Mariners Look to Continue Course to Contention

[Jedediah-Hartford]

Mariners Look to Continue Course to Contention

After last year’s return to the postseason, the Hartford Mariners aim to navigate the next steps in their course to glory. A look back at the 2020-2021 season as well as a peek forward ahead of tonight’s home opening versus Suffolk.

Last fall, Hartford Mariners boss Jedediah Folks made it clear that the goal was simple: after a few years in the wilderness, it was time to put a team on the ice capable of competing with anyone, and of pushing for a postseason berth. How did that work out? Pretty much on the mark as it turned out.

On the ice there was improvement at both ends. After scoring only 173 goals a year prior, the Mariners notched 252 in 2020-21, while lowering their allowed goals from 336 to 213, respectable marks. Game results showed this as well, with the team more than doubling their points from 44 to 92. This was enough to squeeze into the final playoff spot by a single point at the expense of the Québécois on the final day, though it didn’t prepare the club any further for the blindsiding they took from Halifax in their first round series. The Mariners held leads on ice for fewer than 10 minutes total across the 4 games, despite more than double the amount of power play opportunities in comparison with the Huskies. However, when it was all said and done, going from 44 points to losing to the eventual champs represented a step in the right direction.

While a Mariners sighting on the stat leaderboards was rare in 2020-21, individuals did make their mark for the squad. Kyle Palmieri led the way with a 68-point season. Rasmus Ristolainen, Taylor Hall, and captain Vincent Trocheck each bounced back from difficult 2019-20 campaigns. Kevin Fiala was second on the squad with 32 goals, and while Noel Acciari garnered serious Selke buzz it was his career year on offense that stood out with 27 tallies of his own. Midseason trade acquisition David Perron added spark with 52 points in his 61 games as a Mariner, and James Neal showed he had a bit left in the tank with a 40-point season of his own on lower line duty. In between the pipes, reigning Vezina winner Anton Khudobin didn’t quite match his efforts from the previous year in Cleveland but received some Vezina consideration nonetheless for his efforts in carrying a heavy load with a rotating cast of backups.

Meanwhile, the first wave of young talent from recent drafts established themselves. 2020 1st round picks Nick Suzuki and John Marino impressing the coaching staff and the fans alike with their seamless transition into the league, with Marino ultimately making the Calder shortlist. Defenseman Jeremy Lauzon showed improvement in his second season in limited minutes, embracing his physical play.

The postseason experience was over almost before it began, but overall, the view regarding last season is one of having met set expectations. So, what next for Folks & Co.? A mix of running it back with a few bold changes, keeping an eye towards a stronger playoff showing. This meant a few hard decisions in the offseason. The front office decided to move on from Kyle Palmieri despite him being the team’s leading scorer two years running, a cap casualty as Hartford looks ahead to the 2022. Other regulars like Khudobin, Neal, and blueliner Radim Simek were also shipped out in deals. Among the returns in these trades? Kevan Miller, back for a second stint in Hartford, having spent the 2017-18 season in the green and blue. All signs are pointing to this being his farewell tour around the league. Also incoming is Philipp Grubauer to assume the No. 1 goalie position. Winger Nick Cousins and defenseman Sami Vatanen have been brought in via free agency to help fill out the squad. Even the team’s division is changing as Mariners head to the Smythe Division, realizing the hopes of the organization and fans alike of battling it out with their New England neighbors from Boston on a regular basis.

However, most exciting for the fanbase is the continued promotion of youth up the ranks, with 6 rookies from the posse of players drafted in the 2018-2020 drafts expected to break camp with the big club. Current camp indications are that defenseman Jacob Bryson will be paired with his fellow 2020 draftee Marino in the Mariners’ second pair to start the year, while Brandon Hagel and Nick Merkley are expected to feature in bottom six roles. Other youngsters like Philipp Kurashev, Niko Mikkola, Jack Studnicka, and backup goaltender Jonas Johansson are expected to receive their first taste of GHL action this year in addition to valuable experience spending time around the veterans of the club. And after a year in which 2021 draft picks were expendable due to the large accumulation of prospects from the previous 3 drafts, Folks is holding on to his 2022 picks more tightly, having already secured an additional 2022 2nd rounder in the Khudobin trade with Moncton.

As fans await the opening night matchup against an ascendant Suffolk Stampede squad, it is clear progress is being made in Hartford. It’s by no means a finished product, but the pieces are beginning to coalesce, pointing to good times on the horizon.