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Prospect Ramblings: 2nd round of CHL, AHL playoffs begin soon, more signings (Apr 14)

Paul Zwambag

Photo courtesy: www.niagaraicedogs.net

Mid second round CHL updates, AHL updates and a few more signings…

 

Big shocker in the OHL second round, the number one seed Kingston Frontenacs have been swept by the Niagara Ice Dogs. The Ice Dogs are an interesting team, when they’re focused, they’re a very good team, but they can look lackadasical at times. Right now they are that focused, determined team, let's hope they can stay at peak focus for another month and a half and make a long playoff run to the Memorial Cup May 19-29 in Red Deer. They have showed up in the playoffs this year and Alex Nedeljkovic (CAR) has been dominant and is showing why the Ice Dogs went out and traded for him at the beginning of December from the Flint Firebirds, he is a game changer. Kingston shot a lot of rubber at Nedeljkovic in the second round, 151 shots in four games and he only gave up nine goals for a .940 SV% in this series.

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In the other three OHL second round series, London has a chance to sweep Kitchener tonight. Knights' Mitch Marner (TOR) is currently leading the OHL in scoring with 20 points (6-14) in nine games played, Marner’s line mate Matthew Tkachuk (2016 Eligible) is hot on his heels with 19 points (10-9) and Barrie Colts Kevin Labanc (SJS) also with 19 points (5-14). The Colts could also sweep their second round opponents, North Bay Battalion, with a win tonight on the road. The Erie Otters are up 3-1 in their series against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

OHL named their Award finalists yesterday. See the full list HERE. The awards will be handed out Tuesday, June 7th, there will be a few more trophies announced throughout the remainder of the OHL playoffs.

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Three series in the QMJHL are all tied up at 2-2. Rouyn-Noranda had a scare their opening game against the Cinderella team, Blainville-Boisbriand, who took the first game 1-0. Samuel Montembaeault (FLA) is definitely the reason the Armada are on this Cindrella run. It could be cut short, the Huskies are a far superior team and are now up 3-1 in the series, Chase Marchand has only given up that one goal in the four games this series, he also hasn't given up a goal in over 215 minutes of play.

 

Marchand is now 6-1 with a 0.30 GAA and a .985 SV % through seven games. It also helps that Timo Meier (SJS) (9-5) and Francis Perron (OTT) (3-11) both have 14 points in the playoffs.

 

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Charlottetown Islander Samuel Blais (STL) is currently in the QMJHL scoring lead with 16 points (4-12) with Blais’ line mate Daniel Sprong (PIT) right behind him with 15 points (4-11) and Shawinigan’s Maxim Lazarev (Undrafted, ’96 born) also with 15 points (5-10).

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Onto the WHL, after the Brandon Wheat Kings had an early scare in the first round against the Edmonton Oil Kings, losing their first two games. The Wheat Kings have since outscored their opponents 40-20 in their last eight games, losing only one of those contests to the Moose Jaw Warriors 7-1. The Wheat Kings are up 3-1 in their second round series. A close matchup with the Memorial Cup host Red Deer Rebels and the Regina Pats each winning two games. The series now becomes a best of three. Victoria and Seattle both lead their series 2-1.

Regina Pats’ Adam Brooks (Undrafted, ’96 born) has a five point gap ahead of the next best in WHL scoring with 21 points (6-15), which also leads the entire CHL playoffs. Moose Jaw’s Dryden Hunt (FLA) (7-9) and Brayden Point (TB) (6-10) are second in scoring with 16 points.

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The AHL playoffs are just around the corner, every team has two or three games left. With only two more spots that aren’t clinched, by the end of the weekend the first round matchups will be determined. Teams have been adding CHL and NCAA prospects as they are being eliminated from the playoffs or have finished their seasons. The Kingston Frontenacs have quite a few players eligible/capable of joining their NHL affiliate teams and their will be more teams eliminated who will have prospects added to their rosters to gain more experience and playing time. Michael Dal Colle (NYI) has already been reported to be joining the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, who are battling for one of those final playoff spots.

 

 

With all the NHL and CHL additions joining the AHL clubs, Toronto Marlies could dress two full lineups. They’re giving their top players breaks, so look for what their starting lineup is come the first game of the Calder Cup playoffs. Right now, the Marlies have 27 forwards, 16 defensemen and four goalies on their roster.

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A couple of contracts have been signed in the past few days:

Right winger Alex Tuch signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Minnesota Wild worth $2.775 million, $925,000 cap hit.

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Undrafted free agent defensemen Troy Stecher signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Vancouver Canucks worth $1.855 million, $925,000 cap hit.

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Undrafted free agent right winger Malte Stromwall signed a two-year entry-level contract with the New York Rangers worth $1.85 million, $742,500 cap hit.

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Couple of players who are joining AHL teams:

Deven Sideroff (ANA) signed an ATO contract with the San Diego Gulls.

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Kevin Roy (ANA) signed an ATO contract with the San Diego Gulls.

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Carl Neill signed an ATO contract with the Utica Comets (Vancouver affiliate).

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Feel free to leave comments, questions or concerns below, have fun playing the game of Fantasy Hockey.

 

Paul Zwambag
@zwambag

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