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

[leetch99]

One of your relatives shot him I guess.

Thanks for the early morning chuckle....Bahahahaha....too funny !

 

[chosen]

Kinda true. It’s optimum to have a stay at home guy and a more offensive D paired together. But the days of the true stay at home bruisers like Foote and Beukaboom are few and far between.
It lindgren was on 2nd pairing and had a partner like a Girardi/Staal/Klein or even a Trouba with the way he has adapted his style to a more defense 1st kind of guy, you can effectively form a very good Shutdown pair.
Neither guy would be slow. In Girardi/Staal example, lindgren would actually be the faster player. But as long as both guys can play D and move the puck, They wouldn’t have a problem with the transition game at all. They likely wouldn’t be a huge threat to produce offensively, but they would still join the play and help on the rush.
As long as they were rock solid defensively, you take that and run. They also wouldn’t get abused physically.
My biggest worry with a Jones-Lundkvist pair currently would be down behind the goal, along the boards, and in front of the net.
Neither guy has any real weight behind them, and I have my doubts how good they would be blocking shots and clearing the front of the crease.
When going against a large 2nd/3rd line that knows how to forecheck and cycle, they’d also likely be exposed.
If I were the opposing coach going against those 2, I’d keep dumbing the puck deep and telling my Fwds to hit them every single time.
For sure they wouldn’t always be first to the puck and the constant beating on them would no doubt cause mistakes/turnovers to happen.
Lindgren and Fox lack size as far as top 4 minute eating pairing go, but Fox being other worldly good and Lindgren playing a Bigger more abrasive style for a guy his size, while still being mobile and good with the puck on his stick make that pair work.
Lindgren is more physical then either Jones or Lundkvist can hope to be, and sometimes he and fox have trouble with big players who cycle well and get in fast on the forecheck.

Your bolded statement refers to how every NHL coach attacks the other team's defensemen.

The league has been heading towards mobile defensemen for years now, and the best way to avoid getting smashed is quickness, not size. Lindgren takes an absolute beating most games. Eventually that will take an enormous toll on him.

Lundkvist's size, at least so far, has not exposed him. While Jones only had 10 games last season, I didn't see his lack of size hurting him.

I understand that there still is a current belief that you want a stay-at-home with an offensive force, but if the stay at home guy isn't mobile, he'll get eaten up in today's NHL no matter how big and strong he is.

Eventually, I believe all defensemen are going to be quicker. Quick and big will still be awesome but tougher to find, just like a quick tough forward.

 

[chosen]

One of your relatives shot him I guess.

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess you're not a comedy writer.

 

[wafflepadsave]

Thanks for the early morning chuckle....Bahahahaha....too funny !

Had to ignore him.

 

[cwede]

Brassard(G) and Elmer recalled to Pack, from Jax, w Kinkaid up for Georgie, and Taxi Squad anticipated.
I believe that may leave Berzolla as remaining NYR/HWP guy w Jax

 

[Fitzy]

One of the improvements defensively this season so far has been preventing screens deflections and rebounds by helping keep the front of the net clear.

That’s something that becomes very difficult the more DeAngelo/Pionk/Jones types are on the ice. Just as a forewarning.

 

[Irishguy42]

DeAngelo/Pionk/Jones/etc. "types" know how to clear a crease. In fact, they're probably better at it than Tinordi/Nemeth/Hajek/etc.

Clearing a crease is not some mythical skill that under-sized/offensive defensemen can't do/do well.

 

[nyr2k2]

DeAngelo/Pionk/Jones/etc. "types" know how to clear a crease. In fact, they're probably better at it than Tinordi/Nemeth/Hajek/etc.

Clearing a crease is not some mythical skill that under-sized/offensive defensemen can't do/do well.

DeAngelo was absolutely terrible at clearing the crease. Whatever he thought he knew how to do, he didn't. I think in general his defense wasn't as bad as some made it out to be, but that was one area where he really, really struggled.

I wouldn't says Jones excels there, either.

 

[Ranger Ric]

Barzolla now recalled:

2021-12-27 Zach Berzolla (D) Hartford ADD Recalled from loan to Jacksonville (ECHL) [TBODY] [/TBODY] [TBODY] [/TBODY] [TBODY] [/TBODY] [TBODY] [/TBODY]

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

As well as defenseman Brandon Fortunato:

Icemen Announce Several Roster Transactions

Brassard(G) and Elmer recalled to Pack, from Jax, w Kinkaid up for Georgie, and Taxi Squad anticipated.
I believe that may leave Berzolla as remaining NYR/HWP guy w Jax

 

[bmoak]

Jacksonville had been on an 8-0-0 run and have the best record in the ECHL

 

[NW1999]

 

[egelband]

Consider trading Lindgren at his peak and bringing up the two kid bruisers. wouldn't that be better for Fox long term? And you might be able to package lindgren for a center??

I would definitely consider trading Lindgren. Maybe not this season but if that’s what it takes to get an upgrade at 2C…Of the guys we have in the top six now, Nemeth is obviously a placeholder but next to possibly go could be Lindgren.

 

[Fitzy]

DeAngelo/Pionk/Jones/etc. "types" know how to clear a crease. In fact, they're probably better at it than Tinordi/Nemeth/Hajek/etc.

Clearing a crease is not some mythical skill that under-sized/offensive defensemen can't do/do well.

Utter nonsense.

We can make arguments about the pros and cons of relative skills as a blueliner, but relative skill sets always have overlap between players regardless of their overall ability.

 

[cwede]

Hartford adding replacements beyond Elmer, Berzolla, Fortunato, JCBrassard

2021-12-29 Michael Brodzinski (D) Hartford ADD Signed to PTO
2021-12-29 Brandon Kasel (G) Hartford ADD Signed to PTO
2021-12-29 Aaron Luchuk (C) Hartford ADD Signed to PTO

Aaron Luchuk
Aaron Luchuk at eliteprospects.com
age 24, LH C, 5'10 185#
had some productive OHL seasons, but almost always ECHL for 3 seasons lately, pt per game guy in 'E'
had ELC w Sens '17-20
Senators agree to terms with Aaron Luchuk on an entry-level contract

Mike Brodzinski
Michael Brodzinski at eliteprospects.com
Jonny's younger brother
Played for Gophers for 3 NCAA seasons
2013 round 5 #141 overall by San Jose Sharks
age 26 RHD 5'11" 194#
only 1 AHL game since end of '17-18
had ELC w SJS '16-19
Sharks Sign Defenseman Michael Brodzinski

Brandon Kasel
Brandon Kasel at eliteprospects.com
age 25 Goalie 6'2" 174#
played DIII for Skidmore thru '20
Skidmore ice hockey goalie achieves dream, inks pro contract
2 career pro games, both ECHL this season
(0.50 GAA 0.983 Save%, 1 SO, FWIW)
JUST NAMED YESTERDAY ECHL Goalie Of The Week
Adirondack’s Kasel named ECHL Goalie of the Week | Pro Hockey News
"... Kasel recorded his first professional shutout, stopping all 33 shots he faced, in a 5-0 win at Worcester on Sunday...The 25-year-old is 2-0-0 in two appearances with the Thunder this season, stopping 59 of the 60 shots he has faced. ..."

 

[nyr2k2]

Hartford adding replacements beyond Elmer, Berzolla, Fortunato, JCBrassard

2021-12-29 Michael Brodzinski (D) Hartford ADD Signed to PTO
2021-12-29 Brandon Kasel (G) Hartford ADD Signed to PTO
2021-12-29 Aaron Luchuk (C) Hartford ADD Signed to PTO

Aaron Luchuk
Aaron Luchuk at eliteprospects.com
age 24, LH C, 5'10 185#
had some productive OHL seasons, but almost always ECHL for 3 seasons lately, pt per game guy in 'E'

Mike Brodzinski
Michael Brodzinski at eliteprospects.com
Jonny's younger brother
2013 round 5 #141 overall by San Jose Sharks
age 26 RHD 5'11" 194#
only 1 AHL game since end of '17-18

Brandon Kasel
Brandon Kasel at eliteprospects.com
age 25 Goalie 6'2" 174#
played DIII for Skidmore thru '20
2 career pro games, both ECHL this season
(0.50 GAA 0.983 Save%, 1 SO, FWIW)

That's good. I'm not going to lie and say I'm particularly invested in the success of Jacksonville, but they were having a nice year and I'd hate to see it completely wrecked by COVID.

 

[Ranger Ric]

So the Pack will have Brodzinski with them tonight, just not Johnny. Instead his brother, Michael.

Before these three signings I think the Pack were at 13 forwards, 8 defensemen and 2 goalies. But Arthur Staple mentioned in a tweet that Schneider might not have been called up to the taxi squad because of covid. Schneider and Reunanen missed the last game and based on Staple's tweet it seems possible it was from covid. So it is not clear whether either or both of them are available tonight. And Bitetto has been out for over a month. It looks like only 7 NHL contract forwards, including Elmer, 1 NHL defenseman, Skinner, unless Schneider and/or Reunanen can play, and 1 NHL contract goalie left on the team. I would like to see Richards, Reuschhoff and Sanchez get more of an opportunity to play. The centers could be Fritz, Khodorenko, Richards and Sanchez.

 

[cwede]

So the Pack will have Brodzinski with them tonight, just not Johnny. Instead his brother, Michael.

Before these three signings I think the Pack were at 13 forwards, 8 defensemen and 2 goalies. But Arthur Staple mentioned in a tweet that Schneider might not have been called up to the taxi squad because of covid. Schneider and Reunanen missed the last game and based on Staple's tweet it seems possible it was from covid. So it is not clear whether either or both of them are available tonight. And Bitetto has been out for over a month. It looks like only 7 NHL contract forwards, including Elmer, 1 NHL defenseman, Skinner, unless Schneider and/or Reunanen can play, and 1 NHL contract goalie left on the team. I would like to see Richards, Reuschhoff and Sanchez get more of an opportunity to play. The centers could be Fritz, Khodorenko, Richards and Sanchez.

yeah, my tracking has them at 14F, 9D, 3G at the moment
sorted old to young

8606 Labrie [AHL	9007 Bitetto
9108 Fritz[AHL	9404 Taylor[AHL
9309 Greco	9505 M.Brodzinski AHLPTO
9601 DiGiacinto[AHL	9604 Giuttari[AHL
9704 Luchuk AHLPTO	9606 Fortunato E:JAX AHLPTO
9707 Whelan[AHL	9803 Reunanen
9709 Rueschhoff	9805 Berzolla[AHL
9710 Ronning	0104 Skinner
9801 O'Leary[AHL	0109 Schneider
9802 Sanchez[AHL
9803 Richards
9810 Khodoreno	9401 F.Brassard[AHL
9812 Elmer	9603 Kasel AHLPTO
9909 Pajuniemi	9801 Wall

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[cwede]

Pack add one more PTO, another D

Mike Lee
Mike Lee at eliteprospects.com
25 yr-old LHD 5'11" 183#
Native of Hamden CT (where Quinnipiac is
4 years NCAA (2@UVM, 2@SacredHeart) thru 2020
prior, a season @Penticton with former Pack Fs PNewell, LZerterGossage
60 ECHL games in last 15 months

14F, 10D, 3G at the moment
sorted old to young, NYR players highlighted

8606 Labrie [AHL	9007 Bitetto
9108 Fritz[AHL	9404 Taylor[AHL
9309 Greco	9505 M.Brodzinski AHLPTO
9601 DiGiacinto[AHL	9604 Giuttari[AHL
9704 Luchuk AHLPTO	9604 M.Lee AHLPTO
9707 Whelan[AHL	9606 Fortunato E:JAX AHLPTO
9709 Rueschhoff	9803 Reunanen
9710 Ronning	9805 Berzolla[AHL
9801 O'Leary[AHL	0104 Skinner
9802 Sanchez[AHL	0109 Schneider
9803 Richards
9810 Khodoreno	9401 F.Brassard[AHL
9812 Elmer	9603 Kasel AHLPTO
9909 Pajuniemi	9801 Wall

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[The Crypto Guy]

So Jones, Barron, Robertson, Huska, Gettinger, and Brodzinski were added to the Rangers Taxi Sqaud.

 

[nyr2k2]

So Jones, Barron, Robertson, Huska, Gettinger, and Brodzinski were added to the Rangers Taxi Sqaud.

Yes and Jones and Gettinger were activated from the taxi squad.

 

[Ranger Ric]

Schneider and Reunanen not in the lineup so I'm thinking this is a covid issue.

Wall also not in the lineup so perhaps another covid issue. Brassard starts with Kassel Backing up.

On defense, it's Skinner, Guitiari, Fortunato, Berzolla, Brodzinski and Lee, who was just added. Starters are Skinner and Guitiari.

Forwards are Ronning, Reuschoff, Richards, Greco, Pajuniemi, Khodorenko, Elmer, Digiacinto, Sanchez, Whelan, O'Leary. One empty slot. Starters are Pajuniemi, Khodorenko and Whelan. No Fritz, Labre and new signer Luchuk.

This should be interesting.

 

[Ranger Ric]

Just noticed Jeff Taylor also not in the lineup. So between the call ups and covid the team is a shell of itself.

 

[Ranger Ric]

Pack win 3-2 although being outshot 33-23.

I had the game on background and was able to follow when the Rangers weren't playing.

Bridgeport breaks through when a Lee pinch doesn't work and Bridgeport comes in 2 on 1 to score. Hartford comes back when a nice cycling game by Reuschhoff, O'Leary and Digiacinto results in the puck being passed back to Zach Barzolla who was able to walk in and wrist it into the net. Hartford takes the lead when a Hunter Skinner shot from the point is either deflected or stopped by the goalie who doesn't cover the rebound leaving Digiacinto to bang home the puck into an open net. Bridgeport comes back in the third period when Digiacinto takes a penalty on a power play deep in Bridgeport territory and Bridgeport scores when it gets its power play. The game was cruising to overtime when Greco makes a pass to Richards who is able to get behind the Islander defense and to break in and beat the goalie.

Because the Pack only played with 11 players and I wasn't watching closely for most of the game I couldn't discern any set lines. It looked like the Pack were rotating through the 11 players with no set lines.

Brassard looked solid in goal. Hunter Skinner was constantly joining the rush and had a strong game. Barzolla had two nice offensive plays with the one resulting in a goal. I'd like to see more of him. Lee looked outmatch a couple of times. Up front Richards looked very good on the game winning goal. He showed a burst of speed and some stick handling we don't see very often. I still like Reuschhoff particularly when he is able to get the puck down low and use his size as he did on the first goal. Greco makes a nice pass springing Richards. Ronning always is active and is a good AHL player but the size is a problem.

The last game of the year is Friday at 3:00. I think I heard the Bridgeport announcer say the game was free on AHL TV.

 

[cwede]

...The last game of the year is Friday at 3:00. I think I heard the Bridgeport announcer say the game was free on AHL TV.

confirmation

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

So has anyone confirmed what's up with Schneider? Is it most likely covid protocol?

I can see him on the taxi squad and Robertson back down as soon as this weekend.

And damn the Pack lineup is like the AHL rag tag equivalent of 1985-86 Rangers right now.