Meanwhile, the Pack are adding players to their Calder Cup hopes in Ryder Korczak and Maxim Barbashev.

Rangers Rumors: Lauri Pajuniemi headed to Sweden

Pajuniemi, 23, registered 19 goals and 19 assists for 38 points in 58 regular-season games in Hartford. So far in the playoffs, he’s recorded 2 goals and 1 assist for 3 points helping the Pack sweep the Springfield Thunderbirds in round one.

The Finnish native was taken by the Blueshirts in the fifth round of the 2018 Draft and was slated to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer. According to Swedish outlet Expressen, Pajuniemi will be suiting up with Malmö Redhawks in the SHL next season.

The recruitment will only be announced when his AHL team Hartford Wolfpack has finished its season. They start the round of 16 against the Providence Bruins in a couple of days. During the match series against Springfield, Hartford advanced and then Pajuniemi accounted for three points in two games.

Expressen

Pack added Korczak and Barbashev

On Thursday, the Hartford Wolf Pack announced the additions of two players.

Maxim Barbashev was signed to an ATO (Amateur Tryout) after registering 32 goals and 33 assists for 65 points in 67 games for the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats.

The Rangers drafted the 19 year-old forward in the fifth-round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

Ryder Korczak, who started the season with the Pack before being reassigned back to the Moose Jaw Warriors in the WHL has returned.

The 20 year-old center notched 28 goals and 41 assists in 48 games for Moose Jaw this season. Previous to that, he played in 5 games for Hartford registering no points.

Selected in the third-round in 2021, the Rangers are hoping Korczak’s offensive abilities in juniors can translate to the pro level.

The New York Rangers can’t seem to stay away from TPS, the team from Turku, Finland. After signing undrafted free agent Alexandar Georgiev, and drafting Tarmo Reunanen (R4, 2016), Patrik Virta (R7, 2017), Lauri Pajuniemi (R5, 2018) and Kaapo Kakko (R1, 2019), it felt weird not seeing TPS show up when going through our 2020 draft class.

Well, it only took one year for the Rangers to go back to their favourite Finnish talent pool last summer when they used a 4th round pick on winger Kalle Väisänen. But who is this young kid and what can we expect?

Kalle Väisänen early years

Born in 2003, (Yes, I realize we’re getting old when we’re discussing kids born the same year we drafted Hugh Jessiman), Kalle grew up in the small town of Kotka, on the south coast of Finland.

Located in the Kymenlaakso province, Kotka is home to 50,000 people and about an hour drive to the Russian border. Growing up there, it was an easy decision what team Kalle would be playing for and he followed in his father’s footsteps.

“I was 4-5 years old when I started playing in Kotka for Titaanit. My dad played for the same team before I was born so it was a special feeling,” Väisänen explains.

Father Markku who played hockey in Sweden in the mid-90s, finished his career at Titaanit in Kotka about a year before Kalle was born.

Fourteen years later, father and son would work close together as Markku was the coach of Titaanit’s u16 team with Kalle led his team to the playoffs with 43 points in 20 games but lost the semi-final and bronze medal game to finish 4th in u16 Mestis (2nd tier). It earned him a move to Helsinki where he played for Vikingit for a year in u16 SM-sarja (top tier) and again he led his team in points. It was an easy transition and not surprisingly, another move was in the cards and at age 16 he moved even further west, to Turku.

I was 4-5 years old when I started playing in Kotka for Titaanit. My dad played for the same team before I was born so it was a special feeling.

Väisänen about his early childhood

New York Rangers draft Kalle Väisänen

At No. 104: Brody Lamb ✔️
At No. 106: Kalle Vaisanen ✔️

Welcome to #NYR! pic.twitter.com/qOA33p4SSG

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) July 24, 2021

In the summer of 2019, the move to Turku was finalized and it was another step up in his hockey journey. After making his way through the ranks at different age groups, Väisänen started the 2019-20 season for TPS’ u18 team.

In a successful season where he put up 39 points in 44 games, he finished 4th in points and 3rd in goals. He played with upcoming top prospect Juraj Slafkovský, who is projected to go top-3 this summer in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. His performance earned him a call-up for Finland’s u17 team and in 6 games he registered 1 assist.

It was just before our game against Sweden in summer showcase so didn’t have that much time to process getting drafted before the game

Väisänen on his draft experience

In his draft year he made another jump, this time to the u20 team and with 30 points in 27 games he again finished 4th in points. With Finland’s u18 team he traveled to Frisco, TX where Leijonat would fall short of a medal, losing the bronze medal game to Sweden. But it was a game vs the Swedes a few weeks later that will stick with the young winger for the rest of his life.

“It was just before our game against Sweden in summer showcase so didn’t have that much time to process getting drafted before the game,” Väisänen said of his draft experience.

In the weeks leading up to the draft, he had several phone calls with Mikko Eloranta, the Finnish scout for the New York Rangers. One text he received after he was drafted came from a familiar face.

Lauri Pajuniemi, drafted by the Blueshirts in 2018, was still in Turku at that time preparing to move to North America. He sent Kalle a message to congratulate him.

Pro hockey and what we can expect

Väisänen is a versatile player who doesn’t really have a preference as to where he plays.

“I can play both left wing and right wing. I adjust easily and don’t really see any challenges. Until 5 years ago, I played center as well so who knows,” the 6’4″ forward explains.

That versatility saw him line up in different spots in his first pro-season of hockey. He explains that the intensity is of course a lot higher and more demanding than at u20 level. But in his first season with the big club, he played 39 games in total, including 1 playoff game and 6 in the continental Champions Hockey League where TPS traveled to Germany, Sweden and Czechia to take on Fischtown Pinguins, Växjö Lakers and Sparta Praha respectively.

Despite losing every game on the road, it was still a great experience because it gave Väisänen the opportunity to explore and discover places he otherwise would not visit.

CHL games are pretty fun to play and you get to travel with the team and see hockey culture in other countries

Väisänen on the joys of playing in an international tournament.

Growing up, his favourite player was Teemu Selänne who retired in 2014 but is a living legend in the land of saunas, lakes and Minttu.

During the season, contact with the Rangers organization remained as is the case with all prospects. The previously mentioned Mikko Eloranta keeps tabs on him and preparing for his 2nd pro-season, he will get all the support he needs from the Rangers organization. Realistically, the now 19-year old winger is still a few years away from making the move to North America but he’s definitely a name to remember and the next on an increasing list of TPS players in the Rangers organization.

PS: I want to thank Kalle Väisänen for sitting down with me and giving me the opportunity to share this story with our readers.

NHL News and Rumors

• Lightning look to force Game 7
• NHL Rumors: Forsberg has 8-year offer from Predators
• Pierre-Luc Dubois tells Jets he will go to free agency in 2024
• Patrice Bergeron coming back to Bruins

The New York Rangers made the call-ups of seven members of the Hartford Wolf Pack official. They are as follows:

• Zac Jones (D)
• Nils Lundkvist (D)
• Jarred Tinordi (D)
• Matthew Robertson (D)
• Tim Gettinger (F)
• Lauri Pajuniemi (F)
• Keith Kinkaid (G)

On Tuesday, the Blueshirts will open their first round playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden. For a full look at the schedule with dates, start times, and TV info please click here.

New York Rangers add to roster for playoffs

In the NHL Playoffs there are no roster limits and no salary cap. This allowed the Rangers to add to their deep pool of reserves for what they hope is a long post season run.

If you are wondering why a player like Bobby Trivigno was not included it’s because of CBA rules. A player is only eligible to join the team for the playoffs if they were under contract and their rights belonged to the Rangers prior to the NHL Trade Deadline on March 21.

Trivigno signed on April 1.

Of the seven players added today, Lauri Pajuniemi and Matthew Robertson were the biggest surprises. I felt that Anthony Greco, who played for the Rangers during the regular season would’ve been given consideration.

A look at the Rangers extras

If the New York Rangers are fully healthy for Game 1 on Tuesday, the 7 players from Hartford will lineup behind the these current reserves on the depth chart.

• Ryan Reaves (F)
• Tyler Motte (F – injured)
• Jonny Brodzinski (F)
• Greg McKegg (F)
• Justin Braun (D)
• Libor Hajek (D)

Now let’s take a quick look at the Wolf Pack extras in order of their likelihood to play:

Zac Jones, 21, played 12 games with the Rangers this season and tallied two assists. With the Wolf Pack he was their leading scoring defenseman with 35 points in 52 games. He is without a doubt the most likely player to see playoff action– maybe even over Hajek.

Jarred Tinordi, 30, was signed to a two-year contract in the summer and started the season with the Rangers. He played in 7 games this year with 1 goal. In Hartford, he picked up 5 points in 32 games. He’s a rugged defensemen with 109 games of NHL experience.

Nils Lundkvist, 21, made the Rangers out of training camp but struggled to find consistency in his first year in North America. In 25 NHL games, he notched 4 points (1G – 3A) and then posted 15 points with the Wolf Pack after being sent down in January. The Rangers have high hopes for the first round pick (28th overall) from the 2018 Draft.

Keith Kinkaid, 32, posted a .904 SV% and a 2.94 GAA for the Pack this season. Last year, Kinkaid earned his stripes with the organization stepping in when Igor Shesterkin was hurt and Alexandar Georgiev was struggling. He posted a 3-2-1 record during that stint. This season, he made one start and recored a 3-2 win over the Coyotes in December.

Tim Gettinger, 24, put up 25 points in 45 games with the Pack. He also played 8 games this season for the big club with no points and three shots.

Matthew Robertson, 21, played in his first pro season and put up 11 points in 65 games for Hartford. He is a left defenseman that could make the club in the future.

Lauri Pajuniemi, 22, had a nice first season coming over from Finland. He recorded 26 points in 51 games which included 13 goals.

NHL Playoffs Round One previews and predictions

The NHL Playoffs will begin on May 2! Here’s a look at all 8 series plus some predictions. Read more!

The New York Rangers are one of the top top teams in the NHL and they are also one of the youngest. Unlike many of the seasoned contenders like the Tampa Bay Lightning, Colorado Avalanche, and Vegas Golden Knights, Chris Drury has a ton of assets in the form of prospects and picks to improve the team.

As the NHL Trade Deadline is a little over two weeks away, let’s rank the Rangers top future assets. The criteria will be any player with less than a year’s experience in the NHL coupled with the likelihood they will be traded.

Ranking the New York Rangers prospects for a trade

Below are my top 10 futures that Chris Drury can move at this year’s trade deadline on March 21st to bolster the lineup. They are ranked by their trade value and probability to be moved.

I included the Rangers first round pick for not only this upcoming draft but for the following one as well. This team’s window to win a Stanley Cup has opened and drafted players that are likely going to be late first round picks won’t be able to help for at least another five years.

Analyzing the list

There should be no surprise that Kravtsov is at the top of the list. The Rangers are going to be buyers and the former first round selection, 9th overall, from 2018 has seen his value drop steadily year after year. While it’s nice that he’s playing well in the KHL, the red flags are out on his compete level. I almost feel like Drury would dump him for Phil Kessel instead of giving up a second round pick.

The rest of the top five is likely only going to see New York’s 2022 first round pick moved and one prospect defenseman. Chris Drury is not going to gut his farm system and prospect pipeline at this deadline. Nils Lundkvist will likely only be traded for a player like J.T. Miller (one with term left), but I could see Zac Jones or Matthew Robertson included in a deal for a top six rental forward. Keep an eye on either of them to be part of a deal to bring in Rickard Rakell from Anaheim. That will save the team’s first round pick for a run at Montreal’s Ben Chiarot.

As for the bottom five, Will Cuylle is the one I would try to keep if possible. However, with Brennan Othmann tearing it up in the OHL, and a long line of young forwards already in the Rangers lineup he could be expendable. If he stays, Cuylle could be part of the Rangers third line next season.

Finally, I added Morgan Barron at 10. While I doubt they will trade him, it isn’t an impossibility. Barron is projected to be no higher than a third line player, with the reality being more of a fourth liner. That can be easily replaced every year via free agency.

NHL Rumors

The Toronto Maple Leafs make their trade deadline priority clear. Plus Mark Giordano suitors and who is the New York Rangers top trade target? Read more.

In response to Julien Gauthier entering COVID protocol and Dryden Hunt being placed on IR, the Rangers called up forwards Tim Gettinger and Jonny Brodzinski from the taxi squad yesterday. Both could be in the lineup tonight against Anaheim.

Rangers add Pajuniemi and Greco to taxi squad

The taxi squad was reintroduced after the holiday break to assist rosters impacted by COVID-19. It will remain in use until the All Star Break in February. Please note, no player can remain on the taxi squad for more than 20 days.

Per Wolf Pack Press Release:

The New York Rangers announced on Saturday that the club has recalled forwards Lauri Pajuniemi and Anthony Greco to the taxi squad from the Hartford Wolf Pack.

Pajuniemi, the Rangers fifth-round draft choice (132^nd overall) in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, has scored 15 points (7 g, 8 a) in 27 games during his rookie AHL season. Pajuniemi scored his first career AHL goal on opening night against the Bridgeport Islanders at the XL Center. He has yet to make his NHL debut.

Greco, signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Rangers on October 9^th, 2020, has scored 23 points (7 g, 16 a) in 26 games with the Wolf Pack this season. A veteran of 320 AHL games, Greco has scored 199 points (96 g, 103 a) throughout his career. The native of Queens, New York, has skated in one NHL game. He made his NHL debut on December 13^th, 2018, at the Minnesota Wild as a member of the Florida Panthers.

UPDATE: #NYR have recalled Anthony Greco and Lauri Pajuniemi to the taxi squad.

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 8, 2022

Lundqvist joins Caesars Sportsbook

Legendary Rangers’ goaltender Henrik Lundqvist has joined Caesars Sportbook as an Ambassador for their official launch of mobile sports betting statewide in New York.

Per the official press release: Lundqvist will support Caesars Sportsbook in its mission to treat sports fans across New York like a Caesar through a wide array of fan engagement opportunities made possible through the industry-leading loyalty program, Caesars Rewards. Not only will sports bettors in the Empire State earn Tier Credits and Reward Credits with every wager placed on the app, but they will have the chance to personally interact with Lundqvist in various ways through upcoming activations.

“Henrik’s legacy in New York speaks for itself after the historic career he had for the Rangers and all of the great work he has done for the state,” said Sharon Otterman, CMO of Caesars Digital in a statement. “We’re thrilled to bring him aboard to help us engage with the passionate sports fans in New York as we offer them a sports betting experience worthy of the emperors they are.”

The 39 year-old goalie ended his NHL career with a record of 459-310-96, a .916 SV% and a GAA of 2.43 with 64 shutouts. Simply remarkable numbers. Lundqvist will forever be remembered for carrying the Rangers on numerous occasions, in particular the 2014 Stanley Cup run that fell short. He is and always will be one of the best Blueshirts of all-time.

“New York has always been a special place to me and it’s such an exciting time for this state,” Lundqvist said in a press release. “Becoming a part of the Caesars Sportsbook team going forward is an exciting opportunity as I enter into my next chapter. Caesars really does treat people like royalty and I can’t wait to interact directly with the incredible sports fans in New York on behalf of this partnership.”

Happy to join the @CaesarsSports family and excited to welcome #caesarssportsbook  to New York 🗽😎 pic.twitter.com/w1IWOz66hV

— Henrik Lundqvist (@HLundqvist) January 8, 2022

NHL Rumors

Klingberg asks for a trade. New York Rangers almost traded Georgiev, and more. Read it here.

In addition to the call ups to the main squad, Hartford faced injuries and players on Covid-19 protocol. As the roster is adjusted on a game by game basis, chemistry is again a work in progress. Unfortunately, the Wolf Pack were only able to win one of three games last week as they look for continuity.

The club recorded a 3-2 victory in their first game back from the holiday break on Wednesday, December 29th against Bridgeport. Hartford was shutout for the first time this season on New Year’s Eve as the club dropped a 4-0 decision against Providence. In the first game of 2022 on January 2nd, Hartford’s comeback fell short to Rochester with a 4-3 final.

Wolf Pack Weekly: Standings Update

Entering the week prior to Wednesday’s games in the division, Hartford compiled a record of 14-8-2-2 for 32 points (.615). The Wolf Pack are ranked second in the Atlantic Division. In the Eastern Conference, Hartford is fourth. The club is ranked ninth in the American Hockey League.

Division-wise, the Springfield Thunderbirds are ahead by five points. Springfield is 17-8-2-1 for 37 points (.661). Keep in mind that Springfield has struggled as well with their depleted roster as the Thunderbirds are 4-5-0-1 in their last ten games. Identical to Hartford’s situation, both clubs started the season well and have some wiggle room to maintain their respective positions.

A team that has crept up the standings are the Hershey Bears. The Bears are now in third in the division with a record of 15-9-2-1 for 33 points (.611).

Another team that is performing well as of late is the Providence Bruins. The team is beginning to click having shutout Hartford and Springfield in recent weeks. The Bruins are 13-8-3-1 for 30 points (.600), which ranks the club fourth in the division entering the first full week of January.

The Charlotte Checkers are in fifth in the division with a record of 14-11-2 (.556) entering the week. The Lehigh Valley Phantoms, which were in the bottom of the standings in the division and Eastern Conference are now ranked sixth in the division. Entering the week, Lehigh Valley is 9-11-4-2 for 24 points (.462).

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins continue their struggles and are 9-12-1-2 for 21points (.438). That ranks the club in seventh. The Bridgeport Islanders are in last with a record of 10-16-3-3 for 26 points (.406).

Please keep in mind that teams in the division are playing 76 or 72 games this season as the standings are based on point percentage.

Wolf Pack Roster Changes

The AHL transactions page continues to be busy for each team in the league. Here’s the latest:

• Signed to Professional Tryout contract
  • Aaron Luchuk (F) – Signed on December 29th and did not skate in a game yet.
  • Michael Lee (D) – Signed on December 29th and was released on January 3rd. Lee played in three games and recorded one assist.
  • Brandon Kasel (G) – Signed on December 29th and was released on December 31st. The goalie was a backup for Francois Brassard.
  • Michael Brodzinski (D) – Signed on December 29th and was released on January 3rd. Michael is Jonny’s brother and played in three games with Hartford.
  • Blake Thompson (D) – Signed on December 31st and was released after Hartford’s game on the same day.

• From New York
  • Adam Huska returned on January 1st. His first action back was on January 3rd.
  • Matthew Robertson returned on January 4th.

• Recalled to New York
  • Tarmo Reunanen recalled up on January 4th.

Currently Hartford has 14 forwards, eight defensemen, and three goalies.

Pack Injuries

• Anthony Bitetto is out with a lower body injury per Howlings. The veteran has not skated since November 26th.
• Braden Schneider has an upper body injury that is short-term per Howlings. The prospect could return to action this weekend.
• Pierre-Cedric Labrie did not skate in the three games with Hartford post break.
• Tanner Fritz is out of the lineup as well. He should be returning soon.
• Jeff Taylor could return this weekend as well.
• Tyler Wall remains a scratch as Hartford has three goalies up.

Leading the Pack

While the Wolf Pack have their core players removed from the roster, Hartford has elected to give additional players a larger role and more ice time.

Anthony Greco

The veteran is the perfect candiate to lead Hartford’s top line. Greco is able to produce and generate numerous offensive chances. Greco is not afraid to shoot the puck and has showed that as the season progresses. Utilizing his speed also elects him to generate more chances and be able to play the puck, especially on the power play.

Lauri Pajuniemi

The talented prospect will have more opportunities on the ice. Pajuniemi recorded a nifty goal in last Sunday’s contest against Rochester. The forward continues to develop well and have a solid rookie season. Pajuniemi has points in the last six of 11 games. In the recent weeks, the prospect is firing more pucks on the net that are high scoring opportunities.

🎥 that backhand though 🥵 pic.twitter.com/jPwFK17JJk

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) January 2, 2022

Ty Ronning

The 24 year old is a great depth forward for Hartford and he has the opportunity to showcase himself further on the roster. Ronning is four points away from tying his AHL season high (18) of last season. This is great to see considering Hartford is still in the first half of the season. While he does not record points on a nightly basis, Ronning provides the additional support offensively and has shown continuous strides on both ends of the ice. His work ethic is superb and he is a player that shows up on a daily basis.

Patrick Khodorenko

The rookie is another continues to develop his skill-set for his first full season in the AHL. While the prospect participated in last year’s season that was shortened, Khodorenko will get a taste of a full season loaded with ups and downs. The forward is two points away from tying his points from last season (10). Khodorenko is beginning to find his offensive swagger and has found himself on the scoresheet in the last four of six games. For a rookie, that is great to see as he is taking advantage of the opportunity with more ice time.

🎥 Lauri ➡️ Patrick pic.twitter.com/QTTPXlnoMC

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) December 19, 2021

Latest Lines

Hartford’s first two forward lines remained intact from last week. The bottom six depends on injuries and Covid-19 protocol. The defensive pairings varied game by game as well. Here is how the lines shaped out last Friday.

Greco – Ronning – Richards
Khordorenko -Pajuniemi – DiGiacinto
Rueschoff – O’Leary – Whalen
Sanchez – Elmer – Skinner

Guittari – Thompson
Lee – M. Brodzinski
Berzolla – Fortunato

François Brassard
Brandon Kasel

Wolf Pack One Timers

• Prior to Tarmo Reunanen’s call up, the defenseman had a three game active point streak (three assists). The prospect has points in the last six of nine games (eight assists).
• Cristiano DiGiacinto recorded a two point performance last Wednesday against Bridgeport. The forward notched one goal and one assist.
• Austin Rueschhoff has points in the last three of four games (one goal and three assists).
• Hunter Skinner’s point streak ended on last Friday. Skinner recorded two goals and one assist in three straight games.
• Mike O’Leary recorded two goals in last Sunday’s game against Rochester. It was his first two points of the season. Great to see that he got the monkey off his back for points.
• Zach Berzolla has points in the last two of three games. He recorded his first goal last Wednesday in Bridgeport and recorded an assist last Sunday against Rochester.

Wolf Pack Upcoming Games

Friday, January 7th vs Rochester Americans (Buffalo) at 7:05pm, Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial

• This is the end of the back to back games between the clubs. Hartford dropped the first meeting last Sunday by a final of 4-3.
• Entering the weekend, Rochester is ranked second in the North Division with a record of 17-10 for 34 points (.630). The Americans are 6-4 in their last ten outings. Their last contest was on Wednesday against Syracuse (2-1 loss).
• Veteran Michael Mersch leads the Americans in points (29). Through 27 games, the forward recorded 16 goals and 13 assists. He is ranked second in the AHL among points.
• Listen – The Fan 95.7FM 950AM (Rochester’s Feed). Watch – AHLTV.

Saturday, January 8th vs Utica Comets (New Jersey) at 7pm, Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium

• This is the first of two meetings in the season series. Both clubs did not meet last season. Utica visits Hartford on March 28th. The Comets are now affiliated with the Devils after being the Canucks affilate for eight seasons.
• Entering the weekend, Utica is ranked first in the North Division and the Eastern Conference with a record of 18-2-3 for 39 points (.848). The Comets lost two straight (0-1-1), including their previous outing on Wednesday against Toronto (6-4 loss). The Comets are 5–2-3 in their last ten games.
• Experienced forward Chase De Leo leads the Comets in points (20). Through 15 games, the center registered six goals and 14 assists. Defenseman prospect Reilly Walsh is second in points with 19.
• Listen – KROCK94.9 (Utica’s Feed). Watch – AHLTV.

NHL Rumors

Oilers looking for a goalie, Penguins UFAs, and Tyler Toffoli a Rangers fit? Read more.

The Thunderbirds and Wolf Pack should be the top teams in the division until the season is complete. The 12 game season series is just getting started and it already has been intense and should be fun to watch the rest of the way.

Hartford originally had three games on tap this week but are postponed as result of positive tests for COVID-19. Hartford’s next scheduled game is slated for Wednesday, December 8th against the Belleville Senators (Ottawa) but is subject to change.

Wolf Pack Watch: Standings Update

Entering the week, Hartford continues to be ranked second in the Atlantic Division with a record of 12-4-2 for 26 points (.722). Hartford is ahead of third place Providence Bruins by six points, which is a comfortable margin as the Wolf Pack continue to pick up points in the standings.

A look at the Eastern Conference, shows Hartford is raked third. The Cleveland Monsters are behind Hartford by three points. The Utica Comets continue to maintain first overall with a 14-1 record, which is impressive.

In the entire American Hockey League, Hartford is ranked fifth. The Chicago Wolves are in sixth with 22 points, four points behind Hartford. Keep in mind that standings are based upon point percentages this season which complicates the rankings across the board as teams play in 68, 72, or 76 games this season. As the season progresses, the standings will be broken down further when there are clearer playoff implications. Get those calculators out come late February into March!

Looking ahead of Hartford, the Thunderbirds are in first by four points of the Wolf Pack. Springfield’s record is identical to Hartford as the Thunderbirds posted a 14-3-2 record for 30 points (.789). Both teams will meet again on Saturday, December 18th then again the following day.

Pack Hunters

Lauri Pajuniemi Continues Growth

The 22 year old prospect had his first multi-point in North America on November 20th, followed by another multi-point effort last Friday against a superb Thunderbirds team.

Folks, Lauri Pajuniemi is on 🔥 tonight.

The #NYR prospect enter the 3rd period with 3 points tonight (1, 2A). With how he’s playing, he can add to that.

Pajuniemi has 5pts in 2 games. Love how much he is progressing this season.

— Ricky Milliner (@Milliner06) November 27, 2021

Pajuniemi recorded a three point night last Friday in Hartford, notching one goal and two assists for three points. Aside from his offensive prowess, Pajuniemi was willing to get dirty and mix it up in scrums. With the way the Rangers are preaching toughness, this can only help him.

🎥: Lauri’s 3rd goal in 2 games! pic.twitter.com/pkeILYeI1k

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) November 27, 2021

Currently, Lauri Pajuniemi is ranked:

• Tied for 18th in the league among rookies for points (11).
• Tied for ninth among rookies for goals (six).
• Tied for fifth among the Hartford roster for points.

In 18 games, Pajuniemi notched six goals and five assists. He has eight minutes in penalties with a +/- rating of +3. The forward continues to play in the top six, specifically on the second line. He is comfortable playing on a line with Ty Ronning and Morgan Barron. However, lines were adjusted on Friday as Kris Knoblauch swapped Morgan Barron with Tanner Fritz.

Zac Jones star on the rise

The 21 year old prospect continues to perform well in the AHL with the Wolf Pack. Zac Jones is able to provide offense while also playing strong in his own end. Jones continues to play top line minutes as he is sticking on the first defensive pairing line.

Regardless of his line mate, Jones can hold on his own. This season his partners have been Anthony Bitetto, Libor Hajek, and Braden Schneider. The prospect is great to watch as he is one of the better defenseman in the league and truly owning his power play time.

🎥: Fun Fact – all 3 of Zac Jones’ goals have been against Springfield pic.twitter.com/HPW1sSPVku

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) November 27, 2021

Jones has a strong future ahead of him. If the Rangers have openings resulting from injuries, I could see the prospect getting the first look on the blue line. This is his first full season in the AHL and is considered a rookie, but he is playing as if he is a seasoned player.

What a goal, Zac Jones, what a goal 🤩 pic.twitter.com/59xijLOAn7

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) November 27, 2021

Currently, Zac Jones is ranked:

• Tied for seventh in the AHL among defenseman for points (13).
• Tied for sixth among defenseman for assists (10).
• Among active rookie defenseman, Jones leads the league in points.
  • He also leads in assists with ten.

Through 18 games, Jones recorded three goals and ten assists. He has eight penalty minutes with a +/- rating of -1. The plus/minus rating I would not worry about at all.

Jonny Brodzinski Continues Dominance

Hartford’s captain continues to have a great season offensively. The veteran is ranked sixth in the league for points (18). Brodzinski on a nightly basis can produce and if he is off the scoresheet, he battles hard and gives the Wolf Pack’s offense a fighting chance. The captain is also tied for 16th in the league for goals (seven).

🎥: Some call him Jonny, some call him Captain, but we like to call him Mr. PPG pic.twitter.com/HGOXOsM6Ap

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) November 27, 2021

Through 18 games, Brodzinski recorded seven goals and 11 assists. He has 14 penalty minutes with a +/- rating of +3.

Wolf Pack Special Teams Report

Hartford’s Power Play Performing Better

The power play has been a struggle this season for the Wolf Pack. As of late, the unit has found a spark and is finding results with the extra man. Entering the week, Hartford’s power play is ranked 14th in the league, operating at 19.4%. The Wolf Pack converted on power play goals in five of the last six outings. Hartford has given up two goals while on the power play as well.

🎥: the Pack have scored powerplay goals in 6 out of their 7 last games 👀 pic.twitter.com/HbLIvOz6sO

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) November 27, 2021

Consistent Penalty Kill

Another strong spot for Hartford is the ability to kill penalties. The Wolf Pack continue to have a consistent penalty kill as the unit is able to stay cool under tough situations down a man. Entering the week, Hartford’s penalty kill is ranked seventh in the AHL, operating at 84.6%. While being able to kill penalties, Hartford is ranked third in the league for scoring as well down a player. The Wolf Pack have four goals thus far.

Pack Goaltending Updates

Keith Kinkaid With Impressive Numbers

The veteran goalie for Hartford is playing spectacular. Kinkaid has shown high confidence and brings his “A” game when he is in net. He helps the group stay in games and has helped out the young defensive core when mistakes arise.

🎥: Keith Kinkaid. That's the tweet. pic.twitter.com/ptw5cIXfX3

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) November 13, 2021

Kinkaid enters the week with a record of 9-1-1 with a 2.59 goals against average and a .916 save percentage.

Currently, Kinkaid is:

• First in the AHL with wins (nine).
• Seventh in the league with minutes played (670:38).
• Seventh for shots faced (345).
• Ten for ten in shootout attempts (2-0 in shootouts).
• 13th highest save percentage.

Adam Huska Shows Strides

Despite only two wins in six outings, Adam Huska continues to be another strong goalie for Hartford. Huska is in the backup role for the Wolf Pack and has seen action mainly on the road.

Adam doing Adam things pic.twitter.com/r9nSfz4dOj

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) November 27, 2021

Huska enters the week with a record of 2-3-1 with a 2.20 goals against average and a .924 save percentage.

Currently, Huska is:

• Seventh in the AHL for the lowest goals against average.
• Eighth in the league for the highest save percentage.

Wolf Pack One Timers

• Hartford’s six point streak ended on Saturday afternoon. Prior to the loss, Hartford was on a 5-0-1 run.
• Hartford is 7-2-1 in their last ten games. They group secured points in 14 of 18 games.
• In the month of November, Hartford compiled a record of 7-2-1.
• Anthony Greco has points in the last two of three games (one goal and two assists).
• Tanner Fritz has points in fives straight games. In that span, the veteran recorded one goal and five assists for six points. The forward also has points in 10 of 11 games.
• Zac Jones has points in the last ten of 13 games.
• Lauri Pajuniemi has points in the last two of three games. In that span, the prospect recorded three goals and two assists for five points.
• Ty Ronning has points in five straight. In that span, the forward recorded two goals and four assists. Ronning also has points in the last six of seven games.
• Tarmo Reunanen has points in the last two of four games. The defenseman recorded three assists.
• Braden Schneider has points in the last two of three games. He recorded three assists.
  • Schneider is ranked eighth in the AHL for +/- with a +10 rating.
  • He is also tied for second among rookies for the +/- rating.

Transaction Wire

• Hartford recalled defenseman Jeff Taylor from the Jacksonville Icemen. The veteran participated in ten games with Jacksonville notching two goals and six assists. The move puts Hartford at eight defensemen.
• Francois Brassard is assigned to Jacksonville from Hartford.

COVID-19 Hits Hartford

Information regarding the Hartford Wolf Pack began on Tuesday regarding a potential COVID-19 outbreak.

The first domino to fall is Hartford’s game on Wednesday against the Springfield Thunderbirds being postponed resulting from COVID-19 protocol on Tuesday.

The AHL suffered the first outbreak last week with the Hershey Bears. The Bears played the Wolf Pack on November 20th and the Providence Bruins on November 24th. Both clubs currently are in protocol.

Another domino fell as Providence Bruins reporter Mark Divver reported multiple cases for Providence and Hershey. Furthermore, Bridgeport was in protocol recently.

Hearing Hershey & Hartford have 10-plus positives. And Bridgeport, like Providence, is in shutdown

— Mark Divver (@MarkDivver) November 30, 2021

In the most recent reports, additional teams are on COVID-19 protocol.

Several AHL teams out of action due to COVID-related protocol, per @AHLPR.

Hartford (NYR) – no games through Dec 4
Hershey (WSH) – no games through Dec 5
Providence (BOS) – no games through Dec 5
Rochester (BUF) – no games through Dec 3
Springfield (STL) – no games through Dec 5

— Tony Androckitis* (@TonyAndrock) December 1, 2021

Currently four of eight teams in the Atlantic Divisioin are in COVID-19 protocol. The league went a step further and postponed games for multiple clubs. Dates are to be determined.

The Rangers may not be able to call up additional players in the short-term as well, similar to the Bruins situation.

Sweeney confirms that call-ups from Providence aren’t possible right now due to the COVID outbreak on that roster.

— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) November 30, 2021

The number of confirmed cases in Hartford will be kept confidential as clubs and the league do not release additional information. We hope for a healthy recovery to those affected within the organization and league. Safety and health is paramount.

Stay tuned for further updates regarding the schedule and the slate of next week’s games. One of Hartford’s three games from this week has a date.

Effected Games

Wednesday, December 1st vs Springfield Thunderbirds at the XL Center -> Date TBD

Friday, December 3rd vs Providence Bruins at Dunkin Donuts Center -> April 4th at 7:05pm

Saturday, December 4th vs Utica Comets at the XL Center -> Date TBD

NHL Rumors

Latest on Rangers Strome, Giroux’s Flyers’ future, and more. Read it here.

Hartford’s point streak has extended to five games (4-0-1), a new season high. Through 16 games, the group managed to collect points in 13 of them. This is not an easy task in the American Hockey League, considering the abundance of quality teams and playing in two or three in a row.

This upcoming weekend will feature two significant games as the Wolf Pack begin a three game series against the talented Springfield Thunderbirds.

Wolf Pack Watch: Hartford rolling

Standings Update

Entering the week, Hartford compiled a record of 11-3-2 for 24 points (.750 point percentage). That ranks the club second in the Atlantic Division. The group is ranked third in the Eastern Conference and fifth in the American Hockey League.

Hartford is four points behind the first place Springfield Thunderbirds in the division. The Wolf Pack will have an opportunity to take first in the division as they face Springfield for three straight games (two at home, one away).

Libor Hajek Conditioning Stint Ends

The 23 year old defenseman completed his five game stint with Hartford. Hajek managed to record two assists, including an assist on the game winning goal against the Providence Bruins on November 13th. He also recorded six penalty minutes and was a +3.

Hajek showed rust and struggles early on, then had a few good games throughout the stint. However, in his finale last Saturday against the Hershey Bears, Hajek struggled immensely. He had a few hiccups on the top pair defenseman (with Zac Jones).

He was out of position and was not able to bounce back until the late stages of the game when Hartford surged as a group. The young defenseman was inconsistent. Anthony Bitetto sat out in his place.

Enforcer Pierre-Cedric Labrie Provides More Than Grit

The 35 year old enforcer continues to play well in his time with Hartford. Despite being on the Wolf Pack’s fourth line, Labrie has shown a lot to his game this season. The forward brings the grit and toughness to the lineup with Kris Knoblauch and the coaching staff utilizing the veteran effectively.

🎥: P.C. Labrie giving us some insurance with his 2nd goal of the season pic.twitter.com/IYt4KrlwRy

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) November 21, 2021

Through 15 games, Labrie recorded two goals and six assists for eight points. The forward had his best game of the season last Saturday against Hershey. He collected one goal and two assists in the contest. Knoblauch rewarded him with more ice time and Labrie took that in stride. The late signing prior to the season has paid off for the group.

Labrie enters the week tied for eighth in total points on the roster (with Lauri Pajuniemi).

Prospect Lauri Pajuniemi Continues Growth

The rookie continues to gain confidence as the season progresses in Hartford. In the month of November, Pajuniemi collected six points in eight games thus far. The forward had a four game point streak (two goals, two assists) end last week. However, he had two amazing goals this past Saturday against Hershey. Both goals were scored back to back in 64 seconds.

🎥: the first of Lauri’s two goals in 64 seconds pic.twitter.com/fqTKPvoWiW

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) November 21, 2021

The 22 year old enter the week tied for 17th among rookies in the forwards group for points. He is tied for eighth in goals in the same class as well (five goals). The prospect continues to elevate his game and is utilizing his minutes well on ice (playing within the top two lines). He was paired with Ronning and Barron last week.

🎥: Lauri’s second goal, making it his first multi-goal game with the Wolf Pack! pic.twitter.com/TDz1CWjbaV

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) November 21, 2021

While Rangers fans believe he should get a shot in New York, the prospect must continue to develop playing in top line minutes. He still needs to develop making Barron the most likely call up of the two.

Wolf Pack Updates

Patrick Khodorenko Returns From Injury

Khodorenko returned to the lineup last Friday after missing three games as a result of an injury from November 6th. The forward recorded his first goal of the season last Saturday against Hershey.

🎥: Patrick Khodorenko’s first of the season pic.twitter.com/b2YGIw9yYh

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) November 21, 2021

Tim Gettinger Misses Two Games

Gettinger is out day to day and is expected to return to the lineup soon. The experienced forward missed two of three games last weekend. Despite out of the lineup, Hartford continued to perform well without the forward. The roster has a good mix of forwards to fill in voids.

Saturday’s Wild Ride

The Wolf Pack built themselves a 2-0 lead through the first twenty minutes of play against the Hershey Bears. The first frame had abundance of physicality from both sides. The Wolf Pack converted opportunities on Hershey’s mistakes.

The second frame was rough as Hershey scored three straight goals to take a 3-2 lead after two periods of play. Hartford’s defensive core was struggling, giving Hershey plenty of chances on Kinkaid.

In the final 20 minutes, the Wolf Pack came out possessed, firing on all cylinders and completely dominated the Bears. Hartford scored five unanswered goals which included three in the first five minutes.

The group set the tone early and rallied from a second period that was rough. The Wolf Pack have ability to bounce back from shaky periods and it was on full display Saturday night. The group played as if they were a well experienced roster, which speaks volume for a roster full of youth. It was a fantastic sign. The Wolf Pack managed to win the game by the score of 7-3. View the scoresheet here.

One Timers

• Jonny Brodzinski continues his production. The captain is tied for fourth (three way tie) in the league for total points (17). The veteran recorded two goals in the previous outing against Hershey. Brodzinski was held without a point in three of 16 games. He leads the team in points with six goals and 11 assists.
• Zac Jones continues his production as well. The defenseman is tied for 18th in the league among rookies in points (eight). Jones has points in the last eight of 11 games.
• Tanner Fritz has points in the last eight of nine games. The veteran tallied four goals and seven assists for 11 points. Fritz is ranked third on the team for points (12).
• Ty Ronning has points in three straight and in the last four of five. On his current streak, Ronning produced one goal and three assists thus far.
• Pierre-Cedric Labrie has points in two of three games. In that span the veteran recorded one goal and three assists.
• Keith Kinkaid is sixth in the league for minutes played (610:38). The veteran goalie has a record of 8-1-1 with a 2.55 goals against average and a .918 save percentage.
• Adam Huska has the second lowest goals against average in the league (1.81). Huska is 2-2-1 with a .938 save percentage.
• Hartford is 7-1 at the XL Center thus far. The away record is 4-2-2.

Upcoming Games

Friday, November 26th vs Springfield Thunderbirds (St. Louis) at 7pm, XL Center

• This is the third of 12 meetings in the season series. The series is tied at one as the Wolf Pack won the previous match by the score of 6-4 on November 12th.
• Springfield enters the week with a record of 13-2-2 for 28 points (.824 point percentage). The Thunderbirds won five straight and are 8-2 in their last ten outings.
• Matthew Peca Leads the Thunderbirds in points (15). The experienced forward recorded nine goals and six assists in 17 games. Peca is ranked 12th in the league for points. Logan Brown and Nathan Walker are tied for second in points with 15.
• Listen – Mixr. Watch – AHLTV.

Saturday, November 27th vs Springfield Thunderbirds (St. Louis) at 2:05pm, Mass Mutual Center

• This is the fourth of 12 meetings in the season series.
• Springfield is 8-1-1 at home thus far in the season.
• The fifth meeting of the season series return to Hartford on Wednesday, December 1st.
• Listen – News Radio 560 WHYN. Watch – AHLTV.

NHL Rumors

One Canucks player isn’t concerned about rumors, and what’s the latest on Tarasenko? Read more.

Much like their parent club in the NHL, the Pack continue to find ways to win games. From a strong offensive showing to a defensive affair, they can win different types of games.

Everyone on the roster is contributing. As the season progresses, this team shows a strong promise for a great season of development and winning.

Wolf Pack Weekly: Things get tougher

The month of November features tougher opponents and so far the group has answered. The Wolf Pack will play three games this week beginning on Wednesday night at home against their in-state rival the Bridgeport Islanders.

Standings

Entering the week, Hartford is ranked second in the Atlantic Division with a record of 9-3-1 for 19 points. As the league is based on points percentage, that translate to .731. The Wolf Pack are one point behind the division leader, the Springfield Thunderbirds.

In the Eastern Conference, Hartford is ranked third. Out of the entire league, the club is ranked fifth entering the week.

Young Defensive Core Shows Promise, Confidence

Through 13 games played, Hartford’s defensive core has given up 30 goals. That is the sixth fewest in the AHL. Considering the lone veteran on the blue line is Anthony Bitetto, this is impressive and a confidence booster to the prospects. Keep in mind that Bitetto was a healthy scratch for a few games this season, which resulted in six up-and-coming defensemen playing as a unit with less mentoring.

The goaltending tandem of Keith Kinkaid and Adam Huska has helped the core as well with both players playing spectacular in each game.

🎥: It's here, and it's beautiful. Zac Jones has his very first professional goal, a powerplay tally in the second period that tied this game 2-2! pic.twitter.com/RnJZgcEQgG

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) November 13, 2021

Libor Hajek’s Two Games

The 23 year old defenseman played in both games last weekend with Hartford. Hajek was paired with Zac Jones for the top defensive paring. Hajek struggled in both contests, but it was expected considering he has not played a game in a month.

Hajek was actively involved in both games. He assisted in the game winning goal in Saturday’s game against Providence. Anthony Greco notched the OT goal, with the primary assist given to Morgan Barron.

🎥: The goal that secured the W!

🚨 Anthony Greco
🍎 Morgan Barron
🍏 Libor Hájek pic.twitter.com/UBhLAGADER

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) November 14, 2021

Lauri Pajuniemi Heats Up

The promising Rangers prospect is beginning to find his game and produce on the scoresheet. Entering the week, Pajuniemi has an active point streak standing at four games.

In that span, the prospect recorded two goals and two assists. The forward is playing on a line with Barron and Ronning. The line is beginning to be dependable as each player brings a dynamic to the table. The 22 year old has a great shot, especially his wrist-shot.

Hartford’s Offense Clicking

Through 13 games, Hartford has scored 42 times. That ranks them fifth highest in the league. As the offensive core continues to develop, goals have been coming at a better pace.

🎥: The goal that sent us into OT!

🚨 Jonny Brodzinski
🍎 Lauri Pajuniemi
🍏 Zac Jones pic.twitter.com/fN0eJ7FKJj

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) November 14, 2021

Hartford’s Comeback Against Second Best Team in AHL

Entering the game last Friday, Hartford was facing one of the toughest opponents in the league, the Springfield Thunderbirds. Despite going down 2-0 in the first frame, the group performed well. Keith Kinkaid was spectacular and Greg McKegg had a solid game for his first look in Hartford (+3). The Wolf Pack eventually won the game 6-4 in a dominance fashion.

It began early in the 2nd period as Zach Giuttari put Hartford on the board 1:51 into the frame. Zac Jones tied the game at 3:20 with his first professional goal of his career. At 6:06, Hartford gained a lead with a goal by Cristiano DiGiacinto. The fourth goal was registered at 15:10 with Morgan Barron himself, a short-handed goal that was unassisted. The Wolf Pack managed to outshoot Springfield 13-6 in the second and capitalized on four opportunities.

The third period was closer as the Thunderbirds pulled into a one goal game, then the Wolf Pack answered late to secure the victory. This was the best game of the season by far and the performance from the group was spectacular.

.@WolfPackAHL with 4 unanswered goals from Giuttari, Jones, DiGiacinto, & Barron. pic.twitter.com/oXJL5XUAQV

— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) November 13, 2021

Wolf Pack Transaction Wire

• Greg McKegg was assigned to New York on the 13th and returned to Hartford on the 15th. The following day, the forward found himself back in New York as Sammy Blais suffered a season ending injury. McKegg played in one game with Hartford this season.

One Timers

• Captain Jonny Brodzinski recorded a two point performance in Friday’s game against Springfield (two assists) and recorded a goal against Providence on Saturday. The forward leads the club in total points (14) and is tied for seventh in the league for points. Through 13 games, the forward recorded four goals and ten assists.
• Morgan Barron had a three point weekend. The forward recorded two goals in Friday’s game and one assist in Saturday’s.
• Tanner Fritz’s point streak ended at five games. In that span, the veteran recorded three goals and four assists for seven points.
• Zac Jones has points in the last six of eight games. The defenseman recorded his first goal on Friday and notched five assists in the span.
• Cristiano DiGiacinto has points in the last three of five games. The forward recorded three goals in that span.

Upcoming Games

Wednesday, November 17th vs Bridgeport Islanders (New York) at 7pm, XL Center

• This is the fifth of ten meetings in the season series. Hartford lead the season series 3-1. The Wolf Pack’s first loss was the previous meeting on November 7th as the Islander grabbed a 3-2 win with scoring the go ahead goal late in the third.
• The Islanders come in losing two straight (0-1-1) games. Bridgeport is ranked seventh in the Atlantic Division with a record of 5-6-1-2 for 13 points (.464). The Islanders are 5-4-1 in their last ten outings. In the last five games, they dropped the last three of five. Bridgeport’s away record is 1-4-1-2.
• Forward Otto Koivula leads the Islanders in points (12). Veteran Chris Terry and prospect Arnaud Durandeau are tied for second with 11 points. However, Terry leads the group with goals (six).
• Listen – Mixr. Watch – AHLTV.

Friday, November 19th vs Providence Bruins (Boston) at 7:05pm, Dunkin’ Donuts Center

• This is the third of ten meetings in the season series. Hartford leads the series 2-0. In the previous outing, Hartford secured a 4-3 win in overtime on November 13th. The next meeting will be on December 3rd in Providence.
• The Bruins enter the weekend on a two game point streak (1-0-1). Providence is ranked fifth in the Atlantic Division with a record of 5-4-2-1 for 13 points (.542). The Bruins are 4-4-2 in their last ten outings. The Bruins have dropped their last two of three as well.
• Prospect Oskar Steen leads Providence in points (ten). Veteran Steven Fogarty and Jesper Froden are tied for second in points with nine.
• Game Coverage – Mark Divver. Watch – AHLTV.

Saturday, November 20th vs Hershey Bears (Washington) at 7:30pm, XL Center

• This is the first of six meetings between the clubs. The previous meeting was in the 2019-2020 season despite both clubs electing to play last season. The second meeting will be in Hershey on January 22nd.
• The Bears enter the weekend dropping their previous game. In the previous five contest, Hershey is 2-3. Looking in the last ten, the Bears are 4-3-2-1. Hershey enters the weekend third in the Atlantic Division with a record of 6-4-2-1 for 15 points (.577).
• Veteran Mike Sgarbossa and prospect Joe Snively are tied for the lead in points in the group (ten). Garrett Pilon has 11 points on the season and was recalled to the Capitals. Center Mike Vecchione lead the club in assists with seven.
• Listen – Mixr. Watch – AHLTV.

Each week we will feature three Rangers prospects playing here or overseas and provide you the latest updates, stats, and highlights.

This Sunday we take a look at Lauri Pajuniemi, Morgan Barron, and Brett Berard.

New York Rangers Prospect Watch: Lauri Pajuniemi

The New York Rangers signed Finnish goal scorer Lauri Pajuniemi to his ELC in April. “Being drafted meant so much for me. I will remember that day for the rest of my life for sure,” he told us back in June of 2020.. “The (Rangers) jersey I got at the draft means a lot to me and it’s at my parents’ home hanging on the wall.”

Pajuniemi, 22, started off the AHL season very slowly. He now has three goals and three assists in 13 games, with four of those points coming in the last four games. He’s currently riding a 4 game point scoring streak.

🎥: Two goals in as many games for Lauri Pajuniemi pic.twitter.com/q1XqA5FYZX

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) November 7, 2021

Morgan Barron

The New York Rangers selected 6-4, 220 pound forward Morgan Barron in the 6th round (174th overall) of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. He’s a winger turned center and tearing it up in the AHL playing in all situations.

In 10 games for the Wolf Pack he has registered 5 goals and 8 points. Barron was an offensive catalyst for Hartford in their current weekend sweep with three points in two games.

🎥: The top shelf – a place where Mama hides the cookies and Morgan Barron deposits shorthanded goals! pic.twitter.com/N2c6jallpP

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) November 13, 2021

Brett Berard

Don’t sleep on the New York Rangers 5th round pick (134 overall) from the 2020 Draft, Brett Berard.

He may be small at 5-9 but plays a big and agitating game with speed. This season, Berard has 13 points in 13 games with Providence College.

Brett Berard capitalizes off a turnover for his seventh of the season to make it 2-0!#GoFriars pic.twitter.com/2DdVlbHxCF

— PC Men's Hockey (@FriarsHockey) October 29, 2021

Massive NHL Rumors Update

What’s up with Tomas Hertl? How about Mark Giordano? Read about it here.