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Post by seventeen on Dec 26, 2008 19:35:24 GMT -5
Saw 2/3 of the US Germany game today, which included McDonagh and Kristo. Neither one really was used a lot. McDonagh was a regular Penalty Killer and played on the 3rd pairing, I think. Kristo is a 4th liner, but gets regular PK duty, usually with Matt Rust, who also has great wheels. They did well together. Kristo was hurt for a short time, blocking a shot, but came out afterward. He looked better than McDonagh did, though I think Ryan was ok. McD did not seem confident offensively. At this point, he's not a risk taker, unlike Shattenkirk, who jumps into the play a lot more and was basically on the first D pairing. McDonagh, being on the first PK pairing, though, must be considered sound defensively. It wouldn't surprise me to see Kristo be moved up the line-up at some point in the tourney. I kept watching for him to hog the puck, something he's been criticized for, but he moved the puck well. I would guess if he's playing with good players whose skill level he trusts, he has no problem passing. Anyway, from what I saw, not a bad debut for our US boys. Overall, and it may have been jitters, the US kids didn't seem that strong. Their German opponents were not a strong squad and the US were a bit weak in their own zone. They are big up front, and that may be a problem for us. Canada/Czech game about to start. I bet Pleks is watching. Later.
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Post by Lord Bebop on Dec 29, 2008 12:19:53 GMT -5
McDonagh hasn't been that impressive IMO. I thought he would be playing more offensive game and more physical, but he has been playing more of a safe game, nothing flashy. I'm not saying he's been bad but perhaps my expectations were to high.
PK Subban with 4 points, 2 goals and 2 assists so far with a +6, highest on the team.. He has made a few pretty big hits.But it's hard to really judge his defensive abilities in games that Canada has won by a combined score of 23-1. Perhaps a better test is on Wednsday night against the Americans.
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Post by seventeen on Dec 29, 2008 19:54:55 GMT -5
PK has looked good, though the opposition hasn't tested anything so far. I'm actually pleasantly surprised by his play. Better decision making than I expected.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 30, 2008 2:49:19 GMT -5
McDonagh hasn't been that impressive IMO. I thought he would be playing more offensive game and more physical, but he has been playing more of a safe game, nothing flashy. I'm not saying he's been bad but perhaps my expectations were to high. It sometimes is hard to assess a player's potential when he is given a role to play on a team made up of players from many teams, such as is the case with the WJC. It may not always align with that role on his regular club team. In McD's case, I think he is also getting reeled in at Wisconsin, so I really want to see how he does in Hamilton once he is signed. In his second game at the WJC against the Czech Republic, I thought he was moving into the play along the offensive boards moreso and getting some shots on or near the net. Right now, he is playing an ultra conservative game. Not sure if that is from hearing "keep it simple" one too many times from his coach at UW. PK's overall game is coming along quite nicely. He has energy and speed to burn, so it is just a matter of developing that hockey sense to be able to play against men. Many big physical dmen in juniors take a long time converting to the bigs by learning when to make the big hit, and when not to take yourself out of position. For offensive minded dmen, they have to make the transition by learning when to pinch and when to collapse. PK's coach next season in Hamilton is particularly good at teaching overall defensive awareness. For now, his abilities look pretty darn good. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 30, 2008 12:37:25 GMT -5
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Post by duster on Dec 30, 2008 13:22:11 GMT -5
From what I've seen, both McDonagh and Subban have played as advertised. McDonagh is known for playing it safe which may explain why he's partnered with Shattenkirk who is known to be a risk taker. I expected more from Kristo. The kid can really fly and with his skill set I expected more offense. Playing against Canada will be a good test for him.
Presuming Fisher and possibly McDonagh are in Hamilton next year, the Dogs will have a talented defense when you add Carle, Weber, Subban. Makes it easier to forget Valentenko and his ilk.
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Dec 30, 2008 13:55:54 GMT -5
From what I've seen, both McDonagh and Subban have played as advertised. McDonagh is known for playing it safe which may explain why he's partnered with Shattenkirk who is known to be a risk taker. I expected more from Kristo. The kid can really fly and with his skill set I expected more offense. Playing against Canada will be a good test for him. Presuming Fisher and possibly McDonagh are in Hamilton next year, the Dogs will have a talented defense when you add Carle, Weber, Subban. Makes it easier to forget Valentenko and his ilk. Valenwho? |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 30, 2008 15:14:11 GMT -5
Someone on HF posted an interesting stat, so I went back to the IIHF site and checked things out.
PK Subban has been on the ice for 17 of Canada's 28 goals, and for none of the 2 scored against Canada. Now I know he gets tons of PP time and there have been loads of Canadian PP's, but that is still a pretty amazing stat.
Big test will be how he does against big and talented forwards tomorrow night, and against that Schroeder and his laser wrister.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 30, 2008 15:22:16 GMT -5
From what I've seen, both McDonagh and Subban have played as advertised. McDonagh is known for playing it safe which may explain why he's partnered with Shattenkirk who is known to be a risk taker. I expected more from Kristo. The kid can really fly and with his skill set I expected more offense. Playing against Canada will be a good test for him. Presuming Fisher and possibly McDonagh are in Hamilton next year, the Dogs will have a talented defense when you add Carle, Weber, Subban. Makes it easier to forget Valentenko and his ilk. Yeah, McD has the big shut-down guy on his team. The rest of the dmen have a habit of going offense and jumping into the play. Someone has to be back there to battle hard down low, on the PK, and late in the game. That guy this year is McD. That tends to be more of an invisible role, but a good one if you don't notice him too much. I am surprised Kristo is not getting more shifts. The odd PK shift as the thirteenth forward is a bit of a waste of his speed and skill. Oh well, time to earn those stripes I guess. Building for a bigger role next year or in case of injury this year. As for Dmen entering the fold next season, the Habs also have to sign both Torp (team Sweden) and Paquet (finishing up in the NCAA) if they feel they have warranted contracts...and they likely both do. This is the start of the real flood of defensemen starting to sign with the pro ranks of the team after a concentrated effort to draft defensemen over the last number of drafts. Both Hamilton and Cincinnati should enjoy some nice years on the blue line to come. Time to get some stud forwards next June in your own barn, Trevor!! |
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Post by Lord Bebop on Dec 31, 2008 13:42:15 GMT -5
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Post by seventeen on Dec 31, 2008 20:32:06 GMT -5
So far, McDonagh has not looked especially good. He must have Hab-itis, as he's failed to clear the zone several times when the opportunity has arisen. He was a big part of Tavares' goal when his stick broke on a pass attempt and then didn't have a stick to try and check Tavares (who made a hell of a play regardless).
Kristo looks very fast. He backchecked on one play and caught up to a Canadian player who had a 15 foot or so lead on him, then checked him off the puck.
Best for last. Subban has been playing far better than I expected him to. He's shown patience, good passing and good decision making. I'm very impressed by him and he was the guy I had the lowest expectations for. Needs a bit of work in his own end, but he's not brutal. Very happy with his play so far. He's picked up a couple of points as well, I believe.
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Post by roke on Dec 31, 2008 21:03:23 GMT -5
Hard to blame a player much for their stick breaking Seventeen. Happens all the time.
I missed the first period (forgot about the game), haven't kept a close eye on things but the US goalie is horrible.
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Post by Douper on Dec 31, 2008 21:48:37 GMT -5
PK has 3 assists in the game and is playing great.
McDonaugh is ok, felt bad for him when the stick broke. But he made a great play a few minutes later on an odd man rush.
Kristo hasn't been visible really, I'd like to see what his ice time was like.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 5, 2009 0:35:50 GMT -5
McD got another assist in today's 5th/6th place game that the Americans won against the Czech Republic. Ryan goes back to Wisconsin with three helpers and a plus five ranking in his six games. He was definitely held back to be a stay-at-home guy this tournament, but his mobility was good and positioning was very solid in the few games I saw him play.
Kristo got a little extra ice time against the Kazaks, and was able to get a goal out of the deal. He is an outright speedster but still only 18, so I would expect he would play a much bigger role next year in Saskatchewan.
PK has been really impressive so far. He does try that cute spinnerama move a tad too much for my liking (and I would expect for Quinn's liking who told PK to "get that out of your repetoire..."). He has really great skating ability, controls the puck well on the point of the PP, and knows when to jump smartly into the play. His play in his own end looks pretty decent against some very good competition. It will improve even more for sure when he gets under Don Lever's command next fall.
Torp got burned on that goal that was called back in that big game against Slovakia. He is physical and is decent with the puck on the point. Not sure what the Habs will do with him given all their other defensive prospects coming up the ranks. No idea if he has interest in coming over next season or not. He does look like he is enjoying playing hockey after missing that whole season last year to injury. He definitely gives a bit more of the physical and nasty side of things that not too many Hab D prospects show, and all this with not a very big frame by any means. I look forward to seeing how he does against the Canadians in the big gold medal game.
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Post by CrocRob on Jan 5, 2009 1:38:29 GMT -5
I guess Pat Quinn isn't a Brian Campbell fan. haha
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 5, 2009 2:40:36 GMT -5
I guess Pat Quinn isn't a Brian Campbell fan. haha Old Man Quinn was groomed on the Brian McCabe style of turnovers!! Far more simple!! Although Quinn does like the attitude and leadership Subban brings to the team. I was impressed after the Russian game, as he was last off the ice at the team bench congratulating all his team-mates as they left. The kid brings some intangibles to the table. |
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Post by Cranky on Jan 5, 2009 3:50:49 GMT -5
Some of Subban's rushes were very Orr like. Thankfully the cranky side of me took over and made those dreams into vapour.
On the other hand.....a little more speed, a little more stregnth....the kid certainly has the vision for it.
Oh wait, where is MThead and the defensive coach (whose name I have thankfully forgotten) to teach Subban how to play the trough system and the off-the-glass system?
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Post by roke on Jan 5, 2009 14:35:37 GMT -5
Oh wait, where is MThead and the defensive coach (whose name I have thankfully forgotten) to teach Subban how to play the trough system and the off-the-glass system? Rick Green, how could you forget him HA? |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 5, 2009 21:17:47 GMT -5
Nice work down low on that PP in the first to net Subban and Canada their first goal of the night.
He over-committed twice on the PK in the second though, he has to learn to keep himself between the puck carrier and the net when they are down one man. Overall good game for him. He is keeping things a lot more simple tonight. Quinn's doing no doubt.
Torp hit with two high sticks, and did not play in the second half of the second. He is a tough hombre, so wonder if he is hurt. Will have to see in the third.
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Post by Lord Bebop on Jan 5, 2009 22:25:02 GMT -5
Congratulation goes out to the Goal medal winners. What a team effort tonight for team Canada.
Subban is quite a character . It will be interesting to see how he handles making decisions in his own end at the pro level next year. Not sure how his game will translate to the AHL or NHL. But a very intriguing prospect to say the least.
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Post by Willie Dog on Jan 5, 2009 22:28:27 GMT -5
PK was chosen as one of Canda's top 3, was selected to the all star team and he will be a media darling in Montreal... especially if he can speak french.
Gotta love his enthusiam.
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Post by Lord Bebop on Jan 5, 2009 22:31:18 GMT -5
PK was chosen as one of Canda's top 3, was selected to the all star team and he will be a media darling in Montreal... especially if he can speak french. Gotta love his enthusiam. I agree.He kinda has the charisma and intensity of Ovechkin......... don't you think. |
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Post by blny on Jan 5, 2009 22:41:50 GMT -5
How Swede it is! Clutch performance tonight.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 6, 2009 0:54:45 GMT -5
That smile, enthusiasm, energy combined with his natural skating ability and big point shot sure make him a very interesting prospect. This was definitely a coming out party for him.
Congrats to the whole Canadian team. They just battled hard for every puck tonight and were phenomenal on the PK...a lot less so on staying out of the box in the first place!!
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Post by seventeen on Jan 6, 2009 1:37:42 GMT -5
Hard to blame a player much for their stick breaking Seventeen. Happens all the time. Didn't mean to infer that it was Ryan's fault. More his bad luck and my hate for composite sticks. I just got the feeling he had more than his share of bad luck and I'm usually very skeptical of that since you create a lot of your own luck. By the end of the tourney, I thought he had picked up his game and was pretty solid. I love Kristo's speed and I saw a lot more in Subban's game than I thought he had. His defensive positioning needs some work as a few times, he's reacted slowly to forwards zipping down his side. He moved the puck well and I didn't even mind his spinorama stuff. The puck was turned over in the offensive zone against the Russians and he caught up to the forward who started off having a breakaway, so he really displayed his speed on that play. |
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Post by franko on Jan 6, 2009 6:47:45 GMT -5
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Post by Lord Bebop on Jan 6, 2009 22:35:21 GMT -5
The Canadiens organization has to be thrilled with the performances of their prospects at this year's tournament. Looks like Subban and Torp are probably destined for Hamilton. McDonagh is a qustion mark as he could benefit playing one more season in NCAA. Here's a good article on the three prospects and Habs' assistant GM Pierre Gauthier's thoughs concerning their future. www.thespec.com/Sports/article/491269 |
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