Post by nyrgm on Mar 4, 2021 10:11:42 GMT -5
Hello fans!
Earlier this week GM Cooper and coach Craig Hartsburg got together to discuss the troubles surrounding Hartford this year. The teams 5-8-4 start has come as quite a surprise to both individuals and discussions regarding what to do about the situation began to take form. 17 games into the season and we have already seen all 3 goaltenders rotate into the lineup in an effort to get something started. The best goaltender of the 3 is arguably rookie Logan Thomson who was signed as an undrafted free agent this offseason. He currently holds a 4-4-1 record with a 3.15 GAA and a .904. Although stastistically #1 goaltender Hunter Miska has marginally better stats with a 2.74 GAA and .916, he has struggled to play well when it matters which has resulted in just 1 win in his 5 starts. It's also notable to mention that he has faced just over half the amount of shots compared to Thomson. Olle Eriksson Ek has been hands down the worst of the 3 but he is also only 21 years old and is playing in his first pro season. He has only gotten the nod 3 times this year and has not had a real chance to adjust to the speed of the pro game.
So is the issue solely with the goaltending? Oh Hell no! Leading the team with 15 points is rookie phenom Morgan Frost but his shortcomings as a defensive player are on full display so far this season. In an attempt to compensate, Coach Hartsburg has paired Frost with Anthony Angello who stands at 6'5 and weighs in at 210lbs. However, despite this match made in heaven, Frost currently holds a team worst -12 rating. Although the team scoring is well balanced with 6 players currently in double digits, the lack of defense is a team effort as there are just 3 players on the entire roster with a + rating.
It was assumed that this would be a solid year for Hartford coming into the season. The team has lacked any real depth for the past few years and has been short on draft picks which would normally help stock the team. However, with veteran Jay Beagle assuming the leadership role joined by Matt Nieto and highly touted newcomers Nicholas Hague and Morgan Frost, the hope was that the team could put together a playoff run. With the frustration building, the decision has been made to shake things up a bit.
It has been reported that a deal was struck last night with the Carolina Panthers that will bring in Tim Gettinger in return for Curtis McKenzie and at the time of writing, another deal wit Halifax involving Ryan Reaves was in the works as well. It is rumored that the aforementioned Nieto is likely the piece going back in this deal. The trend, it seems, is to bolster the teams grit and defensive play. With neither of the players coming in known for their offense, it is likely that their roles will be to control the game with their physicality and attempt to open up the ice a bit more for the skilled players. With Reaves only capable of playing on the right side and Gettinger on the left combined with the departure of Nieto and McKenzie, it is speculated that the line combinations would look something like this:
Gettinger Frost Angello
Lindberg Beagle Reaves
Bittner Laberge Watson
Dupuy B.Mckenzie Schmalz
Although 2 trades are already in the books, the line remains open for GM's interested in player swaps as Hartford looks to get back on track. With any luck, the 2 new additions can have a positive impact on the games going forward and Hartford can revive this piss excuse of a start.
Brain Dickless
Hartford Hearsay
Earlier this week GM Cooper and coach Craig Hartsburg got together to discuss the troubles surrounding Hartford this year. The teams 5-8-4 start has come as quite a surprise to both individuals and discussions regarding what to do about the situation began to take form. 17 games into the season and we have already seen all 3 goaltenders rotate into the lineup in an effort to get something started. The best goaltender of the 3 is arguably rookie Logan Thomson who was signed as an undrafted free agent this offseason. He currently holds a 4-4-1 record with a 3.15 GAA and a .904. Although stastistically #1 goaltender Hunter Miska has marginally better stats with a 2.74 GAA and .916, he has struggled to play well when it matters which has resulted in just 1 win in his 5 starts. It's also notable to mention that he has faced just over half the amount of shots compared to Thomson. Olle Eriksson Ek has been hands down the worst of the 3 but he is also only 21 years old and is playing in his first pro season. He has only gotten the nod 3 times this year and has not had a real chance to adjust to the speed of the pro game.
So is the issue solely with the goaltending? Oh Hell no! Leading the team with 15 points is rookie phenom Morgan Frost but his shortcomings as a defensive player are on full display so far this season. In an attempt to compensate, Coach Hartsburg has paired Frost with Anthony Angello who stands at 6'5 and weighs in at 210lbs. However, despite this match made in heaven, Frost currently holds a team worst -12 rating. Although the team scoring is well balanced with 6 players currently in double digits, the lack of defense is a team effort as there are just 3 players on the entire roster with a + rating.
It was assumed that this would be a solid year for Hartford coming into the season. The team has lacked any real depth for the past few years and has been short on draft picks which would normally help stock the team. However, with veteran Jay Beagle assuming the leadership role joined by Matt Nieto and highly touted newcomers Nicholas Hague and Morgan Frost, the hope was that the team could put together a playoff run. With the frustration building, the decision has been made to shake things up a bit.
It has been reported that a deal was struck last night with the Carolina Panthers that will bring in Tim Gettinger in return for Curtis McKenzie and at the time of writing, another deal wit Halifax involving Ryan Reaves was in the works as well. It is rumored that the aforementioned Nieto is likely the piece going back in this deal. The trend, it seems, is to bolster the teams grit and defensive play. With neither of the players coming in known for their offense, it is likely that their roles will be to control the game with their physicality and attempt to open up the ice a bit more for the skilled players. With Reaves only capable of playing on the right side and Gettinger on the left combined with the departure of Nieto and McKenzie, it is speculated that the line combinations would look something like this:
Gettinger Frost Angello
Lindberg Beagle Reaves
Bittner Laberge Watson
Dupuy B.Mckenzie Schmalz
Although 2 trades are already in the books, the line remains open for GM's interested in player swaps as Hartford looks to get back on track. With any luck, the 2 new additions can have a positive impact on the games going forward and Hartford can revive this piss excuse of a start.
Brain Dickless
Hartford Hearsay