AHL: Bulldogs Fight Off Wolf Pack

McKeen's correspondent David Burstyn recently had the chance to see last seasons Calder Cup champion Hamilton Bulldogs take on the Hartford Wolf Pack. McKeen's reviews several players from both teams including Bulldogs forward Sergei Kostitsyn, who looks to join his brother (Andrei Kostitsyn) in the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens.

Brother Act

Much has changed in Steel town. The core nucleus of players who helped the franchise capture its first Calder Cup have since graduated to the NHL. The complexion of the team has changed but the organization has managed to bring in some new faces; namely Sergei Kostitsyn, the younger brother of former first round selection Andrei. Many Bulldogs have returned and are determined to repeat as Calder Cup Champions.

McKeen's looks at several second year AHL players within the Hamilton system.

Hamilton Bulldogs

Duncan Milroy RW, Hamilton

With the departures of many of the team's top scorers to the Canadiens, Milroy assumes the offensive load for the Calder Cup Champion Hamilton Bulldogs .. situated on the first line and on both the PP and the PK .. multi-faceted forward who has a nose for the net and good finishing skills .. is able to stickhandle in his feet and recover errand pucks for quality scoring chances .. he is not a speedster but he is a solid skater with a quick change of pace and straight-ahead speed .. he has quick bursts of speed but can not sustain it .. he creates offence through defense .. he kills penalties often and is usually employed as the high point man, often intercepting passes and forcing the opposition to cough up the puck .. he takes penalties but not senseless ones, they are usually the result of his being too over aggressive .. Milroy puts fourth a solid two-way effort and never compromises position for a good scoring chance .. he has matured considerably since being called out by coach Lever last season .. given the surplus of RW's in the system it would be very difficult for Milroy to crack the Canadiens lineup however, he would most likely be an NHL pro on many other teams.

Matt D'Agostini RW, Hamilton

Following an impressive debut season and a healthy playoff, D'Agostini returns as one of the most potent and natural finishers on the Bulldogs .. has great hands and vision and is very capable of scoring .. he always appears to be at the right place .. he can split the defense if he wants or drive them wide to open up additional space .. he uses his reach down low .. he curls with the puck in tight spaces that often buys him additional space to find the open man .. he is making quicker plays this season with the puck .. this is a direct result of him becoming more familiar with the league and also him refusing to get hit .. at times, he shows fear in his play and a complete unwillingness to initiate any type of physical contact .. a lazy backchecker, his game rests on his ability to create offensively .. he is his most effective when he finds the open holes and goes to them .. D'Agostini still shows signs of immaturity, taking himself off when things do not go his way and showcasing poor body language on the ice .. if he is be a part of the Canadiens bigger picture, he will need to show a more committed effort similar to Milroy.

Sergei Kostitsyn, RW, Hamilton

Montreal's seventh round selection of the 2005 draft is the younger brother of former Bulldog Andrei .. debut season in the AHL following a stellar junior career as a member of the London Knights in which he notched 209 points in 122 games .. a highly imaginative and creative winger with a plethora of moves and outstanding skill set .. he has very quick hands and makes many tape-to-tape passes .. he has a great first step, which really enables him to pounce on loose pucks .. he is used as a point man on the PP as a result .. he has a timely release on his shot but will need to work on his overall accuracy .. he can get careless at times, appearing too lackadaisical and not playing a pro game .. he still has the mentality of a junior player .. his skills will help him make the transition however, there are many areas that require immediate attention, namely his strength .. he is easily knocked off his skates and falls down with the slightest stick contact .. he can be caught watching plays in the defensive zone and he needs to do a better job of reacting, as opposed to watching the play .. has a flair for the offence but will need to bring more to the table .. the encouraging news is that he shows more of an effort than his brother did at this age.

Maxim Lapierre C, Hamilton

Heart and soul player provided timely scoring in last season's playoffs solidifying his status as a clutch performer .. plays with intensity and does not back down from any player .. takes no guff, as he is the first to get involved in a scrum .. he isn't really tough but he gives the impression that he won't back off .. a valuable role player, as he can be thrown into any situation .. an excellent penalty killer .. he uses his quick feet and anticipation to make timely interceptions and turn them into shorthanded chances .. he leans on guys down low and forces them to cough up the puck, as he is strong up top .. he did not have his strongest outing this game, as he held onto the puck too long in an attempt to make things happen .. he is at his best when he makes quick passes and explodes up the ice .. his aggression is a healthy trait however, he must learn to curb his temper, as he tends to get too enthusiastic .. will most likely be a regular should the parent team run into injury problems.

Janne Lahti LW, Hamilton

Signed as a free agent after leading his team in points and PIM's in the regular season and followed that by an impressive playoff, which saw him score eight goals in nine games for HPK Hameenilinna .. a bullish winger with surprising acceleration .. he is quick on his feet and is always moving .. he creates down low where he uses his stocky frame to create room for himself .. suited as the finisher on the line, his vision and passing skills are not quite refined nor developed .. if he manages an assist it is usually because of a rebound from his original shot .. has not gotten a handle of the defensive side of the game .. comes back but is not overly sure where to go, as the pace of the game has him confused at times .. has contributed already, which should improve his overall confidence.

Ryan O'Byrne D, Hamilton

After going scoreless in the regular season, O'Byrne scored two crucial GWG's in the Calder Cup finals, including the series-clinching win against Rochester in Game 6 and another in Game 3 of the Calder Cup finals against Hershey .. was given a long, hard look at Montreal's training camp and nearly made the team prior to the season .. an athletic, well-built defender who's skating and agility have improved considerably since entering the league .. has developed patience with the puck and is much more confident .. he easily shakes of an aggressive forecheck with a slight curl or by using his long stride to simply out skate the opposition .. his large frame helps protect the puck and his strong upper body easily out muscles those who get close .. he is getting tougher however, he misses his hits sometimes essentially taking himself out of the play .. he continues to improve in all areas of his game and should be a regular in the NHL very shortly.

Running in Packs

The New York Rangers have plenty of reasons to be optimistic. Once considered a weakness, the Rangers have supplemented their backend with a surplus of healthy draft choices. Gaining valuable experience last season, their AHL affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack, look to redeem themselves after a disheartening opening round loss last season in the Calder Cup playoffs. McKeen's looks at several Wolf Pack players eager to make an impact this season.

Hartford Wolf Pack

Al Montoya G, Hartford

Montoya had a stellar pro campaign last year as he was in the top five of most statistical categories .. started in all the playoff games (7) in an opening round loss to Providence .. a tall, yet slender goalie that relies on positioning more than reflexes .. he is quick to drop to the butterfly and goes down too early at times .. fluid movement in the crease, he can go from post-to-post effortlessly .. he is an aggressive poke checker and gambles often .. when he poke checks, he often gives up his five hole and was scored upon as a result .. an ok glove - it still needs to be quicker .. Montoya thrives when handling the puck .. he is always looking to shoot it up ice and can make a good first pass out of the zone .. his rebound control is exceptional .. he swallows rebounds up and very rarely offers a second chance on first shots .. Montoya should continue to see the bulk of the goaltending duties this year, as he is slowly being groomed for the back-up position with the Rangers, which might come as early as next season.

David Liffiton D, Hartford

The hard-nosed, Windsor-born defenseman has slowly evolved into a keen offensive contributor .. always looking for offence, as he readily jumps the line and gambles excessively .. he competes offensively as he always wants the puck .. can make a good first pass or go up the ice with it himself .. encouraged to distribute the puck quickly though by the coaching staff .. partnered off with Potter, a more defensive-minded rearguard gives him plenty of opportunity to cheat on the line knowing his partner will back up his play .. healthy skater with a nice long stride .. his first step needs some work, as he is beaten to loose pucks .. he maintains decent footwork in the defensive zone, not being drawn out of position and matching players stride for stride when they enter the zone .. strong combination of grit and offensive ability should warrant some hard looks and a potential call up should the Rangers run into injury problems.

Corey Potter D, Hartford

Came into season with a new approach to fitness, which immediately translated to him leading the backend in points in the preseason .. split time last year with the ECHL affiliate Charlotte Checkers, which helped to mature his offensive game .. however, he prides himself in the defensive side of things .. he is an exceptional skater as his lateral agility and reverse mobility make him extremely difficult to beat defensively .. he is wise to stay within the framework of the box .. he maintains his position and is not coaxed by flashy defenders to chase them down .. poised with the puck .. his overall stickhandling is still a work in progress however, he makes smart, safe plays when it is in possession .. whether it is a quick outlet pass or using the boards, he has a very intelligent approach .. he will also take a hit to advance the puck, as he is not afraid .. he has a hard shot and is used on the PP .. continues to impress with his solid all-around game .. should be in-and-out of the Rangers lineup by next season.

Michael Sauer D, Hartford

Sauer comes from a family who excels in athletics .. his older brother Kurt won a Stanley Cup last season with the Ducks and his other brother was a linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons (NFL) .. making his pro debut after spending an illustrious career in the WHL, he led his team to within a victory of the Memorial Cup, as a member of the Medicine Hat Tigers .. more of a stay-at-home defender, his skating in all directions is clearly his best skill .. he has size to close the gap and lateral agility to direct the forward to the outside often-rendering oppositions' rushes useless .. he is very smart defensively .. he makes strong reads and has a good instinct for the game .. he made many healthy adjustments after watching the team lineup for faceoffs and positioned himself accordingly .. will take some offensive chances and has the speed to recover should he be caught up ice .. his poise without the puck and on ice awareness are attributes you just cannot teach .. he should continue to work on his offensive game and be acclimatized with the league.

Ivan Baranka D, Hartford

Yet another 6-foot-3 defenseman on the roster .. his presence was sorely missed in last year's playoffs, as he suffered a knee injury that knocked him out for the season .. last year's regular season plus/minus leader is a solid all around defender who sees time in all situations .. he has good range, as his long limbs and thick stride help him defend .. he has average mobility and reverse movement .. at times, he can be caught standing still .. he likes to play physical .. he lined up many players and pried them off the puck .. he is not a dirty player as he lands his hits cleanly .. handles the puck with caution .. very rarely crosses centre with it .. used in PP situations for his ability to settle the puck and use his size at the point .. ok passing skills, as he can finesse passes on his backhand and is not rushed into making a mistake.

Alex Bourret RW, Hartford

The Rangers have reaped the benefits from a baffling trade that sent Bourret from the Thrashers for underachieving Pascal Dupuis .. Bourret tied the team in total points in the playoffs last season, notching 11 points in seven games .. an explosive skater whose speed allows him to navigate freely on the ice .. he plays with sandpaper and grit, which opens up space .. he has a thick upper body and can usually bulldoze many players to gain the zone .. he makes quick passes and then goes hard to the net looking to finish off a rebound .. not overly creative, as he prefers to take the short way to the net when he has the puck .. even though he skates at alarming speeds, his hands are also as quick as his body, as he makes clever touch passes that result in odd-man breakouts .. he must still learn to develop patience, as he tends to force things at times .. very hard to contain, as he is slippery and elusive .. he plays a very mature game .. often dumping in the puck for a line change or holding the line and curling back if pressured by a forecheck .. he is a good character player, as he sticks up for his teammates and does not back down in the face of physical confrontation .. he plays the role of an agitator very well but also backs up his actions with healthy offensive totals .. could be the next Sean Avery.

Pierre Parenteau RW, Hartford

Former silver medal Team Canada WJC participant was traded by the Blackhawks for a seventh round selection in the off-season .. gives the Wolfpack a good second-line winger capable of generating offence .. he is a small player who is not very thick .. he is an opportunistic scorer, as he is good at finding holes, jumping on rebounds and always manages to get his stick on the puck .. relied heavily on his playmaking skills, he is a good passer who is able to locate the open man based on his above average vision .. his quick feet allow him to pickpocket many forwards and create a breakout the other way .. he does play a good defensive game .. consistency and toughness are the big question marks with his game .. he has a tendency to fade into the scenery and seems at times to be content to just go through the motions .. he needs to play with more intensity, as he appeared scared and backed away when he saw hits coming.

Hugh Jessiman RW, Hartford

The 'Huge Specimen' has taken longer to develop than what was originally anticipated .. stints in the ECHL for the past two seasons have aided his game but he still lacks the finesse skills needed to be an effective pro .. has relied considerably on his size during his hockey career and now needs to make adjustments as others have caught up .. a thick and tall player (6-foot-6), he is an upright skater whose acceleration is fueled by a long, languid stride .. he plays a cycle game, as he uses his body to drive to the net and corners .. incredibly hard to contain given his strength when coming down the boards .. he lacks vision and passing skills .. his passes are generally off the mark and often lead to icings, as he tries to stretch it too far .. not a nasty player, he plays a docile game .. power forwards take longer to develop and Jessiman is still considered a project with raw skills.

Lauri Korpikoski LW, Hartford

Third-year pro enters the season with increased responsibilities and higher expectations to produce offensively .. remarkable skill set .. he makes quick plays and has outstanding vision .. his shot is also a potent weapon that he uses to score .. he never gives up on loose pucks and always follows the play to get another shot on goal .. he is slippery in close, as he can shift his body to better position himself to score .. he has quick hands and can often finish within three feet of the goal, as he is not afraid to park himself by the net .. his play down low, especially along the half boards and behind the net makes him a constant threat .. quick feet and rapid acceleration also compliment his game .. his stop and go ability enables him to fool defenders and put himself in better offensive position .. appears to be ready but must lead the team in points this season and deep into the playoffs.

Dane Byers LW, Hartford

Had a sensational debut season as he racked up over 200 PIM's while producing at over a half-a-point per game .. has continued to mature as a player and has gotten better since his coordination has caught up with his body .. still needs to add more weight to his imposing 6-foot-3 frame .. plays like a wrecking ball, as he is everywhere on the ice .. he hits and competes in all areas of the ice .. he has good speed and asserts himself at full speed when attacking any area of the ice .. always moving his feet .. his lateral movement is still unpolished but through sheer work and determination, he gets to where he needs to be .. more of a passer than a goal scorer, he has good vision and makes ok passes .. he is always working to get his stick on the puck and drive hard to the net .. work ethic is unmatched by any of his peers .. has good upside as he satisfies a role that the Rangers might want to upgrade.

Artem Anisimov C, Hartford

Making his AHL debut this season as the youngest player in the AHL .. considering his youthful age, his deficiencies are easy to overlook however, many facets of his game that need immediate attention .. his skating is ok in a straight line but he has difficulty crossing over .. his balance needs work however, he has not supported his skating with the requisite strength in his lower body .. uses his long reach and quick hands to create offence but is too easily pushed off the puck before he can get to the net .. at times, he appeared overwhelmed by the pace of the game and did not move his feet .. rarely did he attempt to get the puck himself, as he opted for others to do it for him .. he is a finisher, as the way he prepares his stick and goes to open areas are encouraging traits .. once he catches up to the speed of the game and physically matures, he should be an option for the Rangers second line.

Tom Pyatt C, Hartford

After a highly decorated junior career that saw him land two WJC gold medals and set the Saginaw Spirit record for most goals scored in single season (43), Pyatt joins the AHL .. a versatile player who can play either wing or centre .. good start up and fast feet allow him to forecheck aggressively and play a solid two-way game .. he is good on both sides of the puck .. defensive play is what will score him high praise, as he is a team player who buys into team concepts and oozes character .. will never cheat you on a shift, as he goes all out, all the time .. displays sound positioning .. defensively he is never chasing the play rather he is breaking it up .. he willingly takes hits to make plays and despite his relatively small stature, he is in excellent shape, which allows him to absorb hits .. he did not look out of place when he skated on the first line for a few shifts during the game .. he dug the puck out of the corner and remained focused on his assignments .. experience is certainly needed, as is additional chest muscle .. he shows all the signs of being a consummate pro for the Rangers for many years to come.