Hartford Wolf Pack Weekly: Brennan Othmann Struggles With Consistency
The Hartford Wolf Pack just missed out on a chance to sweep a three-game week. But the New York Rangers AHL affiliate let a 2-0 third-period lead slip away Saturday in a 3-2 loss to Lehigh Valley.
That disappointing defeat followed on the heels of a 3-2 overtime win Tuesday against Springfield and a 5-2 victory over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Friday. Highlights of the weekend included Derrick Pouliot’s three-point (one goal, two assists) outing Friday, Callum Tung’s pair of wins in goal, and Gabe Perreault’s sixth goal of the season.
Amid their overall struggles, the Wolf Pack remain tied for sixth-place (5-8-4-0, 14 points) with the Bridgeport Islanders for the final playoff spot in the Atlantic Division.
Brett Berard and Dylan Garand were called up by the Rangers on Sunday, to plug holes with J.T. Miller and Jonathan Quick sidelined by injuries.
With Garand, his No. 1 goalie, now in New York and Talyn Boyko loaned to a team in Finland’s Liiga, Hartford coach Grant Potulny must lean on Callum Tung, who won two starts last week after he was called up from the ECHL, Hugo Ollas, and veteran Spencer Martin.
Hartford did get Scott Morrow back. The defenseman was re-assigned after playing three games with the Rangers. The timing is good since Blake Hillman is week to week with an upper-body injury, and Brandon Scanlin remains sidelined.
Hartford Wolf Pack News-n-Notes
Brennan Othmann — photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack
Ongoing Brennan Othmann struggles a concern
Third-year forward Brennan Othmann continues to struggle to find any consistency in his game. A first round pick (No. 16) in the 2021 NHL Draft by the Rangers, Othmann hasn’t scored a goal since Feb. 16 of last season, either in the NHL or AHL. This makes his future extremely uncertain with the Rangers, who drafted him because of his big-time scoring ability in junior.
This season in Hartford, Othmann’s played on various line combinations, most recently on the second line with Berard and Dylan Roobroeck. He’s also received plenty of power-play opportunity. But Othmann has just five assists in 12 games. Even more alarming, and perhaps a sign of him lacking confidence, is that Othmann’s recorded just 17 shots on goal.
Defensively, he is a minus-four and been on ice for nine goals against at even strength. He attempts to get in the dirty areas and play physically, but has not found success consistently. Another aspect of his game is lack of discipline. Through 12 games, he is up to 27 PIM (he was given a 10-minute misconduct at end of the game Saturday). He is eight penalty minutes away from tying last year’s total (35 in 27 games), and, perhaps, his frustration is showing up in this area.
This season is a “prove-it” year for Othmann. Time is ticking on the 23-year-old forward, who’s name continues to show up in Rangers trade rumors.
Trey Fix-Wolansky provides reliable production
Veteran Trey Fix-Wolansky is paying dividends for Hartford. A seventh-round pick (No. 204) in the 2018 NHL Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets, the 26-year old forward has five points (two goals, three assists) in his past six games. He’s tied with Perreault for the Hartford lead with six goals, and is tied for second with 10 points.
Fix-Wolansky hit the score sheet in nine of 17 games, and is second on the team with 40 shots. He’s tied with Roobroeck with a team-high three power-play goals, on pace to challenge his career-high 11 PPG set in 2022-23 with Cleveland of the AHL. The 5-foot-7 forward also is on pace for his fourth straight 20-goal season in the AHL.
Fix-Wolansky had 60 points (26 goals, 34 assists) in back-to-back seasons with Cleveland prior to joining the Rangers this past offseason.
Derrick Pouliot steps up
The 31-year old defenseman had a strong week for the Wolf Pack. Pouliot, who led Syracuse defensemen in assists (46) and points (53) last season, has four points (one goal, three assists) in his past two games with Hartford. He is is tied for fifth in Wolf Pack scoring with Roobroeck (eight points), and leads the defense corps in assists (seven) and points.
Pouliot is a key offensive cog for Hartford, especially as the power-play quarterback. Potulny said the former Pittsburgh Penguins first-rounder plays “important minutes” for Hartford, and is vitalk to their success at both ends of the rink.
Upcoming Games
All games can be viewed on AHLTV and heard on Mixlr.
Wednesday, November 26 vs Springfield Thunderbirds (St. Louis) at 7:00pm, PeoplesBank Arena
- This is the fourth of 10 meetings in the season series. Hartford is 3-0-0-0 against Springfield.
- Springfield is 3-10-2-1 (nine points), eighth (last) in the Atlantic Division and 14th in the Eastern Conference.
- Nikita Alexandrov leads the Thunderbirds with 12 points (three goals, nine assists). Next is Matt Luff with 11 points (five goals, six assists).
Friday, November 28 vs Cleveland Monsters (Blue Jackets) at 7:00pm, Rocket Arena
- This is the first of four meetings in the season series. The teams last met in 2023-24, playing four games with Hartford posting a 2-0-1-1 record.
- Cleveland is 5-4-3-1 (14 points), sixth in the North Division and tied for 11th (with Hartford and Bridgeport) in the Eastern Conference.
- Luca Pinelli leads the Monsters with 10 points (five goals, five assists), and Mikael Pyyhtiä has eight points (two goals, six assists).
Saturday, November 29 vs Cleveland Monsters (Blue Jackets) at 7:00pm, Rocket Arena
- This is the second of four meetings in the season series. Hartford hosts Cleveland on March 11 and 13.
