Month: July 2014

There’s Actual News!

We interrupt a lovely summer day with…actual updates!  To get caught up:

-Two more restricted free agents have re-signed with New Jersey:

In a move that some found, well, interesting, Brandon Burlon was signed a 2 year, 2 way contract.  The defenseman has yet to play more than 57 games since turning pro in 2011, mostly because of the logjam of prospects in the organization (Gelinas, Merrill, Larsson to name a few).  He did manage to set a career high in goals this past season with 5 in 54 games, while mostly being used in even strength and power play situations.  Unless Dan Kelly re-signs, he will be the most experienced A-Devil defenseman to return this season in terms of years played.

Also returning is forward Scott Timmins, signing a 1 year, 2 way contract.  Acquired in late September from Florida for Krys Barch, Timmins was a pleasant offensive surprise from the start.  In his fourth pro season, he set a career high in points with 39 (13 goals and 26 assists) in 70 games (he did miss time due to a knee injury in November/December).

The updated free agent tracker will be out on Friday at noon.

-And the first preseason game has been announced, via Lehigh Valley, who announced their full preseason schedule earlier today.  The Devils will travel southwest to the new PPL Center on Saturday, October 4th for a 7 PM faceoff.  Hopefully the first of many game announcements to come (one local game other than in Adirondack would be nice, but I’m not holding my breath).

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Off to Rookie Camp

Today marked the first day of New Jersey’s annual rookie camp in Newark.  A total of 41 players have taken the ice, some familiar to Albany/New Jersey fans, some not so familiar.  After clamoring for days as to who was attending, late last night the roster was released:

Goaltenders:

Anthony Brodeur, Jeremy Brodeur, Charlie Finn, Scott Wedgewood.

Defensemen:

Seth Helgeson, Joe Faust, Raman Hrabarenka, Joshua Jacobs, Steve Santini, Ryan Rehill, Curtis Gedig, Tyler Wood, Reece Scarlett, Damon Severson, Ryan Johnston.

Forwards:

Myles Bell, John Quenneville, William Brodeur, Graham Black, Blake Pietila, Connor Chatham, Stefan Matteau, Ryan Kujawinski, Miles Wood, Brandon Baddock, Ben Thomson, Joey Dudek, Reid Boucher, Jayden Hart, Tom Hartnett, Ben Johnson, Blake Coleman, Matt Lorito, Ross Mauermann, Eric Faille, Ryan Rosenthal, Brandon Shea, Darcy Murphy, Matt Needham, Roberts Lipsbergs, Michael Ambrosia.

Breaking down the roster:

-8 players appeared in at least one game for Albany during the 13-14 season (2 others were on the roster, but never saw action)

-15 of 17 draft picks over the last three seasons, including all 2013 and 2014 selections, are in attendance.

-16 players were free agent invites.

-Another Devil family tradition, as the Brodeur boys–goalies Anthony and Jeremy, and forward William–take over where the Pandolfos, Parises, Giontas, and Zajacs left off (Nolan, the 4th Zajac brother, was actually at Winnipeg’s rookie camp earlier this month).

The Devils PR Twitter released a camp guide earlier today, while In Lou We Trust has the breakdown by position.

And the A-Devils have a wrapup of the first day here.

 

New Divisions, New Rules

The AHL just wrapped up its annual meetings in South Carolina this week…and with it, came a few big changes for the 2014-15 season:

-Yesterday, the divisional alignment for the season was announced, and with Lehigh Valley joining the lineup and Abbotsford moving east to Glens Falls, it’s an interesting setup:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Atlantic: Manchester, Portland, Providence, St. John’s, Worcester (no change)

East: Binghamton, Hershey, Lehigh Valley, Norfolk, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

Northeast: Albany, Bridgeport, Hartford, Springfield, Syracuse

WESTERN CONFERENCE

North: Adirondack, Hamilton, Rochester, Toronto, Utica

Midwest: Chicago, Grand Rapids, Lake Erie, Milwaukee, Rockford

West: Charlotte, Iowa, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Texas

The Phantoms move from Adirondack in the Northeast to the East Division, Syracuse moves from the East to the Northeast Division.  Abbotsford leaves the West with Adirondack going to the North.  Lake Erie moves from North to Midwest, and Iowa moves from Midwest to West.  Got all that?

Now, with Albany and Adirondack in different conferences, I’m hoping this means there’s a slight reduction in the season series.  Yeah, who am I kidding, I’ll still see them 20 times…

The playoff format remains the same from last season: Division winners will comprise the top 3 seeds, while the top 5 non division winners earn a spot.

Also from the meetings came some rule changes:

-Overtime periods are extended from 5 minutes to 7 minutes, starting as a 4 on 4 for the first three minutes, then going to 3 on 3 for the rest of the session.  If it gets to a shootout, it’s 3 rounds instead of 5 (like in the NHL).  Teams will change sides before the period begins, and also a full dry scrape of the ice surface will precede the start.

-If a player assesses two major penalties for fighting or three non-fighting majors in a game, they will receive a game misconduct.

-If a player loses his helmet during play and does not leave the ice immediately or put the helmet back on properly, they will receive a minor penalty.

And finally, mark your calendars: This year’s home opener will be on Saturday, October 18th.  With the season beginning on October 11th, it appears Albany will begin the season on the road for the second straight year.

Free Agency Week 1: Set in the Net

A very interesting first six days of free agency has passed, and there were a few signings that will affect Albany’s roster, including a return by a former River Rat goalie:

-On the first day of free agency on Tuesday, along with Mike Cammalleri and Martin Havlat, New Jersey signed a familiar face to Albany fans and in turn officially ended the Martin Brodeur era in the process: goaltender Scott Clemmensen, who received a 1 year 2-way contract in his third tour of duty with the Devils organization.  He spent the last five seasons with Florida, winning a total of 40 games primarily in a backup role, and 5 wins in 12 appearances in San Antonio over 2 seasons.  His last appearance in a Devils uniform was back in the 2008-09 season, where he took over the starting job while Brodeur was out due to injury and won 25 games.  He will either backup Cory Schneider in New Jersey or return to Albany for the first time since the end of the Devil/River Rat partnership during the 2005-06 season.

-On Thursday, per CapGeek, three more signings to shore up the defense and the goaltending for next season.

First, a well deserved 1 year 2 way contract for Corbin McPherson.  He had his best season in Albany since arriving late in the 2011-12 season, posting 10 assists and a team leading +16 rating.

And the goaltending situation for next year is all settled, as both Keith Kinkaid and Maxime Clermont signed 1 year deals, both 2 ways.  After a breakout season that saw him win 24 games, Kinkaid is expected to take over the backup role in New Jersey, but will be contending with Clemmensen for the role.

Clermont split last season between Elmira and Orlando, winning 11 games in 27 appearances.  He will most likely stick with an ECHL team and be the first on call if Kinkaid/Clemmensen or Scott Wedgewood go down to injury or callup.

2014 Free Agent Tracker (as of 7/1/14)

Signed for 2014-15:

Tim Sestito

Jon Merrill

Stefan Matteau

Reid Boucher

Raman Hrabarenka

Graham Black

Scott Wedgewood

Reece Scarlett

Joe Whitney

Darcy Zajac

Ben Johnson

Mike Sislo

Cam Janssen

Adam Larsson

Restricted Free Agents (all given qualifying offers):

Brandon Burlon

Eric Gelinas

David Wohlberg

Scott Timmins

Maxime Clermont

Keith Kinkaid

Unrestricted Free Agents:

Mike Hoeffel

Rod Pelley

Kelly Zajac

Corbin McPherson

Chris McKelvie

Harry Young*

Riley Boychuk*

Moving On:

Harri Pesonen (signed w/Lausanne (SUI) 5/20)

Alexander Urbom (signed w/Severstal (KHL) 6/6)

Mattias Tedenby (signed w/Lev Praha (KHL) 6/9)

*restricted free agents not given qualifying offers