AHL Notebook: Pirates change coaches, continue roll

Goaltender Mike McKenna and the American Hockey League's Portland Pirates had just won for the ninth time in their past 10 games when a coaching change, of all things, came their way Jan. 1.

The parent Florida Panthers plucked coach Tom Rowe from the Portland bench and promoted him to a new role as an NHL associate general manager. In came Pirates assistant coach Scott Allen to take over Rowe's duties in Portland.

"It was interesting," said McKenna, a veteran of parts of 11 AHL seasons. "I don't think any of us saw it coming. Sometimes things like that happen, and they're kind of an open secret. [We] had no idea."

Life for the Pirates has mirrored their NHL big brother for the past six weeks in their ascent up the standings. The Panthers assembled an 18-3-1 record that has them second in the Eastern Conference.

In their first season of an affiliation with the Panthers, Portland had gone 16-5-0-0 through a December-January stretch before a stumble this past weekend in losses against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Hartford Wolf Pack. But their 49 points sit them fourth in the Eastern Conference as they head into a two-game home series with the St. John's IceCaps this week.

Allen's arrival did not slow down the Pirates, who won seven of his first eight games. Their 14 home wins tie them for second place, and they have scored the first goal in a game 23 times, third-most in the AHL.

"A bit of an interesting scenario, but I also think it's a bit of an easier scenario because things were going well," McKenna said of the change. "I think our team really believes in him, and we know how important he was even before the coaching change, the man behind our [systems] and our video work."

A blend of prospects and veterans have guided the Pirates. Michael Matheson, Florida's first-round pick (No. 23) in the 2012 NHL Draft, headlines a sturdy blue line that includes veteran captain Brent Regner, frequent recall option Dylan Olsen and veteran Cameron Gaunce.

Rookie forward Kyle Rau is second on the Pirates with 15 goals, leading scorer Rob Schremp has flourished in his return from Europe and 2012 second-round pick (No. 33) John McFarland has blossomed with 13 goals in 39 games in his fourth pro season.

Also leading the way has been McKenna.

The 32-year-old has 19 of the Pirates' 24 wins. His 2.32 goals-against average is seventh in the AHL and his .917 save percentage ranks 11th. He has done that while playing the fourth-most minutes (1,681) in the league and tying for third in games at 29.

Before allowing five goals against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this past Saturday, McKenna had held opponents to two or fewer goals in 11 of his past 13 games in a stretch lasting nearly two months.

McKenna's run followed a slow start for the Pirates.

"I don't think it has been a drastic change in my game," McKenna said. "I just think that in general our team has been so good in that stretch. We've done a great job in limiting chances-against and really controlling the odd-man rushes that we give up.

"There have been a few tweaks here and there. [Portland goaltending coach] Pierre Groulx and I have worked on just trying to make sure that my game is as simple as possible and [that] I am playing within myself."

Portland's 20 wins against Atlantic Division opponents puts them second in the AHL in divisional wins. However, a big test awaits with a seven-game road trip in February that includes a two-game stop at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and a visit with the AHL-leading Toronto Marlies.

But the Pirates have a strong underlying foundation that to navigate that trip.

Portland is eighth in the AHL with 28.68 shots-against per game. Opponents have outshot the Pirates in 14 of 40 games. They can play in tight games and have a 10-4-1-0 record in one-goal games.

Allen's team also has stayed out of penalty trouble. They have been shorthanded 150 times, seventh-fewest in the AHL. When they have had to kill off penalties, the Pirates' 85.3 rate is seventh-best.

"[Portland penalty-killers have] been absolutely fantastic," McKenna said. "That's huge for us."

A SKILLED GAME

Player development is job-one for AHL teams in the era of the NHL salary cap.

"It's drastic," McKenna said of the increased prioritization of development since he started his AHL career in 2005-06. "It's just a seismic shift in the amount that teams are investing in their organizations. We've really seen it with Florida. They've given us everything we need to excel and the manpower to do so."

The New Jersey Devils made a similar investment this past summer when they hired development/skills coach Pertti Hasanen. The 61-year-old brought extensive management, coaching and scouting experience in Europe and college hockey. Hasanen's job description includes regular work with the Albany Devils.

A 23-11-6-0 record good for 52 points has Albany third in the Eastern Conference. Working with Hasanen has helped to put defenseman Seth Helgeson back in the NHL, where he made his season debut with New Jersey this past Saturday.

"I think it has helped me with being comfortable and confident on the offensive side, just working on those skills," said Helgeson, a stay-at-home defenseman who has two goals and five assists in 33 games with the Albany Devils this season.

"I had done [skills work] during the summer. But during the [season], maybe in college (at the University of Minnesota) a few times; having him come one time a week has been helpful. I think a lot of guys are benefiting from it."

AHL GAME OF THE WEEK

Since a three-game losing streak at the end of December, Toronto has won 10 of its past 11 games. This week the Marlies will run into the Grand Rapids Griffins, who have lost three consecutive home games after a franchise-record 14-game winning streak at Van Andel Arena. The Rochester Americans outscored the Griffins 7-2 in two games at Grand Rapids this past weekend. Grand Rapids and Toronto start a two-game series at Van Andel Arena on Wednesday.

WITH HONORS

Marlies center Mark Arcobello won the CCM/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending this past Sunday. He had four goals and three assists in three games.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

Toronto defenseman TJ Brennan has taken over the AHL scoring lead with 17 goals and 25 assists. …Wilkes-Barre/Scranton left wing Scott Wilson has a league-leading 20 goals. … Ontario Reign veteran Peter Budaj's 1.69 GAA and 22 wins are best among AHL goaltenders.

ON THE MOVE

Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid will practice with the Bakersfield Condors this week as he nears a return from a fractured clavicle. The Condors also received forward Zack Kassian and defensemen Brad Hunt and Griffin Reinhart from the Oilers. … The Chicago Blackhawks recalled forward Mark McNeill from the Rockford IceHogs on Monday. A first-round selection (No. 18) in the 2011 draft, McNeill has a six-game point streak (four goals, three assists) with Rockford. … Recalls to the Columbus Blue Jackets have been an issue for the Lake Erie Monsters for much of the season. But with a run of 14 of 18 games at home, Lake Erie has added forwards Josh Anderson and Markus Hannikainen. … Rochester captain Cal O'Reilly remains with the Buffalo Sabres while forward Eric Tangradi, who leads Grand Rapids in scoring, is with the Detroit Red Wings. … Additions to AHL blue lines this past week include Andre Benoit (Chicago Wolves) and Nikita Zadorov (San Antonio Rampage). … The Wolves regained goaltender Jordan Binnington and forward Ty Rattie from the St. Louis Blues. … Binghamton Senators forward Matt Puempel and his 13 goals in 29 AHL games are with the Ottawa Senators. … With most NHL teams having brought their AHL affiliates closer geographically, AHL conditioning assignments involve minimal disruption. Before his return to the Anaheim Ducks on Monday, defenseman Simon Despres played four games with the San Diego Gulls after missing three months because of a concussion. Texas has Dallas Stars defenseman Jamie Oleksiak, and Paul Postma of the Winnipeg Jets finished a two-week stint on the Manitoba Moose blue line.

AROUND THE AHL

Rockford goaltender Michael Leighton has 44 shutouts in his AHL career, putting him one behind Johnny Bower for the league record. … A four-game losing streak (0-2-2-0) has stalled San Jose Barracuda coach Roy Sommer at 635 AHL wins. He is one win behind AHL record-holder Fred "Bun" Cook. … Having lingered near the bottom of the Eastern Conference all season, Hartford has heated up lately. The Wolf Pack have a seven-game winning streak that has lifted them to fifth place in the Atlantic Division. Hartford won 2-1 in overtime on the road against Albany and finished the week with a decisive 4-1 home win against Portland. … The Charlotte Checkers split a two-game home series this past weekend without goaltender Daniel Altshuller, who is on recall with the Carolina Hurricanes. Altshuller, 21, took over the Charlotte starting job in mid-December after being recalled from the ECHL. With no previous AHL experience, he went 9-1-1 with 1.71 GAA and .941 save percentage in 11 games before advancing to Carolina. Veteran Drew MacIntyre and Rasmus Tirronen will handle the work in Charlotte. … San Diego received another shakeup this past week after goaltender Dustin Tokarski was injured against the San Antonio Rampage. Veteran Matt Hackett, who had been sent to the ECHL, is back with the Gulls and sharing the crease with NHL veteran Anton Khudobin. … Two more AHL players, including Dallas top prospect Esa Lindell, debuted in the NHL this past week, bringing the season total to 80.