joined the parade earlier this afternoon, assigning a total to 24 players to Albany, making all eligible to play in an A-Devils uniform as long as the lockout continues:

Matt Anderson
J.S. Berube
Brandon Burlon
Bobby Butler
Maxime Clermont
Jeff Frazee
Eric Gelinas
Adam Henrique
Mike Hoeffel
Jacob Josefson
Dan Kelly
Keith Kinkaid
Adam Larsson
Jay Leach
Harri Pesonen
Tim Sestito
Mike Sislo
Mattias Tedenby
Alexander Urbom
Scott Wedgewood
Chad Wiseman
David Wohlberg
Harry Young
Steve Zalewski

I guess you could say a few names, well, stick out? The two biggest ones are Henrique, fresh off a Calder Trophy nominated season (and two huge series clinching playoff goals in overtime to boot), and Larsson, last year’s #4 overall draft pick. Other than Larsson, all but two (Butler and Pesonen) have spent some time in an Albany uniform. Due to contract terms, you will not see either Cam Janssen (despite being on a two way deal) and Stephen Gionta come down, which means there will be a new Albany captain on the ice come October. My guess is Jay Leach, but you never know.

In Lou We Trust breaks down who stands to benefit from playing here during the work stoppage.

Other than being placed and then clearing waivers before today, AHL teams can also sign any players that were on the Clear Day lists last spring. One Devil will be signed via this route: defenseman Matt Corrente.

Training camps for all are slated to open on September 28th. If nothing is settled in the NHL by then, this could be a very interesting season in the AHL for many teams. Check out the assignments to Charlotte and Oklahoma City, for example.

2012 Player Tracker (updated 9/1)

We have reached Labor Day weekend…and the final player tracker of the summer. Still not a lot of changes. With a possible lockout looming in 2 weeks, it’s going to be interesting to see what happens to the roster as we get close to AHL camps opening towards the end of the month.

Signed for 2012-13:

Keith Kinkaid
Mattias Tedenby
Brandon Burlon
Mike Hoeffel
Eric Gelinas
Alexander Urbom
Mike Sislo
Dan Kelly
David Wohlberg
Maxime Clermont
Harry Young
J.S. Berube
Chad Wiseman
Steve Zalewski
Jeff Frazee
Matt Anderson
Scott Wedgewood
Kelly Zajac
Harri Pesonen
Stephen Gionta
Peter Harrold
Jay Leach
Tim Sestito
Alexandre Carrier
Matt Corrente
Phil DeSimone
Bobby Butler

Unrestricted Free Agents:

Brad Mills
Joe Whitney
Darcy Zajac
Mike Banwell
Bryan Haczyk
Myles Stoesz
Kory Nagy

Moving On:

Nathan Perkovich (signed in Austria 5/11)
Timo Pielmeier (signed in Germany 6/1)
Vladimir Zharkov(signed in Russia 7/2)
Matt Taormina (signed with Tampa Bay 7/6)

Sources: CapGeek, Elite Prospects

Of course, as always, if I missed anyone leave a note in the comments and I will update as needed.