Prospect Info: Albany Devils and ECHL talk (2015-16 season)

[Devils Dominion]

Let's enjoy the ride in Albany these next few months.

Only a two hour ride or so from NJ if you want to see them on March 12.

 

[Bleedred]

The Devils have stuck a bunch of garbage above him on the depth chart even though their right wings are terrible. I don't think it's a sure thing that he's gone - far from it -- but I could very well see him leaving for a better chance elsewhere. He's only making $125,000 in the minors - that should at least double, and I'm not sure the Devils are willing to pay that for a guy they clearly don't think has any role in the NHL.

Who exactly should he be above on the depth chart, that's current in the NHL?

Tootoo maybe? That's all I can think of.

I do agree that the goaltending won't necessarily get better by getting rid of Danis. Wedgewood was awful his entire pro career, before the 12 games this season.

Appleby is probably ready for the AHL now, but I wouldn't say he's as good as he's been for those 3 games.

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

Let's enjoy the ride in Albany these next few months.

Only a two hour ride or so from NJ if you want to see them on March 12.

Enjoy the ride? I dunno, I always thought driving to Albany was pretty boring.

 

[Devils Dominion]

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Enjoy the ride? I dunno, I always thought driving to Albany was pretty boring.

When you have to drive the boring state of CT, yes.

 

[Devils Dominion]

Albany wins in Bridgeport again, this time 4-1.

 

[thethinglonger]

Albany wins in Bridgeport again, this time 4-1.

Graham Black, Pelley, Thompson, and Hrabaranka with goals tonight

 

[MikeF]

Watching the game on AHL Live, I thought Stefan Matteau had a strong game for not playing in over a month. Had a few hard hits, created some scoring chances, and was skating pretty well.

 

[JimEIV]

Watching the game on AHL Live, I thought Stefan Matteau had a strong game for not playing in over a month. Had a few hard hits, created some scoring chances, and was skating pretty well.

That is good to hear. What line did he play on/who did he play with?

 

[Devils Dominion]

That is good to hear. What line did he play on/who did he play with?

You'll like the first goal Jim, Kuja to Black.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUwwng0hOFE

 

[JimEIV]

You'll like the first goal Jim, Kuja to Black.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUwwng0hOFE

Love that goal. I like the way Kujawinski uses his body to shield the puck on the way to the net...and the vision to hit Black with the pass was sweet.

Some nice skill Kujawinski has been displaying lately.

 

[devilsblood]

Love that goal. I like the way Kujawinski uses his body to shield the puck on the way to the net...and the vision to hit Black with the pass was sweet.

Some nice skill Kujawinski has been displaying lately.

Kujo does produce some nice highlight. Need's to bring it more consistently, but at least he's showing something.

 

[Devils Dominion]

Albany lost Tropp today, since he was traded to the Ducks by Chicago.

He was a good addition to Albany this season.

His loss will be offset by the gain of Blandisi and Boucher for their playoff run.

 

[Zippy316]

Albany lost Tropp today, since he was traded to the Ducks by Chicago.

He was a good addition to Albany this season.

His loss will be offset by the gain of Blandisi and Boucher for their playoff run.

Chicago assigned Jackman -- who they got in the deal -- to Anaheim's AHL team too.

Seems like Chicago just screwed over Albany for a 7th round pick.

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

Kuja not looking half bad for a 20-21 year old in his first pro season. Anyone wanna take some bets whether he ends up a better forward than Matteau? I remember FMASC scoffing at my speculation that Stefan Matteau could end being sort of a next Bernier, now it seems like Stefan will be lucky if he hits that level. Kujawinski's probably not much better but he's making plays in the AHL that Matteau never did.

 

[Zippy316]

Kuja not looking half bad for a 20-21 year old in his first pro season. Anyone wanna take some bets whether he ends up a better forward than Matteau? I remember FMASC scoffing at my speculation that Stefan Matteau could end being sort of a next Bernier, now it seems like Stefan will be lucky if he hits that level. Kujawinski's probably not much better but he's making plays in the AHL that Matteau never did.

He's also the same age as Matteau and in the AHL. He also struggled to find time until recent call-ups and injuries -- he was pretty unimpressive the first half of the year.

Matteau is in the NHL, I don't think it's fair to compare the two like that. I do however think Kujawinski might develop into a bottom-six forward, but that's going to be because he got the AHL development time that Matteau was screwed out of due to the 2012-13 season.

 

[Devils Dominion]

Kuja has more skill and speed than Stef.

Stef is tougher.

 

[JimEIV]

He's also the same age as Matteau and in the AHL. He also struggled to find time until recent call-ups and injuries -- he was pretty unimpressive the first half of the year.

Matteau is in the NHL, I don't think it's fair to compare the two like that. I do however think Kujawinski might develop into a bottom-six forward, but that's going to be because he got the AHL development time that Matteau was screwed out of due to the 2012-13 season.

I'm not disagreeing with you at all but Kujawinski was scratched a lot in the first half of the year. It's hard to get going when you are in and out of the lineup especially as a first year pro. Let's hope we see continued progress and maybe we can be surprised?

 

[Zippy316]

I'm not disagreeing with you at all but Kujawinski was scratched a lot in the first half of the year. It's hard to get going when you are in and out of the lineup especially as a first year pro. Let's hope we see continued progress and maybe we can be surprised?

That wasn't a negative thing at all.

More of a numbers game than anything else, we had a ton of forwards in Albany and a lot of newcomers. He's looked good of late though in Albany since he's gotten consistent playing time.

Still curious to see how he develops.

 

[JimEIV]

Kind of an interesting dynamic developing. Seems Black is getting all the goals on that line and Kujawinski is getting all of the assist.

 

[The Wumpus]

Albany lost Tropp today, since he was traded to the Ducks by Chicago.

He was a good addition to Albany this season.

Poor kid has to leave scenic Albany for San Diego.

 

[Bleedred]

I wouldn't have minded having Tropp as our property and maybe getting a look as a call up, but it's no big deal. He's 26 and likely not an NHL player.

But he's probably better than Paul Thompson.

 

[Devils Dominion]

Poor kid has to leave scenic Albany for San Diego.

Is he a hockey player or a surfer?

I'm sure he'd rather stay with his buds in Albany & finish out this season.

 

[JimEIV]

Tropp hasn't been very impressive in my opinion he's played 51 games this year, as many as any player on the team and only has 28 points...he played with Boucher most of the time he was there and Boucher had 29 points in 32 games. And Tropp is 26 years old turning 27 in July.

 

[Devils Dominion]

Tropp hasn't been very impressive in my opinion he's played 51 games this year, as many as any player on the team and only has 28 points...he played with Boucher most of the time he was there and Boucher had 29 points in 32 games. And Tropp is 26 years old turning 27 in July.

The times I watched he's been a good cog on that team.

Did the little things and he brought a steady presence.

I'm sure the will miss him in some capacity.