From the HUH? Department, yesterday Francis Lemieux and Alexandre Imbeault were released from their PTO‘s. According to the AHL Transactions list, today is word they have both been resigned to PTO’s.
Perhaps it was a paperwork situation, we’ll find that one out later today.
Today is the NHL trade deadline and the word is that the Rangers are very much in on the Brad Richards sweepstakes.
The plethora of rumors flying around have the Rangers sending ex-Wolf Pack Artem Anisimov, a top tier prospect, and a first round draft pick.
The top prospects in the Rangers organization in Hartford are forwards Dale Weise and Evgeny Grachev and on the blueline, they have Tomas Kundratek, and Pavel Valentenko. Michael Del Zotto would have to be on that list as are Ryan McDonagh and Matt Gilroy.
Of all the players mentioned, the one sure thing is that there is ZERO chance that McDonagh is going anywhere.
Dale Weise is also a player who’s name will be included in a lot of talks as will Evgeny Grachev. If you have to give up one of them, Grachev would be the one to turn over. He just doesn’t have the heart, the consistency or the talent to make it at the next level. He can barely sustain it at this level. Maybe a change of scenery changes that, but losing him would not really affect much.
The thing to watch today is if the Rangers are going to replenish some of the players that they’ve lost in Hartford. I know Howard Baldwin would like to see a couple of guys who ca n play on the roster so the team can compete. As it’s currently constituted, it’s going to be a real battle to even make the playoffs.
We will keep you updated throughout the day here on Howlings as well as on our twitter account at twitter.com/howlingstoday.
We are also open for answering any questions you might have going forward. Feel free to send them along.
Here’s the official release:
WHALE RE-SIGN FRANCIS LEMIEUX, ALEXANDRE IMBEAULT TO PTOs
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Duo Back from Florida of ECHL
HARTFORD, CT: Connecticut Whale general manager Jim Schoenfeld announced today that forwards Francis Lemieux and Alexandre Imbeault are returning to the Whale on Professional Tryout (PTO) agreements. The two had been released from their original PTOs yesterday to return for one game to their ECHL club, the Florida Everblades.
Lemieux, originally signed February 20 by the Whale, is scoreless with two penalty minutes and nine shots on goal in three games in a Whale uniform. Imbeault, who inked his original PTO February 21, also has gone without a point in three Whale games and has four shots on goal.
Lemieux currently ranks second in the ECHL in points, just one point off the lead, with 28-45-73 in 56 games with the Everblades. Imbeault, meanwhile, is tied for the ECHL lead in goals-scored, having posted numbers of 31-16-47 in 44 Everblade games.
The Whale’s next action is this Wednesday, March 2, as they return to the XL Center to host the Springfield Falcons in a 7:00 PM game. There will be a “Harvest-Properties.com Whale Bowl Appreciation Night” promotion for that game, as Harvest-Properties.com Whale Bowl ticket purchasers who present their Harvest-Properties.com Whale Bowl ticket stub at the XL Center ticket office can purchase one $19 or $12 ticket for the March 2 game, and receive a second of equal or lesser value free. On top of that, the Whale will add a coupon for 15% off all Harvest-Properties.com Whale Bowl merchandise. The coupon is redeemable at the Whale Pro Shop, which is located in the Hartford Store at 45 Pratt St. in downtown Hartford and is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM to 4:30 PM. The coupon is good only for Harvest-Properties.com Whale Bowl merchandise.
Tickets for all 2010-11 Whale home games are available now at the XL Center box office, through Ticketmaster Charge-by-Phone at 1-800-745-3000 and on-line at www.ctwhale.com. Tickets start at $7 each at the XL Center ticket office on game day.
For information on Whale ticket packages, group sales and VIP packages, call (860) 728-3366.
The AHL’s CT Whale is operated by Whalers Sports and Entertainment, a Hartford-based sports marketing and event firm founded by Howard Baldwin. The team is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers.
Since 1972, the CT Lottery has generated more than $19.3 billion in sales and has transferred nearly $6.7 billion to the state’s General Fund. Prizes have exceeded more than $11.1 billion. Purchasers must be 18 years or older. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-346-6238. For more information about the Connecticut Lottery Corporation, call (860) 713-2000, or visit the CT Lottery web site at ctlottery.org.
