|
|
Post by NWTHabsFan on May 11, 2005 20:37:14 GMT -5
Here is a good article on 20 year old Mad Max Lapierre, who likely just completed his last season in juniors and hopes to be Hamilton bound this fall. I really like what I have briefly seen and read on this young man. - Link to Habs main site - |
|
|
|
Post by Doc Holliday on May 11, 2005 21:02:22 GMT -5
Lapierre's combination of size, character, mean streak, agitator ways and decent hockey skills makes him a unique asset in our farm.
|
|
|
|
Post by HabbaDasher on May 12, 2005 9:31:50 GMT -5
I remember when the Habs drafted him, they described him as fast, gritty, and strong defensively.
Marc Bureau #2?
Guys hated playing against him.
|
|
|
|
Post by blaise on May 12, 2005 10:09:49 GMT -5
The downloaded article mentions Guy Carbonneau. Lapierre doesn't seem to compare to him in scoring ability. Carbonneau was a threat to score shorthanded or at even strength.
|
|
|
|
Post by Doc Holliday on May 12, 2005 11:35:06 GMT -5
The downloaded article mentions Guy Carbonneau. Lapierre doesn't seem to compare to him in scoring ability. Carbonneau was a threat to score shorthanded or zat even strength. Agreed. Many people forget that Carbo was mainly a scoring phenom when we drafted him. He became a defensive player once in the NHL. Carbo had the upside to be way more than a checking center, like Gainey was way more than just a checking winger. |
|
|
|
Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on May 12, 2005 17:26:55 GMT -5
In my perfect world, Lapierre would turn out to be a Risebrough (21-32-53, 171 PIM, per 82 games), or Mario Tremblay (25-31-56, 100 PIM, per 82 games), type of player.
Btw, Tremblay retired as a player when he was only 30 years-old. He began his career fulltime with the Habs at age 18—Risebrough at age 20.
|
|
|
|
Post by TheCaper on May 12, 2005 22:15:52 GMT -5
Btw, Tremblay retired as a player when he was only 30 years-old. He began his career fulltime with the Habs at age 18—Risebrough at age 20. And their arrival on the big team just happened to coincide with the year that preceded a 4 Cup run. I’m sure glad that Pollock and Bowman didn’t decide that they needed a few more years of seasoning in the AHL. Gainey was 21 when Risebrough and Tremblay arrived. Shutt was 22. Wilson was 22. Lafleur was 23. Robinson was 23. Lambert was 24. Jarvis arrived the following year at 20. I think Mr. Gainey might have some experience with what it means to be part of a good young team, and I take him at his word when he says over and over that we are committed to youth. |
|
|
|
Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on May 12, 2005 22:45:59 GMT -5
Btw, Tremblay retired as a player when he was only 30 years-old. He began his career fulltime with the Habs at age 18—Risebrough at age 20. And their arrival on the big team just happened to coincide with the year that preceded a 4 Cup run. I’m sure glad that Pollock and Bowman didn’t decide that they needed a few more years of seasoning in the AHL. Gainey was 21 when Risebrough and Tremblay arrived. Shutt was 22. Wilson was 22. Lafleur was 23. Robinson was 23. Lambert was 24. Jarvis arrived the following year at 20. I think Mr. Gainey might have some experience with what it means to be part of a good young team, and I take him at his word when he says over and over that we are committed to youth. Uh-huh, da yoot will be soived. Coddling is good for eggs, for hockey players, not so much. Perezhogin, Higgins, Plekanec, and Hainsey should have no trouble winning roster spots if they put their noses to the grindstone in camp. Wasn't too long ago that many were clamouring for a virage jeunesse. Now that it's upon us, there seems to be a certain timidity in the air. No guts, no glory. If you can't trust Gainey, Savard, Timmins, Gauthier, Julien*, and the scouts—who can you trust? If they say the kids are alright, that's good enough for me. And besides, a penny saved is a penny earned. *Julien is the perfect coach for this situation, something that Gainey surely had in mind when he extended Julien's contract. |
|
|
|
Post by PTH on May 12, 2005 23:07:53 GMT -5
The downloaded article mentions Guy Carbonneau. Lapierre doesn't seem to compare to him in scoring ability. Carbonneau was a threat to score shorthanded or at even strength. But the article explicitly refers to Carbonneau's defensive ability only, not to his general play and even less his offensive game.... So I just don't see what the problem is. |
|
|
|
Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on May 12, 2005 23:17:54 GMT -5
“That’s the type of challenge that motivates me,” the forward explained. “I love covering the best players in the league; I remember that in that game against the Oceanic, I was yapping at Sidney and telling him “All night long!” for the whole thing, reminding him I’d be on him like a blanket for the duration. He ultimately got fed up with me and took three separate penalties out of frustration.”
For Lapierre, it was improving his defensive play – not bolstering his stats – that was a priority this past season. On the ice he has drawn comparisons to the Canadiens’ legendary pest, Claude Lemieux. He excelled when playing mind games with opponents; amassing 139 penalty minutes in 2004-05 and dropping the gloves on eight occasions; still, the number of infractions he coaxed out of adversaries was incalculable.
“I’ve always been an intense player,” the forward noted. “That’s when I’m at my best. I like a physical style of play and I won’t back down from anyone”.
*
They're gonna love him in Hamilton.
BTW, he went 2-2-4 in the game in which he shut down Crosby.
|
|
|
|
Post by Forum Ghost on May 15, 2005 0:16:34 GMT -5
I could see Lapierre teaming up with Chipchura in a few years and forming 2/3 of our future checking line.
|
|
|
|
Post by NWTHabsFan on May 20, 2005 18:40:59 GMT -5
Rocketfan from HF had this bit of info that indicates that both Mad Max and Bing Bang Bonneau are headed to Hamilton's camp this fall. Good to see two more of the 2003 draft class getting the call to the organization. All four of the Habs' PEI prospects will now have made the jump...I guess Alain V is doing a good job grooming them down there on the Island.
Here is a tidbit of our local newpaper here on PEI talking to PEI Rocket GM Serge Savard Jr about NOT protecting Lapierre and Bonneau.
Overage forwards Jimmy Bonneau and Maxim Lapierre were not protected for the June 1 expansion draft.
Bonneau and Lapierre are destined for the Montreal Canadiens' organization.
"I (did) not protect them because I have the assurance they are not coming back to junior," said Rocket president and GM Serge Savard Jr.
"I talked to (Montreal Canadiens general manager) Bob Gainey personally, and he gave me his word that both are signing and playing in Hamilton."
If there is insufficient room for two with the AHL Bulldogs, one will play in Long Beach of the ECHL.
Bonneau, picked by the Habs in the eighth round of the 2003 Entry Draft, had a career-high 11 goals and 22 points in his third season with the organization.
Lapierre, the Rocket captain and a second-round pick in the same NHL draft, departs after a 25-goal, 52-point season in '04-05.
|
|
|
|
Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on May 21, 2005 1:07:22 GMT -5
It's fun to speculate which one of our good prospects will make the jump to the NHL team. My philisophy is let them all go to training camp and may the best man/boy win. Whoever works hardest and plays the best deserves the shot. Success at the Jr. level does not guarantee success against the competition in training camp. Ryder's success came against NHL opponents.
It may be harder for sub-six foot players to stand out because we have so many fast talented little guys. If we need a big checker to round out the roster, the bigger guys have a better chance of fulfilling a need.
|
|
