Playing a 4-on-4 format with two 23-minute halves, Lindgren had a goal and an assist to help Team Walser defeat Team TRIA 15-9 in a game that was clearly defense optional.

Lindgren’s goal with 7:37 to play in the first half was a snipe. He wired it under the crossbar from left wing after a quick pass from Aaron Huglan, a Buffalo Sabres prospect who spent the past three years at the University of Minnesota.

Ryan Lindgren goes bar-down to give Walser a 5-3 lead 🔥

📺: https://t.co/ZmF86YFt7p#daBL2024 | @WalserAutoGroup pic.twitter.com/KOkr2Biz1d

— Da Beauty League (@DaBeautyLeague) July 10, 2024

It must’ve been nice for Lindgren to see so much open ice after the Rangers were smothered for most of their Eastern Conference Final loss to the Florida Panthers this past spring.

Wearing an unfamiliar No. 8, Lindgren also assisted on a goal by former Rangers teammate Vinni Lettieri midway through the second half. It was one of four goals Lettieri, Team Walser’s captain, scored in a nine-minute span.

WATCH: Mollie Walker breaks down the Rangers offseason in interview with Forever Blueshirts

Rangers well represented at Da Beauty League

The Da Beauty League is a summer hockey league in Minnesota. It debuted in 2015, creating an opportunity for local NHL and NCAA players, as well as those from other pro leagues, the chance to play some competitive hockey when training in the offseason. There are four teams in the league, and each plays seven games before the playoffs. Games take place on Wednesday nights at Braemar Arena in Edina, Minnesota, from July 10 – August 28.

Justin Braun ➡️ Vinni Lettieri

Walser extends their lead to 4 goals 👀

📺: https://t.co/ZmF86YFt7p#daBL2024 | @NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/wDdJDOywx8

— Da Beauty League (@DaBeautyLeague) July 10, 2024

Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller and forward Jonny Brodzinski were also drafted by Lettieri to play for Team Walser, though neither was available to play in the first game Wednesday. Brodzinski’s brothers, Easton and Bryce, also play on the team, and each had a big night Wednesday.

Easton Brodzinski, a forward with Allen in the ECHL, had six points (one goal, five assists) in the wide-open contest. Bryce Brodzkinski, a 2019 draft pick by the Philadelphia Flyers, had one goal and two assists.

A restricted free agent, Lindgren filed for arbitration, meaning the 26-year-old and the Rangers have between 2-3 weeks to agree on a new deal or a hearing will be held and an arbitrator would decide on a one-year contract. If that’s the case, it would walk Lindgren into unrestricted free agency at the end of this coming season.

New York Post beat reporter Mollie Walker told Forever Blueshirts this week that since the Blueshirts have three key players (Igor Shesterkin, Alexis Lafreniere, K’Andre Miller) heading for major raises before the start of next season, the team may be content to accept the arbitrator’s ruling and move on with that one-year deal for Lindgren.

“I honestly think that might be the easiest path. Deal with it next season when you have a better idea of the other contracts you’re going to be handing out,” Walker said.

As one of the captains in the Da Beauty League, a summer hockey league featuring NHL players in Minnesota, the former Blueshirts forward made sure to load up on current Rangers when the annual draft was held Tuesday.

Lettieri, who had eight points (two goals, six assists) in 46 games over two seasons with New York, landed defensemen Ryan Lindgren and K’Andre Miller and forward Jonny Brodzinski in the draft. The only one of the three Lettieri played with in New York was Lindgren, briefly, in the 2018-19 season. That was Lettieri’s final season on Broadway and Lindgren’s first five NHL games.

Though Lettieri never played with Miller or Brodzinski in New York or the NHL, all of these players in Da Beauty League know each other from growing up and living in Minnesota. Many played with or against each other in youth leagues, high schools and/or in college before turning pro.

The Da Beauty League debuted in 2015, creating an opportunity for local NHL and NCAA players, as well as those from other pro leagues, an opportunity to play some competitive hockey when training in the offseason. There are four teams in the league, and each plays seven games before the playoffs. Games take place on Wednesday nights at Braemar Arena in Edina, Minnesota, from July 10 – August 28.

Da Beauty League is more than just a summer hockey league 🤩

Only two sleeps away from opening night 👀 pic.twitter.com/ziXVci4ZkY

— Da Beauty League (@DaBeautyLeague) July 8, 2024

Bragging rights are serious in the Da Beauty League but fun is a big component of the games, too. The 4-on-4 format consists of two 23-minute halves, with each team having one two-minute “hot puck” sequence each game where any goal scored counts double.

Overtime is admittedly “goofy,” per their own web site. OT is decided in a unique shootout format where the first team to three goals wins. However, each team is shooting at the same time and as soon as a player shoots, he races to his bench and a teammate hops on the ice to take his turn.

Needless to say, the amount of chirping between the players reaches great heights during these games and OT periods.

Related: Rangers’ Matt Rempe taking fighting lessons from former NHL heavyweight

Current, former Rangers taking part in summer Da Beauty League

Lindgren, Miller, Brodzinski and Lettieri will play for Team Walser this summer. Interestingly, defenseman Nick Jensen is also on that team. Jensen, you may recall, hurt Rangers defenseman Adam Fox with a knee-on-knee hit in Game 4 of the first-round series between the Blueshirts and Washington Capitals this past spring.

Other notable NHL players on Team Walser are defensemen Brock Faber and Jake Middleton and forward Nick Bjugstad.

Da Beauty League’s 2024 draft results are in!

Captains:
Brock Nelson (Anderson)
Nate Schmidt (TRIA)
Vinni Lettieri (Walser)
Derek Forbort (Element) pic.twitter.com/5KCTdeQFxP

— Da Beauty League (@DaBeautyLeague) July 9, 2024

There are several other players with Rangers ties participating in the DBL this summer. Former Blueshirts captain Ryan McDonagh, an original member of the league back in 2015, was selected by captain Brock Nelson to play for Team Anderson, along with Rangers nemesis Jake Guentzel. And former Rangers defenseman Brady Skjei is on Team Tria after being selected by captain Nate Schmidt.

In an interesting plot twist, Nelson didn’t select his Islanders teammate Anders Lee, who ended up along with Skjei on Team Tria. Hmmmm.

Da Beauty League won’t be the only thing on Lindgren’s mind this summer, of course. The 26-year-old restricted free agent is in contract negotiations with the Rangers and recently filed for arbitration. Since Lindgren can become an unrestricted free agent at the end of next season, the Rangers do not want an arbitrator to hand the defenseman a one-year contract and walk him right into UFA status. So, the sides are trying to work out a longer-term contract, though the length of this deal could be a sticking point between the sides — Lindgren seeking more years than New York is likely comfortable with.

Rumor: SC Bern eyeing Vinni Lettieri

As for SC Bern, it appears that Alex Chatelain, former team manager of the Bears and now strategic sports director and head scout, has been gathering information on Vinni Lettieri. The right-handed right winger from Minnesota has been part of the New York Rangers’ organization for the last three years. Last season, the 25-year-old suited up 61 times for the AHL-affiliate of the Rangers, the Hartford Wolf Pack, collecting 47 points.

Swiss Hockey News

Vinni Lettieri, the Wolf Pack’s most consistent offensive threat, may be on the move. This could be his last hurrah with the Rangers since his contract is up this off-season.

Vinni Lettieri free agent

At 25 years of age and having completed three or more pro seasons but less than 80 NHL games, Lettieri is allowed to become an Unrestricted Free Agent. That means he will be looking for an NHL team that needs scoring punch and can almost guarantee him a roster spot.

There is still a possibility that Lettieri could re-up with the Rangers if he has a real chance at a roster spot next season. With the cap now flat at $81.5 million for at least the next two seasons, the Rangers could be in the market for low cost talent up front for their lineup.

Remember this, Jesper Fast and Greg McKegg are UFAs. Ryan Strome, Brendan Lemieux and Phil Di Guiseppe are all RFA’s. That means the Rangers only have eight forwards locked up for next season.

So Lettieri there’s a slim chance he will still be with the organization when hockey starts up again in December. However, with this news coming out of Europe the competition for his services will come from outside the NHL as well.

Projecting the Rangers expanded roster at forward

When the action starts, you can expect almost the same lineup at forward as it was late in the regular season before the pause.

• Chris Kreider – Mika Zibanejad – Pavel Buchnevich
• Artemi Panarin – Ryan Strome – Jesper Fast
• Filip Chytil – Brett Howden – Kaapo Kakko
• Brendan Lemieux – Gregg McKegg – Phil Di Giuseppe

Extra Forwards: Steven Fogarty and Julien Gauthier.

Now the Rangers will take those 14 forwards and look to add four to five more depending on if they carry three to four defenseman.

Vitali Kravtsov will headline the forward group

After a short stint in the KHL with Traktor this season, Vitali Kravtsov was sent to its VHL affiliate, which is basically infinitely worse than going from the Rangers to the Pack. After only playing a few games, Jeff Gorton got on the phone and made sure his prized prospect was back developing in Hartford.

In a recent Russian interview, before flying back to NY to take part in Phase 3 he said, “I am ready. I really missed hockey.”

John Davidson also revealed plans for the Blueshirts’ 2018 first round pick in a Zoom call with season ticket holders. The objective is to give him a shot in camp to make the roster.

Kravtsov will certainly have to earn it, but he’s still likely to make the roster. For him, just the experience of what the NHL playoffs are like will be beneficial. It will also help his maturity by simply practicing with the team during this time.

The bottom line, the Rangers didn’t bring Kravtsov back and have him miss his sister’s wedding only to send him back home in two more weeks.

Vinni Lettieri is a shoe-in

Vinni Lettieri, the Wolf Pack’s most consistent offensive threat is already here working out with the team during Phase 2. This could be his last hurrah with the Rangers since his contract is up this off-season.

At 25 years of age and having completed three or more pro seasons but less than 80 NHL games, Lettieri is allowed to become an Unrestricted Free Agent. That means he will be looking for an NHL team that needs scoring punch and can almost guarantee him a roster spot.

There is still a possibility that Lettieri could re-up with the Rangers if he has a real chance at a roster spot next season. With the cap now flat at $81.5 million for at least the next two seasons, the Rangers could be in the market for low cost talent up front for their lineup.

Remember this, Jesper Fast and Greg McKegg are UFAs. Ryan Strome, Brendan Lemieux and Phil Di Guiseppe are all RFA’s. That means the Rangers only have eight forwards locked up for next season. So Lettieri may not only still be with the organization but in the starting lineup as well when hockey starts up again in December.

Tim Gettinger

At 6’6″ and 22 years-old, there is still a lot of promise for Tim Gettinger with the Rangers. He has played 6 games with the big club over the last two seasons and would provide solid 4th line depth in a pinch. He will be added to the post-season roster.

Boo Nieves

Boo Nieves is another no-brainer. He has plenty of NHL experience with 76 games over the last four seasons. Nieves is 26 years-old and has the maturity to help the team’s bottom six in an emergency.

Other Possibilites

The Rangers could also decide to give Matt Beleskey or Ty Ronning a chance at camp to make the club’s expanded playoff roster.

Hockey is Back! Mika Zibanejad Collectibles in stock at FOCO!

Grab this Mika Zibanejad bobblehead today!

Pavel Buchnevich having fun at practice

Pavel Buchnevich scored in practice today on his good buddy, Igor Shesterkin. Well, he just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to poke a little fun as his expense. He posted a video of the goal saying “too easy”.

Vinni Lettieri set to join Rangers training camp

Vinni Lettieri is in NY (per his IG) and will be joining the Rangers for the training camp. He is now the third non-roster player from the time the NHL paused to join the group. The other two are Vitali Kravtsov, and Libor Hajek.

Expanded Rosters

The Rangers are going to have to determine whom to include on their expanded playoff roster. David Quinn has plenty of candidates to chose from but no clear cut way to do it. I reached out to the Rangers if the NHL has provided any guidance as to how many people they can invite to “camp” when phase 3 kicks in. According to the team spokesperson they have not received any details on how that will be handled yet.

Some players to include on the roster seem obvious like Steven Fogarty, Vinni Lettieri, Boo Nieves, and Tim Gettinger. However, the Rangers will need to see them in a controlled training camp environment to see where they are fitness wise. Same goes for key battles like Micheal Haley and Matt Beleskey who are essentially the same type of player. Or what about prospects like Vitali Kravtsov and Lias Andersson? You have to assume injuries will happen and each one of these spots is precious.

On defense, where there is a higher probability that injuries set in who will Quinn insert? We can’t simply assume Libor Hajek will make it. Plus how many will they carry? Battles for those spots amongst Brandon Crawley, Yegor Rykov, Darren Raddyish, and Tarmo Reunanen should be intense. However, without the benefit of a camp, it will be impossible and unfair to determine.

When it comes to Libor though, he has an edge. Not because he’s played with the team this season, but how do you say no to a sheep farmer? I jest…or maybe I don’t.

Lettieri and Lindgren

Ryan Lindgren’s coast to coast goal in the second game of the season was an early candidate for the goal of the year in Hartford. He made the sequence look easy.

OT Winners

Nothing like an overtime winner! Filip Chytil pulls off an absolutely sick move against a Devils defender, then feeds it to Phil Di Giuseppe to bury the game winner. Chytil did all the work to give the Pack a win on the road.

Andersson and Shesterkin

Krafty Kravtsov

Vitali Kravtsov adds an insurance market late in the game against the Bruins in the 3rd. This was his first tally in North America and in the AHL. He was at the right place at the right time with the deflection.

OH O’Regan

The first of two goals in 10 seconds by Hartford. The first tally starts off with O’Regan. Right off the draw and immediately into the offensive zone, Matt Beleskey finishes the cross crease pass to extend the Pack’s lead. Darren Raddysh takes the puck in, then gives Beleskey a perfect pass.

Crazy Game

Talk about one of the big goals of the year by Vinni Lettieri. This was the most craziest game of the season as the Wolf Pack came back from a 5-0 deficit to tie the game at 5 with under a minute remaining in the 3rd. Unfortunately, Hartford as unable to pull off the upset as the group lost in overtime.

Ronning and Rykov

Yegor Rykov puts Hartford on the board and tie the game at one. This was his first goal in North America and in the AHL. Nieves feeds Rykov through a backhand, then Rykov buries.

Igor Shesterkin showed he can do more than goaltending. The young prospect starts off a spectacular play with his long pass. Di Giuseppe feeds Nieves, then Beleskey buries with a great goal. That was a play.

Kravtsov 1st Pack Goal

Do you believe that Lettieri will make the team next year? -Lucia A.

Vinni Lettieri has made an impact in Hartford for the last three seasons. The 25 year old prospect was given another chance with the Rangers organization this season after his original two year deal was up last summer. Offensively he is reliable, and I enjoyed his one timers the most as that is one of his specialties. He knows how to get set up for the blast of a shot and be able to bury the chances. He has 9 power play goals to date (18th in the league). However, his age puts him at a disadvantage considering the Rangers are looking for young talent for the big club.

The prospect is a unrestricted free agent (group 6) this summer. Personally I would love to have him back as he is dependable for offense with the Wolf Pack. If he is re-signed, I think he will have a chance to make the team to help fill voids in the depth/bottom six. It will depend on the Rangers needs coming into the upcoming season. Perhaps they may want someone with speed and skill, which would fit for Lettieri. If they want a more well rounded forward or a more grittier player, he will not fit that mold. If he does not make the club next season, he will be perfect for Hartford.

The Rangers will have to decide if they want to offer Vinni Lettieri for another deal. He is considered seasoned in the AHL, which benefits the younger players in the system. If he goes elsewhere, I could definitely see other teams giving him a look at the NHL level.

What are your thoughts regarding the Wolf Pack potentially re-signing Mason Geertsen? -Margaret G.

Mason Geertsen was one of my favorite AHL signings. He provided grit and is not afraid to hit or fight anyone. He gave Hartford the edge physically. Despite playing on defense, Kris Knoblauch gave the rugged defenseman chances to play on the wing a couple of times this season. He actually had great games playing on the wing which shows he is versatile. He may not find his way on the scoring sheet, but he definitely is a player that boosts the Pack on the defensive aspects as he can be sound. He was an underrated signing by Chris Drury. He definitely found a gem.

Since AHL deals are often for one season, the Wolf Pack and Geertsen will have to iron out another AHL deal if the defenseman wants to stay in Hartford. It will depend on multiple factors. Prior to signing with Hartford last summer, the defenseman played one season with the Colorado Eagles. Prior to Colorado, he was in San Antonio for two seasons. The re-signing is 50/50 and I hope he stays. The Wolf Pack will benefit and he was a fan favorite.

Thoughts on Tim Gettinger. Does he have a future with with the Rangers -@AnalyticsNyr

What are your thoughts on Tim Gettinger’s development, and do you think he has a shot to be a contributor at the next level? What areas does he has to improve on? -Joe M.

I decided to combine both questions regarding Tim Gettinger. The prospect has another season remaining on his entry level contract. Considering what I have seen through two seasons, Gettinger is showing strides in the development process, especially this season under Kris Knoblauch. The tall forward has potential speed and can be the power forward on the Pack roster. He is also showing consistency this season which is great to see.

Last season, he was not consistent in his game and struggled in some aspects. I am now seeing a better, well rounded game from the forward. However, he can be a streaky forward offensively as he can get hot or cold in spurts. Despite that on the scoresheet, he does have a great effort in all of his games played. He’s confident in shooting the puck more often and is not afraid to get in front of the net or dirty areas. On the defensive aspect, he is well positioned and can block shots when needed. He can use his size for the advantage in all areas of the ice, which I have seen plenty of times this season.

Regarding improvements coming into next season, the forward should work on his defensive aspect to give him a more well rounded skill set for the Rangers. He provides great depth offensively, but his priority should be the defensive aspects and the neutral zone. Being more defensively sound is never a bad idea. He’s doing good on those aspects, but bolstering up his overall game on defense could give the Rangers another forward to strongly look at for the upcoming season.

Tim Gettinger definitely has a future with the Rangers. I could see him in the bottom six/depth role for the organization. He is flourishing in Hartford, benefiting from his experiences thus far on the ice. I could see Gettinger be an ideal forward for New York that has a strong game in all areas of the ice. He could contribute every so often while holding sound defensively. He is not Chris Kreider, but has some traits similar to the forward.

Do you think Nils Lundkvist has the chance of making the NHL from the training camp? -@Contribute_ee

Nils Lundkvist is another up and coming future Ranger that will be exciting to watch. Once he joins the organization, I believe he will have some seasoning done in Hartford first before joining the Rangers for NHL exposure. I recently spoke with one of our 4B contributors regarding the prospect. Check out what he has to say regarding Lundkvist.

“Nils Lundkvist’s biggest skill is his movement and puck distribution. His gap control is close to perfect, and it allows him to play a more free-flowing style, skating the puck up the ice. That aspect of his game won’t change too much in North America. With rinks being more narrow, it should be even easier for him to control that gap. Where Lundkvist has really shined this season is his skating. He plays all 3 zones flawlessly in the 3rd best league in the world. And yes, there will be some time to adjust in my opinion, but when he flies over for camp and pre-season, he will be more fired up than ever. He has no intention of going back to Sweden and has a chance to earn himself a spot on the team. That will, in part, depend on Quinn being comfortable enough to play either DeAngelo or Fox on the left side, where the hole left by Skjei’s departure needs to be filled. If that happens., I can see Lundkvist making the team out of camp, but I expect his chances to start in Hartford to be 70-30. Not because he isn’t good enough, but because of the amazing depth we have on the right side. Nils Lundkvist lines up on the elft side on the powerplay, but at even strength he plays exclusively on the right side.”

Forever Blueshirts Contributor, Steven Voogel

What is the ceiling for Morgan Barron? -@JBFazz1213

I am excited to see Morgan Barron in a Wolf Pack, then Rangers uniform in his career. The 21 year old is showing a high ceiling potential after having three solid seasons with Cornell University. Regardless where he ends up next season, either staying at Cornell to complete his senior year or begin his pro career with the organization, he will continue to push himself and reach new heights in his development. He has an impressive game, from his scoring chances to the defensive aspect, he’s looking solid so far. He is a solid pickup for the Rangers.

He still has plenty of development remaining, but he is on a great track thus far. Look forward on seeing him in the organization down the road.

Can you rank the NHL potential of the recently signed Undrafted College Free Agents? -@JBFazz1213

The rankings will be based on signings made by the Rangers and not the Wolf Pack’s. The Wolf Pack signings of college free agents are on AHL deals and/or tryouts. I will focus on Patrick Khodorenko, Justin Richards, and Austin Rueschhoff.

I have seen Patrick Khodorenko play in one game with Hartford this season while the other two players have not played a game yet in the organization. These forwards each provided solid playing styles for their respectable college teams. The jump from college to the pro ranks can be difficult, but these players should be able to adjust and give boost to Hartford in the upcoming season. I am looking forward to see these three play with the Pack next season.

1. Patrick Khodorenko- Shows a well balanced game offensively. He can be a solid play maker.
2. Justin Richards- Solid defensive forward. He has a strong work ethic and is an accountable forward. He is good for faceoffs as well.
3. Austin Rueschhoff- Another well rounded forward. The tall prospect has potential to become a power forward.

Any concerns about Rykov panning out? -Tim H.

Yegor Rykov has had a rough season in Hartford this season. Through 27 games with Hartford, Rykov has not found his game yet. I am not worried about the defenseman despite his tremendous struggles. I viewed this season as a trial run for Rykov because he joined the team in December and also was coming off from a significant injury. Early on he showed some strides, but long term he was unable to keep it up. Rykov was fighting a lot of factors this season. He was recovering from his injury, he was cold coming into the lineup, had limited time practicing with Hartford (before he played his 1st game), and was unable to get comfortable adjusting to the smaller rink in North America.

Fans expected a lot from the prospect early on. However, he was not ready for the NHL as he had a lot against him. His struggles was overwhelming, which resulted him sitting in games as a healthy scratch in the second half of the season. He also had a minor injury, which caused him to sit more games. Let the defenseman settle in the system and the smaller rink. I believe the prospect will bounce back next season since he has some experiences playing in the games with Hartford. He will train hard for the upcoming season and have a fresh mind and start to tackle the season. We do not need to sound the alarm.

Some teams, including the Wolf Pack, Bridgeport and Binghamton, have even taken steps to melt their ice as a means of cost saving as arenas aren’t generating enough revenue to justify the extra expense with the season on hold. Teams have also refunded or working towards refunding season ticket holders for the regular season games that won’t be played. With that in mind, I take a look at the Wolf Pack’s season to this point and hand out a couple of individual awards along with a summary of the season to this point.

Unsung Hero: Mason Geertsen

The Rangers annually have awarded the Steven McDonald Extra Effort award to the player that goes above and beyond the call of duty. If the Wolf Pack had such an award to give a player, for this season it would be defenseman Mason Geertsen. Always one to put forth a tireless effort, Geertsen became a favorite with Wolf Pack fans for his hustle, toughness on the ice, unwillingness to back down for a challenge and always be one to stick up for his teammates. Geertsen came to Hartford after 5 years in the Avs organization via tryout in training camp impressing enough to earn an AHL contract for this season. He took advantage of the opportunity with his hustle and gritty play to show Chris Drury that right choice was made and appears to be the case.

While his 8 assists in 60 games played this season don’t jump off of the stat sheet by any means but more than makes up for it with big hits, good defense and playing with an edge but within limits for the most part. With Geertsen is only signed for this season, the hope is that he does stay in Hartford beyond this season as his contributions have played a large part in what has been a turnaround season for the Wolf Pack. 

Top Goaltender: Igor Shesterkin 

Hartford was abuzz with the news that The Czar was coming in to start his first season in North America with the Wolf Pack. With the stats and hype about his lights out play in the KHL, everyone knew to take the Pack seriously so long as Igor was in goal. Going into the season as the Pack’s number one over Adam Huska, Shesterkin won his first 5 starts allowing one goal or less in 4 of those 5 which included a shutout. Shesterkin would go on to play an additional 20 games with the Pack and post a record of 17-4-3 with a 1.90 GAA and a .934 save percentage with 3 shutouts. 

Despite being called up to New York in January 6th and making only 2 AHL starts since then, Shesterkin’s GAA and save percentage still rank 2nd in the AHL. His play with the Rangers this season has also been as advertised, if not better, and has him poised to be the number one next season with the Blueshirts. Igor Shesterkin is a generational talent among goaltenders and has been the biggest key in the Pack’s 2019-20 season and is the Pack’s top goaltender this season in my book. 

Most Improved Player: Vitali Kravtsov 

Another Rangers prospect that came to Hartford with the hype of being a 9th overall pick, Vitali Kravtsov, like Igor Shesterkin, was sent to the Pack to begin his first pro season in North America. Unlike Igor, Kravtsov stumbled out of the gate. His early season play was subpar at best, finding himself benched late in games, not playing above the 3rd line and even a healthy scratch early in the season. After 5 games and only 1 assist, Kravtsov decided to exercise his European Assignment Clause and went back to Russia. Kravtsov returned to the Pack in December as the Rangers wanted to take hold of his development. Since returning, Kravtsov found himself playing important minutes and on the power play scoring 6 goals to go with 8 assists in the 34 games since his return. 

While he’s made improvements to his game since returning from Russia, he still to find some consistency but does find himself in a position to challenge for a roster spot in New York next season. Vitali Kravtsov has a future with the Rangers and will look to keep the trend going up. 

Team MVP: Vinni Lettieri 

Entering his third season in the Rangers organization, Vinni Lettieri had yet to establish himself with the Blueshirts and found himself back in Hartford this season. Lettieri managed 9 points in his first 9 games of the season plateaued by the end of November with 15 points (6 goals, 9 assists) in 21 games but many began to question why he had and if he could turn things around. Come December, Lettieri’s season began to turn around as he would go on to score 19 goals and net 13 assists for 32 points in his next 40 games played to bring his season totals to a career high 25 goals which also rank 10th in the AHL, 22 assists fo 47 points, one shy of his career high of 48 points. This surge in offense was enough to earn Lettieri a selection to the 2020 AHL All-Star Classic in Ontario to replace Igor Shesterkin on the Atlantic Division roster where he would go on to score 3 goals and pick up a pair of assists. 

With all of the hype surrounding the drama of Vitali Kravtsov and the spectacular goaltending of Igor Shesterkin and with support from line mates such as Matt Beleskey and Steven Fogarty, Vinni Lettieri has managed his best AHL season to date. While Lettieri appears to be heading for free agency this summer, it’s still unclear whether he stays or will go but regardless of what happens, no question that Vinni Lettieri has been the Pack’s most valuable player during the 2019-20 season. 

Summing Up the Season Thus Far 

With the arrival of John Davidson and his decree that more attention would be centered on player development here in Hartford, many predicted the Wolf Pack would improve after finishing below .500 in 2 of the prior 3 seasons and missing the playoffs the last 4 seasons. Overall, the Pack made great strides this season compared to the prior 4 years. A fresh face behind the bench in Kris Knoblauch, captain Steven Fogarty leading the way on the ice, Matt Beleskey and Vincent LoVerde providing a veteran presence, Vinni Lettieri and Phil di Giuseppe getting pucks to the net, LoVerde with Darren Raddysh leading an improved defense corps, role players like Patrick Newell and Nick Jones playing at key points ahead of Igor Shesterkin and Adam Huska in goal. This year’s Pack team had something great in the works and were on their way to heights that had not been reached in years.

 Unfortunately, like the rest of the AHL, roster moves are a plenty and the Pack weren’t immune. The trading of All-Star Joey Keane to Carolina dealt a blow to the defense for which they had yet to recover from prior to the season being suspended. Phil di Giuseppe being called up to New York due to injuries and playing well enough to stay in the lineup with the Rangers over their last several games. Igor Shesterkin’s recall to New York in January leaving rookie Adam Huska as the number one goaltender for a period of time until the Rangers traded for JF Berube from the Flyers. While Huska had many good moments, his overall play was nowhere near the level of Shesterkin and Berube had yet to settle in before the suspension of the season. 

Those factors saw the Pack fall from atop the Atlantic Division and among the top teams in the league to fighting for their playoff lives. For this reason, if I had to give the 2019-20 Hartford Wolf Pack’s season, to this point, a letter grade it would be a C+/B-. While this team showed a lot of promise, they began to run out of gas after losing players like Keane, di Giuseppe and Shesterkin as the offense was often stymied, the defense began to show some holes and the goaltending wasn’t as sharp. The future of the team does remain bright with the likelihood of recent signings Patrick Khodorenko, Mike O’Leary, Alex Whalen to an AHL deal as possible roster players next season and possibly Tyler Wall and K’Andre Miller being in the mix. Even though it’s becoming more and more doubtful that the season will continue and a Calder Cup champion would be crowned as each day passes with no hockey, this Wolf Pack team and the New York Rangers have given fans something to look forward to for next year and years to come. 

This year’s roster was a good blueprint that Chris Drury, John Davidson, and other Rangers brass completed for their farm team. However, there is a few areas that could be improved to build a better team in the 2020-21 campaign.

Final Contract Year Signed Players

• Lias Andersson
  • The prospect’s future with New York is uncertain considering his developmental track and demand for a trade. Add in the struggles from this season and playing overseas, he will need to impress no matter where he plays to either help facilitate a trade or maybe a second chance in NY.
• Patrick Newell
  • Newell was in the midst of his rookie season with Hartford playing in the depth roles for the Wolf Pack. He is not a big name player, in comparison to players such as Vitali Kravtsov and Vinni Lettieri. He contributes to the team with the little aspects of the game.
• Ty Ronning
  • The Rangers prospect split time between the Wolf Pack and the ECHL’s Maine Mariners in the last two seasons. Despite impressive numbers in juniors, Ronning has not able to find his complete game in the AHL level. He will have one more season to find that spark.
• Tim Gettinger
  • The tall forward had a solid season offensively and has strides in his defensive aspect of the game. Gettinger was given a look by New York for two games as well. He has shown speed and skill, similar to Chris Kreider in various moments of the season.
• Yegor Rykov
  • Despite a rough rookie year with Hartford due to injuries and sitting games as a healthy scratch, the prospect will have a fresh start next season. We have to be patient on Rykov from a developmental standpoint.
• Sean Day
  • The promising young defenseman has fallen dramatically on the depth charts.
• Libor Hajek
  • After more playing time with Hartford, I expect Hajek to craft his game more and possibly return to New York next season. He has potential and was sent to Hartford after his injury.
• Adam Huska
  • In his rookie season with Hartford, Huska has shown strides in his development. He was splitting time with Igor Shesterkin and JF Berube. Huska had a few great games this season along with a few slumps as well. The Rangers have not signed Tyler Wall to date, which is interesting. I can see Huska returning after his entry level contract. However, this can get complicated if the Rangers sign Wall.

Signed Beyond 2020-21 Season

• Vitali Kravtsov
• Jacob Elmer
• Austin Rueschhoff
• Patrick Khodorenko
• Matthew Robertson
• Tarmo Reunanen
• K’Andre Miller

Free Agents This Summer

• Matt Beleskey (UFA)
  • I expect the veteran to sign elsewhere once the season is completed. Despite a good veteran presence, the turnover rate is high in the AHL.
• Ryan Gropp (RFA)
  • The forward provided good depth in the past two seasons for Hartford. However this season, Gropp was bumped on the depth charts with the influx of incoming prospects. He played in 10 games with Maine and 36 games with Hartford. He was also on a team suspension early in the season, which lost him playing in a few games within the organization.
• Leedahl Dawson (RFA)
  • Dawson played in 2 games this season with Maine. I expect him to not be re-signed.
• Gabriel Fontaine (RFA)
  • I enjoyed the style Fontaine brings to the table in Hartford. However with his season ending injury this season, the forward was unable to do much as he played in 13 games with the Wolf Pack. I would love to see Fontaine return for the upcoming season as he has potential and brings a different element to the team.
• Steven Fogarty (UFA)
  • Hartford’s captain is a solid forward for the team. He plays in every aspect of the game and has great leadership. I would love to have him return.
• Cristoval “Boo” Nieves (RFA)
  • The 26 year old forward joined the organization later in the developmental process. However, Nieves has shown solid strides despite the injuries he has occurred throughout his time in the organization. He would be another good addition to the roster next season.
• Vinni Lettieri (UFA)
  • Lettieri continues to be a great offensive weapon against the league for Hartford. However, it will be interesting to see if the Rangers will want to continue the relationship with Lettieri or if he wants to try another organization. We shall see.
• Danny O’Regan (UFA)
  • O’Regan was another seasoned player for Hartford this season. He contributed to the offense and was a good addition.
• Brandon Crawley (RFA)
  • The tough defenseman was buried in the depth chart in the organization. However, Crawley was given a shot late this season before the pause and has performed well. However, given the influx of younger prospects coming, I do not see him re-signed.
• Darren Raddysh (RFA)
  • The 24 year old defenseman is a well rounded player who contributes not only offensively, but defensively. He was paired with Vincent LoVerde and the dual was solid on the blue line. Raddysh can continue to help Hartford next season if he returns. He provides the team with good offense and defense.
• Nick Ebert (UFA)
  • Ebert had a quiet season. He is not the top or bottom defenseman on the team. He can contribute at times and was a good return to Hartford from the trade. However, i can see him signing elsewhere.

AHL Signed Player Statuses

AHL deals are often one year deals. Here is a look at the current situation. I would like to see a few guys return once again in Hartford who were on these contracts.

• Alex Whelan- Signed for next season.
• Vincent LoVerde- Unsigned.
• Nick Jones- Unsigned.
• Mason Geertsen- Unsigned.
• Greg Chase- Unsigned.
• Ryan Dmowski- Unsigned.
• Shawn McBride- Unsigned.
• Mike O’Leary- Signed for next season.
• Zach Tolkinen- Unsigned.
• Jean-Francois Berube- Unsigned.
• Zach Giuttari- Unsigned as he was signed through an ATO this season.

Regardless of the completion of the remainder of the season, Chis Drury and the Rangers brass has big decisions on Hartford’s roster next season. Will these guys get another chance to play later on in the year? There are plenty of questions with little answers.