With free agency starting tomorrow I thought I would do an update on the Wolfpack likely roster for next year and predict whether we see any under the radar Ranger signings for Hartford.
The Rangers currently have 36 contracts for next year with six qualified RFAs. With Nemeth and I would expect at least one forward the Rangers would have 44 contracts and room for a couple of contracts for Hartford.
Here is how Hartford/Jacsonville shapes up:
Goalie: Kinkaid, Huska, Wall -- Unless they trade Georgiev and then bring in another veteran to battle Kinkaid for the backup I doubt we have another Ranger signing. Perhaps a Hartford signing for Jacksonville
Defense: Schneider/Lundqvist, Skinner, Jones, Robertson Reunanen, Bitetto/Hajek. I'm assuming either Schneider or more likely Lundqvist is with the Rangers and either Bitetto or more likely Hajek is the 7th defenseman. This is some huge improvement over the Hartford defense of last year. So there likely will be some additions to fill in the extra defenseman role but I would assume they would be Hartford contracts.
Centers: Khodorenko, Richards, Brudziński. Khodorenko and Richards are strictly centers while Brodzinski could play anywhere up front. The Wolfpack also played Reuschoff at center. A veteran is possible.
Right Wing: Greco, Ronning, Reuschhoff, Pajuniemi, Elmer. Greco also played left wing and Reuschhoff played center. A veteran is possible.
Left Wing: Gettinger, Geertsen. This is pretty light. Greco could play left wing. Otherwise a veteran seems likely. I wonder if Di Giussepe is brought back.
So I think we'll see 1-2 veterans brought in on Ranger contracts to play on the forward lines along with the eventual typical 6-8 Hartford contracts to fill in the pieces.