Kramer of Syracuse.com talks to Jake Newton
I know there are a lot of Jake Newton fans out there. He elaborates in this interview on his decision to come out of college and his outlook on the upcoming season with the Crunch.
The Poll To End All Polls
ARTHUR:
We're not the biggest fans of polls here at Anaheim Calling. We've had a few, we've even gotten Sleek to vote in a few, but we generally run on an anti-poll platform. As such, my response to SBN's new "Fan Confidence Poll" was fairly predictable; I treated it with the acerbity we've all come to know and love. At the time, I assumed there was nothing I could do about it (beyond my trademark passive aggression), but I recently discovered that not to be the case. I'm actually free to opt out. Humbuwha?! ^__^ *clicks heels* Sweet Sueeeee, yes youuuu!
Here's the rub, though. The poll is not actually for me (though they assure me there are things I can do with it), it's for you. Accordingly, only you can prevent forest fires make this decision. You should know that if we keep the poll, I have no intention of doing anything with the information, both because non-Ducks fans are allowed to vote and because I struggle to see the value of a vague percentage gauge of how we're all feeling. However, you should also know that there are people much smarter and much more industrious than I am who potentially could do something with the information. That's assuming you all intend to use the poll. I think that brings the 'that's what she said' count to fifteen. We should end there. Vote already.
Meehan Tells Register Ryan Contract Talks Scheduled For This Week
Bobby Ryan's agent, Don Meehan, told the OC Register in an email that contract negotiations with the Ducks are planned for this week. With training camp looming, this is the first whisper that meaningful talks have been scheduled since Ryan turned down a 5 year 25M offer and a 4 year offer for less shortly before free agency opened on July 1st.
Madden NHL
ARTHUR:
Note: I just want to remind everyone that I will not be updating the AC prospects list until after training camp. I did it earlier last year, but it makes much more sense to wait until the players perform and the organization executes its cuts.
When news broke in June that Stefan Warg signed, with Anaheim's blessing, to play for the Örebro Vipers of Hockey Allsvenskan in Sweden, it marked the end of an era for me. The tough 6'2" defenseman was the last of former Ducks Director of Amateur Scouting Alain Chainey's late round picks, his last attempt to steal a player in a 12 year stint running the Anaheim Draft boards.
In describing Warg after the 2008 Draft, Chainey was clear that the young Swede was a diamond in the rough, noting his toughness and his eagerness to come to America were both uncommon for the sons of Mother Svea. Warg had a great showing in camp last year, and when Anaheim Calling caught up with him in January, he emphasized that he and Chainey spoke often. Ultimately, however, when the time came to sign him, he didn't fit into the Ducks' plans.
Chainey has stayed on the staff as the Director of Player Development, but his replacement, Martin Madden, has put his stamp on two consecutive drafts. And as a scout who was poached from Carolina for his ability to spot late round talent while assigned to the QMJHL, one would expect an era of 'steals' under the Madden regime. The Ducks' chief scout certainly hasn't shied away from the words "homerun pick" to describe his draft selections for Anaheim, but we'll take a closer look at his handiwork after the jump.
Jen's Diary: Week of August 29th
JEN:
Dear Diary,
The off-season is still boring! I know the big question is "Is it October yet?" but I'm beginning to ask "Is it freakin' September yet?" I'll take training camp over this repetitive news cycle (I'm looking at you, Kovy) any day. As seems to be the theme this off-season, I'm getting my hockey in off-and-on weekly doses. This past week was no exception.
First, we start with the introduction of the Joffrey Lupul Goal Counter. I'm beginning to think that people believe I WANT to post a picture of myself in a bikini on AC. Oh they are so wrong. When I made the original prediction, I was going with what I knew - Lupul has a difficult time saying no to non-hockey related activities. I'm an analyst by trade, so it was easy to conclude that I would be safe predicting that a healthy Joff wouldn't reach 35 goals.
Even my buddies at The Copper & Blue ran with their analysis of the goal counter, pitting the thought of me in a bikini versus their strong dislike of the former Oiler. Dude! They included a poll! Yeah, that's a great one for the self-esteem, but alas, I do love those boys in Edmonton. They took Ryan Whitney off our hands (thank you jeebus) and gave us Lubo.
***Kariya Will Not Play This Season According to His Agent***
Paul Kariya's agent announces he will not play this season.
THE TELETYPE:
Per James Mirtle's Twitter, Paul Kariya's agent, Don Baizley, announced that the forward will not play the 2010-11 campaign due to post-concussion syndrome. Many teams were rumored to be interested in the left wing, most notably the Ducks, who made their interest public after Teemu Selanne announced that he had discussions with both Kariya and the team regarding the possibility.
Kariya suffered major concussions while playing for Anaheim, often on late and questionable hits, but he took another one this past season with the Blues when Buffalo's Patrick Kaleta delivered an elbow to the side of Kariya's head. Though he noted that it was his first concussion in over a decade, this announcement would seem to imply that the effects remain.
Already? Yes, Already.
MAGIC:
(Note: This will eventually be cross-posted over at The Chairman's, but you guys get it first.)
I really didn't think I'd have to do this so soon, but you'd think a "professional" wouldn't need lessons in logic and common sense...
Anaheim Calling Adds a Crunch Correspondent
MAGIC:
"Like many intellectuals, he was incapable of saying a simple thing in a simple way."
-- Marcel Proust
"Sometimes you just have to piss in the sink."
-- Charles Bukowski
Dear Ducks Fan,
You might be asking yourself "Who's the FNG?" Well, allow me to introduce myself. I'm Magic's Johnson, and I was recently asked to contribute to AC with recaps and notes about the Crunch. I am one of the creators and writers over at the resurrected Chairman How's Glorious Army, a site devoted to all things Crunch. After many years of red-headed-stepchild treatment at the hands of Columbus, all of us here in Syracuse are excited to have a decent partnership with a team that's actually won a playoff game in its existence. My role here is to keep you, the loyal Ducks fan, up to date on what's happening with your prospects this season.
Now, here's what you need to know about me and about your new affiliate:








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