Before players are in the NHL scoring highlight-reel goals, making big hits or amazing plays, they usually need to go through a stint of hockey in the American Hockey League.
Some players are good enough to make the jump from the NCAA or CHL right to the big show, but the developmental period in the AHL has been beneficial to New York Rangers such as Ryan McDonagh and Chris Kreider.
Last season the Hartford Wolf Pack finished 10th in the Eastern Conference with 37 wins and 81 points. The team wasn't very good, and it wasn't an ideal environment for developing players. This summer the Rangers stocked up on depth that should help the roster and the developmental process for players.
Prospects are kept in the AHL primarily because they aren't ready. However, when a farm team is downright awful, coaches tend to put their young guns in bigger roles in the hopes that they can kick-start the franchise. That in essence is counterproductive, because the player is then placed into a role he may not be ready for, which can lead to lost confidence and stunted growth.
Although your top prospects should ultimately be yo ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Tom Urtz Jr.
How Revamp of Hartford Wolf Pack Will Help the New York Rangers
August 23rd, 2014 by Tom Urtz Jr. Leave a reply »
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