Is The (Pro) Cupboard Bare?

When looking at the Hartford Wolf Pack this season, particularly on the Forward front there must be some concern. Its not that The Rangers have no talent at forward, in the pipeline – far from it, as Kreider, Stepan, Hagelin, Werek etc all attest but it’s the fact that this years AHL line up was a bit of a mess and there is no immediate help on the horizon. Unless you believe Dane Byers can still make an impact and he hasn’t run his course in the organization. The collection of names mentioned mostly have one thing in common: they are college players. They won’t be in the AHL anytime soon.

When you factor into the equation that players like PA Parenteau, Corey Locke, Dane Byers and Andreas Ambuhl have possibly played their last games for Hartford (for varying reasons) then the concern (and question marks) grow. Parenteau will only re-sign with NY if he feels he has a genuine chance to avoid being ‘banished’ back to the AHL, Dane Byers will either make NY or be elsewhere (another season in Hartford seems unlikely) and Ambuhl is back off to Switzerland. So the cupboard seems even barer…..

Looking at the Rangers prospect list, it is unlikely much will be taking the next step to the AHL this summer. Perhaps only youngster Roman Horak (thanks to European draft loop holes) may come through the system and help out in Hartford. However even Horak would be better served staying with Chilliwack for another year. A lot of pressure therefore falls on Evgeni Grachev’s shoulders should he remain in Hartford. Highly touted, the Russian will have to improve on his rookie campaign but has the talent and size to do so. A lot of people were expecting more than a 28 point rookie season following his 80 point junior campaign. Hopefully he takes a similar path as Artem Anisimov and dominates in his 2^nd year in the AHL. With Brodie Dupont, perhaps Dale Weise (who has a legitimate shot at a bottom 6 role in NY – Tortorella was ‘dying to give him a chance’) and Paul Crowder Hartford does have some talent on the forward front likely to return but the focus – and skill – clearly lies on the back end as well as probably Chad Johnson in goal, in Hartford.

The title of the post was a little scaremongering on my part as The Rangers seem well stocked with talented forwards in both the NCAA and major junior but with most of them being a year or two away from the pro ranks we, specifically Hartford, may see a lot of pain before we get (professional) gain. This year saw Hartford miss the AHL playoffs for the first time in their 13 year history. Missing the playoffs may become the norm until several forwards mature to the pro ranks.