A Numbers Game
by
Jeff Parzych
We are at that time again. Time for all the speculation to end. Final cuts are due this week on the big club in Columbus and that in turn will enable the Crunch to finalize their roster to open the 2003-04 AHL season.
Who exactly Columbus plans on sending this way is still anyone’s guess. On more spot was claimed, at least for the time being, on Monday when the Jackets inked their second round selection in this past year’s NHL Draft, Dan Fritsche, to a multi-year deal. Of course Fritsche remaining with the Blue Jackets for the entire season is no foregone conclusion. Columbus can still return the Ohio native to juniors at any point prior to Fritsche playing ten games with the club.
Will we see Kent McDonell return, despite the shortage of right wings on the Jacket roster, or will Andrej Nedorost’s bid to play in the NHL be delayed for another season. The sight of a “C” on the jersey of one Sean Pronger come Saturday evening sure would be nice and for that matter, Derrick Walser quarterbacking the power play again would definitely be a welcome sight.
Even Syracuse Head Coach Gary Agnew is in the dark when it comes to exactly who will be arriving, he is just waiting like everyone else, anxious to get things rolling.
“We are waiting for three or four more to come down from Columbus,” stated Agnew. “We just need to get the rust off the blades and get going.”
Number wise for the Crunch, Agnew envisions dropping two more players leaving 22 on the final roster to start the season with.
“I think we will carry an extra forward and an extra defenseman so we will probably be around 22,” said Agnew.
Agnew also stated that with Columbus having finished their preseason schedule, things should happen some time early in the week. “We will see some movement Monday or Tuesday, somewhere in there.” Stay tuned.
Two More Gone
In preparation for the start of the season and also possible incoming players via Columbus, the Crunch announced on Tuesday that they have released two players from their professional try-out contracts. One was pretty much a foregone conclusion as soon as the news leaked that Brandon Sugden will be re-instated, the other may come as a surprise.
Brad Both, Syracuse’s insurance policy in the Sugden situation, was one of the players released. Both performed admirably in four games for the Crunch in the preseason. He displayed no fear and also a penchant to take some punishment in front of opposing netminders. Both now will head to Richmond of the United League.
The surprise cut from Monday was long-time minor leaguer J.F. Boutin. The Quebec native played well in the preseason displaying some above average speed and also the ability to bury the puck. He was second on the Crunch with two goals in the preseason, both of which served as game-winners.
In the off season Boutin toyed with the idea of heading overseas prior to hearing about the Crunch’s interest, but with the success he had last season in Saint John, 14 points (3g,11a) in 27 games, he decided to give it one more shot.
“Last year is why I decided to stay,” stated Boutin. “I played the most I ever had in the AHL. I didn’t play much in the beginning, but the last ten games I played on the first line and played well.”
Boutin may be gone for now, but don’t be surprised to see him again if the injury bug hits or if the Crunch are in need of a little speed.
“If it doesn’t work out here I will start the season in Elmira of the United League,” said Boutin. It can’t hurt to have a player of his caliber waiting in the wings.