The Hershey Bears are used to success. 11 Calder Cups in 79 seasons, a 13.9 percent success rate, will do that for a franchise. Last place, where the Bears are now, is an uncomfortable spot for a team accustomed to the upper tiers of AHL hockey.
With some help from Brian MacLellan in Washington, the Bears made two trades with the Hartford Wolf Pack on Friday. On AHL deals, the Bears sent Hubert Labrie to Hartford for three-time AHL all-star Joe Whitney. On NHL deals, the Capitals sent John Albert to New York for Adam Chapie.