Losers in eight of their past 11 games (3-7-0-1), the Hartford Wolf Pack sunk to a new low this past weekend despite ending a six-game losing streak (0-5-0-1).
The two-game set in Charlotte featured a 3-2 win over the Checkers on Saturday, led by Jaroslav Chmelař's three-point performance (one goal, two assists). However, Hartford followed up with a gruesome 9-0 loss Monday, setting a franchise record for worst loss by goal differential.
Th at lopsided defeat left the eighth-place Wolf Pack (17-24-4-2, 40 points) six points out of a playoff spot in the Atlantic Division.
Travis Dermott signed a PTO with Hartford on Feb. 7, and the former NHL defenseman could debut with the Wolf Pack this weekend, when they play three games. The Wolf Pack certainly welcome any and all help defensively.
Brendan Brisson – Photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack
Brendan Brisson participated in the 2026 AHL All-Star Classic last week in Rockford, Illinois. The 24-year-old forward replaced Gabe Perreault as Hartford's representative since Perreault is in the NHL now with the New York Rangers .
Brisson's first night featured the skills competition, and he took part in rapid fire, pass and score, and breakaway relay events. He scored three goals by the end of the night.
His first event was rapid fire, paired with Jakob Pelletier (Syracuse) in the sixth round, facing goalie Isak Posch ( Colorado ). Brisson, who is second on Hartford with 13 goals and tied for fourth with 23 points, scored twice to help the Eastern Conference win the event.
Then in pass and score, the 2020 first-round pick by the Vegas Golden Knights teamed up with former Rangers forward Arthur Kaliyev (Belleville), and Konsta Helenius (Rochester) in the third round. The line faced Thomas Milic (Manitoba) in net. Brisson scored the lone goal in that round.
Concluding the night with the breakaway relay, Brisson was stopped by Milic in the third round.
The second night featured games between divisions in the league. Brisson recorded one point, a secondary assist on a goal by Tristan Broz (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton) in the Atlantic Division's third game.
Brisson was also struck in the face by a puck in the second game against the Pacific Division. Despite the scare, Brisson was able to return to the game, albeit after he was stitched up.
Returning from the All-Star festivities, Brisson scored his 13th goal of the season in Hartford's win on Saturday He has 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in his past 19 games, and was r ecalled by the Rangers , along with forward Brett Berard , on Tuesday. NHL teams are practicing again with the season restarting next week. The Rangers needed extra forwards because Mika Zibanejad , J.T. Miller , and Vincent Trocheck remain in Italy participating in the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.
Spencer Martin – Photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack
Spencer Martin's rocky tenure with Hartford continued Monday, when the 30-year-old goalie allowed nine goals on 33 shots in that terrible loss to Charlotte. That extended Martin's personal losing streak to seven straight games (0-5-2). His only win with Hartford after signing a two-year contract with the Rangers on Nov. 12 was in his Wolf Pack debut on Nov. 29, a 3-2 victory over Cleveland.
Martin is 1-5-2 with a 3.47 goals-against average and .887 save percentage with Hartford. He didn't fare much better with the Rangers, recording one win in six appearances and four starts (1-3-0, 4.13 GAA, .864 save percentage), helping to fill in after Igor Shesterkin landed on IR with a lower-body injury in January.
Signed to mentor Dylan Garand and provide an experienced option in net, Martin's struggles mirror those of the entire organization this season.
Defense remains a major concern
Outscored 47-20 in their past 11 games, the Wolf Pack are consistently a mess in their end of the ice. Including Monday, Hartford conceded the first goal in nine consecutive games, and allowed at least three goals in eight of 11.
Hartford's now surrendered 166 goals through 47 games, fifth most in the AHL. The goaltending hasn't been great, but the overall play defensively is a bigger issue. Especially since Hartford's offense dried up, averaging 1.81 goals-for since Jan. 17.
Constant defensive breakdowns, slow-footed defensemen, and spending so much time on the penalty kill are among the reasons why Hartford struggles so much defensively. With so little margin for error, the Wolf Pack must find a way to improve defensively so that they can win low-scoring games.
All games can be viewed on AHLTV and heard on Mixlr .
This is the second and final meeting in the season series. Hartford won 2-1 on Dec. 12.
Utica is 14-23-5-3 (36 points), seventh in the North Division and 15th in the Eastern Conference.
Lenni Hämeenaho leads the Comets with 22 points (nine goals, 13 assists). Next is Brian Halonen with 21 points (15 goals, six assists).
This is the second and final meeting in the season series. Hartford lost 2-1 on Nov. 8.
Belleville is 21-22-8-0 (50 points), sixth in the North Division and 10th in the Eastern Conference.
Former Rangers forward Arthur Kaliyev leads the Senators, and is third in the AHL, with 49 points (29 goals, 20 assists). Next is Philippe Daous who has 42 points (13 goals, 29 assists), tied for 17th in the league.
This is the seventh of 10 meetings in the season series. Hartford is 1-3-1-1 against Providence.
Providence is 37-8-1-0 (75 points), first in the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference. The Bruins are second overall in the league.
Patrick Brown leads the Bruins with 43 points (14 goals, 29 assists), and is tied for 16th in the league. Next is Georgii Merkulov with 37 points (16 goals, 21 assists).
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