Postcard from Houston: Aeros season underway

I made a promise to take good care of Colton Gillies when he got sent down from the Wild (tear in his eye, according to Mike Russo)… and the kid went and got his nose broken in a collision on Saturday night in Manitoba, only the second game of the season.

So, maybe we shouldn’t plan on any kids billeting at my house, eh?

He’s a tough cookie though and will be fine, though I’m sure will be sporting a birdcage for a while once play resumes on Friday for the home opener in Houston.

But Gillies’ story, combined with Craig Weller and Andy Hilbert being waived down to Houston, has really changed the complexion of this team at the eleventh hour.  The Aeros went from possibly having 3-4 rookie forwards to now having 3-4 forwards with NHL experience bumping guys who had impressed in camp off the bottom of the roster.

Even coach Kevin Constantine freely admits, he just doesn’t know what he has at forward yet, but says the defense might be the best he’s had in Houston, and goaltending is solid.

But if you’re reading this blog, you’re probably a Wild fan and want to know how the prospects are doing down here, so here’s a run down:

Justin Falk: We’ve seen him the most thus far, since he was in Houston all last season and while I know he’ll land on his feet, he’s rusty to start the season. He had two huge turnovers right in front of the net Friday night and just doesn’t seem to have the noggin clicking at full game speed yet. But he was far and away the most improved player on the Aeros roster last season, so I’m not the least bit worried that he’ll find his game quickly.

In fact, the lanky stay-at-home defenseman scored his first professional goal on Saturday with a deflection off his leg into the net.

< Justin Falk – Photo by Fred Trask

Anton Khudobin: Anton had an excellent camp and played 60  NHL minutes in pre-season. He also got the start in the Aeros first pre-season game, but only played half a game of pre-season. Wade Dubielewicz played the full second pre-season game and was the starter for the Aeros first regular season game last Friday.

But with back-to-back games and not having done enough to force Constantine to play him again Saturday, Dubielewicz backed up Khudobin, who allowed only two goals on 25 shots and secured the first goal of the season.

There was potentially (and still might be eventually) a goalie dilemma, as Barry Brust is in the mix, too, but re-injured the foot that cut his season in half last year. But until he’s healthy, Khudobin and Dubielewicz are the tenders in Houston.

Carson McMillan: I haven’t seen a lot of him yet, but I’ll be honest, he looked out of place in the pre-season game against the Texas Stars, and he hasn’t played in either of the regular season games yet.

You always hate to judge a guy coming out of juniors too quickly. It took Falk half the season, maybe more, to look comfortable last year. So, let’s just keep an eye on him as the season moves forward.

Cody Almond: I don’t believe he’s played at all. He came down late after recuperating from an injury sustained during the Traverse City Prospects Tournament and has yet to get in a game for Houston. So again, he’s a guy we’ll have to touch base on later.

Maxim Noreau: Max seems to have picked up right where he left off. Crazy knack for scoring off shots from the high slot. I would expect him to continue to be one of the top scoring defensemen in the AHL this year, both even strength and on the power play.

Clayton Stoner: A guy whose expiration date is rapidly approaching, but is just a rock for Houston and never seems to get his due at the next level. But he plays, and always has played, with a ton of grit and tenacity.

He was even better last season wearing the captain’s ‘C’ and would quietly take the team on his shoulders at times when they lacked focus. And this season, he’s been no different. Hitting, fighting, and defending as well as ever.

Petr Kalus: I’d forgotten how fast he is during his year back in Europe. He’s fast and he’s got great hands and he plays a (sometimes excessively) gritty game, but he’s still got no finish.

I’m hoping, however, that like usual, when I write something about a guy, he goes out and does the exact opposite next game. Petr, if you get a hat trick on Friday, you so owe me.

Danny Irmen: It feels like Irms has been playing for Houston for 10 years. He’s just such a reliable, hard-working, responsible player, I think his contribution is overlooked. The question has always been his speed at the NHL level, but all I can tell you is how he is in the AHL. And he’s just steady eddie down here. I don’t see that changing, in either direction.

Matt Kassian: There’s plenty off toughness in Houston, but Kassian is the heavyweight and could fill Derek Boogaard’s sizable shoes when his contract is up this season (not to say that he will). He’s not so big that guys wouldn’t fight him, but he’s taken on some pretty bad dudes in the AHL and never embarrassed himself. I think the key for him will be getting the big body and feet moving fast enough for the NHL.

< Matt Kassian – Photo by Fred Trask

Brandon Rogers: Brandon was a free agent signing who looked to be an emerging talent on the blue line when he was signed summer before last, but he had a rough year statistically and will look for a bounce back this season.

He’s a smart player with good passing and he can rack up the assists. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him with Noreau among the top scoring defensemen this season.

So, there are your prospects I’d consider prominent, but if you want a more broad view of the Aeros on the whole, what their season is shaping up like, at least on paper, check out my article at ProHockeyNews.com.