The season is upon us. In approximately 27 hours, the Rampage and Chicago Wolves will begin the AHL season on the AT&T Center ice. To go along with this outstanding news, the team has made a couple of newsworthy transactions, one way under the radar.
First, the Phoenix Coyotes announced that rookie Defenseman, Maxim Goncharov, has been assigned to San Antonio. This means two things; 1) Former longtime Rampage blue liner David Schlemko has earned the last spot on the Phoenix roster. Congrats to him and best wishes on a terrific season. 2) The Rampage defensive corps is potentially stacked with top end talent. More on that later.
Second, in a move that was announced nowhere and not printed in one single source I could find, the Rampage have signed Forward, Tim Stapleton, to a PTO. According to Dan Weiss, Rampage broadcaster, Stapleton is currently working on signing a deal with the Coyotes/Rampage which would keep him in the organization for the season. Stapleton played with the Wolves last season scoring 30 goals and 29 assists while centering their #1 line. He also added 2 goals in 6 games played for the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers. This is a HUGE addition to the Rampage as Stapleton adds some much needed scoring punch and depth down the middle.
This team really has me excited for so many reasons. True, I was equally excited last year. And with the exception of their second consecutive dreadful November, the team was exciting and played quality hockey. They fell victim to some untimely injuries (Ahnelov, Montoya, Spina) and played in the best division in the league, top to bottom. This year, has a slightly different feel to it though for multiple reasons.
Primarily, the goaltending situation. Last year, the goalies left me a tad skeptical. This year, I feel the team has 2 quality goalies in Montoya and Climie, and unlike years past, if one should get hurt, they have a solid AHL veteran waiting in the wings in Joe Fallon.
Next, the defense this year is light years better than any defense this team has run out in any given season. The additions of Yonkman, a mean and tough (not to mention huge) defenseman, and Stafford, a veteran leader and offensively skilled blue-liner, really solidify a young and potentially strong back end. Throw in a healthy season of Jonas Ahnelov and a full season of experience to Nick Ross and there is a lot to be optimistic about this defense.
Finally, the team has really addressed the loss of some offense to the NHL (Turris) and to other AHL teams (Perrault and Spina). The addition of the aforementioned Stapleton, along with NHL Vet Andrew Ebbett, Bracken Kearns, Matt Beaudoin, and Pete MacArthur should offset any offense lost and then some. Throw in the return of Brett MacLean, with a solid year in his back pocket, Mikkel Boedker, and Viktor Tikhonov and this team should score enough to win a lot of games. The goal for Coach Edwards is to keep the other team at about 2.5 goals per game. If the defense is everything I expect it to be, this should be achievable.
I will post an opening night game preview tomorrow. I'm not sure if I will do this every game. But I will have post-game thoughts throughout the season. So stay tuned and if you happen to be in the AT&T Center tomorrow night, swing by section 108. I'll be the one in Silver and Black. The off season is behind us. Summer is over. It's time to Ready, Set, Rampage!!
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