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Post by BadCompany on Sept 18, 2015 7:49:28 GMT -5
Officially opened yesterday, with physicals and stuff. Lars Eller apparently won the infamous "beep" test. Grant McCagg also tweeted that forgotten man DSP looks "svelte". TVA Sports has a picture of Alex Galchenyuk up on it's site, and holy cow... he's ripped this year. 21!!!
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Post by Doc Holliday on Sept 19, 2015 8:05:14 GMT -5
Apparently Eller will be tried on left wing on a line with Galchenyuk and Semin.
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Post by habsorbed on Sept 19, 2015 11:22:13 GMT -5
Officially opened yesterday, with physicals and stuff. Lars Eller apparently won the infamous "beep" test. Grant McCagg also tweeted that forgotten man DSP looks "svelte". TVA Sports has a picture of Alex Galchenyuk up on it's site, and holy cow... he's ripped this year. 21!!!Yup! Chuck is looking good! Although at about the 1:16 mark it looks like he steps outside to puke. Good he's pushing himself! Big year coming!
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Sept 21, 2015 8:08:43 GMT -5
Lars Eller apparently won the infamous "beep" test. Ever try it? ... it's a bag drive ... Cheers.
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Post by PTH on Sept 21, 2015 8:12:42 GMT -5
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Post by habsorbed on Sept 21, 2015 10:49:55 GMT -5
Any word how Scherbak is doing. I know it's only training camp but seems every second article on TSN is how McD got an assist in a scrimmage
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Post by PTH on Sept 21, 2015 18:52:32 GMT -5
Sherbak is in group B, which is mostly AHL bound.
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Post by Tankdriver on Sept 22, 2015 9:42:47 GMT -5
Honestly is there even any spots open this year? It's going to be the same team with the people that were traded for:
Forwards(13): Pacioretty-Plekanec-Gallagher Eller-Galchenyuk-Semin De La Rose-Desharnais-Weise Flynn-Mitchell-Kassian Smith-Pelly
*Fleischmann - maybe.....
Defence(8) Markov-Subban Emelin-Petry Beaulieu-Gilbert Tinordi-Pateryn
Goalies (2) Price Tokarski
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Sept 22, 2015 10:28:33 GMT -5
First preseason game against the Laffs (or Marlies) tonight. Four games in five nights, so expect a lot of kids for the first of these games for sure.
Practice lineups that are expected to start tonight:
Andrighetto Plekanec Gallagher DLR Mitchell Kassian Carr McCarron DSP Bozon Dumont Thomas
Emelin Petry Tinordi Pateryn Barbeiro Dietz
Price Fucale
Game is on RDS, but not sure if the regular season blackout rules apply to the pre-season games.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Sept 22, 2015 10:34:32 GMT -5
Only Addison, Bourque and Audette have been released from camp and reassigned to their junior teams. The first two were just drafted this past year, so not a surprise. A bit more of a surprise that second year Audette is amongst the first cuts as he was also just signed to his entry level deal.
With four games in five nights, I expect a few guys will get some games in before they trim much closer to their NHL roster (plus the bubble guys) later in the week.
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Post by seventeen on Sept 22, 2015 12:25:37 GMT -5
If I was a Habs prospect, I wouldn't be all that hopeful of making the line-up. One would have to be lights out to break in, especially given the waiver rules and the fact a few guys (Tinordi/Pateryn/Bournival(?)/DSP have to clear waivers if they were going to be sent to St. John's. So, don't expect Carr, Hudon, McCarron and maybe even De La Rose to be in the opening day roster. The coach's affinity for experienced players also will come into play. Some of those guys may very well be on the team by March, but it will take a few months for certain guys to be weeded out, waived or traded in order to make room for the next generation. That's too bad in a way, because I'm always excited by youngsters making the team and raising the talent and effort level. Oh well. Patience.
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Post by BadCompany on Sept 22, 2015 13:00:34 GMT -5
If I was a Habs prospect, I wouldn't be all that hopeful of making the line-up. One would have to be lights out to break in, especially given the waiver rules and the fact a few guys (Tinordi/Pateryn/Bournival(?)/DSP have to clear waivers if they were going to be sent to St. John's. So, don't expect Carr, Hudon, McCarron and maybe even De La Rose to be in the opening day roster. The coach's affinity for experienced players also will come into play. Some of those guys may very well be on the team by March, but it will take a few months for certain guys to be weeded out, waived or traded in order to make room for the next generation. That's too bad in a way, because I'm always excited by youngsters making the team and raising the talent and effort level. Oh well. Patience. I don't really have a problem with that, to be honest with you. It's the NHL; it's the best league in the world, and by far. It should be hard to break into. And it's not like we're a bottom feeding team filling out the roster with the likes of Reid Simpson, Bill Lindsay and Shaun Van Allen. This is a good team, with good, young players on it already. If I'm counting right there is only one guy over the age of 32 on the team, and he's a 50 point defenseman. We could have as many as seven players under the age of 25 playing a regular shift next season. Three of them 22 or younger (Beaulieu, Galchenyuk and De La Rose). Heck, Gallagher and Smith-Pelly are only 23. So it's not like we have all these kids that are being blocked by a bunch of has-beens and never-weres. If they're being blocked it's by and large by good, young kids who are in front of them. Now, preemptively, I understand there are still some veterans who may or may not be as good as some of the talent coming up. *cough Gilbert cough Desharnais* But these guys are proven NHLers, and for the most part still productive. I also believe that this is a different regime, and if a kid outplays somebody and shows that they deserve to be on the team, then room will be made. As Peter Budaj can attest to. Or Davis Drewiski, or Sergei Gonchar, or Manny Malhotra, or Rene Bourque, or Bryan Allen...
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Post by seventeen on Sept 22, 2015 13:58:56 GMT -5
I think, though, that it's harder for a youngster to break in now than it was when Budaj, et al were dressing. Please don't get me started on Rene Bourque. Now that is not necessarily a bad thing as it means the overall talent level has risen. With the make-up of this team (several guys who can't be sent down without being waived), it will delay managements ability to deal with situations like Tokarski/Budaj. The guy being replaced has to be traded and those deals may take some time. I'd love to see Hudon on the team to start the season, but even if he earns a spot, there might not be room for him to start the season. The numbers game will get in the way.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Sept 27, 2015 12:31:54 GMT -5
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Post by blny on Sept 27, 2015 12:56:12 GMT -5
Thought McCarron might stick around a little longer. No real surprises on that list though.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Sept 27, 2015 15:03:21 GMT -5
31 still in camp. Still some decisions to make. Sign Fleischmann or go with a depth guy like Flynn? Which guy plays backup to Price? Which D to send down or does the Berg move one of his d depth (which he likes to have)? Price Tokarski Condon Barberio Beaulieu Emelin Gilbert Juulsen (inj) Markov Pateryn Petry Subban Tinordi Andrighetto Bournival (inj) DeLaRose Desharnais Eller Fleischmann (PTO) Flynn Galchenyuk Gallagher Hudon Kassian Mitchell Pacioretty Plekanec Scherbak (inj) Semin Smith-Pelly Weise I expect they go with 2g, , 13f. Tokarski or Condon Barberio and Juulsen Andrighetto, Bournival, Hudon, Scherbak and ? If you sign Flash, do they send Flynn or DSP down (the latter likely gets claimed). This all assumes Patches is ready to go, but he is supposed to start skating and clear for contact this week. Right now, there is absolutely no room for the kids barring injury. DLR does not require waivers and could benefit from increased ice time and responsibility in St. John's, but management like this kid.
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Post by Skilly on Sept 28, 2015 5:21:40 GMT -5
I know it's pre-season, but we've managed 6 goals in 4 games (one game we scored more than 2 goals). The PP is still putrid (1 for 15) and now we have the added concern that we really seem to suck at the new 3 on 3 OT format. I have a feeling we are going to need to be better than last year in the OTs/SOs.
I'll need more than rose coloured glasses to see through these problems ...
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Post by franko on Sept 28, 2015 5:59:24 GMT -5
I know it's pre-season, but we've managed 6 goals in 4 games (one game we scored more than 2 goals). The PP is still putrid (1 for 15) and now we have the added concern that we really seem to suck at the new 3 on 3 OT format. I have a feeling we are going to need to be better than last year in the OTs/SOs. I'll need more than rose coloured glasses to see through these problems ... you aren't alone. the mantra "it's only pre-season" works well when it comes to talking with Leaf fans, but boy oh boy oh boy it's not an encouraging sign. read one "pundit" who suggests that the Habs will not win a Cup with the present coach at the helm (he's not alone now, is he?). not that I want Carey to be ordinary for the first coupla months of the season, but it would go a long way to getting rid of MT if he were.
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Post by jkr on Sept 28, 2015 6:32:43 GMT -5
I know it's pre-season, but we've managed 6 goals in 4 games (one game we scored more than 2 goals). The PP is still putrid (1 for 15) and now we have the added concern that we really seem to suck at the new 3 on 3 OT format. I have a feeling we are going to need to be better than last year in the OTs/SOs. I'll need more than rose coloured glasses to see through these problems ... I tend to take these pre-season games to seriously but I have the same concerns. I believe 3 of those goals came in one game too. I watched most of Saturday's game & came away pretty unimpressed.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Sept 28, 2015 7:38:58 GMT -5
I know it's pre-season, but we've managed 6 goals in 4 games (one game we scored more than 2 goals). The PP is still putrid (1 for 15) and now we have the added concern that we really seem to suck at the new 3 on 3 OT format. I have a feeling we are going to need to be better than last year in the OTs/SOs. I'll need more than rose coloured glasses to see through these problems ... you aren't alone. the mantra "it's only pre-season" works well when it comes to talking with Leaf fans, but boy oh boy oh boy it's not an encouraging sign. read one "pundit" who suggests that the Habs will not win a Cup with the present coach at the helm (he's not alone now, is he?). not that I want Carey to be ordinary for the first coupla months of the season, but it would go a long way to getting rid of MT if he were. There are a number of concerns every team has ... the biggest one for me in Montreal is Carey Price ... what happens to our club if he goes down for any length of time ... I don't see Dustin Tokarski being able to handle the load and Mike Condon is unproven ... do we make the playoffs if Price goes down ... Zachary Fucale looks like he'll need some time to mature, so that's the biggest area of concern I have ... next would be scoring ... Alex Semin should be able to at least match the 8 goals PA Parenteau scored ... Zack Kassian should be able to surpass the 4 goals Brandon Prust scored last year ... Cheers.
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Post by seventeen on Sept 28, 2015 11:43:30 GMT -5
Mr Berkshire of Sportlogiq put up a graph of scoring chances vs Leafs. They had slightly more scoring chances than we did, but much better quality (in the slot). Worst thing is, that was the closest the Habs have been in scoring chances vs opponents. They were badly outchanced in the other 3 games.
My eye test is still the most important one to me. I saw parts of one game and much of another (vs the Leafs). The main impression I came away with is the total lack of offensive pressure on our part. I don't recall us getting the other team running around in their end, or breaking out with numbers, or beating opponents one on one. I only saw one sequence on a PP where we got a guy open for a shot on goal. I also saw a lot of guys without options, having to clear the puck off the boards, down the ice to relieve pressure, and thereby giving up possession. While we can excuse the team for using a lot of non NHL'rs (except maybe the Chicago game where we were thumped the most) the fact is we haven't played line-ups that gave me any concern. There was at least as little talent on those guys as there was on our team.
I have a real concern that despite having some pretty good players, we're going to get off to a bad start, we're going to still have trouble scoring goals and a playoff spot will quickly become a challenge to achieve. The pressure will rise, we'll play worse and the Leafs will move ahead of us. That's a nightmare. Maybe it will all turn around when we ice a full line-up. Sure hope so.
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Post by franko on Sept 28, 2015 11:54:44 GMT -5
I have a real concern that despite having some pretty good players, we're going to get off to a bad start, we're going to still have trouble scoring goals and a playoff spot will quickly become a challenge to achieve. The pressure will rise, we'll play worse and the Leafs will move ahead of us. That's a nightmare. 17 says 'that's good news".
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Post by seventeen on Sept 28, 2015 12:12:09 GMT -5
Maybe in the long run, but not the short run. It reminds me of a Sam Pollock quote in 1970 after the Habs missed the playoffs in that really weird year--- "You have to die to be re-born again"
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Post by franko on Sept 28, 2015 12:24:53 GMT -5
I was thinking that there maybe a coaching rethink should the team start out with a crash rather than a bang
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Post by seventeen on Sept 28, 2015 12:27:27 GMT -5
Rethink by the coach or the GM? Either one would be a move forward IMO, though I'd prefer the latter.
To clarify, I'd like Berg to rethink his coaching options. I have no disagreements with Bergevin except for his head coaching choices.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Sept 28, 2015 13:14:06 GMT -5
Mr Berkshire of Sportlogiq put up a graph of scoring chances vs Leafs. They had slightly more scoring chances than we did, but much better quality (in the slot). Worst thing is, that was the closest the Habs have been in scoring chances vs opponents. They were badly outchanced in the other 3 games. My eye test is still the most important one to me. I saw parts of one game and much of another (vs the Leafs). The main impression I came away with is the total lack of offensive pressure on our part. I don't recall us getting the other team running around in their end, or breaking out with numbers, or beating opponents one on one. I only saw one sequence on a PP where we got a guy open for a shot on goal. I also saw a lot of guys without options, having to clear the puck off the boards, down the ice to relieve pressure, and thereby giving up possession. While we can excuse the team for using a lot of non NHL'rs (except maybe the Chicago game where we were thumped the most) the fact is we haven't played line-ups that gave me any concern. There was at least as little talent on those guys as there was on our team. I have a real concern that despite having some pretty good players, we're going to get off to a bad start, we're going to still have trouble scoring goals and a playoff spot will quickly become a challenge to achieve. The pressure will rise, we'll play worse and the Leafs will move ahead of us. That's a nightmare. Maybe it will all turn around when we ice a full line-up. Sure hope so. The biggest concern is we have players with decent offensive instinct and much better puck possession skills (and therefore advanced stats) than they are allowed to play under MT's conservative style. When you really focus on trying to generate offense when you don't have the puck (by turnovers and transition speed), you are already starting in a bit of a hole.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Sept 28, 2015 13:15:33 GMT -5
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Post by BadCompany on Sept 28, 2015 13:39:17 GMT -5
Anybody else surprised that McCarron was sent down so early? I didn't realistically think he had a shot at making the team, but I certainly thought he was good enough to do so, if a spot was available to him. I get the logic mind you; they want him to be a center, and the only spot realistically open to him was as a left-winger. I think he could have played, and played well, in the NHL as a left-winger, but if your long term goal is to have him down the middle... well, I guess he never really had a chance.
Still, I thought they would keep him around until the end of camp, just as a reward. Though I suppose that could be a double-edged sword - we've seen a lot of kids who *almost* made it out of camp go down and really suck, because of training-camp-hangover. This way they get him where he was going to be all along. And hey, if he dominates the AHL as a center then who knows what happens come Christmas time?
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Post by seventeen on Sept 28, 2015 13:49:51 GMT -5
I thought he played quite well too, BC. But then we get back to the numbers game involving players who have to go through waivers to be sent down and those who don't. As you say, he didn't have a realistic chance to make the team, so why not send him down fairly soon and get the guys who are going to play, started playing together? Kinda makes sense, even if it disappoints his fans.
There were a couple of small plays I watched him make that showed he has what it takes. He lost the puck behind the net on one occasion, but battled and got it back and made a good pass to an open teammate, allowing that guy time and space to make a play. On another, in the other end, he and another Hab battled for a loose puck, McCarron got it, and made a soft pass back to the point man, past a checker. That really showed how good a set of hands he has. Two good plays to retain possession.
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Post by franko on Sept 28, 2015 14:41:15 GMT -5
Rethink by the coach or the GM? Either one would be a move forward IMO, though I'd prefer the latter. To clarify, I'd like Berg to rethink his coaching options. I have no disagreements with Bergevin except for his head coaching choices. This. I don't think MT can think. His mindset is entrenched.
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