THE AHL REPORT

The AHL Report is the newest section to be added to the family of Illegal Curve feature articles, appearing each and every Sunday at your favourite hockey blog. Although the report will explore a wide range of topics, a special emphasis will be placed on developing prospects and NHL call-ups.

A rash of late-season injuries across the National Hockey League has forced the purging of countless rosters in the American Hockey League and will continue to create headaches for general managers and coaches everywhere looking to close out the regular season schedule with a steady line-up.

Perhaps no team has been affected by this March Madness more than the Manitoba Moose (I apologize for the alliteration). In an article that appeared in Saturday's Winnipeg Free Press, hockey writer Tim Campbell noted that the Moose have used 50 (yes fifty) different players this season. Presently, the parent Vancouver Canucks employ the services of Rick Rypien, Nathan McIver, Luc Bourdon and Ryan Shannon, players who have all spent the majority of the season in the 'A'.

The Canucks, much to the chagrin of Moose general manager Craig Heisinger and coach Scott Arniel, have yo-yoed players up and down all season as they have dealt with injuries to key players, most recently Aaron Miller and Matthias Ohlund. I could write ad nauseum about how unfair this is for the surging Moose but the reality of the situation suggests something different.

In fact, affiliation agreements allow NHL teams to call up players whenever they desire, regardless of the duration. The Vancouver Canucks supply the Moose with a myriad of cash and prospects so they are are entitled to shop-till-they-drop. And from all accounts, the Moose/Canucks relationship is one of the best amongst NHL/AHL affiliations.

My major beef lies in the fact that Canucks GM Dave Nonis has left the Moose scrambling on way too many occassions. The Moose are one of the top teams in the AHL, and are currently on an 8 game winning streak. The Moose, with a record of 40-24-5, are in second place in the North Division and are a serious Calder Cup threat this season. I have to question the relevance of flying Nathan McIver and Luc Bourdon all around North America when they don't even dress half the time. It is plain to see that McIver is a solid physical presence who offers something different than say Mike Weaver, but the Moose are stuck signing ECHL players to last minute contracts when they deserve better. You would think that Nonis could have traded for a 7th defenceman at the NHL's trade deadline ( Bryce Salvador comes to mind) but again, he has McIver and Bourdon to choose from.

The situation is obviously complex as the Canucks are pushing hard for the last couple of playoff spots in the Western Conference. Nonetheless, one has to wonder if inviting Luc Bourdon to sit in the press box in Vancouver is a better situation than allowing him to play big minutes on the blueline for the Manitoba Moose, who happen to require his services a little more.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Ezra Ginsburg.

THE AHL REPORT

The AHL Report is the newest section to be added to the family of Illegal Curve feature articles, appearing each and every Sunday at your favourite hockey blog. Although the report will explore a wide range of topics, a special emphasis will be placed on developing prospects and NHL call-ups.

It was a busy week in the American Hockey League, with goalie goals, fisticuffs, trades and playoff races in both the Eastern and Western Conferences ramping up, so let's get right to the latest news and notes......

- Manitoba Moose goaltender Drew MacIntyre made history-and highlight reels across the sports world- on Wednesday night by scoring the overtime goal in 2-1 victory over the Chicago Wolves. It should be noted that MacIntyre was credited for the goal but didn't actually shoot the puck into the net. With the Moose about to receive a delayed penalty, the Wolves passed the puck to a phantom defenseman, and the disc sailed all the way to the other end of the ice into an empty net. From what I could find on the 'Net, MacIntyre was the second Moose goaltender to score a goal (Fred Brathwaite being the other) and only the 9th such player do so in the history of the AHL. MacIntyre, a 2001 Detroit Red Wings draft pick, has been sensational for the Moose this year, sporting a 21-15-1 record, 2.14 GAA and .927 save percentage. He also has one goal and an assist on offense.

Here is the youtube.com link to the goal: http://youtube.com/watch?v=GBmBBRf2ooE

- In a Euro Curve/AHL Report crossover story, it appears Russian forward Stanislav Chistov may have some problems reporting to the Providence Bruins. Chistov, who was recently placed on waivers by the Boston Bruins, played in the Russian Super League past the December 15 deadline for players who are transferring from a European league to the AHL. Providence, which already has a stacked offense with the likes of Pascal Pelletier and Jeff Hoggan, would love to have the skill set Chistov offers for their playoff run.

- The Hershey Bears and Springfield Falcons pulled off a major move on Thursday, before the clear-day roster deadline, as slick defenseman Danny Syvret was sent to the Bears in exchange for rugged forward Grant Potulny. The 22-year-old Syvret, an Edmonton Oilers prospect, is expected to find himself in a better situation in Hershey, while Potulny is expected to help out Springfield's top line, particularly leading scorer Robbie Schremp.

- 3-time Stanley Cup champion Darren McCarty recently signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings, and is skating with the Grand Rapids Griffins until he proves he is capable of moving up. McCarty played in only 32 games with the Calgary Flames in 2006'07 and had been previously playing with the Flint Generals of the East Coast Hockey League this season. In weekend games against the Manitoba Moose on Friday and Saturday, McCarty chucked the knuckles on two separate occasions. McCarty first tangled with genetic freak Zack Fitzgerald and then threw down with defenseman Nathan McIver. From all accounts, McCarty took both fights.

Here is a list of the Top 10 scorers in the American Hockey League (as of Feb.23, 2008)

1 Jason Krog, Chicago Wolves (25 goals, 52 assists, 77 points)
2 Martin St. Pierre, Rockford IceHogs (16 goals, 49 assists, 65 points)
3. Cal O'Reilly,Milwaukee Admirals (13 goals, 49 assists, 62 points)
4. Grant Stevenson,Quad City Flames (25 goals, 34 assists, 59 points)
5. Jeff Tambellini, Bridgeport Sound Tigers (29 goals, 29 assists, 58 points)
6. Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau, Hartford Wolf Pack (24 goals, 34 assists, 58 points)
7. Teddy Purcell, Manchester Monarchs (16 goals, 42 assists, 58 points)
8. Pascal Pelletier, Providence Bruins (28 goals, 28 assists, 56 points)
9 Andrew Ebbett, Portland Pirates (13 goals, 42 assists, 55 points)
10 Gabe Gauthier, Manchester Monarchs (20 goals, 32 assists, 52 points)

For Illegal Curve, I'm Ezra Ginsburg.

THE AHL REPORT

Writers Note: The AHL Report normally appears Sundays, but because of Super Bowl XVII, today's article falls on a Monday. My apologies to all the hardcore puckheads out there!

With a myriad of long-term injuries hitting teams across the National Hockey League, an increasing number of players in the AHL are finding regular ice time with their affiliate teams. Here is a look at some of said players:

- Tomas Plihal, San Jose Sharks. Plihal was recalled from Worcester a few weeks back when veteran forward Curtis Brown was placed on injured reserve and has done a pretty decent job in spot duty. The 24-year-old Czech center only has one goal in five games but may continue to get ice time as his skating ability and offensive skill make him a good utility forward for the Sharks.

- Derek Meech, Detroit Red Wings. The defenceman from the River City (Winnipeg, Manitoba for you non-Winnipeggers) has done a commendable job in 13 games with the Wings. He may not show up on the scoresheet this season but he is getting valuable big league experience. Meech has limited offensive potential but is a good skater and will continue to be the teams No.6 defenseman as Niklas Kronvall is still injured.

- Vladimir Sobotka, Boston Bruins. The 20-year-old Czech center has played 23 games for Boston this season, registering no goals and two assists. A long-term injury to Patrice Bergeron has led to a lengthy role on the team's 4th line for Sobotka as Phil Kessel and Glen Metropolit have filled Bergeron's role. Sobotka has lots of experience in the Czech league but is slowly developing his offensive skills on the North American ice surface.

- Joshua Hennessy, Ottawa Senators- With regulars Daniel Alfredsson and Patrick Eaves out of the starting line-up, Hennessy played on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Brockton, Massachusetts native has played four games for the Sens this season, with no points to report so far, but may stay with the club for more than one week, due to his versatility and attitude. The 2003 San Jose Sharks 2nd Rounder has loads of talent and may earn a permanent third line role next year if he continues his improved play.

- Robbie Earl, Toronto Maple Leafs- Injuries to veterans Chad Kilger and Nikolai Antropov allowed 22-year old Robbie Earl to make his season debut against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night. Earl is a former University of Wisconsin Badger who has decent size and excellent two-way hockey skills. The Leafs see Earl as being a future role-player for the team, killing penalties and checking opposing forwards.

- Ben Ondrus, Toronto Maple Leafs- The Alberta bruiser appeared in his second NHL game of the season on Saturday night and will likely get sent down later this week but always provides a spark when wearing the Maple Leafs logo. The 25-year-old scored 30 goals twice in the Western Hockey League so there's no reason to believe he can't find a place on the Leafs 4th line if he's willing to do the right things.

- Brian Boyle, Los Angeles Kings. Boyle, recalled from the Manchester Monarchs earlier in the week, scored his first NHL goal and later added an assist on Saturday in a 6-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils. The 2003 1st rounder has likely found a home with the bottom-dwelling Kings as they are desperate for offense and Boyle has oodles of it. Boyle had 105 points in his final two years with Boston College and gives Los Angeles a future power play asset who can man the point with aplomb.

- Jeff Giuliano, Los Angeles Kings. Quick, what do Brian Boyle and Giuilano have in common? Well, Giuliano also played at Boston College and he also registered an assist againt the Devils on Saturday night. Giuiliano has two assists in 25 games and has served as a decent replacement for the injured Scott Thornton. The 28-year-old New Hampshire native is a utility grinder no doubt, and may not figure into L.A's plans next year.

- Brett Sterling, Atlanta Thrashers. Sterling may be the only person who wants uber-star Ilya Kovalchuks to stay on the sidelines. The 2003 5th rounder has three points in 13 games with the Thrasher this year, but was starting to really find his groove in the two games after Kovalchuk went down with an injury. Sterling has played remarkly for the Chicago Wolves this year (36 points in 41 games), building on his remarkable 97 point campaign from 2006'07.

Honourable Mentions: Colin Stuart, Atlanta Thrashers, Nathan Smith, Pittsburgh Penguins, Rich Peverley, Nashville Predators, Cody McLeod, Colorado Avalanche, Dustin Boyd, Calgary Flames.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Ezra Ginsburg.

THE AHL REPORT

The AHL Report is the newest section to be added to the family of Illegal Curve feature articles, appearing each and every Sunday at your favourite hockey blog. Although the report will explore a wide range of topics, a special emphasis will be placed on developing prospects and NHL call-ups.

The American Hockey League is often referred to as a second-tier professional hockey league, an inferior brand of bush-league bandy composed of NHL rejects who couldn't cut it in the best league in the world. This misguided public view couldn't be more fallacious as the AHL boasts a cornucopia of top prospects, talented veterans and world class goaltenders.

Upon recently attending a Manitoba Moose/Syracuse Crunch game on Friday at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, I counted at least six 1st round NHL picks from the past three entry drafts, many of whom will play huge roles in the NHL next year (Michael Grabner, Luc Bourdon, Cory Schneider, Gilbert Brule, Alexandre Picard and Derick Brassard). Juraj Simek, a 20-year-old winger from Slovakia, scored a picturesque dipsy-doodle goal that would give Rick Nash a run for his highlight reel money. Duvie Westcott, Zenon Konopka, Jason Jaffray and Mike Brown are all players who have contributed to their parent clubs this season. Aside from following your teams NHL call-ups, their are many AHL regulars who have excelled enough to capivate your attention. Unsung heroes like Brad Moran, Rick Rypien and Colby Genoway are all good players with exceptional hockey talent.

In a 3-1 Manitoba Moose victory which featured three fights, the arena was packed and engaged, and the on-ice action was intense and compelling. Given that many of these prospects will only spend one or two years "on the farm", it is evident why fans find it difficult to become too attached to players who won't be playing in the AHL for very long. However, this does not mean that the quality of hockey should be undervalued. Over the past three of four years, players such as Jason Spezza, Zach Parise, Travis Zajac, Brad Boyes, Patrick Sharp, Mike Cammalleri and Joe Pavelski have lit up the lamp in the 'A' along the way to the NHL.

The naysayers of the AHL like to point out that franchises relocate all the time, creating an unstable environment with dire consequences. This is simply the reality of a league which doesn't have the guaranteed revenue streams to save all of their clubs. Teams in towns like Adirondack and Utica are forced to fold when ticket and merchandise sales slide too much in relation to inflating player costs. To the AHL's credit, it still boasts 30 teams and manages to attract ownership interest whenever one of their franchises is on the brink of collapse. Had enough Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights? Enter Quad City or Rockford. Anyways, it isn't like the National Hockey League doesn't have ownership issues itself (Ahem! Nashville? Tampa Bay?).

The fact of the matter is people will always write-off the American Hockey League for vacuous reasons. Viewers of AHL Hockey, including this weekend's 2008 AHL All-Star Classic festivities, know better.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Ezra Ginsburg.