Dee Karl: 19 Players Assigned to AHL Bridgeport First of the contingency plans

JT is the man

that is all

AHL games are starting to look like there worth watching...

AHL games are starting to look like there worth watching...
- wolfos412

wouldve loved to see Strome and Reinhart playing with the soundtigers this year

AHL games are starting to look like there worth watching...
- wolfos412

we'be been watching them for years as leaf fans

we'be been watching them for years as leaf fans
- nightmare3020

I think most fans in general would watch more if they were televised. Having the Marlies right near you helps quite a bit I'm sure? Hopefully they will up the coverage of the soundtigers if these morons lock out.

Wonder who will center the first line for B-port...Cizikas? Nelson? Figure it'll be one of those two. I hope Nino and Kabanov are put together...with Kabanov's vision and pass-first mentality, it could be exactly what Nino needs in a linemate to get some confidence back.

Interesting question: We all know about Wang's rule that players must be signed before training camp. Well, if Matt Martin isn't signed by tomorrow, but there's a lockout and training camps don't open on time, does that mean MM has more time to negotiate with the team to meet CW's rule? I think it does...

I think most fans in general would watch more if they were televised. Having the Marlies right near you helps quite a bit I'm sure? Hopefully they will up the coverage of the soundtigers if these morons lock out.
- Cptmjl

... was a joke of the on ice "Talent" of the leafs since the lockout

Interesting question: We all know about Wang's rule that players must be signed before training camp. Well, if Matt Martin isn't signed by tomorrow, but there's a lockout and training camps don't open on time, does that mean MM has more time to negotiate with the team to meet CW's rule? I think it does...
- Jethro09

Wang's rule is dont be soft

Interesting question: We all know about Wang's rule that players must be signed before training camp. Well, if Matt Martin isn't signed by tomorrow, but there's a lockout and training camps don't open on time, does that mean MM has more time to negotiate with the team to meet CW's rule? I think it does...
- Jethro09

Something I think most of us have been wondering about. Hopefully it extends the time for Wanger's rule? Hopefully Martin and his agent are aware of the validity of this rule and kn ow whether it is in effect with or without the lockout? I wouldn't just assume they know. That would be like assuming Snow would know about a NTC involving a player he traded for.

Wang's rule is dont be soft
- TheFondler

This is coming from the fondler.

... was a joke of the on ice "Talent" of the leafs since the lockout
- nightmare3020

Sorry, can't believe I didn't see that? Still do hope they televise some games this year.

wouldve loved to see Strome and Reinhart playing with the soundtigers this year
- Cptmjl

Strome yes, Reinhart needs to go back to EDM though.

Strome yes, Reinhart needs to go back to EDM though.
- eichiefs9

Well they both are going back to their junior clubs so it's irrelevant really. Would've liked to see how Reinhart would have stacked uo in the A? Of course going back to juniors is not a bad thing at all for him.

Well they both are going back to their junior clubs so it's irrelevant really. Would've liked to see how Reinhart would have stacked uo in the A? Of course going back to juniors is not a bad thing at all for him.
- Cptmjl

It is a moot point, but I just don't think he's physically ready to play against men, especially with the talent that will be playing in the AHL with the lockout. 6'4'' 200lbs isn't bulky enough to handle bigger, faster, older, more seasoned players IMO. Plus he's still fairly raw, he has some stuff he needs to work on and Jr's is the perfect place for now. I would imagine he has at least two more seasons of Jr's ahead of him before we can even think about mentioning him playing in the AHL/NHL.

Travis Hamonic is a puzzler to me.

imo, he is a regular NHL player. I know he can be sent to the AHL to play, but I'm not really sure it will do him much good and it could set back other players development if he is taking all the icetime.

One good thing about a lockout... we won't be fighting over if a prospect will be rushed this year...

It would be nice to see a few Bridgport games... Do you think they jack up the prices on AHL and CHL games this year?

wouldve loved to see Strome and Reinhart playing with the soundtigers this year
- Cptmjl

I'm pretty sure they are not allowed to play in the AHL because of their age.

It is a moot point, but I just don't think he's physically ready to play against men, especially with the talent that will be playing in the AHL with the lockout. 6'4'' 200lbs isn't bulky enough to handle bigger, faster, older, more seasoned players IMO. Plus he's still fairly raw, he has some stuff he needs to work on and Jr's is the perfect place for now. I would imagine he has at least two more seasons of Jr's ahead of him before we can even think about mentioning him playing in the AHL/NHL.
- eichiefs9

Besides Hamonic there isn't any influx of incredible talent on our blue line in the AHL. Would've liked to see him(Reinhart) cut his teeth. Mentioning him playing in the NHL or AHL are two totally different things. The AHL although considered the closest in competitiveness by most to the NHL is still a giant leap below in the talent level. Hopefully he's ready to jump to the A when he's twenty?

One good thing about a lockout... we won't be fighting over if a prospect will be rushed this year...

It would be nice to see a few Bridgport games... Do you think they jack up the prices on AHL and CHL games this year?
- jimmc7722

I would say that's a bet I'd be willing to take. Hoping they televise a few BP games this year.

I'm pretty sure they are not allowed to play in the AHL because of their age.
- IanEsplen

You are correct. Some were saying they would forgoe that rule in the event of a lockout.

Travis Hamonic is a puzzler to me.

imo, he is a regular NHL player. I know he can be sent to the AHL to play, but I'm not really sure it will do him much good and it could set back other players development if he is taking all the icetime.
- IanEsplen

Hamonic is obviously a full-time NHL'er, but with the rules in the KHL regarding how many NHL signings are allowed that aren't Russian, and with other leagues not really presenting themselves as being that much better than the AHL, why not send him to Bridgeport where at least the Islanders organization can keep him close? With how he has developed, he would have been an exceptional number 3 defenseman this season, and he will top out at an excellent number 2 defenseman on the top pairing. The only thing he will gain from this experience in Bridgeport is leadership abilities, as he is sure to be the best player they have on the team. The one negative is that I think the game is going to slow him down due to the drastic decrease in game speed, and that will be negative in the long run.

I'm pretty sure they are not allowed to play in the AHL because of their age.
- IanEsplen

Right...we were discussing the other day whether that under-20 rule was out the window because of the expiring CBA. On Bill Meltzer's blog today, he said it is part of the expiring deal, but that the AHL has agreed to continue the restriction until a new deal is struck.

Hamonic is obviously a full-time NHL'er, but with the rules in the KHL regarding how many NHL signings are allowed that aren't Russian, and with other leagues not really presenting themselves as being that much better than the AHL, why not send him to Bridgeport where at least the Islanders organization can keep him close? With how he has developed, he would have been an exceptional number 3 defenseman this season, and he will top out at an excellent number 2 defenseman on the top pairing. The only thing he will gain from this experience in Bridgeport is leadership abilities, as he is sure to be the best player they have on the team. The one negative is that I think the game is going to slow him down due to the drastic decrease in game speed, and that will be negative in the long run.
- NYIsles16

I think there'll be some decent competition in the AHL. Obviously not like playing in the NHL, but there'll be plenty of players like Hamonic playing down there this year until the lockout is sorted out: players on their ELCs who would have been in the NHL if the season had started as scheduled. Players like, say, Couturier.