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

[RangerBoy]

i am shocked that Pajuniemi has not been called up at all. Berard I feel will sign this summer. Othmann I feel will make the Rangers next season. Lamb is years away. They can use some AHL forwards with a shoot first mentality that could be a future Rangers player.

Scott Wheeler of The Athletic was on Vince Mercogliano's podcast last month. Wheeler wrote a nice feature story on Berard. Wheeler feels Berard needs another year in school.

The Rangers brass should sit down with Berard at prospects camp and show him an excel spreadsheet sheet on their iPad with the Rangers salary cap situation. Berard is a management major. He can figure it out. See you next year at this time.

 

[Ranger Ric]

They also lost Barron around the same time.

I went back and checked Barron's record and I think I partially agree with you.

Barron scored 15 points in 25 games. He was not having an overwhelming season. But 20 of those games were in 2021. He was called up in early January and the team still was playing very well. He was sent back for 3 games in early February and then recalled. The Pack still is playing well in February. He was sent down in mid March where he played 2 games before he was traded. So the Pack continued to play well without him. His not being around did not adversely affect the Pack winning games. Brodzinski still is with the team until early March.

On the other hand, without both Brodzinski and Barron the team is struggling. Having Barron without Brodzinski would clearly help.

My point was there is a pretty strong correlation between Brodzinski being called up and the team collapsing. You don't see the same correlation with Barron.

Of course last night the offense scored five goals with Trivigno looking good but the defense collapsing. I made the point after one recent lgame in which Kinkaid was pulled after giving up 3 quick goals that Rangers fans should be horrified at the thought of Kinkaid being the backup rather than Georgiev. Kinkaid's game has deteriorated and he did not make big last night saves when they were needed. In fact twice last night the Pack scored to get the game back to one goal only to have Syracuse score almost immediately after the Pack scored. Not all of the goals were because of Kinkaid (lots of turnovers and missed assignments) but 7 goals on 28 shots, the eight goal being an empty netter, is not going to cut it.

The Pack play Monday. It will be interesting to see who gets the start.

 

[Ranger Ric]

There's more people waiting for the bathroom at UBS arena than at a Wolf Pack game.

Such a shame.

Yeah, but have you seen the bathrooms at the UBS arena!

 

[cwede]

They also lost Barron around the same time.

and they called up Schneider prior to the losing stretch
now Bitetto and Reunanen gone, too, so D has a different chemistry than 1st half

losing Barron and Brodz obvi have handicapped the offense,
good to see maybe Lorita and now Merkley, L:etunov and Trivigno can help that way

But if the goalkeeping remains shaky ...

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Yeah, but have you seen the bathrooms at the UBS arena!

I have actually. It's a really nice arena. Very clean (Well, since it's still new), and their concouse is really nice too.

But Rangers fan mode on: Ugh, UBS arena! More like "IBS arena" amirite?

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Rare Monday night game tonight. Hoping Trivigno has a few more points.

 

[Ranger Ric]

Tonight's game is makeup of game cancelled by covid in December.

Pack lose in overtime 4-3.

It was 2-2 going into the third when I turned it on. The Pack dominated the period with a couple of close in shots that were stopped when Khodorenko takes a bad offensive zone penalty. Providence scores on the PP. But the Pack tie it up on great plays by Reuschhoff who makes a strong back check as Providence is going into the offensive zone and slings a pass to Pajuniemi who brings the puck into the offensive zone and wins a board battle to get the puck to Khodorenko in front to tie the game.

Bad break in OT. The Pack get a 2-1 with Trevino passing to Letunov in front all alone and he is stopped leading to a 2-1 the other way. I couldn't tell for certain how but Jones is hit and can't get up resulting in a 3-2 with Fogarty scoring for Providence. Jones was carried off the off unable to put any weight on his foot.

The Pack outshot Providence 34-29 and looked good in the third period except for the Khodorenko penalty.

 

[cwede]

...Jones is hit and can't get up resulting in a 3-2 with Fogarty scoring for Providence. Jones was carried off the off unable to put any weight on his foot...

Well that sux

 

[Blais to Win]

Jones was standing at the bench after the game and walked off under his own power. He looked pissed more than hurt.

 

[Ranger Ric]

Jones was standing at the bench after the game and walked off under his own power. He looked pissed more than hurt.

Good news on Jones. According to Gerry Canyon he had a broken skate blade leaving him useless on the ice rather than having a serious leg injury. Bad break on the skate blade but good break on the lack of injury.

One other thing I noticed from Monday. The first PP had both Jones and Lundqvist with Jones at the top and Lunqvist on the left flank ready for a one timer. On Monday they flipped with Lundqvist at the top and Jones on the wing. While Jones may not have Lundqvist's shot he is more creative in getting the puck to the net from the left flank.

 

[Fitzy]

Good news on Jones. According to Gerry Canyon he had a broken skate blade leaving him useless on the ice rather than having a serious leg injury. Bad break on the skate blade but good break on the lack of injury.

One other thing I noticed from Monday. The first PP had both Jones and Lundqvist with Jones at the top and Lunqvist on the left flank ready for a one timer. On Monday they flipped with Lundqvist at the top and Jones on the wing. While Jones may not have Lundqvist's shot he is more creative in getting the puck to the net from the left flank.

Oh my god the finally used Nils where he played in the SHL on the power play.

And it almost took the whole season, lol.

 

[Osminator]

Another L.
This nightmare season needs to end ASAP.

 

[nyr2k2]

Another L.
This nightmare season needs to end ASAP.

It's too bad, because it started so promisingly. The wheels have just fallen off completely the past several weeks.

 

[17futurecap]

Wonder if they move on from a lot of their forward group this summer.

7 guys are either a UFA or RFA, 8 if you want to include Elmer.

Really need a good AHL goalie.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Wonder if they move on from a lot of their forward group this summer.

7 guys are either a UFA or RFA, 8 if you want to include Elmer.

Really need a good AHL goalie.

Dylan Garand will be the Pack goalie next season, I don't think we will have to worry about goaltending thankfully. Excited to see him turn pro.

 

[cwede]

Wonder if they move on from a lot of their forward group this summer.

7 guys are either a UFA or RFA, 8 if you want to include Elmer.

Really need a good AHL goalie.

My guess is they keep most. Rixhards & Ruesch, Getts & Ronning, and even the 2 group 6 late season adds, Merkley and Letunov. Maybe not Greco.
Many of the AHL guys - Oleary, Whelan, Sanchez DiGiacinto, maybe not.
The F Corp will get an influx of youth - Rempe, Cuylle, Henricksson, maybe Edstrom, Vierling, Korczak.

 

[Osminator]

Wonder if they move on from a lot of their forward group this summer.

7 guys are either a UFA or RFA, 8 if you want to include Elmer.

Really need a good AHL goalie.

More than overdue. And I mean the absolut mega cleanup is needed.
Time to cut the dead weight and clean the house thoroughly... and for Ryan Martin to do his job as a GM.

-F-
Khodorenko signed for 1 more season
Pajuniemi signed for 1 more season
Richards RFA (w/Arb)
Ruesschhoff RFA (w/Arb)
Gettinger RFA (w/Arb)
Ronning RFA (w/Arb)
Elmer RFA
Letunov UFA Group 6
Merkley UFA Group 6
Greco UFA
Kravtsov LOL

-D-
Tinordi signed for 1 more season
Skinner signed for 2 more seasons
Lundkvist, Jones, Scanlin, Robertson I'll exclude

-G-
Wall RFA (w/Arb)
Kinkaid UFA
Huska UFA Group 6

 

[JohnC]

It's too bad, because it started so promisingly. The wheels have just fallen off completely the past several weeks.

This feels like the story of the Hartford Wolfpack’s last 10 years.

 

[Ranger Ric]

It's too bad, because it started so promisingly. The wheels have just fallen off completely the past several weeks.

Actually, in watching the game with half an eye while the Rangers game was on, the Pack played pretty well. It's 1-1 halfway through the third period when Trivigno takes a penalty and Charlotte scores on a one timer. They give up two late empty net goals. It was a winnable game and the team played better than most of the other games in this slump. If the team hadn't been on a losing streak I think you would have been satisfied with the effort.

What was more upsetting to me is that Skinner and Reuschhoff were scratched -- no reason given -- and Pajuniemi was playing fourth line with Whelan and Richards. Assuming Skinner and Reuschhoff were not hurt I don't understand how we are developing players by scratching them and playing an offensive center with two guys having limited offensive ability.

 

[Leetch3]

 

[nyr2k2]

More than overdue. And I mean the absolut mega cleanup is needed.
Time to cut the dead weight and clean the house thoroughly... and for Ryan Martin to do his job as a GM.

-F-
Khodorenko signed for 1 more season
Pajuniemi signed for 1 more season
Richards RFA (w/Arb)
Ruesschhoff RFA (w/Arb)
Gettinger RFA (w/Arb)
Ronning RFA (w/Arb)
Elmer RFA
Letunov UFA Group 6
Merkley UFA Group 6
Greco UFA
Kravtsov LOL

-D-
Tinordi signed for 1 more season
Skinner signed for 2 more seasons
Lundkvist, Jones, Scanlin, Robertson I'll exclude

-G-
Wall RFA (w/Arb)
Kinkaid UFA
Huska UFA Group 6

I'd keep Richards, Rueschhoff, and Gettinger. They like Gettinger, Richards and Rueschhoff are probably just AHL guys but still useful.

Ronning wants to leave and I'm fine with that. See if you can swap him for a guy in a similar spot in a different organization. Elmer is done. I have little interest in Letunov, whose game has been in decline for two years. Merkley would be nice to keep, if possible. Greco I like, too, but he may look for a new opportunity. His next contract would be his last shot at the NHL, most likely.

Wall can go, Kinkaid can go, Huska should be retained.

 

[Osminator]

Huska a AHL contract at most, but he'll probably get a two-way deal.

If Garand is coming in next year, plus 1 awesome vet goalie... Huska may be in the ECHL.

 

[nyr2k2]

Huska a AHL contract at most, but he'll probably get a two-way deal.

If Garand is coming in next year, plus 1 awesome vet goalie... Huska may be in the ECHL.

You never know, though. Not to directly compare Garand to Wall, but so many people had Wall taking the AHL job as a rookie and Huska being banished to the ECHL. It didn't work out like that. Huska was having a good season this year with a downturn that coincided with the team's collapse--as did Kinkaid's--and I think he'd be a good option on his QO. Plus, as you said, a good veteran option. If Huska has to play in the ECHL, that's not the worst thing in the world, because the flipside is if Garand isn't ready, you know Huska's floor isn't terrible, and that he's capable of good play as well.

 

[cwede]

You never know, though. Not to directly compare Garand to Wall, but so many people had Wall taking the AHL job as a rookie and Huska being banished to the ECHL. It didn't work out like that. Huska was having a good season this year with a downturn that coincided with the team's collapse--as did Kinkaid's--and I think he'd be a good option on his QO. Plus, as you said, a good veteran option. If Huska has to play in the ECHL, that's not the worst thing in the world, because the flipside is if Garand isn't ready, you know Huska's floor isn't terrible, and that he's capable of good play as well.

Another CBA fog question: is ECHL assignment rule different for Goalies? Isn't the case that only ELC players on NHL deals can be sent to ECHL? Or does that restriction relate to 1-way contracts? Thanks guys

 

[Ranger Ric]

You never know, though. Not to directly compare Garand to Wall, but so many people had Wall taking the AHL job as a rookie and Huska being banished to the ECHL. It didn't work out like that. Huska was having a good season this year with a downturn that coincided with the team's collapse--as did Kinkaid's--and I think he'd be a good option on his QO. Plus, as you said, a good veteran option. If Huska has to play in the ECHL, that's not the worst thing in the world, because the flipside is if Garand isn't ready, you know Huska's floor isn't terrible, and that he's capable of good play as well.

According to Cap Friendly Huska can choose to be UFA (UFA Group 6) because he will be 25 and will not have accrued enough playing time in the NHL.

Huska might not want to resign even if the Rangers are interested.