AHL [Feb-06]: Hartford Wolf Pack Prospect Report
Hartford Wolf Pack Prospect Report (posted 2.28.06)
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by Anthony A. Mauro
Reviewing the New York Rangers' top prospects on the Hartford Wolf Pack.
1. Al Montoya
- Confident and competitive, Montoya possesses great mental makeup allowing him to forget about bad goals and rise to the level of the competition he's playing against. Al may need some time, but he will be a star goalie in the NHL.
2. Nigel Dawes
- Nigel is a slippery skater with a lot of dance when he puckhandles. Dawes has entered, adjusted to, and showed dominance in every league he's played in and I don't see him missing that chance with the NHL. An elusive player with great offensive skills will be dangerous in the NHL.
-Deceptive and Smart. At first glance Immonen looks harmless but he can hurt you with a tape-to-tape pass, quick shot, faceoff win, or defensive zone breakup. Jarkko's intelligence on the ice will translate right to the NHL.
4. Ivan Baranka
- Ivan has it all: smooth skating, size, passing, shot, and hard hitting. This year with Hartford seems to be a get-the-first-year-jitters-out-of-the-way and look-forward-to-next-year type of season. He doesn't have great stats, but the talent is there. With more experience and seasoning, and I expect a breakout sophomore year.
- A guy acclaimed for his fighting, David is a well-rounded pro prospect. He is mobile, has good positioning, some offensive capabilities, and hits hard. Even if Liffiton's offense doesn't develop more, I still see him in the NHL.
- Jessiman is tall, still lanky, and since his callup from Charlotte he has made it a point to emphasize the rough stuff. With his size, he is a monster in the corners and near the boards, coming away winning many loose puck battles. As far as development goes, he's progressed from where he was in Charlotte but has to only focus on Hartford for now--not the Rangers nor his lofty draft position.
7. Jake Taylor
- Taylor is a physical specimen for the ages who has come a long ways from being overwhelmed last year in Charlotte and Hartford. He's now strong on his skates, confident with the puck, and a good shot blocker. His game is like Liffiton's, which is also suited for the NHL.
- Helminen has developed tremendously since last year in Charlotte and then Hartford. He has exceeded expectations and developed a good offensive game. If he can't translate this newfound skillset to the NHL, he'll at least be a speedy NHL checking centerman.
- After falling off the map in college, Falardeau used his time in the ECHL wisely. Now in Hartford, Falardeau is showing the Joel Otto type skills he was drafted for. Lee is very big, with great wheels and persistence. He is great on the forecheck. I see him as a 3rd or 4th line checking center in the NHL.
10. Thomas Pock
- Pock's got it all offensively. He's a speed demon who can lead the rush, set someone up, or bury a goal after completing a spin-o-rama. However, he lacks defensive awareness and smarts. If he can muster up the slightest defensive inclination, his offense will be too much for an NHL team to pass on. He's too much of a liability in the AHL right now, I don't see him translating well to the NHL.
11. Alexandre Giroux
- Does everything well and looks seasoned doing it. He is looked upon as a veteran forward and presence in Hartford. However, he lacks the offense to be a top 6 NHL'er and does not have any apparent checking skills to be a 3rd or 4th liner. I don't see him kicking his game up a notch to NHL level, I only see a good AHL'er.
12. Daniel Girardi
- Girardi was a gift for the Pack who is a good two-way player. He contributes offensively but has good defensive positioning, will sacrifice his body blocking a shot, and is competent on 2-on-1's. Girardi is still a mystery to me, going either way he looks like he can be a career minor-leaguer or a solid, two-way, bottom pairing NHL'er.
13. Colby Genoway
- Colby has great puck poise and is hard to knock off the puck. He is able to control the flow of the play in the offensive zone and has a great shot. He is dangerous in the sense that he can score with his body in any position. But with that said, I don't see him making the NHL.
14. Craig Weller
- Weller is a hard worker and that is shown through his captaincy. He goes to the net hard and scores garbage goals. For all Weller's hard work, good size, and fearlessness, he lacks the necessary quickness and I don't see him lasting in the NHL.
Prospect Report: Mark Mancari (posted 2.6.06)
by David Burstyn
Mark Mancari (Buf), C, Rochester
Making the adjustment to the AHL well .. has averaged close to a point a game and has the size and tools to be a successful AHL player .. smooth skater who has the presence of mind to go to open areas of the ice and get a jump start on play .. can create turn overs as his big body and active stick are always moving .. although big in stature, he does not use his size to intimidate opposition, is rather passive along the boards and does not show a willingness to compete or play physical .. his decision making in the offensive zone is still getting used to the speed of the professional game .. has a decent wrist shot and is not afraid to shoot.
Grade: (C+) Early indications show that Mancari can score in this league. With all the recent call-ups, he has been given more responsibility in the offence. He has all the tools and is oozing with potential, however at times appears too lackadaisical in his play.
Prospect Report: Drew Larman (posted 2.6.06)
by David Burstyn
Drew Larman (Fla), C, Rochester
A smart player who has a good understanding of the game .. is responsible in his own end and boasts a team high in +/- .. creates turn overs with his astute positioning and active fore check .. does not stop moving and is diligent in his puck pursuit .. strong and leans on guys along the boards .. balance on his skates makes him very hard to knock off the puck .. was hit very hard but recovered nicely and got back into the play .. has decent offensive tools however he relies more on his hard work than natural ability to lend his name to the score sheet.
Grade: (B) Larman is a very coachable player. He plays in all situations and has made the most of his opportunities through hard work and commitment to get better with every game. Could be an an NHL player in a few seasons as his work ethic and positive attitude make him a useful commodity.
Prospect Report: Nathan Paetsch (posted 2.3.06)
by David Burstyn
Nathan Paetsch (Buf), D, Rochester
Leading point scorer as he plays a well rounded game paying close attention at all times to his positioning in all three zones .. physically strong who maintains excellent balance and excels in the corners and along the boards .. not mean enough, does not play nasty and does not make opposition suffer enough in front of the net .. smooth skater who easily makes adjustments in transition game .. capable of making a good first pass and also carrying the puck up the ice .. big frame blocks shots, passing lanes and is a reliable fixture on the PK .. offensively he could work on his shot power and release point .. he made a poor decision in pinching that led to a break away.
Grade: (B-) Took a ton of shots throughout the contest. He shows a good understanding of the game and may make the jump to the NHL should the Sabres sustain injuries to the blueline. He is the most NHL ready of all defenseman prospects as his size coupled with his skating ability make him worth holding onto.
Prospect Report: Jiri Novotny (posted 2.2.06)
by David Burstyn
Jiri Novotny (Buf), C, Rochester
A tall player who could still fill out a bit .. aggressive fore checker as he constantly harasses the puck carrier and is instrumental in many turnovers .. identifies man and has a take no prisoner's attitude as he finishes checks with zest .. healthy stride he moves around the ice with grace and is able to pick up decent speed within a few strides .. effective special team's player .. possess good vision as he sees the ice well and was often distributing the puck in traffic to create good scoring chances.
Grade: (B) The Sabres have been patience with Novotny and it has paid off. He has improved with every season in the AHL and is the 2nd leading scorer on the team. The NHL is not too far for Novotny in the future as he has all the ingredients to be a capable 3rd or 4th liner.