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JUST IN: Sonar Sound Off: Checking in on the Wolf Pack

Michael Mills

As the NHL season is winding down, everyone and their mother is locked in either waiting for their favorite NHL team to officially clinch a playoff spot or anticipating what matchups await on the horizon. Rangers fans are no different in this regard, while the current league-leading Blueshirts are potentially on the verge of clinching the Metropolitan Division (as I write this), if we look past the bright lights of Broadway into the Constitution State, we’d see their AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack in a very different battle.

The Hartford Wolf Pack currently hold a record of 30 wins, 27 losses, 7 overtime losses, and 3 shootout losses, placing them in fifth position in the Atlantic Division. With a winning percentage of .522, the team is barely staying afloat in what can be considered a somewhat successful season, especially considering the significant changes they underwent this season.

In the AHL playoff format, the top six teams in the Atlantic Division will secure spots in the postseason. Therefore, at the moment, the Wolf Pack are in a secure position.

However, the concerning news is that they are only three points ahead of the sixth-ranked team, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, and a slim lead of just 7 points

over the seventh-placed Springfield Thunderbirds. With each of these three teams having five games remaining, it might seem like the Wolf Pack have a good chance of making it to the playoffs. Nonetheless, a major cause for worry is their recent form as they have lost 9 out of their last 10 games. Adding to the tension, they are scheduled to face the Springfield Thunderbirds twice before the end of the season.

The Wolf Pack are heading into a challenging finale to what has been a memorable and noteworthy season for the team. A regulation victory against the Thunderbirds tonight, in their second-to-last meeting of the season, would see them secure a playoff spot, though it won’t be an easy task.

Hartford faced numerous challenges over the past year, some of which date back to the start of the season. People often underestimate the influence a coach can have, especially in developmental leagues like the AHL. However, losing their Head Coach Kris Knoblauch to the Edmonton Oilers was a significant setback for the Wolf Pack. Knoblauch played a crucial role within the team, forming connections with each returning player, aiding in their development, and motivating them to capitalize on their strengths and work on their weaknesses. Many players have openly expressed how supportive he has been even after his departure from the team.

Another major hurdle the team had to overcome was their depleted roster. This was due to various reasons, with a significant and expected one being the Rangers’ frequent call-ups. While it is understood that this is essentially the purpose of the team, it is important to acknowledge that the Rangers calling up key players from Hartford, like Brodzinski, and continuing to recall players throughout the season, posed a challenge for the team to consistently perform at a high level. This was compounded by injuries sustained by many key players expected to play significant roles for the team, including Louis Domingue, Ben Harpur, Riley Nash, Bobby Trivigno, and others.

Reflecting on the challenges faced throughout the year, the fact that the Hartford Wolf Pack are still in contention for a playoff spot can be considered a victory in itself.

Let’s shift gears from the challenges and focus on the positive developments in Connecticut’s capital city. This year marked a significant milestone for the Hartford Wolf Pack as they played their 2000th regular-season game, a notable achievement that underscores the New York Rangers’ dedication to their AHL affiliate. They are only the 10th AHL team to reach this impressive milestone. While I couldn’t verify if the brief period when the team was known as the Connecticut Whale was included in this total, let’s move forward.

An exciting moment was the return of a familiar face as Artem Anisimov signed a professional tryout (PTO) with the Wolf Pack. He appeared in 18 games for the Pack, contributing with one goal and 3 assists. Unfortunately, his time with the team was short-lived as he was eventually released. Nonetheless, his presence brought back a wave of nostalgia for Rangers and Wolf Pack fans. Before joining Hartford in early January, Anisimov had a season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms after playing for various NHL teams over the years. Many Rangers fans may recall him as part of the trade package to acquire Rick Nash or from his memorable and controversial goal celebration, as depicted in the image below.

At the forefront is Alex Belzile, who currently leads Hartford in points this season. The former captain of the Laval Rockets is experiencing a standout year in the AHL, showcasing his veteran presence and offensive reliability that have been crucial in stabilizing the Wolf Pack amidst the highs and lows of the season. His leadership and offensive contributions will be instrumental in keeping the team focused as they approach the end of the season and shift their attention to the playoffs.

The team has seen significant development this year, with several Rangers prospects making notable progress in their professional journeys. Starting with Olof Lindbom, who made his AHL debut and played six games, posting a 2.37 goals-against average (GAA) and a .916 save percentage (SV%). These impressive stats are commendable for a goaltender who was originally lower down in the goalie depth chart. Similarly, Dylan Garand played a substantial number of games this season, whether by design or due to Domingue’s injury. This valuable experience is beneficial for the young goalie, considered a promising prospect for the NHL. Despite facing the challenges of the AHL schedule, including consecutive games over a weekend, Garand has demonstrated his athleticism throughout the season, often putting the team in a position to compete. Although his statistical performance with a 3.03 GAA and .897 SV% may not be exceptional, the defensive struggles of the Hartford Wolf Pack as a whole have contributed to this outcome. Garand has exhibited resilience and provided his team with opportunities to contend in most games.

One of the most significant narratives of the past year revolves around Brett Berard, the young winger who has shone brightly with 24 goals scored in the current season. Initially, there were varied opinions among experts regarding the Rangers’ 2020 5th-round draft pick, but Berard has silenced any doubts by demonstrating his ability to compete at a high level. He leads Hartford in goal-scoring, with an impressive tally of game-winning goals, twice as many as the second-placed Alex Belzile on the team in this category. Despite his modest stature standing at 5’9″, Berard plays with remarkable intensity and tenacity on the ice. He consistently engages in the gritty areas, showcasing a relentless work ethic and emerging as a key offensive threat. Berard exhibits a willingness to sacrifice his body for the team’s success and displays responsible defensive play in every game.

Moving forward in this trajectory, there is a strong possibility that he could develop into a valuable bottom-six winger for the Rangers. In addition to his impressive skill set and determination, what further adds to the excitement about this young player is his recent achievement of being named the recipient of the Wolf Pack’s IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year Award. This recognition underscores his significant contributions to the Hartford community throughout the season.

Speaking of wingers, Brennan Othmann is currently tied for second place on the team with 45 points. While there has been some online discussion on Twitter suggesting that this season has been somewhat underwhelming for the first-round draft pick, I strongly disagree with that assessment. Othmann is in the process of adapting to the speed and demands of the professional game, transitioning into a slightly different role compared to his time in the OHL. Previously, whether playing for the Firebirds or the Petes, he was the primary focus – the player relied upon to create opportunities or make game-changing plays. From my observations of several Wolf Pack games this season, I can confidently say that Othmann consistently positions himself to receive the puck in the offensive zone, particularly during power plays. He ranks second on the team in shots taken, trailing only Berard despite playing fewer games, and is nearly 50 shots ahead of the nearest player below him. Othmann exhibits a determined and energetic style of play as he navigates how his gritty hockey approach will integrate into this new environment.

Furthermore, he recently gained his first taste of NHL action, a crucial experience for young players to gauge their development progress against the skill level and pace of play in the higher league. If Othmann continues to represent the Wolf Pack in the upcoming seasons, he is likely to shoulder greater responsibilities and be expected to assume a more prominent role. Given the current surplus of young forwards underutilized by the Rangers, there is no urgent need to hurry the developmental process for Othmann. Patience and strategic planning will be key in his continued growth and success.

his leads us to a significant concern that has plagued the Wolf Pack all season – penalties. Ranking fourth in the league for penalty minutes with a total of 1025, this is quite substantial. Although their penalty kill has been operating at an 82.5% success rate, providing opponents with more opportunities typically leads to more goals conceded, regardless of the efficiency of the penalty kill unit. The Rangers have eight players accruing over 50 penalty minutes this season, such as Matt Rempe and Brennan Othmann, along with an additional five players exceeding 30 penalty minutes. While the team has embraced a physical and gritty style of play as their hallmark, this has now escalated to a concerning level, highlighting the necessity for a more disciplined approach to hockey to achieve success in the playoffs.

Another noteworthy point worth discussing is their plus/minus statistics. While this may not be the most significant metric, it can reveal certain trends. Several of the Wolf Pack’s top scorers have negative plus/minus ratings, with Othmann leading the unfortunate stat at -23, closely followed by Berard at -19. However, it’s not all negative, as players like Bobby Trivigno and Adam Sykora boast positive ratings, along with several others on the team.

Leading the defensive corps for the Wolf Pack is Mac Hollowell, a former standout from the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds, tallying 2 goals and 38 assists. Trailing closely behind is Nikolas Brouillard with 4 goals and 29 assists. In a crucial developmental year for Matthew Robertson, he ranks third among defensemen on the team with 20 points, showing a slight decline in his points per game compared to the previous season. This could be seen as somewhat disappointing, considering Robertson’s potential as an NHL-caliber defender known for his smooth skating and adept first pass. However, it is worth noting that a majority of his points have come during 5v5 play, indicating room for growth and further contributions. While the path to the NHL remains open for Robertson, the competition within the Rangers’ organization is becoming increasingly fierce.

Despite facing various challenges throughout the year, the Wolf Pack have managed to maintain their position as a playoff-bound team, with the possibility of securing their playoff berth as early as tonight. Over the next week, they may experience additional roster depletions due to the Rangers calling up players for their own postseason push, a common aspect of the AHL dynamic. Despite potential roster adjustments, the team still possesses a wealth of size, skill, and potential, particularly with the late addition of Jaroslav Chmelar this season. Consistent performance will be key for the Wolf Pack to showcase their capabilities and potentially surprise their opponents.

 

 

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