Habs Prospect Report II

[montreal]

This report was done a few weeks ago, so instead of making changes, I just updated the stats, so it may not read clearly, but the stats are updated as of today.




Habs Prospects Report Part II

By Dan Linn

Back again for another look at what our future may hold. This time we get into the thick of things, with a look at the 5 prospects in the NCAA, and the 9 prospects in the CHL. I had to split these reports up, cause there are so many prospects, and I want to cover them all. You know what they say, leave no stone uncovered. Some of these guys I have seen, others I have not. The NCAA are the tough ones, but I researched their info from each teams website, also from hockeysfuture.com, some opinions from various sites, and some I have seen myself. And all height’s and weight’s are from each players team websites. Stay tuned for the next report on our AHL/ECHL prospects.


NCAA

Chris Higgins. C/LW 5’11 192 1st round 14th overall in ’02, he’s 19 years old.

Chris was just named to Team USA’s World Junior Championship roster, and it’s his 2nd and last trip. Last year’s performance, was one of the reasons he was drafted so high. Leading Team USA in scoring, with 4 goals 2 assist in 7 games, got his draft status pushed higher. He opted out of the ’01 draft, much like another Habs prospect and fellow New Yorker and friend, Mike Komisarek who opted out of the ’00 draft. Well it was a good move for Chris, as the Habs gave up an 8th round pick (’02) to the Oilers to move up one spot in order to solidify Higgins as a Hab. Why did Mr. Savard do this? Here are some reasons.

Chris is a speedy, hard working center that possesses great skating ability, along with good vision puckhandling and instincts. He’s also very patient with the puck, which is a skill that is something you just have, as it’s very very hard to learn, you must have a real feel for the game to be able to slow it down. Although he is on the small side, do not mistake him for a player easily knocked off the puck, or shy of physical contact. He is strong on his skates, and will throw the body from time to time, while not avoiding heavy traffic. We can also say he is intelligent, as that goes without saying, considering he attends one of the top Ivy league universities in the U.S. as Yale is well known for its academic standards.

Chris is in his sophomore year at Yale, and in his rookie season, he was named Ivy league rookie of the year, and 1st Team All Ivy (the only freshman named, unanimously). He has helped Yale get ranked nationally for the first time since November of 2000., as Yale is now ranked 15th in the Nation, while they are ranked 2nd in their conference (ECAC) with an outstanding 5.0 goals per game average. (highest in the ECAC) And he won the Martin Dwyer III Award for top rookie at Yale. While also making 2nd team All Conference.

So far this season in 10 games, he has 9 goals and 8 helpers for 17 points, which is a 1.78 ppg, average. (9-8-17) with 25 pims 2 PP 1 SH 1GW and a 1 game suspension to go with it. In his rookie year, he had 14 goals and 17 helpers for 31 points. And in his career of 38 games, he has scored 48 points and gotten 56 minutes in penalties. His Game Winning goal last season got Yale into the playoffs for the first time in a few years.

The real question is how can Chris Higgins help the team in Montreal. With his skating, speed, and hard work, his talents should be useful for the Habs, even if he is lacking in size, as we could use some size down the middle, but Chris can also play the wing. It seems as though, Chris Higgins will be a fine asset for the Habs some day, perhaps sooner then later. It is unknown when he will sign with the Habs, but for now, he’s off to a good start, and hopefully has a successful time at the WJC’s, and the rest of this year at Yale. I listened to the first game of Team USA, and Higgins did not register a point, but his line got the only goal, and Chris did get 4 minutes in penalties, and he’s the assistant captain for Team USA, playing on the top line.

Chris just got back from the WJC tournament, finishing 3rd on the team in scoring, and equaling last years WJC totals. 7-3-3-6 4 pims 120 Faceoffs 66 won 60 lost 52 % 13 shots 23% shooting % 0 PP 2 SH 1 GW +5 (+7, -2) Even though he missed 3 games, he’s still 2nd in scoring for the Yale Bulldogs (2 players have 20 pts). Higgins will rejoin the team on Friday against conference rivals Harvard.

[montreal]

Matt Shasby. LD 6’3 200 5th round 150th overall in ’99, 22 years old.

Matt Shasby is now in his senior year at Alaska-Anchorage, after a very solid junior year, where he is now the team captain, on a young and inexperienced team. In ’02, he was named WCHA 2nd All Star Team. The first AAU defensemen to be named there. He was 2nd in the WCHA for defensemen scoring, behind hoby baker winner Jordan Leopold. He was the assistant captain of the team, playing 28 minutes a game, 2nd in team scoring, 1st in assist, 1st in +/- as well. He was also given WCHA All Academic honors. And in his freshmen year he was AAU’s rookie of the year. Before that he played in the USHL, and helped Des Moines win a championship while he was there.

He is known for his good size, and skating with very good lateral mobility. His instincts with the puck are his main weapon. He can make the all important first pass, and also take the puck end to end. (something we don’t have much of currently) But does need to improve on his positioning in his own end, and even though he has good size, he must get stronger, to be able to handle bigger forwards at the next level. What is the next level? Well after this year, I would hope he joins the Bulldogs in Hamilton, but that’s something for Andre Savard to decide. AAU is a bad team in a good conference (u Minnesota won frozen 4 last year from their conference) so Shasby gets little attention on the West coast. That may be good for him in a way, as he hasn’t had the pressures put on him that a high draft pick would playing under the spot light from scouts/management/fans. I really don’t see why Savard wouldn’t sign him, as it sounds like he could be an asset in Hamilton, and perhaps down the road, he may develop even more.

In 18 games this year, he has 0 goals, 10 helpers, for 10 points and 12 pims. In his 3 years at AAU, in 104 games, he has 12 goals, 42 assist, for 54 points and 140 pims. Shasby is not having a good season, after his last 2 years were very good. This does not bode well for him, as he is playing for a contract this summer to play in Hamilton.

Ryan Glenn. LD 6’2 207 5th round 145th overall in ’00, 22 years old.

Ryan is in his junior year at St. Lawrence University in New York. He is the assistant captain of his team, which plays in the ECAC conference. This season he is in the top half of his team in goals, points, and shots, but has the 2nd worst +/- at –11 on a team that is a –74 as a whole. In 18 games so far, he has 3 goals, 4 helpers and 7 points, 1PP, 1GW and 6 pims. His 38 shots leads the team, as he was told to work on his offence this year. He still has 1 more year of college egilibity left, and I would assume he stays there. Before his college years, he did play in the EJHL for Walpole where in his last year, in 42 games, 19 goals, 40 assist, 59 points.

He does possess, good size at 6’2, 207 lbs, and he also has the strength to go with it, plus good skating as well. But he lacks any real positives in his game, which would make him a longshot at best. But with this year and next, a lot can happen, and he seems to be off on the right foot. He did attend Habs rookie camp, and from what I gathered was told to work on his offence. In his 2 years at St.Lawerence, in 66 games, Ryan has 6 goals and 7 assist for 13 points. His 4 pts this year, equal all of his freshmen year production in one third of the time. I spoke with an alumni of St. Lawrence, who stated that Ryan has improved a lot over the last 2 years, which is good news indeed, as he will need a strong season this year and next, if he is to get himself a contract. Just recently, St. Lawrence’s coach has moved Ryan up to the forward position. The team is not winning, so he’s trying to shake up the team. From what a few fans of the team have told me, he looks good at forward, and may stay there (for how long is unknown) as he size, strength, and intelligence is really helping him create things on the ice.

[montreal]

Scott Selig. RW 6’2 195 6th round 172nd overall in ’00, 21 years old.

Scott is also in his junior year, he plays for Northeastern University. After a horrid sophomore season, Scott should be looking to rebound this year, as he still has 1 more year of college eligibility left. So far he has gotten off on the right foot. In 17 games, he has 3 goals, 6 assist, 9 points, a +2, 31 shots, and 8 pims. His +2 is good for a team that is a –5 as a whole. But he has already outscored last years totals of 3 goals, 1 assist and 4 points in 26 games. He did have a good freshman year, as he started off with a bang, but never found his scoring touch again. In his career, in 45 games, he has 10 goals, 9 assist, and 19 points, so he’s has stepped up his game this year so far. Before that he played for Thayer Academy H.S. where in his senior year, as captain of the team, he had 32 goals, 25 assist, and 57 points in just 28 games.

Well the problem with Selig is that he needs to start showing some consistency to his game. He has shown flashes, but after a really disappointing year, he has to rebound with a very strong and solid seasons. He has some serious talent in front of him, and time is running out. He if he can find that goal scoring touch he was drafted for, and gets stronger along the boards, he may force management to take notice, but is still a longshot at best, when there’s kids like Milroy, Balej, Ferland, all ahead of him in the depth charts. But he has been producing so far, and that’s a start, but he’s got a long way to go. He also attended Habs rookie camp.

Craig Murray. LW 6’ 185 8th round 201st overall in ’98, he’s 23 years old.




CHL

Duncan Milroy. RW 6’ 198 2nd round 37th overall in ’01, he’s 19 years old.


Duncan is in his 2nd year since being drafted by the Habs, so he must be signed to a contract by June 1st or he will return to the draft. That said with his great playoffs and Memorial Cup last year, he will most likely be signed, IMO.

He’s a great character guy that understands the game well. He possesses a deadly wrist shot, his skating is above average, but he lacks that extra gear to breakaway from checkers. He’s very smart, 2-way player that can be used in every situation. Not considered overly tough, but doesn’t shy away from traffic. He seems to do everything well, but doesn’t excel in any one area. I noticed that in the games I have caught, he seems to be in the right place all the time. I guess it’s his understanding of the game, and solid positioning, that put him there, either way, he gets the job done. Now his team has suspended him twice in 2 years for drinking, but I wouldn’t be too concerned with this. Last year, after his suspension, he picked up his game, and went on a complete tear, as one of the top players in the WHL.

One story that I was very impressed with, was a story I heard over the radio, from the Kootenay GM, were he said he received a letter from Duncan after they had lost the first two games of the playoffs at home, and were headed on the road to Prince George. Milroy told his GM in this letter that the team would not only win the next game, but go on to win the round, and take the team beyond the next round. Those were some bold words for someone who wasn’t playing well (nor was his team) and facing 3 straight on the road. They not only won, they went on to win the playoffs, and the Memorial Cup, and Duncan was named the MVP for his hard work and production. His 37pts in the playoffs led all CHL players, and it stepped up his game when it matter most.

Now I am concerned with the rookie camps he has had so far, and after a great season right before he was drafted, (92 pts) he didn’t outdo his draft year stats the following year. (87 pts in 4 less games) But it’s hard to overlook how well he played when it counted the most. I also worry about his overall speed, and his skating could be better, but his wrist shot is very lethal. This kid has a lot of talent, and he is dangerous every time he is on the ice. So far a very good pick by Savard, IMO. I was impressed with his comments recently, when asked about Team Canada, he said he didn’t care, it was more important that his team is not playing good right now. Sounds harsh, but shows he’s a team player for sure. He’s on Team White right now for Canada’s selection camp.

I can’t believe he was cut from Team Canada. I thought he would make the team for sure, but it’s either his speed/skating or size or the fact that the coach of Team Canada didn’t like Duncan scoring all those goals on his team in the WHL. (just kidding) Once again Duncan has started off slow, and is starting to warm up now. In 36 games, 24-22-46 +3 32 pims 7 PP 5 SH.

[montreal]

Jothan Ferland. RW 6’2 208 7th round 212th overall in ’02, he is 19 years old.

Plays a strong 2 way game, good along the boards digging the puck out of the corners. Very physical, as he likes to hit and hit often. Decent hands, solid offensive instincts, but below average skating that kept him from being drafted in ’01. Went to the Thrashers camp last year, where he says he grew a lot from it, and learned what it takes to make it too the NHL. After that he tripled his production, as he went from –13 to +32 and 28 pts to 74 pts. He has 54 pts this year already (24-30-54), leads the QMJHL +/- (+31), SH goals, went to the CHL all-star game, and has been invited to Team Canada’s WJC camp.
Ferland has something that most Hab prospects lack and that good size, physical play, and good work along the boards and his own end. He must work on his skating, but I would think with the way he has performed so far this year, he should get a contract over the summer, to join Hamilton next season. He got an extra look at camp this year, so he must have impressed somebody, and we sorely need his size/physical play. A power forward? Maybe if he can work on his skating, he has the scoring ability, size, and hard nosed play, but without the skating, he wont make the NHL anytime soon. He’s on team White right now at Canada’s selection camp. Even though he was cut, it was a great step for Ferland just to be brought into camp.

Michael Lambert. LW/C 6’2 182 4th round 99th overall in ’02, he is 18 years old.

In ’02 he played for Team Canada at the U-18’s and was 5th in scoring. Michael is known for his offence as a finisher, he has good skating and speed. He’s well balanced-strong on his skates, and he drives to the net hard. He has very good hands, and hockey sense while not being bad in his own end but still needs to improve in that area. Lambert possesses a good quick shot and his 111 penalty minutes last year shows he’s willing to mix it up some.

At only 18, he’s still a raw talent, and its unclear how he will continue to develop. But so far so good, for Lambert (who plays at the Bell Center already for the Montreal Rocket) after last year’s 29 goals, he’s build on those totals this year, and so far he has 21 goals already and 43 pts. He’s got this year and next to work on some things (needs to add some muscle to handle players outside the Q) for one he has to improve on his –14 from last year (which he has, as he is a –5 so far) and if he continues to score the way he has, he should put up good numbers this year and hopefully next year. Finally a good skating forward that is over 6’. Andre Savard traded our 4th and 5th round picks to move up a few spots to get Lambert, so he must see something in him he likes. He’s a goal scorer that is a few years away, but seems to be progressing well so far. Played in the CHL all-star game early this season.

Christian Larrivee. C/LW 6’3 193 4th round 114th overall in ’00, he’s 20 years old.

Larrivee, had a strong rookie camp in ’01, but hasn’t progressed much since then. Good size that gives him a long reach, good to great vision and passing, with a decent shot. A very intelligent player with a natural hockey sense, but he needs to be faster in his 1st step, more physical, and he is considered weak defensively. He did improve his play in his own end last year, and was rewarded with a 3-year contract for his efforts.

Larrivee was told he should play in the ECHL this season by his agent, but preferred to go back to the QMJHL (Sags). I think this is a mistake by both Larrivee and Savard. Savard should never let a young player chose where he is going to play, (if that’s the case, as I don’t know for sure, just what I read) and Larrivee had little to learn from the soft play of the Q, while he could have learned a lot in the much more physical ECHL. This is just my opinion, cause Larrivee does have good size, but is considered a soft player, that goes for the deke instead of the physical play. I feel it would have been much better learning tool to play in a much more physical league, where he could have worked on one of the weakest parts of his game. Instead, he is back in the Q, where he wont have to be physical or do much about his lack of defensive play (but he has shown improvement in his +/- this year, with a +8, 2nd on his team). He’s under contract, so he doesn’t have to worry about that part, as now he just has to improve enough to make the Hamilton roster next season, if not it’s a one-way trip to the ECHL for him. A big center with a scoring touch (100pts last year, but he had the best player in the CHL as his centerman) but soft and not very good in his own end. If he doesn’t improve, he sounds like a career AHLer, but being only 20 years old, he’s still got a few years to work on some things. So far in 29 games, 11-22-33 +8 33 pims 5 PP 1GW

[montreal]

Oliver Michaud. G 5’11 163 Not drafted in ’01, signed as Free agent. 19 years old.

Oliver is a “butterfly” goalie with strong balance and excellent lateral movement. But much like another Hab prospect Matthieu Garon, he tends to go down too early. His small size is off a concern, and after playing on a very strong team last year, his team is much weaker defensively. So he’s gone from seeing around 20 shots a night to over 35, and he hasn’t responded well so far. It’s been a roller coaster ride for the young net minder so far. He went from not seeing enough games to be drafted in ’01, to getting a tryout with the Habs and beating out a very talented goalie Adam Russo (AC Titans) getting a 3 year deal from the Habs, to making Team Canada’s WJC squad as a backup where he played decent, to actually playing in an NHL game. (being the youngest Hab goalie ever I believe) Sounds to good to be true? Well it may be. Over the summer, Oliver went to Team Canada’s WJC camp and was seriously outplayed. Then when the season started, he was getting shelled left and right, now that he no longer had that solid defense in front of him. So his numbers are down this year, he doesn’t even get invited to the WJC selection camp this year, becoming the only player from last year’s team, not called back. This is my opinion here, this is the make or break time in his young career. I would think he is down on himself right now, but he has to dig deep here, and turn things around for himself. Sounds easy, it’s not, but he has to show that he is a top notched goalie that the Habs signed, and not a smallish butterfly goalie from the Q. If he uses this latest spurn to turn his season around, it should pay off good dividends for him next year. There’s should be a spot in Hamilton or maybe even two spots depending on how it works out. (He could be sent back to the Q, as a 20-year, I think) Or he could let this situation get the best of him, have a bad season, and really hurt his chances of making the AHL next year. It’s up to him now, and only time will tell how this works out, but he has been playing well lately, getting defensive player of the week and improving his horrid stats. Oliver has been traded to Drakkar, a first place team with a much better defense in front of him. He won his 1st game with a .931 save % getting 3rd star of the game, but in his 2nd game, all was not well as he was pulled in the 2nd period.

Thomas Linhart. LD 6’3 210 2nd round 45th overall in ’02, he is 18 years old.

Linhart, a high pick in ’02, is a defensive defensemen. He has good positional coverage, but he must learn not to chase the player once he gets beaten to the outside. One of his prime assets is his ability to clear the crease. (something we sorely need) Has a slow stride and doesn’t join the rush very often. He keeps things simple, often banking the puck off the boards and down the ice. (Rick Green doesn’t have to teach him much)

So he’s a big boy that hits hard, and is considered good in his own end. But he has average skating skills, and limited offence ability. His shot from the point needs work, as it needs to be more tipable and less telegraphed. So he’s not known for his offence, but that’s ok, as we have several defensemen prospects that can handle the offence, while we lack a stay at home hard hitting, crease clearing defensemen.

He was a high pick, and that was considered a bit of a surprise to many, so hopefully Savard and company saw something in him (and what he brings to the table). He was also a high pick in the CHL Euro draft this summer, going in the 1st round and 10th overall to the Mississauga Ice Dogs. I was hoping he would stay in the Czech league, as he played for Pardabice (the junior league) where in 32 games, he had 2 goals, 3 assists, for 5 points, +4 and 24 pims. He was expected to move up to the Senior league this year, but coming over to North America, gives us a much better chance of seeing what he is capable of. I have spoke with some Ice Dog fans to see how he is doing, and they say he seems to be adapting to the N.A. style better, and is very good at clearing the front of the net, but hasn’t put up many points at all so far. (2 assists) But it’s the clearing the crease that interests me the most, cause that’s what we sorely need, and most likely why he was drafted so high. Plus he is a +4 on a bad Ice Dogs team, in his first season in North America, still learning English and a new style of hockey.

Thomas has recently been traded to the London Knights. Don’t know much about the deal, but in 34 games, 0-2-2 +5 16 pims. Very little scoring, but his +5 is good.

[montreal]

Andre Deveaux. C 6’5 216 6th round 182nd overall in ’02, he’s 18 years old.

Deveaux is big, and in Habland he is very big. He plays a physical game, and isn’t afraid to scrum it up at times. Has decent hands, great size, but is an average skater, with questionable work ethic. He must show a lot more consistency night in and night out, while improving defensively. He did have a great playoffs in ’01, but then was so good in last years playoffs, which seems to be the story on him. Great some nights, good other nights, and a non-factor the rest of the time.

I think Savard addressed the lack of size down the middle, with a gamble of a pick, in hopes that the very big young player can work on several areas of his game over the next few years. Last year in 63 games, he had 8 goals, 13 helpers for 21 points, 80 pims, and a –1. So far this year, he has shown improvement on offence getting 6 goals, 12 assists, for 18 points in just a quarter of the time. But his –15, is 3rd lowest on the team, and will need to be improved. He’s got this year, and next to work on things, if he’s to get a contract with the Habs. I have to say his size is impressive, and who knows how he will turn out down the road, but he is the only center we have with size down the middle, unless Larrivee stays at center.

Eric Himelfarb. C 5’11 170 6th round 171st overall in ’01, he’s 19 years old.

I wasn’t impressed with Savard’s 6th round choice, as he picked a very small but gifted forward (which we seem to have cornered the market on that type of player). But Eric is a very consistent scorer, with decent speed and skating. He has a very good work ethic, and for a small player, he has a low center of gravity with a strong lower body, which helps him fight for pucks while not being knocked around so easily. He has a good shot, and above average vision, but he must add some more weight (was drafted at 161) and some upper body strength will also be very important, if he is to ever make the NHL.

So far this year, he is one of the leading scorers for all CHL Habs prospects, with 54 pts. 21-33-54 +5 46 pims 9 PP 1 SH He’s had two 5-point games already this season, and that’s impressive for the OHL. His efforts have gotten him the assistant captain on his new team, as he was traded over the summer. He did play in the CHL all-star game this year, and will be looking to sign a contract by June 1st, or he will go back into the draft. I would think with the numbers he is putting up, he would be signed, but I guess we will have to see.

Andrew Archer. RD 6’4 198 7th round 203rd overall in ’01, he’s 19 years old.

Andrew is a stay at home defensemen, with good lateral movement for a player of his size. His long reach is very useful in one on one situations, and he has shown improvement each and every year. His great work ethic has helped him to be named the captain of the Storm. He does need to fill out his big frame, by adding some serious weight. If he could get up to 220 or so, and add a lot of strength, he could end up being a very decent late round pick. Not known for having much of an ability on offence, he has improved in that area since he’s been drafted. After not getting any goals his first 2 seasons in the O, he scored 3 last year with 10 assists for 13 points and 76 pims. So far this year, he has 1 goal, and 8 helpers for 9 points, +4 , and 71 pims, in a quarter of the time. His +/- has been much better lately, as he was a –7 early on this year.

He also must be signed to a contract by June 1st, or he will go back into the draft. I would think he gets signed, as he has shown a lot of improvement since being drafted, and could show us a lot more with a few years in Hamilton starting next year. One things for sure, with Archer, Komisarek, and Linhart, that’s some good size and physical play from our blueline if they pan out.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Excellent stuff! Thanks.

[MPLABBE]

Good job Dan!

[Patty Roy]

Great job Dan! Thanks for the report, its much appreciated!

[Willie Dog]

Great report, Higgins IMO would be a great second line centre to take over from Gilmour.

[Cranky]

This is a great piece of work Dan. We are fortunate that we have posters like you who take s HUGE amount of time to collect and share their work.

On behalf of this board, I like to THANK YOU for the time and effort you have taken to share your considerable knowledge with us.

Kudos.

[montreal]

HabsAddict said:

This is a great piece of work Dan. We are fortunate that we have posters like you who take s HUGE amount of time to collect and share their work.

On behalf of this board, I like to THANK YOU for the time and effort you have taken to share your considerable knowledge with us.

Kudos.

Well thanks everyone for reading my long thread here, and thanks for the kind words.

[GoGrizz]

hey folks, the mid-season report card is up for the Utah Habs players at www.andrewsstarspage.com/grizz/grizz.htm. Click on the "features" page and it'll take you to the newest grades.