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Post by montreal on Mar 23, 2003 15:17:34 GMT -5
I wrote up a article updating the stats for all our prospects with the exception of the AHL ones. Just thought someone might be interested in reading it.
Habs Prospect Report
A Season in Review
Well the for the most part, the regular season has ended, so now is a good time to take a look at how our Prospects have developed. Let me say for the record that I have not seen all of our prospects live in person, and some I have seen more then others. (thanks to Direct TV for their good hockey coverage) But for the players that I have not seen much of or at all, I go to friends that have seen them. Now that said, I have followed our prospects closely for a few years, and have written prospect reports for other sites in the past.
Now that I got that out of the way, lets get down to business. Lets start in the NCAA.
Chris Higgins. The ’02 1st round pick that was taken 14th overall was coming off an impressive freshman season. His 30 pts was good enough to lead his team in scoring, and so were his 6 pts at the WJC tournament, where he also led his team in scoring. Big things were expected from Chris, and he did not disappoint.
Higgins was just named the ECAC Player of the year, (which he was a co-winner) and we named to the All ECAC 1st Team. This season he again led his team in scoring, getting 41 points in 28 games, an impressive PPG average. (28-20-21-41 2GW 6PP 2SH) Also his 6 pts at his last WJC tournament was good enough for co-team lead.
I didn’t get to watch Chris play last year, but I did get to see a few games of his this year. His skating is very good, his overall speed is decent, his stickhandling shows some flashy moves, he plays a solid 2-way game, and his positioning & playmaking are some of his best assets.
Will he be signed over the summer? I don’t know, but if not it will be interesting to see if he can win the Hobey Baker next year, as he wont miss any games for the WJC tournament. Either way the Habs have a very good prospect not very far away from seeing NHL duty.
Matt Shasby. Shasby NCAA career is officially over. He is without a contract, so if Savard doesn’t get him inked, he will become a UFA. Shasby is known for his puck moving abilities, smooth skating, and the offence he can produce. But after having a very good season last year, getting 27 points in 35 games, Matt had a disappointing season this year. No goals, and only 11 points in 25 games doesn’t force Andre Savard to get out the checkbook. But that said, Matt’s team (AAU) was down right horrid this year. Loaded with underclassmen, a broken foot, and a 3 game suspension from his school, Matt has had many obstacles to overcome. Will Savard look past this and sign him to play in Hamilton next year, or will he let our ’99 5th round pick (150th overall) walk away.
Ryan Glenn. Entering his 3rd NCAA season, the assistant captain was looking to improve on an average season. He did just that, as he picked up his game and started to produce from the blueline. In 36 games, Ryan had 5 goals, 14 points, which for a defensemen that’s not bad especially considering he had only 13 pts in the 69 games he played over his first 2 years at SLU.
He will need a big season next year, as he will be playing for a contract much like Matt Shasby was.
Scott Selig. Way down on the depth charts is RW, Scott Selig. He’s down there for a reason, as he had a pitiful season last year, going scoreless most of the season. He did pick it up this year though, getting 10 points in 33 games. (33-3-7-10) But if he is to get a pro contract, he will have to have one heck of a season next year, as it will be his final year in the NCAA as well.
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Post by montreal on Mar 23, 2003 15:19:09 GMT -5
Next lets look at the CHL.
Duncan Milroy. We all know what kind of year he had last season when he got 37 pts in 21 playoff games, being named playoff MVP and winning a Memorial Cup. Duncan seems to have a problem getting going when the season starts, but after the holidays, he seems to catch fire. He did it last year, and seemed to be headed in the same direction this year until an unfortunate injury ended what I would assume was his final year in the WHL (unless he comes back for the playoffs which start Friday night)
This season he did not put up the same kind of numbers that he had in the past, but 78 points in 61 games isn’t bad on a weaker team. But Duncan has to be signed before June 1st, or he will reenter the draft this summer. I think Savard has to sign him, as he has picked up an impressive 257 points over his last 3 seasons in the WHL.
Eric Himelfarb. He’s on the small side, but he has to be one of our most consistent forwards. He was traded to the Barrie Colts over the summer, and the move must have agreed with him, as he is the teams leading scorer, getting 75 points in 67 games. (67-31-44-75 -4 81 Pims) Eric also needs to be signed or he will reenter the draft as well.
Andrew Archer. Is a stay at home defensemen that plays on the right side, and he doesn’t shy away from physical play. Andrew also needs to be signed or he will reenter the draft, but with our shortage of RD’s, and his size/physical play, I would be surprised if Savard didn’t sign this kid. The Captain of the Guleph Storm isn’t going to hurt you with his offence, but he does have 18 points, but more impressive is his +7 and 138 pims. If he could fill out some and get stronger, he would certainly be worth getting a look at down the road. (65-2-16-18 +7 138 pims)
Thomas Linhart. Tough one here, as I haven’t seen him play at all. Also I haven’t heard too much about him either, so it’s tough to say how he has played in his rookie season and 1st in North America. He was traded from the Ice Dogs to the Knights, where he doesn’t get a lot of ice time, from what I have heard. No goals, but a +6 in 55 games on 2 average teams isn’t bad for the rookie stay at home defensemen. (55-0-4-4 +6 22 pims) After being drafted in the 1st round of the CHL import draft, I myself would have hoped for better results from our 2 round pick. But he’s still very young, and new to North American hockey/culture/language.
Andre Deveaux. Our biggest forward prospect, Deveaux was also traded from Bellville to Owen Sound. He has shown some improvement in his stats, as he picked up 37 points this year, but was a –22. (63-15-22-37 -22 126 Pims 6PPG) Andre will need to work on the play in his own end if he wants a contract next year. But if he keeps improving his point production, and added the fact that the Habs are full of small forwards, Andre may get a shot down the road.
Jothan Ferland. After not being drafted in ’01, things have really gone well for Ferland. He got drafted by the Habs, got an extended look at camp, and he was invited to Team Canada’s WJC selection camp. Add in the fact that he is putting up some very impressive numbers in the QMJHL. In 68 games, 45-44-89 +48 94 pims 7PPG 3SH 5GW. With the season he is having, I would hope Savard signs him over the summer to play for Hamilton next year, as it seems like he has outgrown the Q, but he doesn’t have to be signed until next June 1st I believe.
Christian Larrivee. Larrivee was signed to a 3 year deal over the summer, so this season he had very little to play for besides pride. I do feel that he made a mistake by not listening to his agent who told him he should play in the ECHL instead of going back to the Q. Well only time will tell how this year helped Christian, but this is his last year in the Q, and he will have to fight for a spot in Hamilton next year, or end up in the ECHL. Well in 50 games, 18-40-58 +1 49 pims 7PP 1SH 2GW. He will need to improve his overall strength and physical play, or he will be another high scoring forward from the Q that is soft and weak in his own end.
Michael Lambert. We traded with the Flames to move up in the ’02 draft to acquire Michael. Savard and company must have seen something in him, to want to move up to get him. I have a friend who has season tickets to the Rocket, and he did not have many good things to say about Lambert, but I can’t comment on that. What I can say, is that he isn’t having any problems finding the back of the net, as he has 28 goals in 71 games, and 60 points on an average team. 71-28-32-60 -4 53 pims 8PP 2GW. Lets see what he does next year, as he will be playing for a contract.
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Post by montreal on Mar 23, 2003 15:21:32 GMT -5
Marttie Jarventie. Hard to get info on him, as I can’t read a lick of Finnish, but I was able to find out that he has 2 points in 4 playoffs games and is a +2. 4-0-2-2 +2 4 pims. I wonder if he will return next year, or just stay in Finland. Jarventie, Tarasov, Buturlin and Vertala are all in the same boat, no word if they will come back.
Joni Puurula. I had his regular season numbers, but I can’t find where I put them. They were solid though. He and his backup got on a serious roll, not losing a game for something like 2 months. (they play for HPK, which is a 1st place team) In the playoffs, Puurula has played 4 games and has a 1.75 GAA and a .930 save %. He won the today with a SO and was either the 1st or 3rd star, as it’s hard to tell (he had 1 star next to his name, but was listed 3rd) I think that Joni has to stay in Finland until December, as he is currently serving his military duty. (not 100% sure though)
Johan Eneqvist. He plays for Leksand, which was just eliminated from the playoffs, (they are a young team) where Johan has been playing on the 4th line in his rookie year (playing in the top men’s league in Sweden). He finished the regular season 10th in rookie scoring, with 8 pts. (the SEL is very tough to score in, from what I hear) 42-2-6-8. I’ve heard some guys from Sweden compare Eneqvist to a Dackell with more scoring punch. Johan is very good 2 way LW/C , and he can put the puck in the net, as he racked up the points in his final junior year (and his first year as a Hab prospect) where he got 42 points in 26 games. 26-21-21-42 46 pims.
Kim Staal. Staal was out most of the season with a major injury, but when he returned, he didn’t miss a beat. In 14 games, he picked up 9 points, which is decent for a defense first league. 14-4-5-9 4 pims. He’s considered a gritty forward that will take abuse in front of the net and not shy away from the physical play, and a scoring touch to go with it. He is getting old and at 25, not a prospect but with his National team experience and playing in a men’s league, he might be able to help the team out somehow, if he were to come over.
Niklaus Anger. A long shot at best, but he does have a scoring touch, and was one of the leading scorers on his team again. He’s old in terms of prospects, (25) but in 48 games he has 20 goals and 32 points. 48-20-12-32 28 pims. Last year he had almost the same number, 50-12-20-32 16 pims. He also was named to the Swedish National Team this year for the first time.
Alex Perezhogin. One of our top forward prospects, Alex had a strong year playing for Omsk in the RSL (Russia’s top league) where he spent time between the 2nd and 4th lines, getting 21 pts in 46 games. 46-14-7-21 28 pims 1SH 4GW. Alex had a strong showing at the WJC’s this year, after being injury at last year’s tournament. Alex was also named to the Russian National Senior team, and was one of the youngest players to be on the team. Here’s hoping to seeing him in a Habs sweater as soon as possible.
Konstantin Korneev. The 18 year old is currently our youngest prospect, and for being taken so late in the draft, he is starting to show some very positive things. He is playing for Moscow in the RSL and was moved up from the 2nd pairing to the top pairing, while being very solid for gold medal winning Team Russia in the WJC’s, where he was one of the tournament leaders in +/-. In 46 games he has 1 goal and 8 points. 46-1-7-8 18 pims. He should play for Team Russia again next year in the WJC’s.
Alex Buturlin. Plays for Lada, in the RSL, and after a very poor season last year, he played much much better this year. He played on the #1 line for a major part of the season, I believe. In 45 games, he got 6 goals and 18 points. 45-6-12-18 69 pims 3PP 3SH. Who knows if he will ever come back or what management wants him to do, but if he continues to play well, it should get interesting.
Vadim Tarasov. I don’t know if we will ever see him again, but I thought that he played well in Quebec last year, when he wasn’t injured. This year he has not played that well from what I have heard. In 26 games, he’s gone 8-11-1 with a 2.73 GAA and a .894 save %.
I forgot Michaud, oophs.
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Post by MPLABBE on Mar 23, 2003 16:20:59 GMT -5
Great job....
I expect AS to sign alot of the kids that need to be signed this summer...we are gonna needs some bodies for Hamilton next year...especially on D if Hainsey, komo and Bouillon are all here. Expect guys like Shasby, Archer and Jarventie(he is coming back to NA next year) to be playing with the Dogs along with a Beauchemin and Descoteaux. Up front, I can see AS signing his picks like Higgins Milroy, Perezhogin, Himelfarb and maybe bring to Hamilton guys like Larivée, Landry, Staal(Kim), Buturlin and Eneqvist.
Next year's Dogs team?
Ryder-Plekanec-Balej
Landry(plays with Utah...I'll guess we'll bring him to Ham)-Higgins-Milroy
Larivée-Gratton-Buturlin
O'Dette-Himelfarb-Blouin
Beauchemin-Shasby
Jarventie-Archer
Descoteaux-Traverse( ;D)
that doesn't look all that bad.......
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Post by Cranky on Mar 23, 2003 17:14:06 GMT -5
Saddam has.....oops.....wrong forum...  >>>>  Hey Montreal, is that you? Did your keyboard have a flat?  What can I say, great article as usual. I wonder how many prospects I am going to see in Hamilton next year. |
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Post by Cranky on Mar 23, 2003 17:16:19 GMT -5
Great job.... I expect AS to sign alot of the kids that need to be signed this summer...we are gonna needs some bodies for Hamilton next year...especially on D if Hainsey, komo and Bouillon are all here. Expect guys like Shasby, Archer and Jarventie(he is coming back to NA next year) to be playing with the Dogs along with a Beauchemin and Descoteaux. Up front, I can see AS signing his picks like Higgins Milroy, Perezhogin, Himelfarb and maybe bring to Hamilton guys like Larivée, Landry, Staal(Kim), Buturlin and Eneqvist. Next year's Dogs team? Ryder-Plekanec-Balej Landry(plays with Utah...I'll guess we'll bring him to Ham)-Higgins-Milroy Larivée-Gratton-Buturlin O'Dette-Himelfarb-Blouin Beauchemin-Shasby Jarventie-Archer Descoteaux-Traverse( ;D) that doesn't look all that bad....... I certainly hope I don't see Blouin there. I also hope that Pleks is up with the big boys. |
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Post by PTH on Mar 23, 2003 17:18:34 GMT -5
Great job.... I expect AS to sign alot of the kids that need to be signed this summer...we are gonna needs some bodies for Hamilton next year...especially on D if Hainsey, komo and Bouillon are all here. Expect guys like Shasby, Archer and Jarventie(he is coming back to NA next year) to be playing with the Dogs along with a Beauchemin and Descoteaux. Up front, I can see AS signing his picks like Higgins Milroy, Perezhogin, Himelfarb and maybe bring to Hamilton guys like Larivée, Landry, Staal(Kim), Buturlin and Eneqvist. Next year's Dogs team? Ryder-Plekanec-Balej Landry(plays with Utah...I'll guess we'll bring him to Ham)-Higgins-Milroy Larivée-Gratton-Buturlin O'Dette-Himelfarb-Blouin Beauchemin-Shasby Jarventie-Archer Descoteaux-Traverse( ;D) that doesn't look all that bad....... I think we'll see the Dogs go and sign a few AHL veterans, the players won't all be Habs prospects, if it's clear that there aren't kids ready to fill a certain role, then we'll get some AHL veterans. |
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Post by MPLABBE on Mar 23, 2003 17:21:11 GMT -5
I also hope that Pleks is up with the big boys. well, I think another year in the A would be great for him. Especially with the Dogs being our team..he can get a ton of ice time and be a key player there instead of being the support player he has been all year. He's only 20(just turned 20 I think) so no need to rush him. I think we'll see the Dogs go and sign a few AHL veterans, the players won't all be Habs prospects, if it's clear that there aren't kids ready to fill a certain role, then we'll get some AHL veterans. that could happen as well...... |
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Post by MPLABBE on Mar 23, 2003 18:53:25 GMT -5
Hmm...maybe Jonathan Ferland could be in Hamilton next year? he will be 20 next fall right?  |
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Post by Psycorp on Mar 23, 2003 21:12:38 GMT -5
Montreal said: Christian Larrivee. Larrivee was signed to a 3 year deal over the summer, so this season he had very little to play for besides pride. I do feel that he made a mistake by not listening to his agent who told him he should play in the ECHL instead of going back to the Q. Well only time will tell how this year helped Christian, but this is his last year in the Q, and he will have to fight for a spot in Hamilton next year, or end up in the ECHL. Well in 50 games, 18-40-58 +1 49 pims 7PP 1SH 2GW. He will need to improve his overall strength and physical play, or he will be another high scoring forward from the Q that is soft and weak in his own end.
God, once again i must step forward to defend this guy  As i told over and over on the prospect board: Larrivee is physical !!! All year i listened to the games on the radio and all i could hear was: -great hit by Larrivee -Another hit by Larrivee -third hit in the same shift by Larrivee -And another player down! Larrivee did it again. All this while being good defensively Man i feel like preaching in the desert.... oh, there is someone, after 40 day, thats new... Brodeur what is a Devils doing there ? join you ? to be a contender ? look man, i got an authentic Komisarek jersey, i'm uncorruptible and invincible ;D |
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Post by MPLABBE on Mar 23, 2003 21:14:22 GMT -5
oh, there is someone, after 40 day, thats new... Brodeur what is a Devils doing there ? join you ? to be a contender ? look man, i got an authentic Komisarek jersey, i'm uncorruptible and invincible ;D where did that come from? ;D |
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Post by Psycorp on Mar 23, 2003 21:17:47 GMT -5
where did that come from? ;D Well it was supposed to be a joke linked with preaching in the desert  That'll teach me to try to be as humorous as some posters here.... I'll try to do better next time  |
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Post by clear observer on Mar 24, 2003 0:39:00 GMT -5
More OUTSTANDING work!
Thank you.
CO
:-)
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Post by montreal on Mar 24, 2003 10:25:04 GMT -5
Montreal said: God, once again i must step forward to defend this guy As i told over and over on the prospect board: Larrivee is physical !!! All year i listened to the games on the radio and all i could hear was: -great hit by Larrivee -Another hit by Larrivee -third hit in the same shift by Larrivee -And another player down! Larrivee did it again. All this while being good defensively Man i feel like preaching in the desert.... oh, there is someone, after 40 day, thats new... Brodeur what is a Devils doing there ? join you ? to be a contender ? look man, i got an authentic Komisarek jersey, i'm uncorruptible and invincible ;D Well in the past he has had a lot of problems in his own end when he was a center. Last year when he was moved to LW, he got better in his own end. Now he's an overager in the Q, playing against 17-20 year olds. He maybe be physical in the Q, but there's a very big difference between the Q and the AHL. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Mine is that Larrivee would have been better off playing the ECHL (Ryder, Beauchemin and Thinel seemed to have improved, but only spent a little time in the ECHL so it's hard to say what effect it had on them). But I could easily be wrong, and Larrivee could turn out to be a good forward for us someday. And a +1 isn't exactly being good defensively for an overager. |
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Post by montreal on Mar 24, 2003 10:35:45 GMT -5
Saddam has.....oops.....wrong forum... >>>> Hey Montreal, is that you? Did your keyboard have a flat? What can I say, great article as usual. I wonder how many prospects I am going to see in Hamilton next year. I guess my keyboard did have a flat. ;D I have been working a lot of overtime.  As for Hamilton next year, I expect to see, Ryder, Landry, Thinel, Milroy, Gratton, Himelfarb, Larrivee maybe, O'Dette, Higgins maybe, Balej, Pleks, Ferland maybe, Beauchemin, Archer, Blouin, Descoteaux I don't think will be back but that's just a hunch. I would guess that Fichaud is the goalie with Michaud as the backup, unless Tarasov would come back. I could also see the Habs picking up some young UFA's out of the CHL. Brett Lutes, or Oliver Fillon who are teamates of Lamert and Ferland, come to mind as they are UFA's and having very good seasons. Just an ideal. |
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Post by Psycorp on Mar 24, 2003 12:41:17 GMT -5
Well in the past he has had a lot of problems in his own end when he was a center. Last year when he was moved to LW, he got better in his own end. Now he's an overager in the Q, playing against 17-20 year olds. He maybe be physical in the Q, but there's a very big difference between the Q and the AHL. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Mine is that Larrivee would have been better off playing the ECHL (Ryder, Beauchemin and Thinel seemed to have improved, but only spent a little time in the ECHL so it's hard to say what effect it had on them). But I could easily be wrong, and Larrivee could turn out to be a good forward for us someday. And a +1 isn't exactly being good defensively for an overager. Hey Montreal i forgot to thank you for the great work, it's really appreciated. Now on the subject: The first part of your answer i very agree with. and yes there is a big difference between both leagues and i'm very curious how he'll do next year. Its the first time i put my (very little) credibility on the line for a player who still haven't proved anything but i think the guy is worth it. A +1 on a team that had -53 goals for/against differencial is very good I think Larrivee proved a lot of things making that decision in september, in my opinion it show he is loyal to his friends, is able to make his own decisions. he also did exactly what the habs asked him to improve, physical play and defensive awareness. It cost him some offensive production but at the end, he kind of put things together and produced before being injured. Anyway, we'll see in september |
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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Mar 27, 2003 16:21:43 GMT -5
Excellent post montreal!
The guys I expect to get a long hard look in camp are:
Higgins - Savard and Madden are sky-high on him, will get a real shot to make the team.
Perezhogin - ditto.
Ferland - as was mentioned, earned an extended look last camp and has had a powerful season. Seems to be developing at an accelerated rate in all aspects of his game.
Milroy - I think he may just be bored in junior. I think he'll be a pleasant surprise in camp.
Archer - Madden had very good things to say about him last year. Wanted him to put some more weight on his 6'4 frame. Was very pleased by his robust play. Doesn't expect offense from him, so any points are a bonus.
Eneqvist - Another surprise at last year's camp. Was one of the better forwards, but due to a prior arrangement with his Swedish club team was only able to take part in half the camp. Savard had very complimentary things to say about him.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an oil well to torch ;D
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>>>> 
