Read: Carl Hagelin Is Moving Along
In his first season of pro hockey, Carl Hagelin has three goals and three assists in seven games.
While coach Ken Gernander has said before that Hagelin needs to use his speed better, he told the Hartford Courant that Hagelin is learning.
“He’s learning, he’s progressing,” Gernander said. “Every case is different, but sometimes players have a trait that separate them from everybody else. As you move up the ladder, that margin or that physical advantage becomes less and less significant. So you have to find other ways to bring other elements to your game. … Carl likes to get out in front of plays and use his speed. Now he has to learn to be in the play and hit those pockets with timing and his speed.”
Steve Zipay said that the Rangers should consider calling up Hagelin to add more speed to the lineup.
Leslie Treff has said that Hagelin could be ready to play in the NHL before the season ends.
Hagelin is the type of young player that can play on the fourth line because of how he plays. He loves to block shots, kills penalties and can stretch the defense with his speed. It is a tough call to make because the team looks like it could use that speed, but he just may not be ready for the NHL just yet. Maybe another month and he will be ready, maybe two weeks, maybe he is ready, but I think that they would like to see him spend some more time in the minors learning the pro game.
