Schlemko/Baldwin Watch

[Tiger Trauma]

Gord Baldwin has been a healthy scratch in both of Quad cities opening games.
David Schlemko was a healthy scratch in San Antonio's Opening game.

Both players next games are on Fri Oct 12th, with their respective AHL teams


Edit: Coyotes picked up a defenceman off waivers from the Islanders, which could bump San Antonio's prospects down a notch.

[Jake]

I don't have a link handy but I read where Schlemko was assigned from San Antonio to the Coyotes CHL affiliate, the Arizona Sundogs.

Maybe they give him a few games there and decide he's better off with another year in the Hat?

Found the link.

http://www.sarampage.com/schlemko_071009.shtml

[Tiger Trauma]

Hmm.. a little strange. Maybe phoenix' feels they are a little weak on defensive prospects,or keeping him for injury insurance, so sending him down to the central hockey league, means they can still call him up if nessesary.

[Eye.Of.The.Tiger]

It would be nice to get Schlemko back in a Tiger Uniform, but i dont really care to get Baldwin back. I'm not gonna keep my hopes up though, i expect both to stay with there respective organizations for now

[Tiger Trauma]

Schlemko Recalled

PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. – The Arizona Sundogs Hockey Club of the Central Hockey League today announced that defenseman David Schlemko has been recalled to the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League.

Schlemko, 20, signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Phoenix Coyotes organization in July after leading all Western Hockey League (WHL) defensemen in assists (50) and finishing fifth in points (58) in 2006-07. Named to the WHL’s Eastern Conference Second All-Star Team, the Edmonton, Alberta native helped lead Medicine Hat to the WHL Championship and the Memorial Cup final last season before falling to Vancouver.

In 198 career WHL games, Schlemko totaled 131 points (22g/109a) and 145 penalty minutes (PIM) with Medicine Hat. Schlemko also collected 26 points (5g/21a) and 39 PIM in 49 career playoff games.

The Arizona Sundogs training camp roster now sits at 25.

Round and round he goes where he'll end up no-body knows:S


Edit: Quad city just released a D-men so they have 7 dmen now including baldwin.

[Jake]

Maybe the Coyotes decide to send Schlemko back rather than utilize a year of his entry level contract?

In the NHL the 10th game means the year kicks in. I'm not sure how this relates to games played in the minors. He's played 5 games in Prescott and 1 in San Antonio so if the 10th game is relevant, the "deadline" would be coming up soon.

Edit: Do you Tigs fans think he's better served playing in the CHL or spending another year in the Hat? It would definitely serve the Tigers better if he was returned but what's best for Schlemko's development?

[Tiger Trauma]

From what I've heard the chl, is similar calibre to the echl. Its either be a superstar in the whl, or try and make your mark in a proffessional league, and I guess phoenix thought it would be beneficial for him to play pro. IMO schlemko was ready to move on to the next level.

I hope he does well in arizona, and gets the opportunity to play a few more games at the AHL level this season.

[Jake]

He will utilize a contract year if he plays the year in pro hockey. I don't know if there is a cut-off date regarding the year counting against the minor league provision of the contract but if it didn't count against the contract, the minor league players would be locked in to the organization that signs them until they qualify for UFA status.

[Tiger Trauma]

Yer right I was getting things mixed up left and right. :S
Edited my post so it doesn't sound so dumb, rofl

If schlemko plays 10 pro games, he will officially be in his first year of his contract. If he gets sent back to junior it will slide 1 year. So i guess the deadline is 10 pro games.
Forgot to add that the chance of him coming back now is pretty much non-existant.

[Jake]

We'll know shortly. He's played 9 pro games so this Friday if he plays the first year kicks in and the likelihood of him returning goes down big time.

[Tiger Trauma]

Well we already know he's not coming back. We could close the book on both when the tigers acquired farmanara. 10 games just makes it official.

[Jake]

Goal and an assist through 2 periods in Game 10 for Schlemko. He will finish the year in San Antonio.

The Coyotes and/or Rampage will make some more moves and a spot will open up for Schlemko. Freddie Meyer was claimed by the Islanders so there's one less d-man in San Antonio. There's 7 D in San Antonio and 6 in Phoenix. Even if there are no trades, injuries will dictate a recall to San Antonio.

Edit: Although Sean Sullivan appears to be in line for a recall ahead of Schlemko, so I guess it depends how hard the injury bug hits.