The Pack is Back — General Hartford Wolf Pack Discussion

[Cash or Czech]

Kristo scored his 8th last night in a 3-2 loss. I understand that we're on a roll right now and I wouldn't change anything either, but he has to be the next call up. He's practically begging for it.

[Respecttheblue]

It's good news that Kristo is having some success.

 

I'm also reminded we have this guy, Oscar Lindberg, who started camp well and was one of the last to be cut.

 

three goals and six assists in 14 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack, as he continues to adjust to a new style of hockey in North America.

 

?The ice surface is quite a bit different. It?s taken a while to adjust, but I think I?m getting better and better. I like playing on the smaller ice surface,? Lindberg said, adding that more happens on the smaller rink, and that his speed and quickness benefits from that.

 

Early on, Lindberg centered a line with Danny Kristo and Chris Kreider, but has since been moved to a line with wingers Arron Asham and Marek Hrivik.

 

The change has allowed Lindberg to skate with players who possess different skill sets, with Kristo being a scorer and the veteran Asham being more of a grinder, the latter of which Lindberg said he could ?learn a lot? from.

 

http://blueshirtsunited.com/posts/4324/lindberg-learning-on-the-job-in-first-season-in-america#.UoWjryh8Bbs

 

I guess they're getting him up to speed on various facets of the game to make him more well rounded when he comes up. I think he may have what it takes, somewhere far down the road, assuming he keeps developing and that there's a spot.

[josh]

Fast injured his leg tonight and hasn't returned. The last things he needs is another leg injury.

 

He lasted longer than I expected.

[Myusername]

Kristo back at it with 2 more points (goal + assist)

[Respecttheblue]

Kristo back at it with 2 more points (goal + assist)

 

Caramba, if we still continue having scoring woes, well, try Kristo before trading?

[Steven.]

Just finished watching the Pack's game against the Phantoms. Most of the team looked incoherent and generated no offense (literally, they had one of two decent chances, but that was it). The PP was an abortion, looked like the 08-09 Rangers powerplay. Kristo was stuck playing with two stiffs in Jean and Powe.

 

On the positive side (what very few positive aspects there were to this game), I thought that Lindberg had a solid game up front (although he had a tough night in the dot), Allen was decent, and McIlrath was their best player. He made a mistake or two, including a very bad turnover in the neutral zone late in the third (although, he had just made a nice play to stop a 1-on-1 rush and he had absolutely no puck support at all), but his gap control was very solid all game long, and he was using his size and reach very effectively. He won almost every battle in the corner in his own zone. Felt like he was out there every other shift. He likes to step up at the blueline, it burned him once, but otherwise he was making good reads. Also liked Missiaen's game most of the night, although I think both goals he gave up were kind of soft - can't blame him for the loss, though, he only gave up two. He made some nice saves to keep them in it when it was 1-0 until Hartford gave up a PP goal. I liked his positioning and thought he was reading plays well all night, he forced a lot of wide shots with his size and positional play. He's pretty damn slow, though.

 

Adirondack didn't even play well tonight, Hartford basically beat themselves. Losing Miller and Mashinter is pretty big, and not having Fast doesn't help. Slats needs to go out and get them some help up front for the Pack, desperately. The Newbury trade is looking worse and worse for this team.

[Steven.]

The Pack were much better tonight against the Falcons, but still couldn't squeeze out a win. They ended up losing 3-2 after coming back from an early 2-0 deficit. Most of the kids were noticeable in a good way, IMO, and Lindberg/Allen were their two best players. I also liked McIlrath's game again, and thought that Andrew Yogan and Ryan Bourque were good as well. Yogan made some sick plays with the puck using his size and reach, I like his skill set and size combo. He's also a decent straight ahead skater for his size. He's still raw, though, so he'll nee a bit more time in the A if he's going to develop into even a bottom-6 er.

 

That said, Kristo was invisible and a -2.

[Dunny]

Where do you find these games?

[Steven.]

Where do you find these games?

 

I got a hockey streams account.

[Drew a Penalty]

I got a hockey streams account.

 

I live off of Hockey Streams.

[Steven.]

Line of Beach-Lindberg-Kristo was good. Kristo had a gorgeous setup to Syvret on the PP, and Lindberg had a nice bank in goal, but, even outside of that, they was very good all game. Lindberg is very smart and a good skater. He should be ready by next season. Kristo has great hands and is also a pretty good skater. He had some nice pick pockets. Allen continues to impress me, he's always in motion. McIlrath was steady again, his outlets have been impressing me. Kid's close. I like his upside.

[rvbcaboose]

Overall, how is Beach? From what I've read, the kids got some promise, but most of the Chicago fans considered him a bust.

[Steven.]

Overall, how is Beach? From what I've read, the kids got some promise, but most of the Chicago fans considered him a bust.

 

Invisible in his first game, a little more noticeable in his second. Picked up an assist on Lindberg's goal. Not a very good skater, meh hands, decent shot. He's got size and is a total asshole, though. Hasn't really played like a total asshole in his first two games as of yet. He might be able to become Troy Brouwer-lite, but he needs to become a better skater - and that kind of projection is being kind, IMO.

[Steven.]

Pack lost again, stretches their losing streak to 6 games. 3-2 shootout loss to the Phantoms.

 

Dov Grumet-Morris started in goal for the Pack, he was traded to them today from San Antonio for future considerations. He played an excellent game. Only goals he allowed were on two tough rebound shots from wide open Phantom players.

 

Miller was phenomenal, he looks incredible out there. Amazing what putting a player at his natural position can do. He had 1g, 1a, and a shootout goal. He was on a line with Kristo and Hrivik (he had a goal), which was easily the Pack's best line all game. Kristo made a gorgeous pass to Miller for his PP goal. Allen picked up another point, he continues to impress me.

 

Stu Bickel is even terrible at the AHL level. It's frightening watching his try to play the game, he's simply an abomination of a hockey player.

 

Kyle Beach was invisible. He has a decent AHL skill set, but this kid won't see NHL time unless he seriously works on his skating.

 

Lindberg had a bad game. Couple of turnovers, lost some puck battles. First bad game I've seen him play thus far, though.

[Pete]

I'm confused by all the talk about Miller being a "natural center" when he's said he prefers to play wing.

 

--

Tortorella moved Miller to wing Thursday night against the Isles after playing him at center for four games because ?he actually prefers the wing? and ?he really struggled with (defensive) coverages (against the Bruins on Tuesday),? the coach said. But the Blueshirts intend to bring Miller along at center because they love his size, strength on the puck, toughness, forechecking and offensive ability.

 

http://m.nydailynews.com/1.1265814

--

 

So is you're "natural" position the one you prefer and makes you comfortable, or the one the team thinks you should play?

[josh]

That was his fourth game. After a few more, he came back and said he liked center. I've posted it before, i will look later.

 

I prefer him at center because it keeps his legs moving and makes his skill useful

[Pete]

That's right, you just reminded me you brought that up before. My bad.

 

Yea, I want him to play wherever he's most comfortable and effective. That being center would be helpful.

[Puck Head]

He's been a Centerman pretty much anytime I followed him. You would think that would be his natural position.

 

As a 20 year old rookie, I'd have to say that wing much be a hell of a lot easier the first few games

[Myusername]

Almost forget he's 20 since he's gotten so many looks already. We need secondary scoring desperately and hopefully he contributes that eventually. Can't rely on talentless bums like Pyatt and Boyle to score goals for you

[Steven.]

Miller scored again. 7 goals in 8 games. Didn't watch the game yet, though, will have more info later.

[Cash or Czech]

Small note: Wolfpack claimed TJ Hensick off of waivers from Abbotsford Heat around a week ago or so. He played in Sweden before coming over, so he was subject to AHL waivers. Veteran AHL scorer, he has three points in two games so far.

[Phil]

@WolfPackAHL:

Reassigned to ECHL: Jean, Stajcer. Released: Aliu, Dupont, Klassen. Signed: (G) Dave LeNeveu

[Morphinity 2.0]

Damn, Kyle Jean to the ECHL. I remember last season people were frothing at the mouth over him.

[chrros7]

I may be misremembering but wasn't Dupont fairly hyped as well. I thought he had big potential but I may be confusing him with someone else. There's been so many.

[Pete]

Well he was no Greg Moore...