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

[GAGLine]

Garand's last 9 games:

A couple clunkers, but a lot more good than bad.

 

[cwede]

Pack played tonight. Skinner w 0 pts, -1

 

[Ranger Ric]

Pajuniemi had an excellent game with a hat trick. Cuylle also played well. That line with Brodzinski was the best line. I like seeing a veteran playing with the prospects. That's how the vets should be used. Pack still playing Carpenter with Gettinger and Elson. That line is doing nothing. The pack finally break an 0 for 19 PP scoreless streak against Springfield with the second PP scoring on a bullet from Pajuniemi.

As for Rydahl being the number 4 center for the Rangers, he has played left wing for the last several days. Perhaps he had a wrist injury which was why he had been out for a few games.

Robertson definitely playing much better although he still is not very good on the PP. On his goal Rydahl goes behind the net to steal the puck from the goalie creating all sorts of chaos with the puck bouncing out to Robertson who had an open net with the goalie scrambling to get back to the crease. His assist on the Pajuniemi PP goal was a routine pass to Pajuniemi on the wing who blasts it home.

Garand solid in goal only giving up a PP goal.

Scratches Scanlin for fourth game in a row and Wilinski on defense and Reuschhoff, Whelan and DiGiacinto up front.

Hunter Skinner is -1 in his first game against his former team.

 

[bl02]

I with you on this being a big win . All the players that scored are prospects and another prospect, Garand played very well in goal.
Lauri Pajuniemi showed a lot of character on the first of his three goals. He was hit along the boards while carrying the puck into the Springfield zone and kept his legs moving to put himself into position to score the goal.

Always wished Pajuniemi would get a chance with the big club. Do you ever see that happening?

 

[Clark Kellogg]

Always wished Pajuniemi would get a chance with the big club. Do you ever see that happening?

Chances are, not with us. Gallant didn’t have him dress for any of the preseason games and there were no reports that Lauri was injured.
He could get a look with another team one day.
His strength is his shot and on that alone could get him an opportunity.
The question is if he is a Blackwell/Pirri type player or a Vatrano/Moulson type player.

 

[chosen]

I don’t believe Rempe is NHL ready yet. I believe he is insurance in the vain of a spent Chris Neil when he was put in a game to stop the Rangers from running roughshod over the Senators during one playoff run.
Better to have a weapon that you never need than have a need for a weapon and not have one.

In the NHL, if a player has zero skills, he is nothing near a weapon. He's a guaranteed negative to the team if the goal is to win, which I'm pretty sure it is.

If winning isn't the goal and you just want a guy to fight for some reason, he's still not worth a roster spot.

Half a century ago, sure. Now, it's worthless.

 

[eco's bones]

In the NHL, if a player has zero skills, he is nothing near a weapon. He's a guaranteed negative to the team if the goal is to win, which I'm pretty sure it is.

If winning isn't the goal and you just want a guy to fight for some reason, he's still not worth a roster spot.

Half a century ago, sure. Now, it's worthless.

It's certainly one way to look at it. To be honest Rempe has done a lot more than I expected in his first pro year. I kind of was figuring he'd be heading for Jacksonville. 6 goals and 10 points aren't terrible numbers for a player making the jump from the CHL to AHL.....especially one without that 1st/2nd round pedigree.

I look at him as a work in progress and works in progress don't always work out. That said the Rangers did draft him and then sign him and have played him in a for real preseason game. We can speculate as to what gives with that but I'd say they see something in him that might not be all that apparent on the surface to a lot of the fanbase.

It also seems to me that the Rangers have been looking at developing a really large size forward for some time starting with their drafting of Gettinger and then Edstrom, the signing of free agent Rueschoff and then the drafting of Rempe.

 

[GAGLine]

It's certainly one way to look at it. To be honest Rempe has done a lot more than I expected in his first pro year. I kind of was figuring he'd be heading for Jacksonville. 6 goals and 10 points aren't terrible numbers for a player making the jump from the CHL to AHL.....especially one without that 1st/2nd round pedigree.

I look at him as a work in progress and works in progress don't always work out. That said the Rangers did draft him and then sign him and have played him in a for real preseason game. We can speculate as to what gives with that but I'd say they see something in him that might not be all that apparent on the surface to a lot of the fanbase.

It also seems to me that the Rangers have been looking at developing a really large size forward for some time starting with their drafting of Gettinger and then Edstrom, the signing of free agent Rueschoff and then the drafting of Rempe.

I'm guessing the hope is that he becomes a 4th line player who can forecheck and hit. Any points he scores is a bonus. A 4th line that is hard to play against and can spend significant time in the offensive zone is still an asset, even if they don't produce much.

 

[nyr2k2]

My concern with Pajuniemi is that he looks like basically the same player this season as he did last season. Even if you just stat surf, you'd notice that his totals are going to look almost exactly the same as they did last year (he'll play more game this year, but his rates are almost identical). I'm all for giving guys as much time as they need to develop, but you do want to see some progress in their game.

I would expect that they qualify him and give him another year (he'll be 24 before next season), but that's probably going to be it for him. I wouldn't be surprised if he wants to go back to Finland or the SHL, either, where he can earn more and have a bigger role.

On Rempe, I think absolute best case scenario for him is to be the Rangers' version of Ross Johnston. And you can debate the value of Ross Johnston, but that's I think what you'd hope for.

 

[chosen]

It's certainly one way to look at it. To be honest Rempe has done a lot more than I expected in his first pro year. I kind of was figuring he'd be heading for Jacksonville. 6 goals and 10 points aren't terrible numbers for a player making the jump from the CHL to AHL.....especially one without that 1st/2nd round pedigree.

I look at him as a work in progress and works in progress don't always work out. That said the Rangers did draft him and then sign him and have played him in a for real preseason game. We can speculate as to what gives with that but I'd say they see something in him that might not be all that apparent on the surface to a lot of the fanbase.

It also seems to me that the Rangers have been looking at developing a really large size forward for some time starting with their drafting of Gettinger and then Edstrom, the signing of free agent Rueschoff and then the drafting of Rempe.

I have zero idea what he will become. I don't watch those games. I'm going by those who watch him. At best, they say he's not ready, now. If he becomes a worthwhile player, sure, but bringing him up this season because he's a weapon is nonsense. That's what I was responding to.

 

[eco's bones]

I have zero idea what he will become. I don't watch those games. I'm going by those who watch him. At best, they say he's not ready, now. If he becomes a worthwhile player, sure, but bringing him up this season because he's a weapon is nonsense. That's what I was responding to.

FWIW he's got a lot of work to do IMO to be a for real 4th line NHL player. I'd say at least two if not three years and in that space of time a lot of players get lost in the shuffle. He's not embarrassed himself though in his first pro year and I've seen Rangers prospects with plenty more skill not really be able to make the jump from the CHL to the AHL at all.

 

[chosen]

FWIW he's got a lot of work to do IMO to be a for real 4th line NHL player. I'd say at least two if not three years and in that space of time a lot of players get lost in the shuffle. He's not embarrassed himself though in his first pro year and I've seen Rangers prospects with plenty more skill not really be able to make the jump from the CHL to the AHL at all.

Hopefully, he makes it.

All I care about is that some make it.

 

[Ranger Ric]

It's certainly one way to look at it. To be honest Rempe has done a lot more than I expected in his first pro year. I kind of was figuring he'd be heading for Jacksonville. 6 goals and 10 points aren't terrible numbers for a player making the jump from the CHL to AHL.....especially one without that 1st/2nd round pedigree.

I look at him as a work in progress and works in progress don't always work out. That said the Rangers did draft him and then sign him and have played him in a for real preseason game. We can speculate as to what gives with that but I'd say they see something in him that might not be all that apparent on the surface to a lot of the fanbase.

It also seems to me that the Rangers have been looking at developing a really large size forward for some time starting with their drafting of Gettinger and then Edstrom, the signing of free agent Rueschoff and then the drafting of Rempe.

Agree that he has done more than expected.

Let's have some perspective. He's 20 years old in his first pro season. He was a sixth round draft choice. How many sixth round draft choices make it to the NHL. He never projected to be more than a fourth line player. He's scored 10 points playing fourth line minutes in Hartford, often with AHL line mates. He may never get any better but I think any reasonable expectation for him would result in agreeing with eco bones that he has had a fine first season. We'll see where it goes from there.

 

[Ranger Ric]

My concern with Pajuniemi is that he looks like basically the same player this season as he did last season. Even if you just stat surf, you'd notice that his totals are going to look almost exactly the same as they did last year (he'll play more game this year, but his rates are almost identical). I'm all for giving guys as much time as they need to develop, but you do want to see some progress in their game.

I would expect that they qualify him and give him another year (he'll be 24 before next season), but that's probably going to be it for him. I wouldn't be surprised if he wants to go back to Finland or the SHL, either, where he can earn more and have a bigger role.

On Rempe, I think absolute best case scenario for him is to be the Rangers' version of Ross Johnston. And you can debate the value of Ross Johnston, but that's I think what you'd hope for.

His play has picked up in the last few weeks. Is that just randomness? Is it because he finally is playing up in the lineup with better players? The last few games he has played with Brodzinski and Cuylle and that line has been hot.

Coming to America we knew about his shot. He's been a lot more physical than I expected and he's has some skill with the puck. In the last game, Rodolfo pointed out that he got to the blue line and sent the puck in and was checked. But he keeps pushing into the zone and finds empty space that leads to a shot and a goal.

I would like to see if he finishes the year strong. I agree that at 24 time is running out and he might not want to come back to play another year in Hartford.

Until the last month or so has usually been on the 3rd line. I think he is another prospect who hadn't been given enough of a chance to play with better players. While I would take the under on him making an impact in the NHL I'm not yet ready to say that it won't happen. He's certainly done better than most of the other European free agents the Rangers have brought over in the last several years.

 

[Ranger Ric]

My concern with Pajuniemi is that he looks like basically the same player this season as he did last season. Even if you just stat surf, you'd notice that his totals are going to look almost exactly the same as they did last year (he'll play more game this year, but his rates are almost identical). I'm all for giving guys as much time as they need to develop, but you do want to see some progress in their game.

I would expect that they qualify him and give him another year (he'll be 24 before next season), but that's probably going to be it for him. I wouldn't be surprised if he wants to go back to Finland or the SHL, either, where he can earn more and have a bigger role.

On Rempe, I think absolute best case scenario for him is to be the Rangers' version of Ross Johnston. And you can debate the value of Ross Johnston, but that's I think what you'd hope for.

Your statement that he might not want to come back reminded me that I wanted to comment on your post from the prospect ranking thread that I have posted below and with which I agree. It got me thinking about a very early look at what the team might look like next year, particularly in terms of prospects.

As you note it's unlikely the Rangers sign Altonen, Hughes or Cicciolini by the deadlines this year. I expect the team signs Grubbe by the June 1 deadline and tries to sign Berard who's had his fun playing with this brother this year but should be to start his pro career. Korczak and Edstrom are signed and should be in Hartford. And perhaps Othmann starts the year in Hartford. And the Rangers generally sign one or two NCAA free agents to add to the mix. On defense the teams needs another right handed defensive prospect besides Emberson.

I don't see Rydahl coming back for another AHL year. It's likely to be Rangers or Europe. Reuschhoff and Khodorenko are both RFAs and I agree that neither is likely to be qualified. Khodorenko never has shown much and while I have been high on Reuschhoff his play has been too inconsistent and he now is riding the bench for several games and clearly has fallen out of favor. And I think it unlikely Pajuniemi wants to spend another year in Hartford.

Other prospects are signed for next year. Perhaps one or more of Cuylle, Jones and/or Robertson are in New York or in another organization.

For the veterans, Brodzinski and Elson are signed to NHL deals and Fritz is signed to an AHL deal. Gettinger is RFA and Carpenter and Smith are UFA. I wouldn't expect Carpenter to be back. The coaches seem to like Gettinger but I'm not a big fan. I see Hijak playing in Europe (no one claimed him on waivers) and Welinski has recently been scratched and I think is a disappointment.

So just some very early thoughts on next year.

"Aaltonen: He's a fourth liner in Liiga which at this point is probably sub-AHL in quality and he hasn't gotten noticeably better since being drafted.

Boyko: Hard to know what he really is since he's played behind a lot of shit in the past two seasons. I see size and not a whole lot else.

Ciccolini: Not a prospect.

Hughes: Not a prospect.

Karpa: Probably would have been my sixth vote. Limited upside but a smart, hard working player. He had been playing as Harvard's 1C before getting injured a couple weeks ago.

Khodorenko: He'll be gone after this season.

Kjellberg: Sort of an interesting guy, but the reality is he's not particularly good at either end of the ice. Serviceable all around but seems like an ECHL-caliber type to me.

Lindbom: I have never watched him and thought anything other than "this guy is raw and needs a lot of work."

Rempe: I just shared my thoughts on him in the Hartford thread. Maybe more likely than anyone else here to play an NHL game, but he's nothing more than a tough guy who would maybe get a spot start.

Rueschhoff: I appreciate what he does, but the guy will be 26 at the start of next year and probably in a different organization.

Tarnstrom: Still time for him, but he is a total non-entity for Rogle in the SHL. Hell need to take some massive leaps to become a legitimate NHL prospect."

 

[eco's bones]

I'd be a little surprised if Ciccolini were signed but he does play for a premier college program and he has had a lot of injury issues the past couple years. Lately he has been putting up points.

Another player who has been coming on lately as far as point production is Adam Edstrom.

The Rangers are thin on D prospects outside of Hartford. It might signal them looking at college free agents....Henry Thrun (technically not a free agent as yet) as well. Rangers signed Scanlin last years and he's done okay in his first pro year. If a Kane deal is made there's a pretty decent chance that one of Robertson or Jones is going to Chicago. Below the NHL level defense is an organizational weakness that needs to be addressed in the next couple years.

 

[Number 9]

Your statement that he might not want to come back reminded me that I wanted to comment on your post from the prospect ranking thread that I have posted below and with which I agree. It got me thinking about a very early look at what the team might look like next year, particularly in terms of prospects.

As you note it's unlikely the Rangers sign Altonen, Hughes or Cicciolini by the deadlines this year. I expect the team signs Grubbe by the June 1 deadline and tries to sign Berard who's had his fun playing with this brother this year but should be to start his pro career. Korczak and Edstrom are signed and should be in Hartford. And perhaps Othmann starts the year in Hartford. And the Rangers generally sign one or two NCAA free agents to add to the mix. On defense the teams needs another right handed defensive prospect besides Emberson.

I don't see Rydahl coming back for another AHL year. It's likely to be Rangers or Europe. Reuschhoff and Khodorenko are both RFAs and I agree that neither is likely to be qualified. Khodorenko never has shown much and while I have been high on Reuschhoff his play has been too inconsistent and he now is riding the bench for several games and clearly has fallen out of favor. And I think it unlikely Pajuniemi wants to spend another year in Hartford.

Other prospects are signed for next year. Perhaps one or more of Cuylle, Jones and/or Robertson are in New York or in another organization.

For the veterans, Brodzinski and Elson are signed to NHL deals and Fritz is signed to an AHL deal. Gettinger is RFA and Carpenter and Smith are UFA. I wouldn't expect Carpenter to be back. The coaches seem to like Gettinger but I'm not a big fan. I see Hijak playing in Europe (no one claimed him on waivers) and Welinski has recently been scratched and I think is a disappointment.

So just some very early thoughts on next year.

"Aaltonen: He's a fourth liner in Liiga which at this point is probably sub-AHL in quality and he hasn't gotten noticeably better since being drafted.

Boyko: Hard to know what he really is since he's played behind a lot of shit in the past two seasons. I see size and not a whole lot else.

Ciccolini: Not a prospect.

Hughes: Not a prospect.

Karpa: Probably would have been my sixth vote. Limited upside but a smart, hard working player. He had been playing as Harvard's 1C before getting injured a couple weeks ago.

Khodorenko: He'll be gone after this season.

Kjellberg: Sort of an interesting guy, but the reality is he's not particularly good at either end of the ice. Serviceable all around but seems like an ECHL-caliber type to me.

Lindbom: I have never watched him and thought anything other than "this guy is raw and needs a lot of work."

Rempe: I just shared my thoughts on him in the Hartford thread. Maybe more likely than anyone else here to play an NHL game, but he's nothing more than a tough guy who would maybe get a spot start.

Rueschhoff: I appreciate what he does, but the guy will be 26 at the start of next year and probably in a different organization.

Tarnstrom: Still time for him, but he is a total non-entity for Rogle in the SHL. Hell need to take some massive leaps to become a legitimate NHL prospect."

Really good write up thanks for this.

 

[Ranger Ric]

I'd be a little surprised if Ciccolini were signed but he does play for a premier college program and he has had a lot of injury issues the past couple years. Lately he has been putting up points.

Another player who has been coming on lately as far as point production is Adam Edstrom.

The Rangers are thin on D prospects outside of Hartford. It might signal them looking at college free agents....Henry Thrun (technically not a free agent as yet) as well. Rangers signed Scanlin last years and he's done okay in his first pro year. If a Kane deal is made there's a pretty decent chance that one of Robertson or Jones is going to Chicago. Below the NHL level defense is an organizational weakness that needs to be addressed in the next couple years.

Concur that rangers are thin on D prospects and expect the team to try to tap into ncaa the free agent pool. I haven’t watched much college hockey this year. Corey Pronman recently did his annual review of free agents and identified a couple of defensemen as either projected for the nhl or having a chance. Top picks were Sam malinski and Travis Mitchell of Cornell, teammates of rangers draft choice kemf(sp), Anton malmstrom of bowling green, jack livingstone of Minnesota state, and Lucas keys of brown.

 

[eco's bones]

Concur that rangers are thin on D prospects and expect the team to try to tap into ncaa the free agent pool. I haven’t watched much college hockey this year. Corey Pronman recently did his annual review of free agents and identified a couple of defensemen as either projected for the nhl or having a chance. Top picks were Sam malinski and Travis Mitchell of Cornell, teammates of rangers draft choice kemf(sp), Anton malmstrom of bowling green, jack livingstone of Minnesota state, and Lucas keys of brown.

Looking back Malinski was an invite to our last development camp. Other college invites to that camp were forwards Carl Berglund (Lowell) and Brady Berard (who now is at Providence with his brother Brett) and defensemen Malinski (Cornell) Eric Parker (Bowling Green) Tanner Palocsik (Dartmouth).

Gerard Keane (London OHL) and Luca Fantilli (Chicago USHL) both defensemen were the other invites.

 

[cozandeffect]

Concur that rangers are thin on D prospects and expect the team to try to tap into ncaa the free agent pool. I haven’t watched much college hockey this year. Corey Pronman recently did his annual review of free agents and identified a couple of defensemen as either projected for the nhl or having a chance. Top picks were Sam malinski and Travis Mitchell of Cornell, teammates of rangers draft choice kemf(sp), Anton malmstrom of bowling green, jack livingstone of Minnesota state, and Lucas keys of brown.

Hi, Hello. My spidey senses tingled.

 

[17futurecap]

Brodzinski was a really nice find for the AHL, and depth for the NHL.

 

[Ranger Ric]

Looking back Malinski was an invite to our last development camp. Other college invites to that camp were forwards Carl Berglund (Lowell) and Brady Berard (who now is at Providence with his brother Brett) and defensemen Malinski (Cornell) Eric Parker (Bowling Green) Tanner Palocsik (Dartmouth).

Gerard Keane (London OHL) and Luca Fantilli (Chicago USHL) both defensemen were the other invites.

 

[Ranger Ric]

We probably should move this to the draft/undrafted thread but a final word..

Pronman rated Malinski his #2 free agent, projected to play in the NHL. That ranking includes overseas and major junior players. Excellent playmaker, runs power play with "vision and shot." Skating solid. Not big (5'11' 190 lbs according to Elite Prospects) but competes well. He is older as 24. While there is no guarantee that he signs with Rangers just because he went to their camp it looks like he would be a strong signing if the Rangers can make it happen.

 

[nyr2k2]

Another big win for the Pack.

 

[GAGLine]

Good night for the Pack. Won 4-1 and they gained at least a point on all of their closest competition.

They're now in 6th place, 1 point behind Lehigh Valley and Springfield for 4th.

The top 6 teams in their division make the playoffs.