Eurolanche

Prospects Shine in Lake Erie

The Lake Erie Monsters are off to a great start this season in the first 6 games going 4-2. A big part of this behind some stellar play of goaltenders Calvin Pickard and Sami Aittokallio. Aittokallio has won both of his starts posting a 2.00 GAA and 0.933 SV%. Pickard has 2 wins and two loses, thou both his wins were shutouts. In three games he has the 1.01 GAA and 0.969 V%. While both these young men are doing stellar it is safe to safe if the lockout ends this year they will remain in the AHL. But let´s look at some other players who could be called up when the lockout ends.

Mark Olver is having a fantastic start to his season with 6pts in 5 games. Olver would most likely be called to the Avalanche when the lockout ends. Not just for his stellar play right now but for his effort in 24 games last year with the big club. Tyson Barrie is also having a stellar start to his season with 5pts and leads the team with a plus 5 in the first 5 games. He was one of three prime defense prospects looking to push for the big club. Out the three he is currently doing the best. Both Stefan Elliot and Cameron Gaunce have yet to register a point. If the lockout ended today it would be a safe bet he would be the one called up.

A few other forwards could be called up if the lockout ended just to round out the lineup such as Brad Malone, Bill Thomas and Luke Walker all players who have spent time with parent clubs. Malone and Walker with the Avs and Thomas spent 7 games with the Florida Panthers last season. Other players such as Paul Carey and Mike Sgarbossa both could get a look from the Avs office for strong play. Interesting as well is the strong play of Andrew Agozzino who only has an AHL contract. If he keeps this up the Avs could fully sign him and bring him up.

What is obvious is the when the lockout end Lake Erie stands to lose. Some key players will be taken which will hurt the rosters. Sad as it is for Lake Erie fans it is the faith of an AHL team. For it will always be one thing to win the AHL Calder Cup but forever another level to win the Stanley Cup.