The Hartford Wolf Pack are in a tailspin - and there’s no sugarcoating it. Four straight losses, outscored 21-6 over that stretch, and the defensive lapses are becoming too glaring to ignore. Last week’s trio of tough defeats - 7-1 to Charlotte, 6-3 to Bridgeport, and 4-1 to Springfield - paint a clear picture: the Pack are struggling to keep pucks out of their net, and they’re not generating enough offense to compensate.
The numbers back it up. Hartford has now allowed 150 goals this season, ranking fifth-worst in the 32-team American Hockey League at 3.48 goals against per game.
Offensively, it’s not much better - their 2.62 goals per game is sixth-lowest in the league. That’s not a formula for success, especially in a division as competitive as the Atlantic.
Currently sitting eighth in the division at 16-22-4-1 (37 points), the Wolf Pack are five points out of a playoff spot. And it doesn’t get any easier - they’re heading into a home-and-home set against the first-place Providence Bruins, who’ve been the class of the Eastern Conference all season.
Berard Returns, Brisson Steps Up
There was at least one silver lining last week: Brett Berard is back. After a brief NHL stint, the forward was re-assigned to Hartford on January 31.
Before his call-up, Berard had been heating up in the AHL with nine points (four goals, five assists) in his last nine games. His return gives the Wolf Pack a much-needed injection of offensive punch as they try to right the ship.
Another player making waves is Brendan Brisson. The 24-year-old forward has quietly become one of Hartford’s most reliable scoring threats.
He’s posted 11 points in his last 13 games, including two multi-point performances in January. Brisson’s 12 goals are second-most on the team, and his six power-play tallies lead the Pack.
That kind of production on special teams is hard to ignore - especially for a Rangers organization looking for answers as they retool.
Brisson’s track record suggests he’s more than just a hot hand. He scored 18 and 19 goals in his first two pro seasons with Henderson and has 24 games of NHL experience under his belt.
While he didn’t find the scoresheet in nine games with Vegas last season, the Rangers clearly saw something in him - acquiring him in the Reilly Smith trade ahead of the 2025 deadline. Now, he’s just four points shy of matching his AHL total from last season, and if his upward trajectory continues, he could be knocking on the NHL door again soon.
Walcott Brings Grit and Goals
Veteran forward Daniel Walcott is making the most of his second stint with the Rangers organization. Originally brought in on a Professional Tryout (PTO) on November 27, Walcott was re-signed to a second PTO on February 1, keeping him eligible for another 25 games. And he’s earned it.
Walcott’s impact goes beyond the scoresheet. He brings toughness, energy, and a willingness to mix it up - all qualities that have made Hartford harder to play against.
But he’s also chipped in offensively, with six points (four goals, two assists) and 25 penalty minutes in 22 games. He’s scored in back-to-back games on two separate occasions, most recently on January 28 and 30, showing he can provide timely offense from the bottom six.
At 31, Walcott knows his role and embraces it. He’s the kind of player who can help stabilize a struggling team - a tone-setter who plays with edge, frustrates opponents, and leads by example. As Hartford battles through a difficult stretch, his presence could be a key factor in whether this team can claw its way back into the playoff race.
Quick Hits
- Defenseman Cooper Moore notched his first professional goal on January 30, a milestone moment in his 20th game with Hartford after starting the year in the ECHL with Bloomington.
- The Wolf Pack’s power play continues to struggle, ranking 25th in the AHL at 16.7%. On the flip side, the penalty kill is trending in the right direction, now sitting 19th in the league at 80.7%.
Looking Ahead: Bruins on Deck
Next up is a tough test: a back-to-back set against the Providence Bruins, who sit atop both the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Conference with a 32-8-1-0 record and 65 points. This will be the fifth meeting of the season between the two teams, with Hartford holding a 1-2-1-0 record in the series so far.
Providence is led by Patrick Brown, who’s having a standout season with 40 points (14 goals, 27 assists), good for a tie for seventh in league scoring. Right behind him is Fabian Lysell with 34 points. The Bruins are deep, skilled, and disciplined - a tough matchup for any team, let alone one trying to snap a losing skid.
Hartford’s home record hasn’t offered much comfort either - they’re just 7-12-3-0 at the XL Center. But with Berard back in the lineup, Brisson continuing to find his groove, and Walcott providing the grit, the Wolf Pack have the pieces to turn this thing around. The question now is whether they can put it all together - and fast - before the playoff window closes.