John Walton Hockey

Fri, Jul 3rd, 2009 7:56:00 am

KRONNY DEPARTS, AND OTHER NEWS AND NOTES

It would appear that defenseman Staffan Kronwall has signed with the Calgary Flames. Although I have yet to see it on any free agent tracker, this report in the Calgary Sun has a line in here that Kronny has opted to sign with the boys from Alberta. Best of luck to a guy that meant a ton to the blue line here this spring in winning a Calder Cup.
http://www.calgarysun.com/

The American Hockey League's board of governors are heading to Hilton Head, S.C. this weekend as league meetings get underway. No doubt one of the big issues the Guvs will be dealing with will be the future of the Iowa Chops, who are without an affiliate and looking to perhaps leave Des Moines according to this article in the Des Moines Register two weeks ago...

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/

By the time the meetings are over, it would be a good bet that the Bears and the rest of the AHL will know its opponents for 2009-10. Iowa is perhaps the biggest reason why the grid isn't known yet. Keep an eye out next week for other news, including a bit of realignment across the league.

Washington announced on Thursday the schedule for Development Camp in Arlington. I'm planning on taking Jack down to at least one day, probably scrimmage day at the end. It's your first chance to see first round pick Anton Gustaffsson on the ice in a Caps uniform, as well as future or current Bears Joe Finley, Mathieu Perreault, Francois Bouchard and Josh Godfrey. It's free and open to the public daily. Well worth a trip from central PA for the day if you're looking for a little hockey in July.

http://capitals.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=433281

Former NHL coach of the year Ted Nolan is back in the American Hockey League, accepting a front office position in Rochester...

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20090702/SPORTS02/907020350/Amerks+hire+Nolan+to+make+believers+of+all

Michael Sharp reported on his blog in Binghamton that Ottawa has signed not only goaltender Mike Brodeur but center Martin St. Pierre. The former AHL All-Star Brodeur could give Binghamton the goaltender they've desperately needed since Ray Emery departed for the NHL. If St. Pierre sees any significant time in the southern tier, the Binghamton Senators might be the most improved team in the division....

Have a great 4th of July weekend, and if free agency news breaks in Hershey, I'll be all over it for you here.