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

cwede

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still don't get what happened with pajuniemi. didn't get a single game and is now back in the AHL.

I agree. It would be nice to hear one of our beat writers ask this question...
Sorry, can't agree that we are owed more, that its of mainstream interest
(And i am a prospects follower)
23 yr old 5th rd pick who had middling AHL debut season,
staff had him last fall,
if he'd stood out, maybe he'd gotten a game

Glad he had a strong game last Thursday
He's gotta know his shot is now, lets see him earn it
 

Raspewtin

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Sorry, can't agree that we are owed more, that its of mainstream interest
(And i am a prospects follower)
23 yr old 5th rd pick who had middling AHL debut season,
staff had him last fall,
if he'd stood out, maybe he'd gotten a game

Glad he had a strong game last Thursday
He's gotta know his shot is now, lets see him earn it
besides the fact that this is just a weird response to my reasonable question, career ECHLers got more of a chance than Paju (who by accounts, played well despite getting plugs for linemates). doesn't make sense to me.
 
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surlysailor

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besides the fact that this is just a weird response to my reasonable question, career ECHLers got more of a chance than Paju (who by accounts, played well despite getting plugs for linemates). doesn't make sense to me.
Completely agree, sure we're not in camp but I would think Paju a prospect they're trying to develop would've deserved as many games as 30 year old Elson (can't believe he's signed for 2 years).
 
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FourQuarters

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Rockets fan here, I noticed Boyko was released from his try-out, but why EP showed he will go to ECHL? I assume he will back to Kelowna, right? Is EP wrong?
 

nyr2k2

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Rockets fan here, I noticed Boyko was released from his try-out, but why EP showed he will go to ECHL? I assume he will back to Kelowna, right? Is EP wrong?
Jacksonville's camp goes through the 20th, so he probably will stick around there for another week before going back to Kelowna. But, you never know--he is eligible to play professionally so I guess it's not out of the question he plays on a minor league deal this year. Wouldn't really make much sense as it's likely Gahagen and Lindbom both go to Jacksonville.
 

FourQuarters

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Jacksonville's camp goes through the 20th, so he probably will stick around there for another week before going back to Kelowna. But, you never know--he is eligible to play professionally so I guess it's not out of the question he plays on a minor league deal this year. Wouldn't really make much sense as it's likely Gahagen and Lindbom both go to Jacksonville.
Hope he could come back, we need him badly.
 

cwede

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Rockets fan here, I noticed Boyko was released from his try-out, but why EP showed he will go to ECHL? I assume he will back to Kelowna, right? Is EP wrong?
EP is never 'wrong' because the dont do reporting, they just aggregate reports
At EP, to right of a transaction, is usually a link to their source.
In this case, it is link to formal release, by ECHL Jax, of Camp schedule and roster, which lists Boyko as tryout
 
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Ranger Ric

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Completely agree, sure we're not in camp but I would think Paju a prospect they're trying to develop would've deserved as many games as 30 year old Elson (can't believe he's signed for 2 years).
Having watched a fair amount of Wolfpack games in the last two years I am a little higher on Pajuniemi than some posters. He missed over 15 games and we don't know if his injury affected him when he returned. But the bigger issue is that Knobloch usually played him on a third line with lessor players. In the games I saw he was more physical, handled the puck better and skated faster than I had expected. He didn't dominate but I thought he did well with the opportunity he was given. And the shot is excellent. I don't think it's very important if he got into a preseason game. What I am more concerned about it whether Knobloch will give him and the other top prospects more of a chance to play with the veterans like Brodzinski or keep them playing lessor roles. I thought it was criminal that Brodzinski played most of the year with Greco and Gettinger. It would be nice for the Rangers minor league staff to develop a younger player.
 

surlysailor

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Having watched a fair amount of Wolfpack games in the last two years I am a little higher on Pajuniemi than some posters. He missed over 15 games and we don't know if his injury affected him when he returned. But the bigger issue is that Knobloch usually played him on a third line with lessor players. In the games I saw he was more physical, handled the puck better and skated faster than I had expected. He didn't dominate but I thought he did well with the opportunity he was given. And the shot is excellent. I don't think it's very important if he got into a preseason game. What I am more concerned about it whether Knobloch will give him and the other top prospects more of a chance to play with the veterans like Brodzinski or keep them playing lessor roles. I thought it was criminal that Brodzinski played most of the year with Greco and Gettinger. It would be nice for the Rangers minor league staff to develop a younger player.
I get that these coaches are trying to win games and keep their jobs, but it’s still a development league for the nhl. The kid was the leading scorer for his shl team, how do you not put him in the position to succeed(and possibly your team)? Cause they’re trying to develop his two way game? Even so shouldn’t he have been given a shot to on pp1 to showcase his goal scoring? I hope he is this season.
 

nyr2k2

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I do think Pajuniemi could have been used more, but I also wouldn't characterize him as being misused. For every game he looked impactful, he had a game or two where he was just another guy. But, it was his first year here, and I think he acclimated himself fairly well. This would be the season, I think, where you'd hope he takes a step forward, and also forces the staff's hand a bit. He didn't really do that last year, IMO.

The AHL is a tough balancing act for the coaches. You want to develop players and win, but running out a team of first- and second-year players every night isn't helpful. That's why you need your 4A vets or guys like Gettinger and Ronning who are at least steady producers or who bring different elements. It's sort of like the NYR power play; do you pull off someone who is being highly productive to help develop someone like Lafreniere or do you stick with what's working well? Of course, everything went off the rails for Hartford last season, but I don't think any rearranging of the decks chairs was going to avert that ship from sinking.
 

Ranger Ric

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I do think Pajuniemi could have been used more, but I also wouldn't characterize him as being misused. For every game he looked impactful, he had a game or two where he was just another guy. But, it was his first year here, and I think he acclimated himself fairly well. This would be the season, I think, where you'd hope he takes a step forward, and also forces the staff's hand a bit. He didn't really do that last year, IMO.

The AHL is a tough balancing act for the coaches. You want to develop players and win, but running out a team of first- and second-year players every night isn't helpful. That's why you need your 4A vets or guys like Gettinger and Ronning who are at least steady producers or who bring different elements. It's sort of like the NYR power play; do you pull off someone who is being highly productive to help develop someone like Lafreniere or do you stick with what's working well? Of course, everything went off the rails for Hartford last season, but I don't think any rearranging of the decks chairs was going to avert that ship from sinking.
It's the annual legitimate discussion of balancing a positive environment by playing some vets with developing kids. There isn't a bright line. But in my viewing of the Pack with Knobloch as coach he seems to rely more on vets and less on developing kids. I like having vets on the team but would like to see them play with kids to see if kids can elevate their games. I understand most of the kids are not going to make it. But I think the coaching staff needs to put them in a position to succeed. I'm not convinced that has happened the last two years.
 

surlysailor

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I do think Pajuniemi could have been used more, but I also wouldn't characterize him as being misused. For every game he looked impactful, he had a game or two where he was just another guy. But, it was his first year here, and I think he acclimated himself fairly well. This would be the season, I think, where you'd hope he takes a step forward, and also forces the staff's hand a bit. He didn't really do that last year, IMO.

The AHL is a tough balancing act for the coaches. You want to develop players and win, but running out a team of first- and second-year players every night isn't helpful. That's why you need your 4A vets or guys like Gettinger and Ronning who are at least steady producers or who bring different elements. It's sort of like the NYR power play; do you pull off someone who is being highly productive to help develop someone like Lafreniere or do you stick with what's working well? Of course, everything went off the rails for Hartford last season, but I don't think any rearranging of the decks chairs was going to avert that ship from sinking.

I do agree with this, and compltel
It's the annual legitimate discussion of balancing a positive environment by playing some vets with developing kids. There isn't a bright line. But in my viewing of the Pack with Knobloch as coach he seems to rely more on vets and less on developing kids. I like having vets on the team but would like to see them play with kids to see if kids can elevate their games. I understand most of the kids are not going to make it. But I think the coaching staff needs to put them in a position to succeed. I'm not convinced that has happened the last two years.
I don’t watch a lot of ahl games but how does kk balance kids compared to the crunch? Lighting always seems to have kids who come out of nowhere (coltan last season and maybe koepke this year) to make impact for the nhl club
 

nyr2k2

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I do agree with this, and compltel

I don’t watch a lot of ahl games but how does kk balance kids compared to the crunch? Lighting always seems to have kids who come out of nowhere (coltan last season and maybe koepke this year) to make impact for the nhl club
KK has a tendency to stack veterans on lines. Or, he'll throw in a lower-end prospect who is a good AHL player, like Tim Gettinger or Ty Ronning, into a spot that someone like a Pajuniemi could take. Like, this year I expect that Gauthier will have a huge role and get time that Paju could otherwise take. Or, we'll see Khodorenko getting outsized minutes while Henriksson or Korczak are on the fourth line (just hypothetical, those guys could suck for all I know).

I don't think KK is bad at balancing lines but he does skew towards relying on his veteran players, to be sure.
 

B17 Apricots

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I do think Pajuniemi could have been used more, but I also wouldn't characterize him as being misused. For every game he looked impactful, he had a game or two where he was just another guy. But, it was his first year here, and I think he acclimated himself fairly well. This would be the season, I think, where you'd hope he takes a step forward, and also forces the staff's hand a bit. He didn't really do that last year, IMO.

The AHL is a tough balancing act for the coaches. You want to develop players and win, but running out a team of first- and second-year players every night isn't helpful. That's why you need your 4A vets or guys like Gettinger and Ronning who are at least steady producers or who bring different elements. It's sort of like the NYR power play; do you pull off someone who is being highly productive to help develop someone like Lafreniere or do you stick with what's working well? Of course, everything went off the rails for Hartford last season, but I don't think any rearranging of the decks chairs was going to avert that ship from sinking.
100% agree. I'd rather see a couple prospects further along with actual upside next to productive AHLers than throw a ton of middling prospects out to dry and then the teams trash and no one benefits. That seems to be their Forte for years now unfortunately. I'd be curious if anyone knows how the lines might shake out.

Trivigno Brodzinski Gauthier
Smith Rydahl Pajuniemi

That top 6 would interest me. We know what we have in that last crop of NCAA UDFAs, between them, the newcomers, and the AHL guys, let them all battle for the bottom 6 down there
 
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Clark Kellogg

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Anthony Greco has 5 goals in 8 games for Frolunda HC. Good for him. He does have speed. I hope he gets a gig back in the AHL/NHL this season. Always appreciated his work ethic and it was nice that a kid from Queens, NY got to play a game for his favorite team.
Good luck, Anthony!

 
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Ranger Ric

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100% agree. I'd rather see a couple prospects further along with actual upside next to productive AHLers than throw a ton of middling prospects out to dry and then the teams trash and no one benefits. That seems to be their Forte for years now unfortunately. I'd be curious if anyone knows how the lines might shake out.

Trivigno Brodzinski Gauthier
Smith Rydahl Pajuniemi

That would interest me. We know what we have in that last crop of NCAA UDFAs, between them, the newcomers, and the AHL guys, let them battle for the bottom 6
I like your thought process for the lines. But don't forget Cuylle, Henriksson, Reuschhoff (who admittedly I'm higher on than many) and Korczak (I don't see room for him and think he might go back to the juniors). The Pack also has some other solid veterans, Elson, Fritz, Gettinger. It will be interesting to see how the coaching staff handles all of these players. I also want to see a lot of Robertson, Scanlin and Skinner on defense and Garand in goal.
 
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B17 Apricots

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I like your thought process for the lines. But don't forget Cuylle, Henriksson, Reuschhoff (who admittedly I'm higher on than many) and Korczak (I don't see room for him and think he might go back to the juniors). The Pack also has some other solid veterans, Elson, Fritz, Gettinger. It will be interesting to see how the coaching staff handles all of these players. I also want to see a lot of Robertson, Scanlin and Skinner on defense and Garand in goal.
It'll be interesting to follow the D down there. Eyes on Robertson for sure, who knows how things play out with Lindgren and the cap going forward. Could be some question marks on the left side in the near future

I'm a little skeptical on the newcomer draftees, dont know how much of an impact they're going to make off the bat. Let them amongst the others battle for the bottom 6 there. Honestly I would've rather them keep Henriksson in Sweden
 

Ranger Ric

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It'll be interesting to follow the D down there. Eyes on Robertson for sure, who knows how things play out with Lindgren and the cap going forward. Could be some question marks on the left side in the near future

I'm a little skeptical on the newcomer draftees, dont know how much of an impact they're going to make off the bat. Let them amongst the others battle for the bottom 6 there. Honestly I would've rather them keep Henriksson in Sweden
I think the club needs to see what it has in Henriksson. If he can't play at the AHL level this year it can send him back in the future. Yes, I see Robertson as a possible replacement for Lindgren. I don't see how the team keeps Lindgren next year when it needs cap for Miller and LaFreniere.
 
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eco's bones

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I do think Pajuniemi could have been used more, but I also wouldn't characterize him as being misused. For every game he looked impactful, he had a game or two where he was just another guy. But, it was his first year here, and I think he acclimated himself fairly well. This would be the season, I think, where you'd hope he takes a step forward, and also forces the staff's hand a bit. He didn't really do that last year, IMO.

The AHL is a tough balancing act for the coaches. You want to develop players and win, but running out a team of first- and second-year players every night isn't helpful. That's why you need your 4A vets or guys like Gettinger and Ronning who are at least steady producers or who bring different elements. It's sort of like the NYR power play; do you pull off someone who is being highly productive to help develop someone like Lafreniere or do you stick with what's working well? Of course, everything went off the rails for Hartford last season, but I don't think any rearranging of the decks chairs was going to avert that ship from sinking.

I probably listened to at least 30 games on the Pack's radio feed last year and Pajuniemi was in and out of the lineup with injury a lot. That more than anything else was the reason his game numbers are low. I think he was even brought up to the Rangers briefly one time and then sent back down. He was also brought up to the Rangers for the Black Aces for the playoffs and not every Pack forward can say that.

The Pack had a very, very good first half of 21-22 but collapsed in the second half. Between call ups to the Rangers and injuries (including to Pajuniemi) to their own players most nights they depended greatly on ECHL call ups to plug holes at pretty much every position. Really don't think Pajuniemi's season was wrecked by misuse....his problem was injury and timing of such.
 

egelband

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Excited for Trivigno. He may end up being too small. But he really has a motor and seems to have a good presence and plan. Even if he ultimately isn’t an NHLer I think he’ll be good for the Pack.
 

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