The 2025-26 Hartford Wolf Pack: A Preview

As the clock hit zero on the third period of the Hartford Wolf Pack's game against the Bridgeport Islanders on April 18th, their 2024-25 season came to a close. After two straight deep playoff runs, there would be no playoff hockey in Hartford in 2025.

In a press conference following the game, Wolf Pack captain Casey Fitzgerald told me the team felt they didn't live up to expectations. "You wish you could’ve just given more to get us to that postseason," Fitzgerald said.

After an extended offseason, the calendar has finally flipped to October. The regular season is set to start tomorrow. The mission is to once again return to the Calder Cup Playoffs. With a lineup loaded with promising rookies and talented veterans, the Wolf Pack are poised to be a force in the AHL this season.

Transaction Overview

While change, specifically roster turnover, is inevitable at the AHL level, the Wolf Pack will retain plenty of players from last year's squad in 2025-26.

Alternate captain and fan favorite Anton Blidh is back, inking a two-year extension with the Rangers in April. Blidh recorded a career-best 19 goals and 36 points during the 2024-25 season and will once again be a featured player on offense.

Forward Brendan Brisson, acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights at the 2025 NHL trade deadline for Reilly Smith, is also back on a one-year deal. Brisson had a tough season last year, but he'll get a chance for a true reset this season with the Wolf Pack. He also figures to play a key role on offense this season.

On the blueline, Matthew Robertson returns on a two-year contract extension. Robertson is coming off a career-best season, notching 25 points and making his long-awaited NHL debut. He'll aim to both build off that season and carve out a potential NHL role for himself this year.

At the AHL level, the Wolf Pack brought back defenseman Blake Hillman. A reliable, steady veteran, Hillman has thrived in three seasons with the Wolf Pack, playing a key depth and mentorship role. He'll return to that role in Hartford this season.

In net, Dylan Garand will be the top option after agreeing to a one-year deal with the Rangers. Garand had a phenomenal 2024-25 season, where he was named AHL Goaltender of the Month in December and represented the Wolf Pack at the AHL All-Star Classic in February. Talyn Boyko, who also signed a one-year deal with the Blueshirts, will have the opportunity to share the net with Garand after a few strong outings last season.

That said, the Wolf Pack also had a number of players depart the team this offseason. Leading scorer Alex Belzile returned to his home province, signing with the Montreal Canadiens. Centers Jake Leschyshyn and Bo Groulx inked deals with the Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs, respectively. Veteran defenseman Chad Ruhwedel retired, while goaltender Louis Domingue opted to sign in the KHL.

However, plenty of new names are here to replace those who left. Former Calder Cup Champion Justin Dowling joins from the New Jersey Devils, while 2025 AHL All-Stars Trey Fix-Wolansky and Derrick Pouliot join from the Columbus Blue Jackets and Tampa Bay Lightning, respectively.

Key Prospects

Prospects will play a big role for the Wolf Pack this season. There are three forward prospects vying for a shot at the NHL right now - Brennan Othmann, Brett Berard, and Gabe Perreault. All three are slated to play a featured role on offense, likely in the form of top-six minutes and top power play time.

Joining the three in a top-six role is center prospect Dylan Roobroeck. After a strong rookie season that saw him lead the Wolf Pack in goals with 20, Roobroeck is set to be one of the Wolf Pack's top centermen this season.

On the blueline, the Wolf Pack will have a pair of young defensemen looking to showcase their skills. Scott Morrow, acquired from Carolina in the July trade that sent K'Andre Miller to the Hurricanes, is a puck-moving blueliner who will likely quarterback one of Hartford's power play units. After a season where they used six different defensemen as power play quarterbacks, Morrow will play a key role for the Wolf Pack this season.

Fellow prospect Jackson Dorrington turned pro at the end of last season, signing out of Northeastern University. The Rangers acquired Dorrington from Vancouver in the deal that brought new captain J.T. Miller back to Broadway, and he impressed during his initial stint at the end of last season. He'll look to take a big step forward this season.

In net, the aforementioned Garand will have the lion's share of starts for the Wolf Pack. Garand shared the net with Domingue in each of his first three professional seasons. However, with Domingue opting to continue his career overseas this year, Garand will have the opportunity to be a workhorse for the Wolf Pack. He's got the mindset to succeed, especially coming off his best season in the AHL.

Expectations

Obviously, the main goal of any AHL team is player development. Preparing players for NHL hockey is the role the AHL plays.

That said, I believe this Wolf Pack team is built for a Calder Cup Playoff run.

The top six has serious firepower on the wings with Othmann, Berard, Perreault, and Fix-Wolansky. Roobroeck will be able to hold his own as well with quality play down the middle.

The depth at center has been shored up, with Dowling signing as a free agent and Carey Terrance being acquired via trade from Anaheim.

The defense retains a multitude of quality veterans, including Fitzgerald, Hillman, Connor Mackey, and Brandon Scanlin. The additions of Pouliot and Morrow, plus the full-time addition of Dorrington, makes this a very good blueline unit.

As I mentioned in my piece about Fitzgerald from earlier this week, there is a real desire to win and exorcize the demons of last year. This total buy-in from everyone in the locker room, from rookies to veterans, returnees to new arrivals, is encouraging to see.

Beyond that, I believe there's an expectation for some of the prospects - specifically Othmann, Berard, Perreault, and Morrow - to be some of the best players in the AHL. All four will be given ample opportunity to play in roles they wouldn't get on the Rangers roster right now, including top six/top pair minutes and time on the first power play unit. The Rangers' roster is bound to go through changes this season, and if any of the four prospects step up and show out, they could find themselves up on Broadway before the end of the campaign.

Predictions

I believe the Wolf Pack will be one of the better teams in the Atlantic Division this season.

They have a strong combination of skill and experience on both sides of the puck. They're rostering five former AHL All-Stars. Accolades are aplenty, from Calder Cups to World Junior Championship Gold Medals.

That said, it will never be easy in this division.

Year in and year out, the Atlantic Division is an absolute battle. The division has represented the Eastern Conference in each of the five previous Calder Cup Finals dating back to 2019 (the Cup was not awarded during the 2019-20 or 2020-21 seasons). There's no reason to believe this should be a cakewalk.

However, if the Wolf Pack stick to the gritty, workmanlike identity that they've built throughout recent seasons and get contributions up and down the lineup, they'll be a team nobody wants to see across from them in the Calder Cup Playoffs.

I'll play it a bit conservative and say the Wolf Pack finish fourth in the Atlantic Division. They have a combination of top-end firepower and quality depth to be a top team in the division, even one as consistently good as the Atlantic. I also think they'll have another deep playoff run akin to the ones from 2023 and 2024.

Other quick predictions I'm making:

• Gabe Perreault will be one of the best rookies in the AHL this year. He'll be at least top five among rookie skaters in goals and points.
• Dylan Garand will be at least a top-20 goaltender.
• Dylan Roobroeck will be an AHL All-Star.
• The Wolf Pack will have their first 60-point scorer since the 2014-15 season.
• The Wolf Pack will have their first 85-point season since the 2015-16 campaign.

Final Thoughts

The Wolf Pack are primed to be a fun team this season. Their lineup is filled with promising prospects, steady veterans, and quality depth. They have a serious chance to be one of the best teams in a tough Atlantic Division this season. They want to return to the playoffs and once again make some noise. The path won't be easy, but this is a team built to walk it.

If you're in the Hartford area, you should absolutely come check out a game. You'll get an opportunity to see some future Rangers and some stars of the AHL. It's a fun time with some quality hockey at a newly-renovated area - I got a sneak peek on Monday, and the amount of work that's been done is seriously impressive.

You can also watch all 72 Wolf Pack regular season games, plus any playoff games, on AHLTV on FloHockey or listen along for free over the internet on Mixlr.