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

[cwede]

with SO many mid-20's (or older) guys, signed by NYR, to NHL and AHL contracts,
I was wondering if they'd have "too many" "non"-development (veteran pro) players to dress them all
(to many of us, a 'good' problem,
so the 'non'-prospects wouldn't take ice-time away from the NYR pipeline prospects

The text below, from AHL site FAQ, does not clarify whether ECHL games count as pro games, NOR indicate which Euro leagues are 'Elite'

so in my chart below, career games in those leagues are listed apart from the more confident total

anyway, with the guys we know might be at Hartford,
it seems there would only be a required scratch, due to this rule,
IF Gauthier is demoted and all the vets are healthy
(unless I am doing this all wrong, quite possible ...

FAQ
What is the AHL’s development rule?
Of the 18 skaters (not counting two goaltenders) that teams may dress for a game,
at least 13 must be qualified as "development players." Of those 13,
12 must have played in 260 or fewer professional games (including AHL, NHL and European elite leagues),
and one must have played in 320 or fewer professional games.
All calculations for development status are based on regular-season totals as of the start of the season.

Name	birthdate	Reg Season pro games <Oct'22
Tinordi	9202	>320
Elson	9209	>320
Brodzinzki	9306	>320
Rydahl	9409	>320 SHL
Fritz	9108	302 +43ECHL
Gauthier	9710	280
Welinski	9304	276
CJ Smith	9401	259
Hajek	9802	188+27Czechia
Gettinger	9804	201
Hillman	9601	100 +91ECHL
DiGiacinto	9601	47 +12ECHL
Lohin	9606	40 +39ECHL
Jordan	9611	46+17Slovak+38ECHL

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

CJ Smith played for the Rangers at Traverse City several years ago. I was hoping the Rangers were going to sign him but he signed with Buffalo instead. He had an excellent college career at U Mass Lowell and has been a consistent high scorer in the AHL. At 27 he probably is not going to play for the Rangers but he should help with scoring at Hartford.

I found this article from Blue Shirts Bulletin that discusses Smith.

Some NCAA undrafted free agents to keep tabs on

Although the Rangers finally have a first round pick, they will need some more prospects to fill out the organization. They are already linked to KHL defenseman

blueseatblogs.com

When did CJ Smith play for us at Traverse? I only remember Jerret and Jacob Smith in, I think 2015

 

[Ranger Ric]

When did CJ Smith play for us at Traverse? I only remember Jerret and Jacob Smith in, I think 2015

I followed up my original post with a mea culpa. Smith couldn't have played in Traverse City while he was in college and he left college to sign with Buffalo. He was at the 2016 NHL prospect camp. I posted some articles about him from the camp.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I followed up my original post with a mea culpa. Smith couldn't have played in Traverse City while he was in college and he left college to sign with Buffalo. He was at the 2016 NHL prospect camp. I posted some articles about him from the camp.

Yeah, I had some catching up to do from this thread so I was replying as I scrolled through.

 

[Ranger Ric]

Story on Hartford forward Ryan Lohin. Played one year at U Mass Lowell with CJ Smith.

RYAN LOHIN STILL HAS

www.hartfordwolfpack.com

 

[nyr2k2]

James Sanchez signed with the ECHL Iowa Heartlanders.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

James Sanchez signed with the WCHL Iowa Heartlanders.

ECHL Affiliate of the Wild

 

[cwede]

Trying not to project concern about Skinner ice time again.But at RHD, they also have Nils, re-signed staff favorite Giutarri (AHL deal), signed Welinski, traded for Emberson. And Pack signed Luke Martin.

Moved this here, to discuss the potential D 'glut' on Pack.

Before elevating a Jones or Nils to big club, as we may see a vet D signing or PTO/camp-invite, at least these 12 guys are signed

6 RHD - Nils, Skinner, Emberson, Welinski, Giuttari(AHL), Luke Martin(AHL,age 23, NCAA Aug UFA in '20, 52OA in'17 Canes, UMich)

6 LD - Jones, Robertson, Scanlin, Tinordi, Luka Henault(AHL age 21 rookie OHL Windsor), Blake Hillman(AHL age 26 career AHL/ECHL, 4 NHL games 4 yrs ago)

Our latest poll had Skinner at 14, does FO see it differently?

The 12 could get down to 8 quickly, say Jones up, and Martin/Henault to Jax along w Scanlin or Hillman ...

 

[Fitzy]

Haven't the Wolf Pack played Skinner at forward on multiple occasions?

 

[cwede]

Yeah, per @Ranger Ric, when Skinner woulda been scratch as D, but team was short Fs, he dressed as 12th F

 

[Ranger Ric]

Moved this here, to discuss the potential D 'glut' on Pack.

Before elevating a Jones or Nils to big club, as we may see a vet D signing or PTO/camp-invite, at least these 12 guys are signed

6 RHD - Nils, Skinner, Emberson, Welinski, Giuttari(AHL), Luke Martin(AHL,age 23, NCAA Aug UFA in '20, 52OA in'17 Canes, UMich)

6 LD - Jones, Robertson, Scanlin, Tinordi, Luka Henault(AHL age 21 rookie OHL Windsor), Blake Hillman(AHL age 26 career AHL/ECHL, 4 NHL games 4 yrs ago)

Our latest poll had Skinner at 14, does FO see it differently?

The 12 could get down to 8 quickly, say Jones up, and Martin/Henault to Jax along w Scanlin or Hillman ...

There is a potential glut at both defense and forward.

Hartford will keep 7-8 defensemen meaning 3-4 of these guys go to Jacksonville. Martin, Hillman and Henault almost certainly start in the ECHL barring injuries. Martin and Hillman are ECHL/AHL tweeters and Henault is in his first year. I can't imagine that Jones and Lundqvist are both sent to Hartford. I think the FO is high on Skinner and I would note that Corey Pronman mentioned him in his latest write up on NY Ranger 23 and younger players. But it's malpractice if Skinner is playing lots of forward and Giuttari is playing defense instead.

You also can make the same point about their forwards. Elite Prospects currently shows 13 forwards on the roster including 7 AHL contracts. But Elite Prospects doesn't include Pajumiemi, Henriksson, Korczak, Edstrom, and Rempe. And there will be a couple of veterans who don't make the 13 man Ranger forward roster from Gauthier, Hunt, Carpenter, Rydahl. Even if Hartford keeps 14 forwards we might see 6 or so go to the ECHL or back to junior (Korczak) or Europe (Edstrom). E. Brodzinski, Jordan and Lohin seem likely to start in the ECHL.

 

[eco's bones]

There is a potential glut at both defense and forward.

Hartford will keep 7-8 defensemen meaning 3-4 of these guys go to Jacksonville. Martin, Hillman and Henault almost certainly start in the ECHL barring injuries. Martin and Hillman are ECHL/AHL tweeters and Henault is in his first year. I can't imagine that Jones and Lundqvist are both sent to Hartford. I think the FO is high on Skinner and I would note that Corey Pronman mentioned him in his latest write up on NY Ranger 23 and younger players. But it's malpractice if Skinner is playing lots of forward and Giuttari is playing defense instead.

You also can make the same point about their forwards. Elite Prospects currently shows 13 forwards on the roster including 7 AHL contracts. But Elite Prospects doesn't include Pajumiemi, Henriksson, Korczak, Edstrom, and Rempe. And there will be a couple of veterans who don't make the 13 man Ranger forward roster from Gauthier, Hunt, Carpenter, Rydahl. Even if Hartford keeps 14 forwards we might see 6 or so go to the ECHL or back to junior (Korczak) or Europe (Edstrom). E. Brodzinski, Jordan and Lohin seem likely to start in the ECHL.

The one minor quibble I have with this is Skinner/Giuttari. Giuttari’s been one of Hartford’s steadier defenders and a coach is going to coach to win even in a development league. Even so there is some chance I think that Giuttari ends up in Jacksonville if only because Welinski and Emberson push him out. Nils is more likely in Hartford too and that might cut into Skinner’s opportunities at least early on.

 

[Ranger Ric]

The one minor quibble I have with this is Skinner/Giuttari. Giuttari’s been one of Hartford’s steadier defenders and a coach is going to coach to win even in a development league. Even so there is some chance I think that Giuttari ends up in Jacksonville if only because Welinski and Emberson push him out. Nils is more likely in Hartford too and that might cut into Skinner’s opportunities at least early on.

I agree that Giuttari has been one of the steadier defensemen and I didn't have a problem with him being resigned. He's an adequate AHL defenseman. But he's not physical, not a great skater, OK offensively (he ran the 2nd team PP in think two years ago and was not good). He doesn't exhibit any qualities that lead you to believe he can play in the NHL. And no one offered him an NHL contract. Skinner may be a long shot as an NHLer but he does show some qualities that would lead you to believe he has a shot at making it. I know some people don't like Corey Pronman but for what its worth he did list Skinner as having a shot.

So it may be that Giuttari has more offer today but Skinner is the better prospect and the Rangers should want to emphasize developing his progress. I'm not sure what the plan is with having both Emberson and Welinski when you already have Skinner and Giuttari.

I don't think we have a quibble. Everything you said is accurate. I think the question is what is the plan the Rangers' brass have for their minor league defensemen. It should include developing Skinner.

 

[eco's bones]

The Wolfpack look to me like they're going to be a lot deeper this year than last. If there are no significant injuries in camp they could be looking at a team that includes C.J. Smith (60-24-34-58) Brodzinski (36-18-21-39) Gauthier (an AHL 30+ goal scorer in the past; if he's not picked up on waivers) Turner Elson (73-21-24-45 who can also fight pretty well for his size) Tanner Fritz (62-13-23-36) Cuylle, Trivigno, Gettinger (45-10-15-25) Khodorenko (66-10-17-27) Pajuniemi (51-13-13-26) Rueschoff (59-14-10-24) Whelan (62-8-8-16) and DiGiacinto (47-6-7-13 who is a very good agitator and also good at fighting for his size) with also possibly Rydahl + 1st year guys Henriksson, Edstrom, Korczak and Rempe. That's a lot of forwards and the potential for a lot more scoring than we've seen in say the last 10/15 years. Gettinger, Rueschoff, Edstrom and Rempe are all 6'6 or bigger. Cuylle and Gauthier are very big too.

Their D should have at least one of Lundkvist (34-3-12-15) or Jones (52-9-26-35) a veteran Welinski with some size (39-3-16-19) probably Matthew Robertson (65-1-10-11) newly acquired Ty Emberson (58-4-7-11) Skinner (49-4-9-13) Tinordi (32-1-4-5) steady AHL contract Guittari (56-1-13-14) free agent signing Brandon Scanlin (15-0-1-1). If either Jones or Lundkvist make the Rangers it clears the way for the other to be the main power play quarterback for the the Pack which should be helpful for that player's development.

Goaltending I like better too. Domingue IMO is a step up from Kinkaid and Garand is easily our best goaltending prospect since Igor.

 

[eco's bones]

I agree that Giuttari has been one of the steadier defensemen and I didn't have a problem with him being resigned. He's an adequate AHL defenseman. But he's not physical, not a great skater, OK offensively (he ran the 2nd team PP in think two years ago and was not good). He doesn't exhibit any qualities that lead you to believe he can play in the NHL. And no one offered him an NHL contract. Skinner may be a long shot as an NHLer but he does show some qualities that would lead you to believe he has a shot at making it. I know some people don't like Corey Pronman but for what its worth he did list Skinner as having a shot.

So it may be that Giuttari has more offer today but Skinner is the better prospect and the Rangers should want to emphasize developing his progress. I'm not sure what the plan is with having both Emberson and Welinski when you already have Skinner and Giuttari.

I don't think we have a quibble. Everything you said is accurate. I think the question is what is the plan the Rangers' brass have for their minor league defensemen. It should include developing Skinner.

I don't look at Guittari as a prospect at all. He's like 26 already. I do look at Skinner as a pretty decent but kind of long shot prospect. Between the two if one had to go to Jacksonville my guess it would be Guittari though the caveat might be that Skinner would get lots and lots of ice time in all situations if it were him instead of being a scratch now and then which happened a bit last year.

As for Emberson he's still pretty damned young too with one year pro. I don't have much of a read on him but he's also a higher draft than Skinner so I wouldn't automatically assume Skinner's the better prospect.

 

[cwede]

 

[cwede]

The Wolfpack look to me like they're going to be a lot deeper ... could be looking at a team that includes: C.J. Smith ... Brodzinski ... Gauthier...Turner Elson ...Tanner Fritz Cuylle, Trivigno, Gettinger ... Khodorenko ... Pajuniemi ... Rueschoff ...Whelan ... and DiGiacinto ...with also possibly Rydahl + 1st year guys Henriksson, Edstrom, Korczak and Rempe. That's a lot of forwards ...

FYI 3 other F's also signed to Pack contracts

Ryan Lohin, 26 - 4th year pro, was teammate of Wall at Lowell, career pro games evenly split 40 AHL, 39 ECHL

Ryan Lohin Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Ryan Lohin, a hockey player from Chester, PA born Jun 26 1996 who was active from 2012 to 2023.

www.hockeydb.com

Zac Jordan, almost 26, 4th year pro, was teammate of Scanlin at UNO,career, pro games pretty evenly split 46 AHL, 38 ECHL

Zach Jordan - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Zach Jordan, 1996-11-12 Collinsville, IL, USA USA. Most recently in the undefined with Indy Fuel. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

Easton Brodzinski, 26, 1st year pro, after 5 full NCAA seasons at St.Cloud

Easton Brodzinski - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Easton Brodzinski, 1996-08-13 Blaine, MN, USA USA. Most recently in the undefined with Allen Americans. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

 

[nyr2k2]

I like Giuttari as well. When they brought him back I said it was smart, as he's pretty steady and not totally worthless with the puck on his stick. I know we have a glut of defensemen, but it's hard for me to see him playing anywhere but in Hartford. I think he's around as a veteran AHL D. Welinski, too. Martin, Henault, and Hillman would go down first. Maybe Scanlin, who knows.

Skinner, IDK what to think about him. I'd like to see more of him, honestly, but the organization sends mixed signals with the scratches and with the playing him on the wing. I know Pronman had the quote that some scouts like him more than Robertson; to me that's a bit much and probably more a reflection of some people really just not thinking much of Robertson than it is people thinking that highly of Skinner.

 

[eco's bones]

I like Giuttari as well. When they brought him back I said it was smart, as he's pretty steady and not totally worthless with the puck on his stick. I know we have a gluten of defensemen, but it's hard for me to see him playing anywhere but in Hartford. I think he's around as a veteran AHL D. Welinski, too. Martin, Henault, and Hillman would go down first. Maybe Scanlin, who knows.

Skinner, IDK what to think about him. I'd like to see more of him, honestly, but the organization sends mixed signals with the scratches and with the playing him on the wing. I know Pronman had the quote that some scouts like him more than Robertson; to me that's a bit much and probably more a reflection of some people really just not thinking much of Robertson than it is people thinking that highly of Skinner.

I didn’t watch any Pack games last year but I probably listened to like 25 to 30 radio feeds. It’s not the same as watching but you do get a sense of some things. Who is on the ice at critical times….who kills penalties, does the unappreciated dirty work. The Pack were really humming for a while. Injuries and call ups broke the back of the team in the second half. Often they were playing with more AHL contracts and ECHL guys than guys with NHL contracts. At one point there were like 4 ECHL guys on D for a stretch of games and towards the end of the year the team was short on forwards almost every game. I like the idea of there being a lot of depth available going into next season. I get that guys like Fritz, Whelan, DiGiacinto and Giuttari are on AHL contracts but all of them have shown they can compete and contribute at the AHL level.

As far as Skinner’s year he is still very young. His first year split between the ECHL and AHL he was a Covid underage. His second pro year should have been his first. There are obviously some things he needs to work on which probably speaks to the number of times he was scratched. Robertson wasn’t scratched very much at all but he was mostly stay at home and the offense that he brought his last couple years in the CHL for the most part was missing though he did get close to a 100 shots on goal. Emberson was also a first year pro and he seems to have had somewhat the same issues with his team. Ultimately you want a guy to play good defense but also to move the puck smartly and make safe plays when it’s necessary. I think a lot of our younger D there are very good at the one thing and not so great at the other. Scanlin was a sought after college free agent. There were more than just the Rangers looking to sign him. How things work out for him though is wait and see.

 

[Ranger Ric]

I don't look at Guittari as a prospect at all. He's like 26 already. I do look at Skinner as a pretty decent but kind of long shot prospect. Between the two if one had to go to Jacksonville my guess it would be Guittari though the caveat might be that Skinner would get lots and lots of ice time in all situations if it were him instead of being a scratch now and then which happened a bit last year.

As for Emberson he's still pretty damned young too with one year pro. I don't have much of a read on him but he's also a higher draft than Skinner so I wouldn't automatically assume Skinner's the better prospect.

Corey Pronman rated both Skinner and Emberson in the "has a chance to play" category. I think I remember reading that Arizona was overloaded with defense prospects. Pronman questioned Emberson puck moving while he questioned Skinner's defense. We'll soon find out.

 

[Ranger Ric]

The Wolfpack look to me like they're going to be a lot deeper this year than last. If there are no significant injuries in camp they could be looking at a team that includes C.J. Smith (60-24-34-58) Brodzinski (36-18-21-39) Gauthier (an AHL 30+ goal scorer in the past; if he's not picked up on waivers) Turner Elson (73-21-24-45 who can also fight pretty well for his size) Tanner Fritz (62-13-23-36) Cuylle, Trivigno, Gettinger (45-10-15-25) Khodorenko (66-10-17-27) Pajuniemi (51-13-13-26) Rueschoff (59-14-10-24) Whelan (62-8-8-16) and DiGiacinto (47-6-7-13 who is a very good agitator and also good at fighting for his size) with also possibly Rydahl + 1st year guys Henriksson, Edstrom, Korczak and Rempe. That's a lot of forwards and the potential for a lot more scoring than we've seen in say the last 10/15 years. Gettinger, Rueschoff, Edstrom and Rempe are all 6'6 or bigger. Cuylle and Gauthier are very big too.

Their D should have at least one of Lundkvist (34-3-12-15) or Jones (52-9-26-35) a veteran Welinski with some size (39-3-16-19) probably Matthew Robertson (65-1-10-11) newly acquired Ty Emberson (58-4-7-11) Skinner (49-4-9-13) Tinordi (32-1-4-5) steady AHL contract Guittari (56-1-13-14) free agent signing Brandon Scanlin (15-0-1-1). If either Jones or Lundkvist make the Rangers it clears the way for the other to be the main power play quarterback for the the Pack which should be helpful for that player's development.

Goaltending I like better too. Domingue IMO is a step up from Kinkaid and Garand is easily our best goaltending prospect since Igor.

They are deep which can be good. Except that over the last two years I felt that Coach K relied heavily on the veterans at the expense of some of the prospects. It's great that they have lots of veterans but I hope not at the expense of the kids. I would like to see him use some of the kids more with the veterans from whom they can learn.

 

[cwede]

FYI - Richards signed AHL with Cleveland
[CBJ affiliate, had signed w NYR while JD was w NYR

Monsters sign forward Justin Richards to one-year AHL contract | Cleveland Monsters

The Cleveland Monsters announced Monday that forward Justin Richards has been signed to a one-year AHL contract for the 2022-23 season.

www.clevelandmonsters.com

 

[Charlie Conway]

FYI - Richards signed AHL with Cleveland
[CBJ affiliate, had signed w NYR while JD was w NYR

Monsters sign forward Justin Richards to one-year AHL contract | Cleveland Monsters

The Cleveland Monsters announced Monday that forward Justin Richards has been signed to a one-year AHL contract for the 2022-23 season.

www.clevelandmonsters.com

He didn't do a ton for Hartford by the looks of it, but I remember him being a guy that a few thought could make the jump to the NHL in a 4th-line role. Does he still have upside at this point?

 

[cwede]

He didn't do a ton for Hartford by the looks of it, but I remember him being a guy that a few thought could make the jump to the NHL in a 4th-line role. Does he still have upside at this point?

He turned pro as junior, so his not great 2nd season might have been his first
He could have a rooney/carpenter/mckegg career if he improves; maybe a goodrow ceiling
But he was pretty invisible on a Pack team last season that needed more from him. especially 2nd half

 

[eco's bones]

Richards played 3 years for U Minn Duluth one of the best of the best College hockey programs in the United States. Twice while he was there they won NCAA national championships. Both in his sophomore and junior years he was voted best defensive forward in his conference which is why he was so sought after.

For whatever reason last year his play was abysmal. He was even scratched a few times. I know people don’t like +/- statistics but even on a team where most players were - his minus stats stand out which is weird for someone known for great defensive play. Only two Pack players reached double figures on the minus chart. Bitetto was a - 11. Richards was a -28. About three times worse than anyone else. Not nearly enough production either to justify resigning him. 6 goals 14 points in about 65 games. He was just not a good enough player offensively or defensively.