Week 1: What Might Have Been

With AHL games mostly crammed into the weekends, it's easy for an IceHL GM/AGM to get a little bored during the week. And with no games on the docket tonight, I decided to take a look at where our teams might've been if we were counting stats earned during the AHL's opening weekend — while we were all busy drafting.

Think of it as the preseason. Perhaps a hint as to where each team is headed? Or maybe not at all. Over Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 12, 13 and 14), most AHL clubs had played at least a game or two, so that's what our "preseason" stats reflect. 

• IceHL EAST Preseason Stats
• IceHL WEST Preseason Stats

So what do these stats tell us?

East Preseason Analysis (AHL)

The Olympiques would've absolutely dominated the weekend with 63 points, due primarily to Cory Conacher's 2 goals and 3 assists. That accounted for 23 fantasy points after just two games! Conacher is definitely the AHLer to have on your roster this season. (But it won't be long before he joins the ranks of the Lightning!)

The Armada are facing the Olympiques this week and, to be fair, they seemed to be holding their own over that first weekend with 42 points. Sven Baertschi (another great get) notched 2 goals, 2 assists and 2 penalty minutes in his first two games — good for a total of 16 fantasy points under our system.

Ironically, the team that would've showed the least life in the first weekend of AHL action was the team that could hardly be beaten last season — the Nighthawks, whose 14 points was a league-low. Also notable from the weekend would've been the 51 points from the Sentinels, who picked up 21 of them from Travis Hamonic on 3 assists and 12 penalty minutes. And I'm happy to say my Barracudas led the league with 5 goals over the weekend.

West Preseason Analysis (AHL)

Out West, it was the Kodiaks showing their teeth with three different players in double-digits and 61 total points. Every skater on the team contributed at least a goal over the weekend, making it easy for the points to pile up fast. Baertschi, Nino Niederreiter and Tyson Barrie picked up two goals each.

Elsewhere, the Winterhawks would've led the league with an incredible 67 points with four players contributing goals! (These teams are making my three goal scorers look a lot less impressive.) Marcus Foligno tallied a pair along with an assist and 6 penalty minutes — good for 17 fantasy points. But not to be outdone, goalie Eddie Lack picked up a pair of victories and a shutout for 16 fantasy points.

Sadly, the team that would've faired the worst over opening weekend was the team that finished in last place last season. The Lumberjacks mustered just 14 total points, and were one of three teams without a goal. Also worth mentioning are the Aviators (who also would've seen three different players top double-digits) because their top scorer led the team without a single goal or assist all weekend. Instead, Cameron Gaunce racked up his points via 16 penalty minutes in three games. Busy guy.

I also liked how Narwhals (and Olympiques) goalie Carter Hutton grabbed a shutout without the win that usually accompanies it. The Rockford IceHogs and Chicago Wolves went scoreless through regulation and overtime. It took a shootout to determine a 1-0 winner, but both goalies were credited with shutouts.

What other noteworthy stats did you pick up on from the weekend that might have been?

Remember, these numbers are just for fun. The "preseason" points don't actually count toward Week 1 or the season in any official way.