Prospect Info: Hartford Wolf Pack/Bloomington Bison Thread: Part XV

[cwede]

Pack adding at F and D

excited for Pekar, was promising when joining Sabres org as rookie pro

still just 23

[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]2023-11-15[/TD]
[TD]
Matej Pekar (C)[/TD]
[TD]
Hartford[/TD]
[TD]ADD[/TD]
[TD]Recalled from loan to Cincinnati (ECHL)[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Matej Pekar - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Matej Pekar, 2000-02-10 Turnov, CZE Czechia. Most recently in the Czechia with HC Litvinov. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

+++++++++++++++++++++
26 year old RHD, OSU'22 joins Pack on PTO

WOLF PACK INK DEFENSEMAN GRANT GABRIELE TO PTO | Hartford Wolf Pack

www.hartfordwolfpack.com

Grant Gabriele Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Grant Gabriele, a hockey player from Brighton, MI born Apr 17 1997 who was active from 2013 to 2025.

www.hockeydb.com

Grant Gabriele - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Grant Gabriele, 1997-04-17 Brighton, MI, USA USA. Most recently in the ECHL with Toledo Walleye. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

 

[cwede]

Pack adding at F and D

excited for Pekar, was promising when joining Sabres org as rookie pro

still just 23

[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]2023-11-15[/TD]
[TD]
Matej Pekar (C)[/TD]
[TD]
Hartford[/TD]
[TD]ADD[/TD]
[TD]Recalled from loan to Cincinnati (ECHL)[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Matej Pekar - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Matej Pekar, 2000-02-10 Turnov, CZE Czechia. Most recently in the Czechia with HC Litvinov. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

+++++++++++++++++++++
26 year old RHD, OSU'22 joins Pack on PTO

WOLF PACK INK DEFENSEMAN GRANT GABRIELE TO PTO | Hartford Wolf Pack

www.hartfordwolfpack.com

Grant Gabriele Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Grant Gabriele, a hockey player from Brighton, MI born Apr 17 1997 who was active from 2013 to 2025.

www.hockeydb.com

Grant Gabriele - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Grant Gabriele, 1997-04-17 Brighton, MI, USA USA. Most recently in the ECHL with Toledo Walleye. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

Alex says Pekar not traveling w Pack

https://x.com/alexthomashwp/status/1725248177962361066

 

[2014nyr]

Would John Hynes be a candidate for the Hartford job? He was a head coach in the AHL prior to becoming the Devils head coach.

Many years ago, the Rangers offered the Hartford coaching job to Marty St. Louis. He had no prior head coaching experience. Gorton eventually hired MSL in Montreal.

Is there a former player interested in coaching?

It would be hard to hire someone from another organization unless that individual is in a player development or scouting role with another team.

Maybe Adam McQuaid. He played for the Rangers when Drury was AGM. McQuaid is in player development with the Bruins.

Ryan Martin came from the Red Wings organization. Is there anyone from there? John Lilley came from the Maple Leafs organization.

Greg Moore. Played for the Wolf Pack. He was a head coach of the Toronto Marlies. Lilley was there. Moore was hired by Hockey USA to replace Muse. New England hockey.

Greg Moore Named Head Coach at USA Hockey National Team Development Program

Lisbon, Maine, native was previously a player and assistant coach at the NTDP

www.usahockeyntdp.com

like the thought process a lot. wonder if there's any chance they let smith ride out the season as hc - not sure if there's any thought of him potentially earning the job outright, but if not, think there'd be any consideration towards peca or muse running the bench down there as of next year to gain that experience looking towards an eventual lavi succession plan?

mcquaid would fit with drury's affinity for ex players, but given a similar role as some in house guys with similar resumes, is it that glass/jed/mara/clowe aren't interested in coaching? or i guess what's the thought on his being any more qualified for the role? to be clear not at all meant to be critical of the thought, just curious why he'd be a candidate vs similar profile guys in house drury seems to value - obviously people may have opinions on them good or bad personally, but given drury is making the call his is the one that matters.

good thoughts re martin/lilley connections - i don't know, but it's a good thought towards finding potential connections on possible candidates.

curveball thought - i have no idea whether or not there'd be any interest, but how bout derek stepan? he's kinda serving in a role similar to what drury's was when gorton brought him in for the wild. not sure he'd have any interest in coaching or leaving minnesota, but he's a guy i'd love to have in the org in any capacity. very personable and in my opinion a great hockey mind. doubt this is the fit either side would want, but someone who has a bright future in the front office.

 

[egelband]

like the thought process a lot. wonder if there's any chance they let smith ride out the season as hc - not sure if there's any thought of him potentially earning the job outright, but if not, think there'd be any consideration towards peca or muse running the bench down there as of next year to gain that experience looking towards an eventual lavi succession plan?

mcquaid would fit with drury's affinity for ex players, but given a similar role as some in house guys with similar resumes, is it that glass/jed/mara/clowe aren't interested in coaching? or i guess what's the thought on his being any more qualified for the role? to be clear not at all meant to be critical of the thought, just curious why he'd be a candidate vs similar profile guys in house drury seems to value - obviously people may have opinions on them good or bad personally, but given drury is making the call his is the one that matters.

good thoughts re martin/lilley connections - i don't know, but it's a good thought towards finding potential connections on possible candidates.

curveball thought - i have no idea whether or not there'd be any interest, but how bout derek stepan? he's kinda serving in a role similar to what drury's was when gorton brought him in for the wild. not sure he'd have any interest in coaching or leaving minnesota, but he's a guy i'd love to have in the org in any capacity. very personable and in my opinion a great hockey mind. doubt this is the fit either side would want, but someone who has a bright future in the front office.

I think of Stepan as an instinctual player. Not really the epitome of hard work. No idea if he’s a student of the game. But he doesn’t strike me as a great coaching candidate. Though I could be way off base.

 

[2014nyr]

I think of Stepan as an instinctual player. Not really the epitome of hard work. No idea if he’s a student of the game. But he doesn’t strike me as a great coaching candidate. Though I could be way off base.

definitely wasn't the hardest worker off the ice, but he's a huge hockey nerd. if his feet worked as fast as his brain he woulda been a 90 point guy. he's also probably one of the friendliest guys around and developed strong relationships throughout every organization he was part of. can never have enough people that have the ability to develop working relationships with just about anyone. maybe coaching isn't the fit, but he'd be a guy i'd be happy to have around the front office in some capacity.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

definitely wasn't the hardest worker off the ice, but he's a huge hockey nerd. if his feet worked as fast as his brain he woulda been a 90 point guy. he's also probably one of the friendliest guys around and developed strong relationships throughout every organization he was part of. can never have enough people that have the ability to develop working relationships with just about anyone. maybe coaching isn't the fit, but he'd be a guy i'd be happy to have around the front office in some capacity.

If Stepan wants to coach I would hire him in a millisecond.

He would be a GREAT coach. He checks a ton of boxes.

- Understands the game at a level most people don't
- Great communicator
- Has street cred as he played for a while
- Played recently enough where he can be a more relatable figure for younger players

From what hes said it sounds like the FO side of things is where his interests lie but if he ever wants to hop on down to the bench, I'd be happy if he got the opportunity in Hartford.

 

[duhmetreE]

From what I've gathered, Stepan was to go into the executive role... not coaching.

 

[2014nyr]

If Stepan wants to coach I would hire him in a millisecond.

He would be a GREAT coach. He checks a ton of boxes.

- Understands the game at a level most people don't
- Great communicator
- Has street cred as he played for a while
- Played recently enough where he can be a more relatable figure for younger players

From what hes said it sounds like the FO side of things is where his interests lie but if he ever wants to hop on down to the bench, I'd be happy if he got the opportunity in Hartford.

yea i'm not sure he's very interested in coaching given his comments, but he's a guy i'd create a role for just go get him back in the org. agree on all counts with why he could be a great coach, and i think those extend as assets in the front office, especially his ability to communicate.

 

[duhmetreE]

Would Berard be capable of coming up anytime soon? Could he play on the right?

Would he fit with Kreider and Zibs?

 

[GAGLine]

Would Berard be capable of coming up anytime soon? Could he play on the right?

Would he fit with Kreider and Zibs?

I could see him getting a cup of coffee at some point, but it probably won't be until later in the season.

 

[cwede]

Would Berard be capable of coming up anytime soon? Could he play on the right?

Would he fit with Kreider and Zibs?

IMHO hard to see him recalled, after just a dozen pro games. over Brodz, Nash, Belzile, Blidh
But just a subjective guess

 

[NYR Viper]

I could see him getting a cup of coffee at some point, but it probably won't be until later in the season.

I think it is probably best if he plays no less than half a season in the AHL before any sort of call-up, assuming it's warranted at that point

 

[RangerBoy]

Is Edstrom a possibility? He got a decent look at training camp. He definitely has the size.

 

[NYR Viper]

Is Edstrom a possibility? He got a decent look at training camp. He definitely has the size.

Probably down the line. Similar to Berard, I would give him 30-40 games to see how his game is progressing before making any judgement. So far he has been pretty good. Not great, not bad.

 

[eco's bones]

Someone will get called up if the Rangers fall below 12 able bodied forwards but I don't see it happening otherwise. A lot will depend then on who the Rangers think will best help them and Brodzinski is probably still top of the list. Belzile might be next. He put up a bunch of goals for Montreal last year and he's currently 2nd in scoring on the Pack.

That said Berard has been doing pretty well so far. Ditto for Othmann. He's in kind of a slump but his and Berard's 40 shots on goal each lead the team. Those two are getting chances. Edstrom's been solid as well and is more the typical bottom line type of forward with great size and really good skating for his size. His game seems rounded enough for a 4th line role at least in the near future.

 

[cwede]

Garand vs Halverson in Syracuse tonight,
1st of back-to-back home-and-home

 

[GAGLine]

Really nice rush by Rempe, around the net, passed to Hillman and his shot deflected in off Blidh.

 

[Clark Kellogg]

Really nice rush by Rempe, around the net, passed to Hillman and his shot deflected in off Blidh.

I wonder if they will report why the first goal by Blidh was disallowed?
The referee never raised his arm, never blew his whistle and pointed to the puck in the net signaling a good goal.
Hartford up 2-1 after 1. The other Wolf Pack goal scored by Brodzinski. A one-timer from the top of the left circle.

 

[GAGLine]

I wonder if they will report why the first goal by Blidh was disallowed?
The referee never raised his arm, never blew his whistle and pointed to the puck in the net signaling a good goal.
Hartford up 2-1 after 1. The other Wolf Pack goal scored by Brodzinski. A one-timer from the top of the left circle.

I didn't see that. I was focused on the BC game. Hopefully there will be something about it in the postgame recap.

 

[GAGLine]

 

[Irishguy42]

blidh scored on god no cap

 

[cwede]

Old friends night
2-2 after 2nd
Daniel Walcott w tying goal, Halverson in net, Sean Day also in for Crunch

 

[Clark Kellogg]

5-3 Syracuse final. Brodzinski had Hartford’s 3rd goal. Lost to a good structured team in their building with homer officiating.
Edstom was a good pick. Big man who finishes his checks, not afraid of the front of the net and is comfortable handling the puck.
On to Hartford.

 

[2014nyr]

I could see him getting a cup of coffee at some point, but it probably won't be until later in the season.

at the rate guys are going down he might be up by thanksgiving

 

[Ranger Ric]

5-3 Syracuse final. Brodzinski had Hartford’s 3rd goal. Lost to a good structured team in their building with homer officiating.
Edstom was a good pick. Big man who finishes his checks, not afraid of the front of the net and is comfortable handling the puck.
On to Hartford.

I didn't watch the game live but saw the goals. The defense was poor on the five Syracuse goals. I thought Matt Robertson, in particular, who was -4, was chasing the puck and often out of position. Robertson had been playing with Scanlin but they split the two up and it didn't go well for Matt. I'm becoming skeptical that he will make it to the NHL. Scanlin reminds me of Ryan Graves. Trivigno scratched again.

If the Rangers need to call up a forward I think Brodzinski or Belzille would be the candidates. I like Othmann, Berard and Edstrom but they're not ready at this time and need to play more AHL games.