The 2017-18 season is creeping closer and closer, and the Checkers’ move to the Eastern Conference means a whole new slate of opponents. For the new few weeks, we’ll take a look at each of Charlotte’s new Atlantic Division rivals!
Overview
After leading the AHL with 107 points in the standings last season and seeing their NHL club capture a Stanley Cup, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are aiming to keep their winning ways going. The Penguins were strong on both sides of the puck a season ago, ranking in the AHL’s top six in both goals for and against per game, but dominated on the defensive end. They surrendered the fewest goals per game by a significant margin and could return their impressive goaltending duo of Casey DeSmith and Tristan Jarry, who ranked first and fourth in the AHL in goals-against average, respectively.
Key Departures
David Warsofsky
Blue liner nearly eclipsed his career goal total with 16 tallies in 2016-17 to tie him for third among AHL defensemen, ranked second on the Penguins overall in scoring despite playing just 58 games, departed for Colorado in free agency
Oskar Sundqvist
Swedish center exploded in second pro year, ranking third on the team in goals (20) and points (46) before inking a new deal with St. Louis during the offseason
Key RETURNING
Tom Kostopoulos
Longtime Penguins captain and veteran of over 1,300 pro games returns to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton after leading the team in scoring and notching highest AHL point and goal total since 2004-05
Dominik Simon
Czech forward embraced playmaker role in second pro season, hitting a career high and ranking second on the team with 31 helpers
Key ADDITIONS
Colin Smith
24-year-old forward has notched at least 30 points in each of his four AHL seasons, including racking up 47 points last year while splitting time between the Marlies and Rampage
Kevin Czuczman
Blue liner wore an A for Manitoba last season while leading team defensemen in goals, assists and point
