Daum to Coach Springifeld

Since the 2005-06 season, Edmonton's top minor league team has been located in three cities: Hamilton, Wilkes-Barre Scranton and Springfield. The club also farmed out players to places like Iowa and Milwaukee, all of them in the American Hockey League.When they finally arrived in Springfield for the 2007-08 season, many felt it would mean a more stable development system for the farmhands. Some of us didn't think it would make a difference: if a minor league player is getting his at-bats and honing his skills then the production line will produce useful players.Right?A quick look at the players who came through the system from the 2003 & 2004 entry drafts gives us an idea about the club's success rate:Kyle Brodziak (214th overall/2003): 173 games in the AHL, 175 in the NHL since 2004. Zack Stortini (94th overall/2003): 115 games in the AHL, 147 in the NHL since 2005. Marc Pouliot (22nd overall/2003): 153 games in the AHL, 141 in the NHL since 2005. JF Jacques (68th o...