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Post by Lord Bebop on Mar 12, 2010 15:32:30 GMT -5
So at what point do we start considering Brock Trotter and David Desharnais as possible future Montreal Canadiens? And do they, should they, have any impact on negotiations with Plekanec? Trotter has 64 point in 61 AHL games and is +25 (and he is a righty). Desharnais has 59 points in only 46 games, and is +17. Contrast those stats with Ben Maxwell, who has 43 points in 55 games, and is “only” +12. Not saying they can replace Plekanec right now (or am I?) but perhaps some of our more learn-ed Hamilton observers can give us an in depth scouting report on these guys. We know they’re both small, but then so are Gomez and Plekanec … Are they possible NHLers, or Corey Locke style AHL stars? Since we're talking about right-handed shots, I'll ask when are PK Subban and Mathieu Carle going to be ready for promotion? Both did very well in their stints with the big club and from what I read in "The Globe and Mail" recently, right-handed d-men only make up 35% of the blueliners in the NHL. Check out Moving from left to right when you have the chance. There are advantages and disadvantages to playing on the right side, but check out what Josh Gorges had to say about making the move: “I still don't know that I feel comfortable,” Gorges said recently. “I'm still learning. I mean, I played on the left for 21 years. It's really amazing how 35 feet to the other side can change your whole outlook on the game. Everything kind of seems to happen on fast-forward.” A lot of teams are going through this, but we have two very good right-handed d-men who while requiring mentoring at the NHL level, could fill that void in our club over the next little while. Cheers. I would love if Subban and Carle could be in the lineup next season. Carle really turned his game around before his injury. He really simplified his game this season and become very solid at moving the puck out of the defensive zone. Subban is great but as always he could improve defensively. A unique defender to say the least. Great offensive skills. Plays with a ton of heart but can be a bit reckless. But like Canadiens' scouting chief Trevor Timmins said of Subban's style after drafting him, “It’s easier to put the reins on them than it is to get the whip out.” But who on the existing roster do we let go (Gill, Spacek or Gorges). Not sure if Spacek's contract is very appealing to any other GM out their. Can't see Gorges being traded. And I would like to wait til the playoffs to make a judgement on Gill. Last year Gill's performance was great. I have a feeling his game suits the playoffs tight checking style of play. Out of the three center's you mentioned I think Desharnais should get the shot at replacing Plekanec. All he has done since signing as a FA is surpass everyone's expectations and produced dominated numbers. He's not the fastest skater out there but his hands are golden. Passing or shooting the puck he can dominate a play. He has nothing to prove in Hamilton IMO. Maxwell has really focused on the defensive side of the game. If you don't value defensive awareness and positioning then Maxwell's game is not for you. I think if he could use some grit in his game as he's pretty passive. His offensive game has never taken off so I see him fitting in a more of a shutdown center type of role in the future. Maybe another year with Boucher would help him with his short comings. A few months back I remember Boucher mentioning that there are reasons why Trottier still not been called up while other's have. So I will spectulate at what is the problem. Very good skillset but is pretty weak on the puck. He doesn't really battle for the puck, for example like Desharnais does. He has improved his defensive game but still should work on it(can get alittle too fancy exiting his own zone). Skating has also improved but maybe management would like it to improve further. Another year in Hamilton would help IMO. Well that was a long winded post. That's the way I see it but I would love to read other opinions about these guys as well!!! |
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Post by LoupDogg on Mar 12, 2010 16:25:59 GMT -5
Well that was a long winded post. That's the way I see it but I would love to read other opinions about these guys as well!!! I, for one, really appreciate the discussions of people who are more knowledgeable than I am on the Dogs, so keep going with the long winded posts if you want!! |
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Post by seventeen on Mar 14, 2010 2:07:40 GMT -5
Chalk up another win for the good guys, badly outshooting the Wings Farm club, Grand Rapids. I don't think Boucher will be happy with them giving up the tying goal in the last minute, and a short handed one to boot. theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007020Desharnais and Maxwell were stars of the game. Subban with a goal and assist and plus 2. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 14, 2010 22:39:54 GMT -5
I don't see it posted yet, but the Dogs did clinch a playoff spot this weekend. Their magic number for first place in their division is 7 now with the Dogs win last night and the Amerks loss today.
The Dogs and Wolves also loaned each other a player last week, as Greg Stewart is playing out the season in Chicago and 23 year old defenseman Mike Vernace comes back the other way. Vernace was named to the Dogs clear day roster.
Here are the players that can play out the rest of the season and the Calder Cup Playoffs for the Dogs:
The Bulldogs' Clear Day roster consists of 12 forwards, eight defencemen and two goaltenders.
Forwards: David Desharnais, Mike Glumac, Ben Maxwell, Eric Neilson, Max Pacioretty, Aaron Palushaj, Tom Pyatt, Ryan Russell, Grant Stevenson, Brock Trotter, Ryan White and J.T. Wyman
Defencemen: Shawn Belle, Andre Benoit, Mathieu Carle, Alex Henry, Frederic St. Denis, P.K. Subban, Mike Vernace and Yannick Weber
Goaltenders: Cedrick Desjardins and Curtis Sanford
Players in Residence but not on the Clear Day list: Chad Anderson, Andrew Conboy, Olivier Fortier, Maxime Lacroix and Dany Masse
A player in residence can only be used during the remainder of the regular season or the playoffs if a combination of three members of the 22-man roster are injured, recalled or suspended.
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Post by jkr on Mar 15, 2010 17:41:25 GMT -5
I don't see it posted yet, but the Dogs did clinch a playoff spot this weekend. Their magic number for first place in their division is 7 now with the Dogs win last night and the Amerks loss today. The Dogs and Wolves also loaned each other a player last week, as Greg Stewart is playing out the season in Chicago and 23 year old defenseman Mike Vernace comes back the other way. Vernace was named to the Dogs clear day roster. Here are the players that can play out the rest of the season and the Calder Cup Playoffs for the Dogs: The Bulldogs' Clear Day roster consists of 12 forwards, eight defencemen and two goaltenders.
Forwards: David Desharnais, Mike Glumac, Ben Maxwell, Eric Neilson, Max Pacioretty, Aaron Palushaj, Tom Pyatt, Ryan Russell, Grant Stevenson, Brock Trotter, Ryan White and J.T. Wyman
Defencemen: Shawn Belle, Andre Benoit, Mathieu Carle, Alex Henry, Frederic St. Denis, P.K. Subban, Mike Vernace and Yannick Weber
Goaltenders: Cedrick Desjardins and Curtis Sanford
Players in Residence but not on the Clear Day list: Chad Anderson, Andrew Conboy, Olivier Fortier, Maxime Lacroix and Dany Masse
A player in residence can only be used during the remainder of the regular season or the playoffs if a combination of three members of the 22-man roster are injured, recalled or suspended.
curious about that loan arrangement NWT. It's not a trde is it? |
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Post by Lord Bebop on Mar 15, 2010 18:14:02 GMT -5
I wonder now that Fischer has just completed his NCAA career, as they were bounced from the WCHA playoffs last night, if he would sign a pro contract and debut with Hamilton this season.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 15, 2010 20:42:03 GMT -5
I wonder now that Fischer has just completed his NCAA career, as they were bounced from the WCHA playoffs last night, if he would sign a pro contract and debut with Hamilton this season. I expect we will hear something soon on that front. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 15, 2010 20:46:17 GMT -5
curious about that loan arrangement NWT. It's not a trde is it? It's past the NHL trade deadline, so two teams cannot technically trade prospects. They can do the loan swap thing though. Habs did this once a few years back with Urquhart going one way and the elder Latendresse coming back to the Habs. The players then officially became property of their new teams come training camp next fall (or likely some time over the summer). Not sure if this spells the end of Stewart with the org, or if they just want to give him more ice time with another club. I would guess the former based on the one precendent that I can remember. |
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Post by seventeen on Mar 20, 2010 1:36:20 GMT -5
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Post by LoupDogg on Mar 20, 2010 7:43:57 GMT -5
Another win for the Dogs, Yawn. Another goal for PK. That other PK goal is not Yawn material, mind you. With 17 so far, he's already set a franchise record for defensmen. |
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Post by jkr on Mar 20, 2010 8:18:39 GMT -5
Bulldogs are playing in Toronto @ 4PM. The local Rogers cable outlet (I live about 80KM north of Toronto) is showing this game. It looks like the NHL & AHL rivals are playing each other today. Anyone going to both games?  |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 20, 2010 10:38:55 GMT -5
Another injury. Shoulder, happened on green beer day. |
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Post by jkr on Mar 21, 2010 11:02:42 GMT -5
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Post by Lord Bebop on Mar 21, 2010 11:53:16 GMT -5
Quote: "The Bulldogs earned a point in the loss which clinched first place in the North Division for the team. This is the club's third division title in franchise history as they won the Canadian Division in 2002-2003 and the North Division in 2003-2004." They should go into the playoffs with home ice advandage all the way to the conference final as they have a substancial lead over anyone in their conference. |
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Post by seventeen on Mar 27, 2010 0:21:36 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 27, 2010 0:25:21 GMT -5
The Western Canadian swing for the Dogs has gone like this so far:
Tues - 3-2 loss in Winnipeg against the Moose
Wed - 7-1 redemption win in Winnipeg
Fri - 2-1 win in Abbotsford against the Heat
Was at the game on Tuesday night against the Moose (too bad I was not able to be in town for the following night!!).
Big win tonight as Glumac scored early and Benoit got the GWG with about a buck and a half left in the game. Desjardins picked up the win.
Ryan Russell left the game in the second after getting knocked out with a check to the head into the boards. No penalty on the play, and he was out on the ice for a while. The team broadcast did confirm that it was a concussion, but the team did not have to check him into the local hospital and that he is feeling better. Hope he is okay.
The Dogs only started the night with 17 skaters so the bench was pretty thin after Russell left. Ryan White was serving a one game suspension for getting an instigator on Wednesday in the Peg in the final five minutes of the game. He jumped in to stand up for a teammate that had been gooned a bit by a Moose-head when the score was out of control. White will be eligible to play tomorrow night in Abbotsford.
Playoff spot - check
Division title - check
Conference title - 8 point lead with 7 games remaining - trailing team has 8 games remaining
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Post by roke on Mar 27, 2010 1:55:18 GMT -5
Apologies for not getting out to see either game here in Winnipeg this past week. I would not have been able to make it downtown in time for the first game, and I had commitments for the 2nd one... I really wish I had seen that second one.
A playoff matchup would really be nice.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 27, 2010 10:09:49 GMT -5
They definitely are playing the plumbers with the injuries and callups right now. Bishop was playing in his 2nd AHL game, Masse in his 19th, and ECHL call up Lacroix in his 28th of his short pro career. Also, Andrew Conboy, who is not on the Dogs' Clear Day Roster has been getting more and more ice time with all these gaps in the lineup. He even saw some first unit PP time last night to both reward him for his good play and also to try and kick start what has been a rather anemic PP of late. White will be back tonight, and hopefully injured Neilson and Pacioretty are not long after (although I don't know the official word on either). I expect both Pyatt and Maxwell will be sent down at some point now that the Habs are healthy up front again, although the roster limit no longer applies (but the salary cap still does and the boys are right up against that cap). Before last night's game, Coach Boucher had tons of praise for newcomer Aaron Palushaj's work ethic. He said he fit into the "Bulldogs culture" right away. He is now focused on teaching him the systems, etc., but was really pleased that he did not have to instil a stronger work ethic upon his arrival. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 27, 2010 10:15:01 GMT -5
Apologies for not getting out to see either game here in Winnipeg this past week. I would not have been able to make it downtown in time for the first game, and I had commitments for the 2nd one... I really wish I had seen that second one. A playoff matchup would really be nice. The big difference between the two games seems to be that Trotter and Desharnais got it going in the second game. They generated nothing in the way of any sustained offensive chances on Tuesday night. A rather off-game for the pair that have been so successful all season for the most part. The two Brandon lads (Trotter and White) were able to give their friends and families in the stands a better showing in the second game. |
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Post by duster on Mar 27, 2010 13:11:45 GMT -5
I went to the Abbotsford game last night. Not an especially exciting game. The Dogs were clearly tired and Desjardins kept them in the game during the second period, imo. The Heat's goalie let in a bad goal with less than two minutes left. It could easily have gone either way.
I did get a chance to see some of the newer players up close. I paid attention to Bishop and Palushaj so I'll focus on them.
Bishop didn't show all that much. He's not all that physical and gets pushed off the puck fairly easily. He certainly needs to work on his strength. He's not all that defensively aware and he'll need time to adjust to Boucher's system. His skating is quite good though and the work ethic is there.
Palushaj is a good skater and can really move it. He created a couple of very nice chances that almost paid off. Good stickhandler and a decent shot. I can see why the Blues took him so high since he seems quite skilled. He seems to fit right in with the rest of the team.
P.K. did not have the best game of his life. He really needs work on playing defense in his zone. He got caught out of position a few times resulting in scoring chances. Some of the crowd seem to think of him as more of a show-off than a good defenseman. I wouldn't be entirely surprised if he stayed in Hamilton one more year, imo.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 27, 2010 23:24:43 GMT -5
Thanks for the first hand recount duster. It really helps folks like me who only see a few games live (two this season for the Dogs), more on web cast (quite a few when the Habs were not playing) and a few more on radio cast.
Big win tonight in the Mount Baker border town with a 4-0 shutout setting all sorts of team and franchise records. Here is some of what I am talking about:
The Hamilton Bulldogs defeated the Abbotsford Heat 4-0 on Saturday night in Abbotsford to earn their 12th shutout of the season, tying the franchise record for most shutouts in one season. The win was Hamilton's 49th of the season which ties the franchise record for most regular season wins. It was also the club's 26th road win which is a new franchise record for most regular season road wins. The Bulldogs have only suffered seven regulation losses on the road this season and with only two road games remaining in the year, Hamilton will set a new franchise record for fewest regulation losses on the road in one season as the record currently stands at 12.
Sanford started the game, but left in the first with some undisclosed injury. Ceddy (Cedrick Desjardins) finished the game to preserve the goose egg. Hope the Sandman is okay, as they need two stoppers going down the stretch and into the final show.
6 of 8 possible points on the tough Western Canadian swing with 4 in 5 nights and lots of jet lag is pretty impressive. Have I mentioned the coaching staff influence down there recently? Good for the undermanned Dogs and their dudes in suits. Well played.
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Post by seventeen on Mar 28, 2010 2:39:12 GMT -5
Boucher really seems to have his players work hard, consistently. They must respect him a lot.
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Post by franko on Mar 29, 2010 9:54:32 GMT -5
no one mentioned this from Saturday night:
[full highlights from Abbotsford perspective]
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Post by ValkyrieNS on Mar 29, 2010 11:30:28 GMT -5
no one mentioned this from Saturday night: Franko! I've seen it twice over the weekend on Sports Connected. That was *the bomb*! Almost strangles himself with his tie in his determination to remove his suit jacket. The two kids to his left trying soooo hard not to kill themselves laughing ;D Needs to make a highlight reel for top 10 coach hissy-fits! |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 1, 2010 11:31:25 GMT -5
A little update on some of the records the Dogs can still tie or break (and the list is not exclusive) in addition to those marks they have already achieved or broken. Of course, it is all for naught if they don't have a good run at the Cup this spring. www.thespec.com/article/746138PK Subban was named to the AHL 2009-10 All-Rookie Team earlier this week. A nice recognition of his very impressive pro debut. www.thespec.com/article/746137 |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 2, 2010 1:17:22 GMT -5
The Dogs get their franchise record 50th win of the season against that Old Rival - the Marlies (or at least the big club's old rival). 3-2 final with Whitey, Desharnais and Wyman getting the goals and Desjardins getting the win. More records to fall soon!! For instance, they are one point off a franchise record of 110 points with five games to play. Duh, that one is toast. Neat story so far, this 2009-10 Bulldogs team.
The bonus news is it drops the Marlies from 5th to 6th and really makes their chances of a playoff spot really tough. How good a result is that? No playoff hockey in the GTA at the NHL and AHL level. What will HNIC folks talk about?
Onwards and upwards.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 2, 2010 1:43:23 GMT -5
More AHL recognition dished out tonight. PK Subban gets named to the AHL first all star team (not just the rookie team as he did earlier this week) and Cedrick Desjardins get the nod for the second all star team. Darn impressive. Ex-Hab draft pick and prospect Corey Locke also got a nod for the second team. Congrats lads, what a season so far!! Keep it going!! theahl.com/2009-10-first-and-second-all-star-teams-unveiled-p141811Guess who my pick for coach of the year is?  |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 2, 2010 1:58:29 GMT -5
A four minute montage of David Desharnais from HF boards regular and you tube. If you have never seen this little 5'7" dude play, he makes things happen. First year of pros he was ECHL rookie of the year and MVP. Cool. Now he is top five in scoring in the AHL (Brock Trotter is 8th one point behind). Really cool. It is hard not to cheer for this guy. He is likely too small to make an impact in the NHL...but..... www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h6rzLS3Dx4 |
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Post by seventeen on Apr 4, 2010 17:51:38 GMT -5
After a shootout loss to Rochester last night, the Baby Habs got back on track 6-2 over the Canucks farm team, the Moose, today theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007167Weber with two, Desharnais with another 3 points (this guy is just eating up the A. Would be at least top 3 in scoring if he'd played the whole year). Trotter with three as well. We have some decent players in Hamilton, but not many who might be competitive at the next level, though a few of these guys are surprising. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 4, 2010 21:31:08 GMT -5
After a shootout loss to Rochester last night, the Baby Habs got back on track 6-2 over the Canucks farm team, the Moose, today theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007167Weber with two, Desharnais with another 3 points (this guy is just eating up the A. Would be at least top 3 in scoring if he'd played the whole year). Trotter with three as well. We have some decent players in Hamilton, but not many who might be competitive at the next level, though a few of these guys are surprising. Both games were quite significant. Last night's SO win got the Dogs the one point they needed to clinch the conference title. Nice. Today's game set a new franchise record for points and David Desharnais set a new team record for points in a season. Ceddy Desjardins tied a team record for wins in a season. More importantly, the Moose are all but certainly the Dogs' first round opponent in the playoffs. You want to send them the right message. 6-2 and 6-1 were the last two games played between these teams, so that is a good message. Edit: The game was not all good news, as Pacioretty appeared to reinjure that shoulder in the first today. He was just in his second game back from that injury, and that is the third time he has hurt that shoulder this season. Not sure when he will be back. |
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