Tuesday’s Prospects’ Update

November 10, 2009 | Posted by Leslie Treff

Sorry for the lack of posting last week, but the flu bug had me barely functioning, no less attending games and digging up information. But I am feeling much better and am back to watching and keeping my ears to the ground.

Contract Update

First, this morning it was confirmed that Tyler Arnason, suspended by the Rangers yesterday, has signed with Dynamo Riga of the KHL. Arnason was not going to get a call-up to the NHL team anytime soon, and, in fact, was a disappointment in Hartford, left for greener pastures. He was signed to a one-year two-way contract by the Rangers this past July, and by suspending Arnason and having him sign in Europe, the Rangers remove his contract from the total of 50 that they are allowed. This is different from the situation with Tomas Zaborsky, who signed a 30-day tryout with Assat last month (he currently has four points in five games with the Finnish team). Reassigned by the Rangers in October, Zaborsky’s contract remains in the 50 count.

Pack Update

Hartford won both of their games this past weekend, to raise their record to 8-6-0.   Now on a four-game winning streak, the Wolf Pack have only given up six goals in those four games. It is significant that Chad Johnson has been in net for all four games, and has now established himself as the Pack’s number one netminder. He had some trouble initially adjusting to this level of play, but he seems to feel much more comfortable between the pipes and his confidence has risen accordingly.

Also improving has been the defensive corps. It is no coincidence that since the signing (PTO) of Mathieu Dandenault, Hartford is 6-1. Although according to the scoresheet, Dandenault has only one point in those games, his steady presence on the blueline has changed the dynamic of the group. This was an excellent signing by the Pack, and has really helped the play of some of the Rangers top blueline prospects. Most notable among them are Bobby Sanguinetti and Ilkka Heikkinen,  who for the most part have played together as the first pair at even strength and on the power play. However, Ken Gernander and his coaching staff have been changing up the defensive pairings some, with very good results.  Both Sanguinetti and Heikkinen have played better together, as well as apart.  Michael Sauer has also improved his defensive play in the last few weeks.

Corey Locke and PA Parenteau continue to lead the league in points, and the two play off each other extremely well. However, the biggest improvement in play among the forwards has come from Evgeny Grachev, who is not only third among rookies in total points (12 in 14 games), but looks much more involved in the play on each of his shifts. With the injuries the Rangers have sustained over the last two weeks, Grachev should be considered for a call-up.

NCAA Update

Wisconsin split a weekend series with the University of Minnesota, and Ryan McDonagh was a big part of the positives for the Badgers. McDonagh seems to play better and better in each successive week, and he made a significant contribution to Wisconsin’s offense in both games, while playing more than adequate D in most of each game.

Derek Stepan, however, had a terrible weekend. On the ice for many of the Golden Gophers goals against, Stepan was playing on the third line for the Badgers. After centering a line with freshman Craig Smith (NAS) in earlier games, Smith has been moved to the top line, so Stepan had a new combination. His current linemates are diminutive and just not of NHL prospect calibre, so a drop in production was expected. But Stepan, who is a playmaking center, really needs to skate with finesse players, and this situation will not be good for him or the team. Hopefully, coach Mike Eaves will realize this quickly and move Stepan up to a higher line. If not, it could be a long season for the elite center.

Although Michigan is not having a stellar season, its top line LW, Carl Hagelin, is getting a lot of press for his excellent play. With seven points in eight games, he is tied for second on the Wolverines. Hagelin’s Michigan team was roundly defeated in both games this weekend by Miami University, the number one team in the nation, but Hagelin continues to play an excellent two-way game.

In other collegiate news, Danny Hobbs had a good weekend in Massachusetts games against Niagara. Playing on the wing on the top two lines this past weekend, Hobbs had the game-winning goal on Saturday and the secondary assist on the final goal on Sunday.

More about the CHL performances, the European Update, and a Pack player rating based upon the first month of play over the coming days.

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