2015-16 AHL Ontario Reign - going back to Cali, Cali, Cali...

[Raccoon Jesus]

Game Five tickets acquired -- the Reign have worked with the Gulls for a promo code for visiting fans that's pretty awesome -- $44 for two seats in the corner on the end the visiting team attacks twice, three rows from the glass. I've noted that the attendance Sunday night at the CBBA was much less than at the regular-season game I went up for this year, and CERTAINLY less than the Gulls pulled for their first three home playoff games -- it was almost like Game Seven against the Ducks at the Honda Center a couple years back, except this time the Gulls fans were close to out-shouting the Reign fans at points. It's also interesting seeing all the gear that seems to indicate that there is a segment of the crowd that supports one or the other of the NHL teams primarily, and are there kind of as AHL tourists -- as an AHL fan myself, I hope some of them become AHL converts to help the financial health of this California experiment!

I think no matter how that works out quite a few people I know have upped their AHL viewing substantially; I'm not sure how many of the typical 'locals' knew what a jump it was from the ECHL, and it looks like people in general are pleasantly surprised. It helps having two socal powerhouses linked to the big clubs--as you point out--for the 'adopted fan' thing.

If I have more time next year (likely) I'l be a season ticket holder again, and I know more than a handful of people that are exploring that option. Starting off so successful in this league SHOULD be a great boost.

To be frank, I'm more worried about the health of the central CA teams long-term.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

Would be great to see Ladue or Spencer Watson get in a game. Know it's an intense, tight battle, but they may do well and make a difference.
They both just came off a good playoff showing in Watson's case and Ladue helped win a National title.

 

[regulate]

Would be great to see Ladue or Spencer Watson get in a game. Know it's an intense, tight battle, but they may do well and make a difference.
They both just came off a good playoff showing in Watson's case and Ladue helped win a National title.

I agree, particularly with Watson. The team is averaging 1 goal per game the last two games. I watched Watson when he was 18 competing against men a few years ago in the Kings Rookie Tourney in Phoenix. He held is own and scored a goal in both games if memory serves me right.

If Brodzinski and Sutter don't return from their injuries, we need a boost to the offense. I know Stothers would not likely do this, but I would like to see

Mersch-Dowd-Watson
Kempe-Amadio-Backman
JST-Crescenzi-Auger
Lowry-Newbury-Bizz

 

[Peter James Bond II]

I agree, particularly with Watson. The team is averaging 1 goal per game the last two games. I watched Watson when he was 18 competing against men a few years ago in the Kings Rookie Tourney in Phoenix. He held is own and scored a goal in both games if memory serves me right.

If Brodzinski and Sutter don't return from their injuries, we need a boost to the offense. I know Stothers would not likely do this, but I would like to see

Mersch-Dowd-Watson
Kempe-Amadio-Backman
JST-Crescenzi-Auger
Lowry-Newbury-Bizz

Agreed! Ladue would actually help the offense too - he's an offense catalyst and skates and moves the puck well. He's been training there several days now, along with Watson and the others (Schmalz, etc)

What's the prognosis with Brodzinski and Sutter?

 

[regulate]

Agreed! Ladue would actually help the offense too - he's an offense catalyst and skates and moves the puck well. He's been training there several days now, along with Watson and the others (Schmalz, etc)

What's the prognosis with Brodzinski and Sutter?

Playoffs so mums the word. Scuttlebutt was Brodzinski was hit in the hand by a shot in practice, but I don't know how much truth there is to that. Rosen just posted that the Black Aces have gone home, I don't know if that means Watson or LaDue since they have contracts while the others do not.

 

[BigKing]

Game Five tickets acquired -- the Reign have worked with the Gulls for a promo code for visiting fans that's pretty awesome -- $44 for two seats in the corner on the end the visiting team attacks twice, three rows from the glass. I've noted that the attendance Sunday night at the CBBA was much less than at the regular-season game I went up for this year, and CERTAINLY less than the Gulls pulled for their first three home playoff games -- it was almost like Game Seven against the Ducks at the Honda Center a couple years back, except this time the Gulls fans were close to out-shouting the Reign fans at points. It's also interesting seeing all the gear that seems to indicate that there is a segment of the crowd that supports one or the other of the NHL teams primarily, and are there kind of as AHL tourists -- as an AHL fan myself, I hope some of them become AHL converts to help the financial health of this California experiment!

I was hoping the crowd on Sunday was lighter than usual as it wasn't terribly lively and not as full as I expected it to be.

Chalked it up to Mother's Day and a Sunday 7PM start...seems like I was correct if the regular season game had a larger attendance.

I've been to enough live hockey games to know this was not the normal experience. I'm not soured on it but it was a first time for my family so I was hoping for a better experience. Nothing says Happy Mother's Day like driving to Ontario to watch a shutout in a slightly uninspired hockey game.

Mom still enjoyed it though. She's hooked on live hockey and needed her fix.

 

[Sheng Peng]

Scuttlebutt was Brodzinski was hit in the hand by a shot in practice, but I don't know how much truth there is to that.

He blocked a shot late in the first period of Game Four against San Jose. While he returned later that game, that's where his injury likely stems from. He's been seen around wearing padding over his wrist.

He has been participating in practices wearing a red no-contact jersey, which suggests to me that they hope for him to return this postseason. After all, there's no point in keeping up his skating & conditioning if he's out for good, right?

And in case anybody missed it, here are my recaps up to this point: Game One, Game Two, Game Three.

 

[regulate]

He blocked a shot late in the first period of Game Four against San Jose. While he returned later that game, that's where his injury likely stems from. He's been seen around wearing padding over his wrist.

He has been participating in practices wearing a red no-contact jersey, which suggests to me that they hope for him to return this postseason. After all, there's no point in keeping up his skating & conditioning if he's out for good, right?

And in case anybody missed it, here are my recaps up to this point: Game One, Game Two, Game Three.

Thanks for the update. Is Watson or LaDue still around since they have contracts? Rosen posted the black aces have gone home.

 

[PJ Kings Hockey]

Thanks for the update. Is Watson or LaDue still around since they have contracts? Rosen posted the black aces have gone home.

LaDue's still around. Don't know about Watson.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Came to post that, thought it was cool that Lintuniemi is skating there

 

[Sheng Peng]

Outstanding stuff today: MacDermid deals with San Diego's ire, Samuels-Thomas gets deeper about penalty killing/dump-ins, Stothers learns how good Ontario is on 3+ days rest & Brodzinski talks playing Michael in postseason.

Reign Practice Quotes: Kurtis MacDermid, Jordan Samuels-Thomas, Mike Stothers, Jonny Brodzinski & Michael Mersch

 

[PJ Kings Hockey]

 

[HansH]

I'm too lazy to look it up, but I'm mildly curious what Budaj's contract situation is -- he's been SO impressive in the AHL that there would have to be some teams interested in giving him at least backup minutes, and maybe starting minutes, in the NHL. Is it more likely to see him backing up Quick in a couple of years, or more likely that within that time he'll be packaged with other assets/picks for something like a bottom-six NHL forward or a #3-4 d-man? Anyone with any insight?

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I'm too lazy to look it up, but I'm mildly curious what Budaj's contract situation is -- he's been SO impressive in the AHL that there would have to be some teams interested in giving him at least backup minutes, and maybe starting minutes, in the NHL. Is it more likely to see him backing up Quick in a couple of years, or more likely that within that time he'll be packaged with other assets/picks for something like a bottom-six NHL forward or a #3-4 d-man? Anyone with any insight?

He signed a one year contract extension with us back in March

Must really like the environment, plus I doubt DL and co would stonewall him if a team came asking, though I get the feeling he's gonna be insurance until our pipeline is restocked. Maybe even Quick's backup. From what I gather, it's only 600k...

 

[PJ Kings Hockey]

I'm too lazy to look it up, but I'm mildly curious what Budaj's contract situation is -- he's been SO impressive in the AHL that there would have to be some teams interested in giving him at least backup minutes, and maybe starting minutes, in the NHL. Is it more likely to see him backing up Quick in a couple of years, or more likely that within that time he'll be packaged with other assets/picks for something like a bottom-six NHL forward or a #3-4 d-man? Anyone with any insight?

Budaj's contract for the coming year is 600K in the NHL. With us up against the cap, I would wager that they're eyeing him for the back-up position behind Quick, assuming he does well in camp. Enroth is going to want to be in a position to play more games, from the sound of his end-of-season interviews. That leaves Jack Flinn and the loaned Michael Houser for Ontario, so I'd expect to see some goaltending moves this summer.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

I'm too lazy to look it up, but I'm mildly curious what Budaj's contract situation is -- he's been SO impressive in the AHL that there would have to be some teams interested in giving him at least backup minutes, and maybe starting minutes, in the NHL. Is it more likely to see him backing up Quick in a couple of years, or more likely that within that time he'll be packaged with other assets/picks for something like a bottom-six NHL forward or a #3-4 d-man? Anyone with any insight?

Budaj has no trade value at all. Most consider him done at the NHL level. In a couple of years he is likely retired rather than Quick's backup.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Budaj has no trade value at all. Most consider him done at the NHL level. In a couple of years he is likely retired rather than Quick's backup.

Would make sense. There are a lot of marginal NHL goalies like Budaj and even Khudobin that ply their trades at one level or another forever. Any of them with NHL level talent can get hot for a while or even carve out a relatively consistent low-key career, but Budaj ain't getting any younger.

Man, who was Budaj backup for back when he broke in, Fiset? He's actually been around a pretty long while as a capable dude. Problem is the goaltending world is saturated with great AHLers/middle-of-the-pack NHLers.

 

[HansH]

Budaj has no trade value at all. Most consider him done at the NHL level. In a couple of years he is likely retired rather than Quick's backup.

That's what I get for being lazy and forgetting he's a vet on the way down (like Khudobin), not a kid on the rise. Thanks for the reality check!

 

[Peter James Bond II]

Any word on tonight's lineup, from practice today?

Is Raine out and Ladue or Lintuniemi in?
Is Brodzinski ready to go?

 

[PJ Kings Hockey]

Outstanding stuff today: MacDermid deals with San Diego's ire, Samuels-Thomas gets deeper about penalty killing/dump-ins, Stothers learns how good Ontario is on 3+ days rest & Brodzinski talks playing Michael in postseason.

Reign Practice Quotes: Kurtis MacDermid, Jordan Samuels-Thomas, Mike Stothers, Jonny Brodzinski & Michael Mersch

Sheng, I really enjoyed this piece. If I get a chance later, I'll quote my favorite parts on another computer that's more reliable. But thanks for a good piece with good questions asked.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

Would make sense. There are a lot of marginal NHL goalies like Budaj and even Khudobin that ply their trades at one level or another forever. Any of them with NHL level talent can get hot for a while or even carve out a relatively consistent low-key career, but Budaj ain't getting any younger.

Man, who was Budaj backup for back when he broke in, Fiset? He's actually been around a pretty long while as a capable dude. Problem is the goaltending world is saturated with great AHLers/middle-of-the-pack NHLers.

David Aebischer was Colorado's starter when Budaj broke in 05-06.

That's what I get for being lazy and forgetting he's a vet on the way down (like Khudobin), not a kid on the rise. Thanks for the reality check!

Khudobin is an odd case. He has always had fantastic numbers (before this year] but he has never really gotten an honest shake at the NHL level. I think it's due to his size and unconventional play style.

But yeah Budaj has been great this year but outside the Kings making him a 1 year backup next year he is done in NHL. He was very average for a few years then collapsed into terribleness for WPG's farm team in st. John's last year. He could not even win ONE game in 19 appearances last year. It would be nice to see him get one more NHL season though, great perseverance from the guy.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I smell next year's Masterton nominee

 

[bob77]

Budaj has looked sharp all year. I really don't think Enroth is any better than him right now, and the cap hit would be worth it.

 

[HansH]

Any word on tonight's lineup, from practice today?

Is Raine out and Ladue or Lintuniemi in?
Is Brodzinski ready to go?

It didn't look like any of those four took pregame warm ups.

 

[PJ Kings Hockey]

After seeing Bishop's injury, Hackett down on the the ice for a few after encountering SD defenseman (ran into by Biss) gave a scare. Glad SD's goalie shook it off and was okay.

Line rushes via ReignInsider:

Adrian Kempe – Nic Dowd – Joel Lowry
Michael Mersch – Mike Amadio – Sean Backman
Jordan Samuels-Thomas – Andrew Crescenzi – Justin Auger
Ryan Horvat – Kris Newbury – Paul Bissonnette

Kurtis MacDermid – Vincent LoVerde
Derek Forbort – Kevin Gravel
Jeff Schultz – Zac Leslie