The affiliate thread

Liljegren was seen as a top 5 pick going in to his draft year

 

Yep, then he went #17th because of an illness.

He was originally projected ahead of Sandin who was a late 1st, but Rasmus blew right past him.

 

I can understand the AHL playing in empty barns. The parent team covers a lot of the costs. And, many AHL players are NHL prospects. There’s a higher urgency for the parent team to get them playing.
The ECHL players and teams do not have these advantages working for them. They really depend on gate receipts to pay the bills, and very few teams are owned by deeper pocket NHL owners.

In this environment I expect they’ll defer until Jan./Feb., and possibly cancel the season.

I’ll miss the Walleyes!

 

The Toledo Walleye announced today that the team has chosen to opt out of competition for the 2020-21 season as part of the ECHL's COVID-19 Voluntary Suspension. The Walleye will return for the team’s 12th season at the Huntington Center in 2021-22.

In November, the ECHL Board of Governors in conjunction with the Professional Hockey Players’ Association approved a February start for Toledo and Fort Wayne. Toledo now joins eleven ECHL teams who have opted out of the 2020-21 season; the six teams in the North Division (Adirondack, Brampton, Maine, Newfoundland, Reading, and Worcester), plus Atlanta, Cincinnati, Idaho, Kalamazoo, and Norfolk.
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Actually this news came out Jan, 5th. All I can say is BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

On a positive note: (any news about hockey that's not about postponements, cancellations, or illness is positive), the ECHL has announced they intend to expand. They’ll add a team to some place in Iowa and someplace in Ontario. Interestingly the same owner has both future clubs - add them to their Newfoundland Growlers portfolio.

The world is a lesser place when there are no Toledo Walleye sweaters skating around some rink someplace. But, they will be BACK!

 

Dan we heard on local news that Spain got a Major dump of snow......I don't think it hit Portugal ? ....But if it did I hope you had Fun in the snow.

........I picked up Ullmark in a Live Draft $ League last night and I'm hoping he gets me points with the Sabres.....I think he will be # 1 G

 

No snow in Portugal since ... well, there’s no snow here.

I think Ullmark could “surprise” with an above average-to-good season. I think the key will be the system in front of him and the development of the young defenders like Dahlin and Jokiharju. (Rasmus the Younger has packed on over 10 lbs/5 kg. of pure Swedish muscle.)

In this season’s compressed schedule, I believe Ullmark will get about 30-35 starts.

 

In this season’s compressed schedule, I believe Ullmark will get about 30-35 starts.

Perfect.........and Thanks Dan

 

The Stockton Heat may relocate for the season to Calgary. That would make player call ups/down much easier for the Flames. It would also create a semblance of balance for the North (Canadian) division with 5 teams.