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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Jul 10, 2009 10:51:21 GMT -5
Nice pics she got... I so live in the wrong city ;D I'm hoping PK gets a spot this year, he impressed me during the Juniors. Phil Kessel? |
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Post by ValkyrieNS on Jul 10, 2009 12:18:15 GMT -5
Subban. Phil's with Boston, yuck! I truly don't like Boston. Period. Don't you pull a Bob Cole and get those two confused (I refer, of course, to the game where Bob called Laraque Kovalev [or vice-versa]). |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jul 10, 2009 12:40:06 GMT -5
Another article from the Habs main site on Danny Kristo, the second rounder from last year. canadiens.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=436712This kid can outright fly, and does some pretty neat things with the puck in full stride too. Looking forward to see what he can do at North Dakota this fall. Also, we now have two US WJC hopefulls to cheer for as both Danny and Mike Cichy are off the US summer camp to earn the right to wear their colours and come to Saskatchewan in the middle of winter. |
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Jul 10, 2009 13:51:45 GMT -5
Subban. Phil's with Boston, yuck! I truly don't like Boston. Period. Don't you pull a Bob Cole and get those two confused (I refer, of course, to the game where Bob called Laraque Kovalev [or vice-versa]). I really like PK. His skating and outgoing personality with be great for the Habs. Subban also exudes confidence, fun and makes it a good place for teamates to play, not just a job for individuals to work at and go home alone. Phil Kessel is available as an RFA and we should make a multi year offer, (5 years at $3.9 million a year) We have a lot of guys who get assists and need Kessel and Camaleri to finish. Boston will have to match the offer or lose a great YOUNG scorer. Either way what is bad for my enemy is good for me. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jul 10, 2009 15:45:50 GMT -5
The latest report from RDS from the camp. It's a story on West Islander Louis Leblanc with a little write up at the end on BC lad Ben Maxwell, who is coming off a fairly success pro debut that saw him get a cup of joe with the big club and also end up tied for third in AHL rookie scoring with teammate David Desharnais. Two kids to keep an eye on, both seem like good #2 centres in the NHL one day if they keep along their development paths. The reports from camp about Louis did not exactly start off with a bang, but have been getting better and better, likely as he has become more comfortable there. Folks can see his overall skill package and how he is a quick learner. He better be, off to Harvard in the fall. www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/278155.html |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jul 12, 2009 0:17:30 GMT -5
Whitesnake, from over on HF, had this fabulous report on the scrimmage today that concluded the Development Camp for another season.
This guy follows a lot of hockey and has a really keen eye for prospects, so very valuable assessments.
So let's not wait too much and get down to it (will not be as extensive as I used to do 'cause it's much tougher in games to analyze each and every player than in skills like I used to do in the past.
FORWARDS
AVTSIN: I came away really impressed by the kid. Is not afraid to play the body, protects the puck real well, skates well, looks big, honestly, he'd be a really great player in the Q right now....Roy might look at him and cry a little even though he will have a good team. But I love his spirit, jokes a little around with some players and works really hard. Honestly, it's really hard to not be too excited by the kid. This is truly one case when I'll be pissed as hell if he never comes in NA 'cause he has a real potential and seems to be having a great ceiling as well. Love the kid. Nice goal by being in front of the net, nice move he did and accepted a great pass by Pyatt. Has to practice his penalty shot move though 'cause that was weak as hell..... But honestly people.....AS OF NOW, that's a heck of a 4th rounder. He often looked like a 1st rounder on some plays....I may be wat too enthusiastic, but that's how I see him right now.
BISHOP: Well he wins the blown-up wide open opportunities for sure goals award. Implicates himself in the play, but received at least 2 golden passes and had 2 open nets but decided to shoot on some one-timers that he missed. Not bad, not great. I think that there are other players that deserved a look before him. But he's not a bad hockey player.
BOISVERT: He definately has some great hands and breakaway moves. But as far as his overall game, well like Bishop, I don't think you notice him that much. He definately did better than last year, showed more confidence. He might be interesting for Weber and the Cyclones. Could be what Desharnais or Beauregard was for Cincinnati.
CICHY: I did not notice him that much. What I did notice though is how he has some nice speed when he gets it going and how really balance he was on his feet. I loved his energy and his awareness without the puck. Maybe I missed it, which what happens when you try to follow everybody and post a report on everybody....but I didn't see him a whole lot with the puck on his stick. But I think that we can be pleasantly surprised as the years passed by. I usually don't expect a whole for 1st year dev. camp rookies, and when they are either not that noticeable or better, it's actually a good thing. And in his case, I love the way he skates and how intense he looks. In his case it will be how it will translate later in his career. My motto for him would be: Cichy for Cincy. But he might actually have a little more than that for us. Stay tuned.
CONBOY: Mr. hit everything in sight. If that's possible, he looked more filled and bigger than he looked last year. Loves to bang, loves to drive the net and destroy goaltenders (was it Quattrochi or Girard, I don't know but a kid has Conboy's name in his forehead...). And towards the end, Kishel slashed him pretty hard and I really thought that Conboy really restrained himself 'cause while he was in pain, he was looking in Kishel's direction......He would have killed him on the spot. But in a game when it was somewhat a little physical but not entirely, he played the game he had to play and didn't overdo it except his running the small goalie like he was a bowling pin.....Loved him. Can't wait to see in the AHL how he'll handle himself in the fight department. The kid can play hockey, but I don't believe he'll never be anything that a 4th line filler.
DESHARNAIS: One of the smartest guy on the ice period. Still small.....but uses his stick appropriately. Defensively pokecheck a lot of guys today, provoking tons of giveaways, has an great vision, is smooth and works hard. Was just above most players today 'cause of how smart he was. Though it had to be expected since he was one of the oldest out there. But another guy that one day, will deserve at least a shot in the NHL. I know, way too small, but I like how balance he is for his size. But he is awfully small....but awfully smart. Dominated the shifts at times. Really intelligent player. A great overall job today with his passing who made the crowd doing some oooohhh and ahhhhh....
DUMONT: Didn't notice him as much offensively as I would have liked. Though what I noticed is that despite his small size, he loves to get implicated in the game. He had a couple of chances when he should have shot but as a young kid, he was often looking for passes to make and often didn't take the right decisions. Another one who will be more at ease with more confidence. I love the way he skates, I love the way he is somewhat physical despite his size, and has a good offensive awareness. Didn't concentrate too much, or didn't say his defensive awareness but for having seen him a lot this year in the Q, I'll say it's not a problem as well. So he did OK.
ENEQVIST: Clearly, I am way too happy to see big centermen on the ice 'cause he also impressed the hell out of me. Clearly needs to work on his foot speed. Probably amongst the big guys, the one that needs to improve the most on his overall speed, first steps and agility. But he is big, loves to implicate himself physically, loves to sit in front of the net, has some nice hands and a nice shot. I really don't see how we will not sign him to a contract. Either it's this year or next year, Habs NEED to make some kind of arrangements to get him here. He has a nice potential. Great size, great strength upper and lower, so beside his speed, I really don't see how you cannot like this kid. Out of the swedish kids, I mean today it's no contest Eneqvist way ahead of Johansson.
FORTIER: I am down on him for quite a while and still don't expect a whole lot. I saw him make one instinctive play today and that was it. While a game doesn't mean a life, still, I have seen him a lot this year as well and he didn't wow me like I was expecting him to do. And he didn't do it today as well. I didn't notice him that much and I believe that in his case, it's a problem. Will see how he evolves. But I am seriously not expecting a whole lot from him.
JOHANSSON: I think that the hype can stop right about now. I have no idea what that is but I noticed him today but not for the good reasons. I noticed him because of how easy it was to check him and separate him from the puck. Not big, but didn't find him particularly strong either. And we are talking about THE oldest prospect out there so adding that, he had a really dissapointed game today. Not implicated a lot, definately looks more to be a perimeter player, in all honestly, TODAY, I didn't see the hype whatsoever. But it his one game. But if just watching his game makes you wonder what the hype was all about, you start comparing him with others and you really wonder.....But let's give him a chance to settle in.
JOHNSON: Didn't see him at all today.
KRISTO: Well he didn't shine that much today. Not for my liking. He is fast, the puck does stick on his blade, make some good nifty players, but he has to use his teamates more. So I was dissapointed today not because he was particularly bad, but because I was expected more.
LEBLANC: Well it's his first camp. He made a GREAT rush at the start of the 1st, skated pass a d-man from the outside and drove the net but didn't score but that was great to see. But then......not a whole lot. And didn't come back in the 3rd where it was 4 on 4. What's great to see is that he was real serious about it and loved to hit, crosscheck Conboy and White who at one point gave him one back real hard. So I don't know if it was that slashing from White that hurt him or if it was that little pushing and shoving with Conboy that did it, but he never came back. So I think that we could put to rest that he's not gritty, he is. I think that we had time to see that he skates well and doesn't hesitate to drive the net. But 2 things are absolutely certain. He needs to bulk up BIG TIME. And he needs to make quicker decisions with the puck. The overall rhythm of this camp is impressive and Leblanc is not there yet. But you see that he has skills, you see that he's not afraid of anybody, you see that he has a great work ethic, so based on that you can't be dissapointed. But if you expect a 1st rounder to blow you away and came away as the best player today, you might be dissapointed and especially when you start comparing him to other players like Avtsin and others I will talk about today. But a great prospect he is that will need to indeed become much stronger and much faster in his decision making.
LEFEBVRE: In the "Whitesnake, what the heck are you smoking" category, I say that I would offer Lefebvre a contract. Okay.....maybe I'm exagerating a little. But I definately promise you that he will have a great year in Drummondville next year and he will be picked in next year's draft as well. He wasn't as much playing on the perimeter like I thought he would. Him as well was a little shy in his decision making, passing the puck more than he should have. But I really think that he has awesome puck skills. He was playing more in the traffic than what I thought he would. He's intelligent. Amongst the try-outs, he's certainly the one that impressed me the most and actually, he would have deserved to be a draft pick, if not with us, with anybody. This kid has to potential to be a good player. Needs to bulk up, but I found that he had much stronger legs that I thought he would. Create some opportunites today. A really good player to check in the future. I do believe they won't sign him to anything, and if he's not picked next year, he has to be considered to be reinvited to this dev. camp, but I really doubt that with a great season this year, he will be picked. Anyway, the best tryout of the game.
MASSÉ: Hurt, wasn't playing
MAXWELL: With Desharnais, he was the brain on his team. Just a smooth player who again makes me think of Brad Richards. Smooth passes, is often at the right place at the right time, plays well defensively and offensively, this kid needs to play at a higher level of hockey. While there's not any room with us, I guess he'll spend the next year in Hamilton trying to have better offensive numbers. But as far as thiking the game over, he's one, if not, THE smartest out there. He had to dominate today, and he did in some occasions.
NATINNEN: Well, I wanted my big centerman, I got him, and I am FREAKIN HAPPY!!!!! Clearly, right now, he's more at ease to find his teamates and pass the puck to try to score. He does seem as a great responsible 2-way player who might have his points by passing.....but what a great passer he is. Did find his open teamtes, does play the body, protects the puck well. My only concern right now would be for him to become faster but also more agile. His feet are not the fastest out there. Needs to work on his first steps. But once he gets it going, he looks like he could be an AHL'er already. Will be a top 2 centerman? He needs to have more confidence on his shots and start thinking about himself a little more. But as of today, (and I did see him only once but when it comes to my big centermen, I don't think clearly....) I say that he will be an NHL'er. But he needs to convert his chances. But a great body, great offensive sense as far as passing, great defensive awareness, plays hard, honestly he's in the Avtsin category, you have to be excited, not entirely based on what he did, but totally based on what he could do. But great overall job today. Even if the Trotter goal should not have counted 'cause Nattinen thought that he was playing handball so he could puck the puck with his glove towards Trotter who shifted the goalie nicely for a goal.
PACIORETTY: Not there. Anybody worried? It's great to put him on our top 6 forwards, but should we start making other plans?
PYATT: Maybe because I wasn't expected it, but to me he was the one of best players on the ice overall today. He doesn't have Maxwell shiftyness, he doesn't have Subban's spectacular moves, but he skates well, drives the net like there's no tomorrow, backcheck like no others, you just keep noticing him. I love how solid he looks. He does look smaller than his 6'0'' suggest 'cause of how he skates, but definately looks more solid than his 185lbs suggest as well. I loved him today in both sides of the rink. He made some awesome passes today, one to Avtsin who buried it and some others to other guys who didn't convert. But like some Rangers fans told us......we might be surprised.....Clearly Guy Boucher will love him in Hamilton.
QUAILER: Up and down day for him as far as there was some tons of time you didn't notice him and then you start noticing him a lot more.....and then not so much. First, I can guarantee you that the kid is taller and looks definately stronger and bigger than last year which is great news. His skating is still top notce, great acceleration, My biggest beef for him would be to implicate himself in the play much more and be more physical. Though I don't believe it's in his game, I really wish he would 'cause that way he'd be way more complete. But I can't wait to see how he will evolve this year and how the rest of his career will end up. Definately the perfect definition of sleeper. Didn't blow me away despite his great wrister though it went through the goalie's arm ( I think it was Simila), but he is a guy to watch in my opinion.
RUSSELL: In the category "Was he even there", Russell is not a favorite prospect of mine based on the fact that while he might to a fine job in the AHL, like Montreal and Qui Gon Dave keeps reporting, I just don't see this kid as an NHL material. Anyway, today, I didn't see anything that will change my mind. Totally invisible to me. And I really had to work hard to see what he was doing. But I wasn't dissapointed 'cause I'm not expecting anything from him.
TESTWUIDE: Well one of my tryouts whipping boy, did fine today. Had 2 great passes, used his big body in some occasions, still don't believe he'll never pass the AHL if he can get there, but at one point, he has to be considered at least for a ECHL job. And from that you never know. But better than he was last year which was not hard to beat, I know.
TROTTER: I would put him in the Quailer category. Not noticeable and then boum....great move for a goal. Great move at the blue line to deke a d-man, he's really bright with the puck, like a poor man's Maxwell, though I don't see the same kind of upside. To me Trotter looks like a career AHL'er. I may be too hard, and I wish I am not. But he's a good little player....
WALSH: He made a terrible mistake. He should have played in the OHL to play against Missiaen. Walsh did score 2 great goals but I believe that Missiaen helped him a lot. But anyway, he's everything that you saw on the youtube clip. Fast, not the most agile, knack for the net, big, really interesting prospect. Remains to be seen as far as his hockey sense. And we'll see about his ceiling but at this point, and at the rank he was picked, (while I had him in my choices), I say that he was a good pick. But a really good day today. Remains to be seen how much of that good day is because of Missiaen 5-hole and blocker side....
WHITE: Didn't notice him too much except his slash against Leblanc. There was some hitting today, but I really don't believe the guys were going at it full force, where White would be at his best. But I won't criticize him. He already made me eat some crow with the season he had with the Dogs, I believe he will continue doing it next year. But as far as today was concerned, he was mostly invisible offensively, did some good backchecking defensively. Played physical at times.
WYMAN: Played defense, carried the puck in some occasions, but as one of the oldest, didn't show too much. Though they will succeed in playing with the kid's head by putting him on D.....or on forward....back on D....and on forward.....He is a really nice and effortless skater though. And has some good puck skills. This is the guy that I have the most trouble with as far as knowing his ceiling and knowing what will be his true potential. But for that, he needs to settle in at one position.
DEFENSE
BENNETT: What a great skater. I don't think we'll have any trouble with our transition game if he reaches the NHL. He's definately not big, definately needs to be MUCH MUCH bigger. But in some occasions, he did a nice job being wiser than the forward and while he was being checked, he succeed in getting the puck out of the zone with nice passes. Didn't show too much of his shots, one of 2 were blocked, but showed his skating, and showed his intelligence defensively.
BUSTO : Didn't see him.....can you actually be cut from a dev camp?
CARLE: Same story with him. Calm, poised with the puck, awesome passer, the day is not far where he's going to have his chance in the NHL. He's not as far as people think. What struck me today is how confident he was and how shifty he was as well. Another candidate of a great transition game we will have with him. Don't count him out.
FISCHER: 2 things I have to say.....MUCH MUCH bigger than the past year and....drumroll.....I'VE SEEN A GREAT SLAPPER FROM HIM!!! Honestly, he's a real nice effortless skater, plays a great 1 on 1, is not often beat. You do have the impression though that he will never be an offensive d-man. I was sitting beside a nice guy named Philippe today and I told him that Fischer's upside might end up as being a bigger Josh Gorges. Which is not what we had in mind, but could not be so bad after all ( I know then I start thinking about Berglund or Giroux and I cry but that's another story...). But I still like Fischer. If his mind is there, if he keeps practicing his shots like he said he would. His skating, his defensive intelligence will help him down the road. I do not see the upside Timmins and Co saw, never did, still don't. But you can make a NHL player out of him.
KISHEL: My last year's whipping boy, was better than last year, showing some poise and confidence with the puck. But is still overpowered a ton, and do not demonstrate me that he's a legit prospect.
NASH: Didn't notice him for the bad reasons. And for the good reason, I thought he was pretty solid. I really thought at one point that he at least deserved a ECHL or AHL contract. Made me think of Jon Gleed at some point. Or maybe a poor man's Pateryn (a good Pateryn I mean, stay tuned...). But a pure defensive d-man who seems solid.
PATERYN: One of the d-man that struggled the most in the first 2 periods, he was all over the place in some occasions, get caught looking, get caught pokechecking......So didn't like his game today. Played better in the 3rd surprisingly which 4 on 4 and was more assertive. But didn't have his greatest of day. But he is a prospect that I like very much. Just a bad day at the office. What's great about him today though was his hitting. He has to be that with Conboy hits the hardest.
STEJSKAL: Loves to hit. Didn't show too much offensively today, stayed at home. But really was invisible most of the time.
SUBBAN: Even when he's not trying, he's better than everybody else. Awesome slapper for a goal. Great skater....anyway....nothing you don't know already. He's ready for the AHL and will be ready soon to have some games in the NHL. He was just great today in all aspects. It's beginning to be a little dull to talk how great he is....showed how good he can be in his rushes.....and make 2 incredible passes for 2 breakways that made the crowd cheered for him. Tons of PK, PK, PK, all around the arena, he's already a fan favourite.
WEBER: Didn't feel like he had the best of days. Was sometimes not fast enough to avoid contacts or to not be stripped from the puck. Did show some of his great passing games, didn't see a whole lot of slappers. But he was a little slow today. Though out of the d-men, was the one who carried the puck the most. He will be in end a candidate for the #7 job. I'm not convinced he's all-alone though. And I am not basing this on his game today, but I really like Carle today and Subban who have to be taken into consideration even if they think he'd be better served by a full year in the AHL.
GOALIES:
GIRARD: Save of the day against Desharnais. Empty net Girard move his stick and stopped the puck at mid-air (If I saw correctly) in front of a Desharnais totally stunned. I belived despite his size that the kid played a good game. Plays small though and makes unecessary movement in front of his net. But for an undersized, 1st year in a camp like this one, I really liked what I saw. Needs to be faster laterally though.
MAYER: Looked good today . Fast, he does seem to have a great technique. He's composed and poised. I think we saw the good Mayer today. Problem with him is that he has a twin bro who's not as good....
MISSIAEN: Worst goalie today mostly based on the Walsh goals. I may have to credit Walsh for them but I still beleived Missiaen had to look better. Did OK the rest of the way. But you have no choice in comparing him to the other moster of the organization and feel like the other one might be already better. We'll see how he does this year but something is sure, he needs to establish himself as the #1 goalie. If not, he's done.
QUATTROCCHI: Well the other whipping boy I loved so much last year did better than I expected this year. He is pretty fast and I absolutely believed that the kid grew up a lot since I saw him last year. I think that I will have to take this into consideration when they are reinviting kids to their camps. Some players might grow, become better and they would like to see what he does. He did though learned how big, fast and strong Subban's slapper was.....but so did tons of goalies last year. Good job for the kid.
SIMILA: Guy that seems to have the best potential but still have tons of things to work on. Though kids at that age, as big as he is, needs to understand what his big body of his can and can't do, he will need to have faster feet and faster lateral movement. Something strange, I saw him practiced prior to the game, and I saw him making tons of movement for nothing. Didn't seem composed too much. Then come the game and looked more poised so that impressed me. Maybe should not have given the Quailer goal who passed right through him blocker side, but it was a real nice wrister. Great potential.
So that's it boys. Ask the questions you want. I will be there today.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jul 12, 2009 0:39:39 GMT -5
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Post by Lord Bebop on Jul 12, 2009 10:37:05 GMT -5
Simila seems just happy to be here and taking in the experience. I think Simila is going to report to the Ice Dogs next season so hope does well. Interesting Timmins talking about their interest in Islanders second round pick ,goalie Mikko Koskinen. They were considering him in last year's draft. What a seventh rounder him would of been. Oh well coulda shoulda .....  |
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Post by Lord Bebop on Jul 12, 2009 11:05:58 GMT -5
Whitesnake, from over on HF, had this fabulous report on the scrimmage today that concluded the Development Camp for another season. This guy follows a lot of hockey and has a really keen eye for prospects, so very valuable assessments. So let's not wait too much and get down to it (will not be as extensive as I used to do 'cause it's much tougher in games to analyze each and every player than in skills like I used to do in the past.
FORWARDS
AVTSIN: I came away really impressed by the kid. Is not afraid to play the body, protects the puck real well, skates well, looks big, honestly, he'd be a really great player in the Q right now....Roy might look at him and cry a little even though he will have a good team. But I love his spirit, jokes a little around with some players and works really hard. Honestly, it's really hard to not be too excited by the kid. This is truly one case when I'll be pissed as hell if he never comes in NA 'cause he has a real potential and seems to be having a great ceiling as well. Love the kid. Nice goal by being in front of the net, nice move he did and accepted a great pass by Pyatt. Has to practice his penalty shot move though 'cause that was weak as hell..... But honestly people.....AS OF NOW, that's a heck of a 4th rounder. He often looked like a 1st rounder on some plays....I may be wat too enthusiastic, but that's how I see him right now.
BISHOP: Well he wins the blown-up wide open opportunities for sure goals award. Implicates himself in the play, but received at least 2 golden passes and had 2 open nets but decided to shoot on some one-timers that he missed. Not bad, not great. I think that there are other players that deserved a look before him. But he's not a bad hockey player.
BOISVERT: He definately has some great hands and breakaway moves. But as far as his overall game, well like Bishop, I don't think you notice him that much. He definately did better than last year, showed more confidence. He might be interesting for Weber and the Cyclones. Could be what Desharnais or Beauregard was for Cincinnati.
CICHY: I did not notice him that much. What I did notice though is how he has some nice speed when he gets it going and how really balance he was on his feet. I loved his energy and his awareness without the puck. Maybe I missed it, which what happens when you try to follow everybody and post a report on everybody....but I didn't see him a whole lot with the puck on his stick. But I think that we can be pleasantly surprised as the years passed by. I usually don't expect a whole for 1st year dev. camp rookies, and when they are either not that noticeable or better, it's actually a good thing. And in his case, I love the way he skates and how intense he looks. In his case it will be how it will translate later in his career. My motto for him would be: Cichy for Cincy. But he might actually have a little more than that for us. Stay tuned.
CONBOY: Mr. hit everything in sight. If that's possible, he looked more filled and bigger than he looked last year. Loves to bang, loves to drive the net and destroy goaltenders (was it Quattrochi or Girard, I don't know but a kid has Conboy's name in his forehead...). And towards the end, Kishel slashed him pretty hard and I really thought that Conboy really restrained himself 'cause while he was in pain, he was looking in Kishel's direction......He would have killed him on the spot. But in a game when it was somewhat a little physical but not entirely, he played the game he had to play and didn't overdo it except his running the small goalie like he was a bowling pin.....Loved him. Can't wait to see in the AHL how he'll handle himself in the fight department. The kid can play hockey, but I don't believe he'll never be anything that a 4th line filler.
DESHARNAIS: One of the smartest guy on the ice period. Still small.....but uses his stick appropriately. Defensively pokecheck a lot of guys today, provoking tons of giveaways, has an great vision, is smooth and works hard. Was just above most players today 'cause of how smart he was. Though it had to be expected since he was one of the oldest out there. But another guy that one day, will deserve at least a shot in the NHL. I know, way too small, but I like how balance he is for his size. But he is awfully small....but awfully smart. Dominated the shifts at times. Really intelligent player. A great overall job today with his passing who made the crowd doing some oooohhh and ahhhhh....
DUMONT: Didn't notice him as much offensively as I would have liked. Though what I noticed is that despite his small size, he loves to get implicated in the game. He had a couple of chances when he should have shot but as a young kid, he was often looking for passes to make and often didn't take the right decisions. Another one who will be more at ease with more confidence. I love the way he skates, I love the way he is somewhat physical despite his size, and has a good offensive awareness. Didn't concentrate too much, or didn't say his defensive awareness but for having seen him a lot this year in the Q, I'll say it's not a problem as well. So he did OK.
ENEQVIST: Clearly, I am way too happy to see big centermen on the ice 'cause he also impressed the hell out of me. Clearly needs to work on his foot speed. Probably amongst the big guys, the one that needs to improve the most on his overall speed, first steps and agility. But he is big, loves to implicate himself physically, loves to sit in front of the net, has some nice hands and a nice shot. I really don't see how we will not sign him to a contract. Either it's this year or next year, Habs NEED to make some kind of arrangements to get him here. He has a nice potential. Great size, great strength upper and lower, so beside his speed, I really don't see how you cannot like this kid. Out of the swedish kids, I mean today it's no contest Eneqvist way ahead of Johansson.
FORTIER: I am down on him for quite a while and still don't expect a whole lot. I saw him make one instinctive play today and that was it. While a game doesn't mean a life, still, I have seen him a lot this year as well and he didn't wow me like I was expecting him to do. And he didn't do it today as well. I didn't notice him that much and I believe that in his case, it's a problem. Will see how he evolves. But I am seriously not expecting a whole lot from him.
JOHANSSON: I think that the hype can stop right about now. I have no idea what that is but I noticed him today but not for the good reasons. I noticed him because of how easy it was to check him and separate him from the puck. Not big, but didn't find him particularly strong either. And we are talking about THE oldest prospect out there so adding that, he had a really dissapointed game today. Not implicated a lot, definately looks more to be a perimeter player, in all honestly, TODAY, I didn't see the hype whatsoever. But it his one game. But if just watching his game makes you wonder what the hype was all about, you start comparing him with others and you really wonder.....But let's give him a chance to settle in.
JOHNSON: Didn't see him at all today.
KRISTO: Well he didn't shine that much today. Not for my liking. He is fast, the puck does stick on his blade, make some good nifty players, but he has to use his teamates more. So I was dissapointed today not because he was particularly bad, but because I was expected more.
LEBLANC: Well it's his first camp. He made a GREAT rush at the start of the 1st, skated pass a d-man from the outside and drove the net but didn't score but that was great to see. But then......not a whole lot. And didn't come back in the 3rd where it was 4 on 4. What's great to see is that he was real serious about it and loved to hit, crosscheck Conboy and White who at one point gave him one back real hard. So I don't know if it was that slashing from White that hurt him or if it was that little pushing and shoving with Conboy that did it, but he never came back. So I think that we could put to rest that he's not gritty, he is. I think that we had time to see that he skates well and doesn't hesitate to drive the net. But 2 things are absolutely certain. He needs to bulk up BIG TIME. And he needs to make quicker decisions with the puck. The overall rhythm of this camp is impressive and Leblanc is not there yet. But you see that he has skills, you see that he's not afraid of anybody, you see that he has a great work ethic, so based on that you can't be dissapointed. But if you expect a 1st rounder to blow you away and came away as the best player today, you might be dissapointed and especially when you start comparing him to other players like Avtsin and others I will talk about today. But a great prospect he is that will need to indeed become much stronger and much faster in his decision making.
LEFEBVRE: In the "Whitesnake, what the heck are you smoking" category, I say that I would offer Lefebvre a contract. Okay.....maybe I'm exagerating a little. But I definately promise you that he will have a great year in Drummondville next year and he will be picked in next year's draft as well. He wasn't as much playing on the perimeter like I thought he would. Him as well was a little shy in his decision making, passing the puck more than he should have. But I really think that he has awesome puck skills. He was playing more in the traffic than what I thought he would. He's intelligent. Amongst the try-outs, he's certainly the one that impressed me the most and actually, he would have deserved to be a draft pick, if not with us, with anybody. This kid has to potential to be a good player. Needs to bulk up, but I found that he had much stronger legs that I thought he would. Create some opportunites today. A really good player to check in the future. I do believe they won't sign him to anything, and if he's not picked next year, he has to be considered to be reinvited to this dev. camp, but I really doubt that with a great season this year, he will be picked. Anyway, the best tryout of the game.
MASSÉ: Hurt, wasn't playing
MAXWELL: With Desharnais, he was the brain on his team. Just a smooth player who again makes me think of Brad Richards. Smooth passes, is often at the right place at the right time, plays well defensively and offensively, this kid needs to play at a higher level of hockey. While there's not any room with us, I guess he'll spend the next year in Hamilton trying to have better offensive numbers. But as far as thiking the game over, he's one, if not, THE smartest out there. He had to dominate today, and he did in some occasions.
NATINNEN: Well, I wanted my big centerman, I got him, and I am FREAKIN HAPPY!!!!! Clearly, right now, he's more at ease to find his teamates and pass the puck to try to score. He does seem as a great responsible 2-way player who might have his points by passing.....but what a great passer he is. Did find his open teamtes, does play the body, protects the puck well. My only concern right now would be for him to become faster but also more agile. His feet are not the fastest out there. Needs to work on his first steps. But once he gets it going, he looks like he could be an AHL'er already. Will be a top 2 centerman? He needs to have more confidence on his shots and start thinking about himself a little more. But as of today, (and I did see him only once but when it comes to my big centermen, I don't think clearly....) I say that he will be an NHL'er. But he needs to convert his chances. But a great body, great offensive sense as far as passing, great defensive awareness, plays hard, honestly he's in the Avtsin category, you have to be excited, not entirely based on what he did, but totally based on what he could do. But great overall job today. Even if the Trotter goal should not have counted 'cause Nattinen thought that he was playing handball so he could puck the puck with his glove towards Trotter who shifted the goalie nicely for a goal.
PACIORETTY: Not there. Anybody worried? It's great to put him on our top 6 forwards, but should we start making other plans?
PYATT: Maybe because I wasn't expected it, but to me he was the one of best players on the ice overall today. He doesn't have Maxwell shiftyness, he doesn't have Subban's spectacular moves, but he skates well, drives the net like there's no tomorrow, backcheck like no others, you just keep noticing him. I love how solid he looks. He does look smaller than his 6'0'' suggest 'cause of how he skates, but definately looks more solid than his 185lbs suggest as well. I loved him today in both sides of the rink. He made some awesome passes today, one to Avtsin who buried it and some others to other guys who didn't convert. But like some Rangers fans told us......we might be surprised.....Clearly Guy Boucher will love him in Hamilton.
QUAILER: Up and down day for him as far as there was some tons of time you didn't notice him and then you start noticing him a lot more.....and then not so much. First, I can guarantee you that the kid is taller and looks definately stronger and bigger than last year which is great news. His skating is still top notce, great acceleration, My biggest beef for him would be to implicate himself in the play much more and be more physical. Though I don't believe it's in his game, I really wish he would 'cause that way he'd be way more complete. But I can't wait to see how he will evolve this year and how the rest of his career will end up. Definately the perfect definition of sleeper. Didn't blow me away despite his great wrister though it went through the goalie's arm ( I think it was Simila), but he is a guy to watch in my opinion.
RUSSELL: In the category "Was he even there", Russell is not a favorite prospect of mine based on the fact that while he might to a fine job in the AHL, like Montreal and Qui Gon Dave keeps reporting, I just don't see this kid as an NHL material. Anyway, today, I didn't see anything that will change my mind. Totally invisible to me. And I really had to work hard to see what he was doing. But I wasn't dissapointed 'cause I'm not expecting anything from him.
TESTWUIDE: Well one of my tryouts whipping boy, did fine today. Had 2 great passes, used his big body in some occasions, still don't believe he'll never pass the AHL if he can get there, but at one point, he has to be considered at least for a ECHL job. And from that you never know. But better than he was last year which was not hard to beat, I know.
TROTTER: I would put him in the Quailer category. Not noticeable and then boum....great move for a goal. Great move at the blue line to deke a d-man, he's really bright with the puck, like a poor man's Maxwell, though I don't see the same kind of upside. To me Trotter looks like a career AHL'er. I may be too hard, and I wish I am not. But he's a good little player....
WALSH: He made a terrible mistake. He should have played in the OHL to play against Missiaen. Walsh did score 2 great goals but I believe that Missiaen helped him a lot. But anyway, he's everything that you saw on the youtube clip. Fast, not the most agile, knack for the net, big, really interesting prospect. Remains to be seen as far as his hockey sense. And we'll see about his ceiling but at this point, and at the rank he was picked, (while I had him in my choices), I say that he was a good pick. But a really good day today. Remains to be seen how much of that good day is because of Missiaen 5-hole and blocker side....
WHITE: Didn't notice him too much except his slash against Leblanc. There was some hitting today, but I really don't believe the guys were going at it full force, where White would be at his best. But I won't criticize him. He already made me eat some crow with the season he had with the Dogs, I believe he will continue doing it next year. But as far as today was concerned, he was mostly invisible offensively, did some good backchecking defensively. Played physical at times.
WYMAN: Played defense, carried the puck in some occasions, but as one of the oldest, didn't show too much. Though they will succeed in playing with the kid's head by putting him on D.....or on forward....back on D....and on forward.....He is a really nice and effortless skater though. And has some good puck skills. This is the guy that I have the most trouble with as far as knowing his ceiling and knowing what will be his true potential. But for that, he needs to settle in at one position.
DEFENSE
BENNETT: What a great skater. I don't think we'll have any trouble with our transition game if he reaches the NHL. He's definately not big, definately needs to be MUCH MUCH bigger. But in some occasions, he did a nice job being wiser than the forward and while he was being checked, he succeed in getting the puck out of the zone with nice passes. Didn't show too much of his shots, one of 2 were blocked, but showed his skating, and showed his intelligence defensively.
BUSTO : Didn't see him.....can you actually be cut from a dev camp?
CARLE: Same story with him. Calm, poised with the puck, awesome passer, the day is not far where he's going to have his chance in the NHL. He's not as far as people think. What struck me today is how confident he was and how shifty he was as well. Another candidate of a great transition game we will have with him. Don't count him out.
FISCHER: 2 things I have to say.....MUCH MUCH bigger than the past year and....drumroll.....I'VE SEEN A GREAT SLAPPER FROM HIM!!! Honestly, he's a real nice effortless skater, plays a great 1 on 1, is not often beat. You do have the impression though that he will never be an offensive d-man. I was sitting beside a nice guy named Philippe today and I told him that Fischer's upside might end up as being a bigger Josh Gorges. Which is not what we had in mind, but could not be so bad after all ( I know then I start thinking about Berglund or Giroux and I cry but that's another story...). But I still like Fischer. If his mind is there, if he keeps practicing his shots like he said he would. His skating, his defensive intelligence will help him down the road. I do not see the upside Timmins and Co saw, never did, still don't. But you can make a NHL player out of him.
KISHEL: My last year's whipping boy, was better than last year, showing some poise and confidence with the puck. But is still overpowered a ton, and do not demonstrate me that he's a legit prospect.
NASH: Didn't notice him for the bad reasons. And for the good reason, I thought he was pretty solid. I really thought at one point that he at least deserved a ECHL or AHL contract. Made me think of Jon Gleed at some point. Or maybe a poor man's Pateryn (a good Pateryn I mean, stay tuned...). But a pure defensive d-man who seems solid.
PATERYN: One of the d-man that struggled the most in the first 2 periods, he was all over the place in some occasions, get caught looking, get caught pokechecking......So didn't like his game today. Played better in the 3rd surprisingly which 4 on 4 and was more assertive. But didn't have his greatest of day. But he is a prospect that I like very much. Just a bad day at the office. What's great about him today though was his hitting. He has to be that with Conboy hits the hardest.
STEJSKAL: Loves to hit. Didn't show too much offensively today, stayed at home. But really was invisible most of the time.
SUBBAN: Even when he's not trying, he's better than everybody else. Awesome slapper for a goal. Great skater....anyway....nothing you don't know already. He's ready for the AHL and will be ready soon to have some games in the NHL. He was just great today in all aspects. It's beginning to be a little dull to talk how great he is....showed how good he can be in his rushes.....and make 2 incredible passes for 2 breakways that made the crowd cheered for him. Tons of PK, PK, PK, all around the arena, he's already a fan favourite.
WEBER: Didn't feel like he had the best of days. Was sometimes not fast enough to avoid contacts or to not be stripped from the puck. Did show some of his great passing games, didn't see a whole lot of slappers. But he was a little slow today. Though out of the d-men, was the one who carried the puck the most. He will be in end a candidate for the #7 job. I'm not convinced he's all-alone though. And I am not basing this on his game today, but I really like Carle today and Subban who have to be taken into consideration even if they think he'd be better served by a full year in the AHL.
GOALIES:
GIRARD: Save of the day against Desharnais. Empty net Girard move his stick and stopped the puck at mid-air (If I saw correctly) in front of a Desharnais totally stunned. I belived despite his size that the kid played a good game. Plays small though and makes unecessary movement in front of his net. But for an undersized, 1st year in a camp like this one, I really liked what I saw. Needs to be faster laterally though.
MAYER: Looked good today . Fast, he does seem to have a great technique. He's composed and poised. I think we saw the good Mayer today. Problem with him is that he has a twin bro who's not as good....
MISSIAEN: Worst goalie today mostly based on the Walsh goals. I may have to credit Walsh for them but I still beleived Missiaen had to look better. Did OK the rest of the way. But you have no choice in comparing him to the other moster of the organization and feel like the other one might be already better. We'll see how he does this year but something is sure, he needs to establish himself as the #1 goalie. If not, he's done.
QUATTROCCHI: Well the other whipping boy I loved so much last year did better than I expected this year. He is pretty fast and I absolutely believed that the kid grew up a lot since I saw him last year. I think that I will have to take this into consideration when they are reinviting kids to their camps. Some players might grow, become better and they would like to see what he does. He did though learned how big, fast and strong Subban's slapper was.....but so did tons of goalies last year. Good job for the kid.
SIMILA: Guy that seems to have the best potential but still have tons of things to work on. Though kids at that age, as big as he is, needs to understand what his big body of his can and can't do, he will need to have faster feet and faster lateral movement. Something strange, I saw him practiced prior to the game, and I saw him making tons of movement for nothing. Didn't seem composed too much. Then come the game and looked more poised so that impressed me. Maybe should not have given the Quailer goal who passed right through him blocker side, but it was a real nice wrister. Great potential.
So that's it boys. Ask the questions you want. I will be there today.Good to hear Maxwel and Desharnais being dominate but they amoung the more mature prospects there. I think we should see them at some point this season though. With BGL having injury issues its good to hear Conboy playing his normally nasty game. I just wonder if he can hold his own when he drops the gloves against the pro players . We should find out this season as it seems Flinn is not coming back to Hamilton and he will be expected to take on the tough guys in the AHL. Mathias Brunet mentioned in one of his articles in Cyberpresse that Avtsin energy level needs some work. He had some success but he stood around alot during parts of the scrimmage games as well. Mathias Brunet did mention he was very impressed in Mac Bennett. He said he was surprised in Bennett's poise as he was playing against more mature players, in the most part. He loves his vision and his speed is impressive. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Jul 12, 2009 21:25:56 GMT -5
Two prospects who are impressing are Mac Bennett and Dustin Walsh. A cut and paste: Two potential surprises, according to Timmins, were defenceman Mac Bennett, selected 79th overall last month out of Hotchkiss high school in Lakeville, Conn., and centre Dustin Walsh, the Ontario Junior Hockey League prospect who went 169th overall this year. Both players are 18 years old.
Timmins said Bennett "looks like a natural talent," adding he appeared "poised and matured." Timmins believes the 5-foot-11, 170 pounder has a bright future. Timmins also said Walsh, 6-foot-2 and 175 pounds, shows potential, but was careful not to exude too much confidence over a scrimmageThere also might be a reason Pacioretty may not have done as well in this camp:
Left-winger Max Pacioretty, who played 34 games with Montreal last season, scoring three goals and 11 points, had his development camp shortened by a sports hernia.The link: www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Habs+camp/1783116/story.html (doesn't seem to be working right now) Try habsinsideout.com/main/20918 ... then access the top story "Training Camp Comes to a Close". Cheers. |
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Post by cigarviper on Jul 12, 2009 21:47:18 GMT -5
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Post by CrocRob on Jul 16, 2009 10:45:22 GMT -5
A guy who got some love above, but is generally overlooked is Ben Maxwell. Last year was his first full season in the last 3, after 2 horrible injury seasons in the WHL, and managed to put up 22 goals and 36 assists in his rookie Hamilton season.
He didn't really impress in his first call-up, but neither have lots of guys. I'd be interested to know what he weighs now, because his size has been the largest issue for him. He's a natural skater, has fantastic on-ice vision and creativity and is probably our best center prospect since Ribeiro (who had a similar first pro season and an equally unimpressive first call up, too).
Staying healthy will be key for him, but I don't see why he can't be thought of as someone to compete for a spot in a year or two. He's certainly no less physical than Plekanec and is on a similar developmental curve. Except Maxwell has the advantage of experiencing the WHL and knowing what it's like to fight through checks and big bodies.
I'm hoping for big things from Maxwell this season. Maybe wear an 'A' in Hamilton and hopefully get a bit closer to a PPG pace (70ish points is my target) and most importantly stay healthy.
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Post by Lord Bebop on Jul 16, 2009 15:36:15 GMT -5
A guy who got some love above, but is generally overlooked is Ben Maxwell. Last year was his first full season in the last 3, after 2 horrible injury seasons in the WHL, and managed to put up 22 goals and 36 assists in his rookie Hamilton season. He didn't really impress in his first call-up, but neither have lots of guys. I'd be interested to know what he weighs now, because his size has been the largest issue for him. He's a natural skater, has fantastic on-ice vision and creativity and is probably our best center prospect since Ribeiro (who had a similar first pro season and an equally unimpressive first call up, too). Staying healthy will be key for him, but I don't see why he can't be thought of as someone to compete for a spot in a year or two. He's certainly no less physical than Plekanec and is on a similar developmental curve. Except Maxwell has the advantage of experiencing the WHL and knowing what it's like to fight through checks and big bodies. I'm hoping for big things from Maxwell this season. Maybe wear an 'A' in Hamilton and hopefully get a bit closer to a PPG pace (70ish points is my target) and most importantly stay healthy. He is overlooked by most I suspect as well. I hope he and Desharnais push Pleks in camp this fall, especially Maxwel, as he adds a little bit of size to our center position. Probably heading back to Hamilton next season and your prodiction of 70 points could be very likely. I have a feeling Desharnais will be the #1 center in Hamilton though. |
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Post by gy on Jul 16, 2009 21:00:03 GMT -5
A guy who got some love above, but is generally overlooked is Ben Maxwell. Last year was his first full season in the last 3, after 2 horrible injury seasons in the WHL, and managed to put up 22 goals and 36 assists in his rookie Hamilton season. He didn't really impress in his first call-up, but neither have lots of guys. I'd be interested to know what he weighs now, because his size has been the largest issue for him. He's a natural skater, has fantastic on-ice vision and creativity and is probably our best center prospect since Ribeiro (who had a similar first pro season and an equally unimpressive first call up, too). Staying healthy will be key for him, but I don't see why he can't be thought of as someone to compete for a spot in a year or two. He's certainly no less physical than Plekanec and is on a similar developmental curve. Except Maxwell has the advantage of experiencing the WHL and knowing what it's like to fight through checks and big bodies. I'm hoping for big things from Maxwell this season. Maybe wear an 'A' in Hamilton and hopefully get a bit closer to a PPG pace (70ish points is my target) and most importantly stay healthy. He is overlooked by most I suspect as well. I hope he and Desharnais push Pleks in camp this fall, especially Maxwel, as he adds a little bit of size to our center position. Probably heading back to Hamilton next season and your prodiction of 70 points could be very likely. I have a feeling Desharnais will be the #1 center in Hamilton though. You wouldn't be alluding to the fact that Gomez, Plekanec, and Metropolit are small, would you? |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jul 16, 2009 22:36:28 GMT -5
A guy who got some love above, but is generally overlooked is Ben Maxwell. Last year was his first full season in the last 3, after 2 horrible injury seasons in the WHL, and managed to put up 22 goals and 36 assists in his rookie Hamilton season. He didn't really impress in his first call-up, but neither have lots of guys. I'd be interested to know what he weighs now, because his size has been the largest issue for him. He's a natural skater, has fantastic on-ice vision and creativity and is probably our best center prospect since Ribeiro (who had a similar first pro season and an equally unimpressive first call up, too). Staying healthy will be key for him, but I don't see why he can't be thought of as someone to compete for a spot in a year or two. He's certainly no less physical than Plekanec and is on a similar developmental curve. Except Maxwell has the advantage of experiencing the WHL and knowing what it's like to fight through checks and big bodies. I'm hoping for big things from Maxwell this season. Maybe wear an 'A' in Hamilton and hopefully get a bit closer to a PPG pace (70ish points is my target) and most importantly stay healthy. To me, Maxwell is still our best offensive centre prospect. I do not put a lot of stock on his lack of production during his call up last year. As you say, that was his first year pro and his first year in three without major injury. He ended up tied for 3rd in AHL rookie scoring and has such nice vision and stick abilities. He is a good one with really nice hockey sense. I think he will be battling for the second line centre spot at some point down the road. I think this will be a big year for him in Hamilton as well. |
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Post by Lord Bebop on Jul 17, 2009 12:17:28 GMT -5
He is overlooked by most I suspect as well. I hope he and Desharnais push Pleks in camp this fall, especially Maxwel, as he adds a little bit of size to our center position. Probably heading back to Hamilton next season and your prodiction of 70 points could be very likely. I have a feeling Desharnais will be the #1 center in Hamilton though. You wouldn't be alluding to the fact that Gomez, Plekanec, and Metropolit are small, would you? Our center position is on the small side. I think we actually got bigger from last season though, just by replacing Kiovu with Gomez. But would be nice to add some more size. |
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