The Syracuse Crunch entered the 2025‑26 AHL season with the second‑best record in the North Division, finishing with 41 wins, 24 overtime losses and only four defeats in regulation. The campaign ended in the playoffs with a disappointing exit, prompting a sweeping roster overhaul.
A Fresh Coaching Vision
Head coach Joel Bouchard, who has steered the club for several years, now faces the task of integrating a new mix of talent while preserving the culture that helped the team excel.
Central to the rebuild are prospects such as Jakob Pelletier, who topped the league with 77 points last season, and 22‑year‑old center Conor Geekie, who must prove his NHL readiness at the AHL level.
Goaltending Uncertainty
The crease will be manned by newcomers Mads Sogaard and Olivier Rodrigue, who struggled in their previous campaigns, while veterans Brandon Halverson and Ryan Fanti look to provide stability.
Veteran forwards Clark Bishop, Elliot Desnoyers, Zach Uens and Michael Callahan are expected to anchor the locker room, offering leadership to a younger core.
Strategic Balance
Bouchard plans to blend a heavy‑checking style with an offensive approach, hoping to capitalize on the offensive upside of players like Dylan Duke and the defensive reliability of Benjamin Rautiainen, who is transitioning from Finland.
The organization also counts on rookie forwards Lucas Mercuri and Ethan Gauthier, who impressed in the AHL last year, as well as seventh‑round pick Noah Steen, who could add depth scoring.
Looking Ahead
With the Tampa Bay Lightning relying on the Crunch as a pipeline, the team’s success will hinge on how quickly the new roster gels and whether the prospects can translate their AHL performances into NHL impact.