Talking Pack: The Offseason Mailbag

Welcome to Talking Pack, a weekly offseason column about the Hartford Wolf Pack, exclusively at Blueshirt Banter. Every week, we'll catch you up on what's going on with the Rangers' AHL affiliate as they prepare for their 30th season in the fall.

It's the final day of August, which means hockey is officially back next month. The Rookie Series between the Rangers' and Flyers' prospects is just two weeks away, with training camp, the preseason, and the start of the regular season to follow in the subsequent weeks. Before you know it, hockey will be back in full swing.

However, ahead of all of that, I wanted to take some questions from readers and followers about the Wolf Pack as they gear up for the 2026-27 season. There's been quite a bit of change for the club, from on-ice aspects like the roster and coaching staff to off-ice things like their ECHL affiliation.

Today, we're going to answer some of the questions you have about the Wolf Pack heading into the season.

Lines, Lines, Lines

This is a great question. I think it's very likely that most, if not all, of the Rangers top prospects start the season in Hartford. That would mean seeing players like Liam Greentree, Cole Beaudoin, Alberts Smits, and Drew Fortescue all in Wolf Pack jerseys come October.

As for where they line up, I'd base my predictions off history. In recent years, the Wolf Pack have skated top prospects alongside their most trusted veterans. For example, last season, veteran Justin Dowling centered prospects Gabe Perreault and Jaroslav Chmelař on the team's top line. Perreault and Chmelař would both end the season with the Rangers, with Perreault set to be a top-six staple this season and Chmelař separating himself from a crowded group of potential bottom-six forwards.