a look at 2003-2004 Bulldogs
Sept 30, 2003 4:34:10 GMT -5
Post by Rimmer on Sept 30, 2003 4:34:10 GMT -5
from Inside Hockey:
Hamilton Bulldogs
NHL Affiliation: Montreal Canadiens (plus three roster spots for the Tampa Bay Lightning)
2003-2004 Outlook: It is no longer the best of both worlds, so the Bulldogs will enter the season with a very different team. Last year the Bulldogs made it to the Calder Cup finals with a very strong and stacked roster filled with both Montreal and Edmonton prospects. Now they have lost more than half of their players, as Edmonton now has their own affiliate team in Toronto. Habs GM Bob Gainey did a very good job filling in holes, by signing young and talented prospects to contracts, and making a deal that will allow Tampa Bay to place three of their better prospects in Hamilton. With all the additions made in the off-season, the Bulldogs should still remain strong and finish at or near the top of the North division.
Offense: Canadiens GM Bob Gainey still has quite a lot of depth to work with, and it is up to him and his staff to decide which players will make the NHL and which players need more time to develop in Hamilton. There are many possibilities as to who plays on the Bulldogs offense, and all of the following have a very legitimate chance at making the Habs; Mike Ryder, Chris Higgins, Alexandre Perezhogin, Benoit Gratton, Pierre Dagenais, Josef Balej and Tomas Plekanec. However, the chances are that they all find themselves with the Bulldogs until a roster spot opens. If that's the case, then expect the Bulldogs to have one of the most potent offenses in the AHL.
Defense: There are still many unanswered questions surrounding the Bulldogs defense, questions that likely won't be answered until the end of training camp. But with all of the depth at the pro roster, you should expect that their defense will be solid regardless.
Goaltending: This off-season the Canadiens added Free Agent Jean-Francois Damphousse and signed prospect Olivier Michaud, who will join Eric Fichaud in the battle for the Bulldogs' starting position. Having a lot of depth at the goaltender position in the AHL is a very good thing, for this way the goalies can get the proper amount of rest during stretches of back-to-back games.
Player to watch: Chris Higgins, the Habs 2002 first round draft choice, is expected to make his professional debut with Hamilton this season. Higgins plays a highly effective two-way game, and should play a big role on the Bulldogs' special teams. The Hobey Baker finalist has a tremendous offensive upside, and could possibly lead the team in scoring.
R.
Hamilton Bulldogs
NHL Affiliation: Montreal Canadiens (plus three roster spots for the Tampa Bay Lightning)
2003-2004 Outlook: It is no longer the best of both worlds, so the Bulldogs will enter the season with a very different team. Last year the Bulldogs made it to the Calder Cup finals with a very strong and stacked roster filled with both Montreal and Edmonton prospects. Now they have lost more than half of their players, as Edmonton now has their own affiliate team in Toronto. Habs GM Bob Gainey did a very good job filling in holes, by signing young and talented prospects to contracts, and making a deal that will allow Tampa Bay to place three of their better prospects in Hamilton. With all the additions made in the off-season, the Bulldogs should still remain strong and finish at or near the top of the North division.
Offense: Canadiens GM Bob Gainey still has quite a lot of depth to work with, and it is up to him and his staff to decide which players will make the NHL and which players need more time to develop in Hamilton. There are many possibilities as to who plays on the Bulldogs offense, and all of the following have a very legitimate chance at making the Habs; Mike Ryder, Chris Higgins, Alexandre Perezhogin, Benoit Gratton, Pierre Dagenais, Josef Balej and Tomas Plekanec. However, the chances are that they all find themselves with the Bulldogs until a roster spot opens. If that's the case, then expect the Bulldogs to have one of the most potent offenses in the AHL.
Defense: There are still many unanswered questions surrounding the Bulldogs defense, questions that likely won't be answered until the end of training camp. But with all of the depth at the pro roster, you should expect that their defense will be solid regardless.
Goaltending: This off-season the Canadiens added Free Agent Jean-Francois Damphousse and signed prospect Olivier Michaud, who will join Eric Fichaud in the battle for the Bulldogs' starting position. Having a lot of depth at the goaltender position in the AHL is a very good thing, for this way the goalies can get the proper amount of rest during stretches of back-to-back games.
Player to watch: Chris Higgins, the Habs 2002 first round draft choice, is expected to make his professional debut with Hamilton this season. Higgins plays a highly effective two-way game, and should play a big role on the Bulldogs' special teams. The Hobey Baker finalist has a tremendous offensive upside, and could possibly lead the team in scoring.
R.
