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Post by clear observer on Apr 7, 2010 11:17:47 GMT -5
Montreal prospect Subban makes his mark in AHLTuesday, 04.06.2010 / 6:08 PM / AHL Update By A.J. Atchue - Special to NHL.com 64
Share It seems more inevitable by the day that defenseman P.K. Subban is Montreal-bound and will enjoy a lengthy career in the NHL. If the 2009-10 season does indeed turn out to be his only full year in the American Hockey League, he is certainly leaving his mark.
One of the Canadiens' top young prospects, Subban possesses a dynamic set of skills along with a firm confidence – but well short of cockiness – in his ability to put them to use. That combination has paved the way for a monster rookie campaign as a member of the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs, Montreal's top affiliate.
"I have a lot of skills that I like to use out there, and it's just a matter of knowing when to use them and how to use them," Subban said. "I've done that at every level, and I'm just happy to see that it's continuing to work here."
Oh, it's worked, for sure.
A second-round pick (No. 43) by Montreal in the 2007 Entry Draft, Pernell Karl Subban leads AHL rookie defensemen with 18 goals and 53 points in 74 games for Hamilton. His 53 points are third among all AHL defensemen and are also good for a share of third place among all rookies, forwards included.
Subban has excelled at the offensive end of the ice and on the power play – his 11 man-advantage goals are tied for the team lead – and defensively in even-strength situations. His current plus-46 rating would be the highest in the AHL in 17 years.
The native of Rexdale, Ont., participated in the 2010 AHL All-Star Classic, appeared in his first two NHL games with Montreal, and last week was selected to the AHL's All-Rookie Team and First All-Star Team.
"I try to be as well-rounded as possible, but the feedback I've received all through hockey is to use my skating to my advantage," Subban said. "It's one of those things where it helps me move the puck up the ice, helps me get out of situations that I maybe don't want to be in, and it's something that I have to continue to use to be successful."
Subban is no stranger to being known as a quick offensive-minded defenseman. He piled up 76 points in 56 junior games with Belleville of the OHL in 2008-09, and had 3 goals and 6 assists while helping Canada capture gold at the 2009 World Junior Championships.
This year, the 20-year-old has developed into one of the key cogs for a Hamilton squad that enters the final week of the regular season with the AHL's second-best record at 51-16-3-7, good for a franchise-record 112 points.
"He's an extremely enthusiastic individual and player whose got tremendous athletic abilities," first-year Bulldogs coach Guy Boucher said. "It translates on the ice into speed, the ability to protect the puck extremely well, and to be able to get away from a lot of the traffic is probably his biggest asset. He's one of the most mobile defensemen I've ever had."
When asked who they try and model their style of game after, many players will rattle off a list of guys they watched growing up or who may still be active. Subban's choice, though a little more dated, is revealing. He went right to the top of his craft.
"I just think that Bobby Orr is the best defenseman to play the game," said Subban, who wasn't even a twinkle in his parents' eyes when No. 4 hung up his skates in 1979. "He was solid at both ends of the rink, and people respected him both on and off the ice. That's something that I think has to be a big quality in some of the great players, so I try and make it a part of me as a person and as a player."
Like Orr, Subban frequently tries to use his speed and strength to jump into the play offensively, use the entire ice, and not limit himself to being strictly a defensive defenseman.
His numbers speak for themselves -- but one of the key elements of Subban's development this season has been figuring out when to jump into the play and when it's better to sit back.
"We've tried to tame it down a little bit – at the beginning of the year, he was jumping in at all kinds of moments where it wasn't needed," Boucher said. "He can go end to end and create offensive chances, but what he's done is improve the ratio of when to do it and when not to do it."
It all comes back to the maturation process -- and, again, being confident without being cocky.
"As long as I'm helping my team and doing the right things out there, that's all that matters," Subban said. "The only critics I really listen to anyway are my coaches. For them, it's positive criticism, and there's times when I'm learning. I'm young, I'm still making mistakes, but I'm always learning."
Like most young players, Subban plans to work hard this summer and come to training camp in September ready to battle for an NHL spot. For a guy who grew up following the Canadiens, earning a full-time gig with the big club would be a dream come true.
"I've been pretty lucky to be able to come into an organization like the Montreal Canadiens, and my first year to be on a winning team and be a big part of that," Subban said. "It's amazing, and it's a lot of fun. It's been a learning process for me -- I've learned so much this year, and I'm going to continue to learn."
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Apr 7, 2010 11:31:58 GMT -5
I know the plus/minus stat can be misleading, but PK also leads the AHL in that stat now:
Subban +47, Trotter, +33, Desharnais, +30.
I think when you put up numbers like this we simply have to take notice of them. Good job guys.
Cheers.
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Post by Doc Holliday on Apr 7, 2010 11:58:02 GMT -5
Desharnais is the AHL 5th scorer with 78 pts in only 59 games. Pretty amazing. ...and still he goes somewhat under the radar it seems. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 7, 2010 17:20:13 GMT -5
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Post by seventeen on Apr 7, 2010 19:15:55 GMT -5
Desharnais is the AHL 5th scorer with 78 pts in only 59 games. Pretty amazing. ...and still he goes somewhat under the radar it seems. So he's a stealth kind of guy, huh Doc? It's taken him a while to prove things (he's 23 I think), but he keeps excelling at every level. Even though he's small, you have to give a guy like that a chance. |
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Post by Yossarian on Apr 7, 2010 20:54:38 GMT -5
Awesome achievement for Boucher. Everything that we've heard about this guy really excites me. The results speak for themselves. Another year or two in Hamilton, and he will have enough experience to take over the big team. The coaching style he seems to preach is something I don't think the big club has ever been exposed to, and long overdue.
I guess it is up to Gauthier as to how long JM keeps the seat warm.
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Post by Anardil1 on Apr 7, 2010 22:22:37 GMT -5
Awesome achievement for Boucher. Everything that we've heard about this guy really excites me. The results speak for themselves. Another year or two in Hamilton, and he will have enough experience to take over the big team. The coaching style he seems to preach is something I don't think the big club has ever been exposed to, and long overdue. I guess it is up to Gauthier as to how long JM keeps the seat warm. I believe that Boucher won't last a couple of seasons more in the AHL. According to Pierre McGuire, Boucher has built quite a positive reputation in pro hockey circles. The buzz is that if the Habs don't bring him up to the big club soon, some team will poach him. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Apr 8, 2010 7:44:15 GMT -5
Desharnais is the AHL 5th scorer with 78 pts in only 59 games. Pretty amazing. ...and still he goes somewhat under the radar it seems. So he's a stealth kind of guy, huh Doc? It's taken him a while to prove things (he's 23 I think), but he keeps excelling at every level. Even though he's small, you have to give a guy like that a chance. Who would you guys compare him too? Danny Brassard? I haven't seen him play all that much, so I really don't know. Cheers. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Apr 8, 2010 7:50:02 GMT -5
Awesome achievement for Boucher. Everything that we've heard about this guy really excites me. The results speak for themselves. Another year or two in Hamilton, and he will have enough experience to take over the big team. The coaching style he seems to preach is something I don't think the big club has ever been exposed to, and long overdue. I guess it is up to Gauthier as to how long JM keeps the seat warm. I believe that Boucher won't last a couple of seasons more in the AHL. According to Pierre McGuire, Boucher has built quite a positive reputation in pro hockey circles. The buzz is that if the Habs don't bring him up to the big club soon, some team will poach him. I didn't hear McGuire on Boucher, but I was thinking yesterday that it probably won't be too long for a club to ask permission from the Habs to speak to him. I wouldn't want to lose this guy to another club. If it comes down to other clubs being interested in him, the organization should do what it can to keep him even if that means promoting him to the big club in Montreal. Even as an assistant coach he'll be able to significantly contribute; knowledge of the organization's prospects, unwaivering respect from his players, etc. He's been the most positive influence we've had in the system for quite some time. We simply can't afford to lose him IMO. Cheers. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 8, 2010 12:13:49 GMT -5
I honestly don't see the Habs letting someone else get their mitts on Coach Boucher anytime soon. He may not be in Montreal right away, but it will happen sometime sooner rather than later.
M. Gauthier...protect thy assets, especially your best ones.
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Post by seventeen on Apr 9, 2010 0:20:37 GMT -5
If I had my druthers (which were misplaced sometime ago and never recovered), the entire management team from Boivin on down would be replaced. But most of all, I'd want Boucher as my coach, starting immediately. This guy resonates with the players. When they need to play well, the Dogs play well. Wouldn't that be a welcome change?
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Post by clear observer on Apr 9, 2010 13:07:31 GMT -5
If I had my druthers (which were misplaced sometime ago and never recovered), the entire management team from Boivin on down would be replaced. But most of all, I'd want Boucher as my coach, starting immediately. This guy resonates with the players. When they need to play well, the Dogs play well. Wouldn't that be a welcome change? With ya, all the way. |
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Post by seventeen on Apr 9, 2010 23:06:44 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 9, 2010 23:20:24 GMT -5
Sounds like Trotter and Desharnais were not used as much, as Boucher is trying to give some of his key guys a rest leading into the playoffs. Robert Mayer is supposed to start tomorrow in Hogtown. Sandford's ankle will likely keep him out until the end of the first round, so Desjardins will see all those games, so giving him a night off now makes a ton of sense. Wyman with a big game, as he has quietly put together a superb season. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 10, 2010 15:59:47 GMT -5
No Trotter, Desharnais or Desjardins today as they finish up the regular season. Good start for the boys regardless. Go Dogs Go.
Edit: White and Weber get a rest too!
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Post by seventeen on Apr 14, 2010 1:28:32 GMT -5
A friend of mine who is a knowledgeable hockey guy and a fellow Habs fan recently saw the Dogs when they were in Abbotsford. His observations of some of the key guys - he wishes Desharnais and Trotter were bigger, because they have great skills. Subban is a project. Great physical skills, but he was all over the place. At one point he may have been benched temporarily because he wasn't out on the ice. So if he can be coached and trained to be more disciplined, he's a super talent.
The final observation? The Dogs are an extremely well coached team. Not many budding superstars on the club, but they played very well together. More kudos for Boucher.
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Post by Yossarian on Apr 15, 2010 21:25:44 GMT -5
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Post by seventeen on Apr 17, 2010 18:53:20 GMT -5
The Moose get skinned 8-2. Trotter and Subban as first and 2nd stars. Manitoba's goaltending obviously not up to par in this game, as Dogs got 37 shots, but 8 goals is a lot. We're up 2-0 and the team seems to not be suffering any nerve damange.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 17, 2010 22:05:15 GMT -5
I got a whole lot of points in my AHL Calder Cup Challenge hockey pool team. Atta boy Doggies!! Now all I need is Maxwell to get sent down to get some points for me sooner rather than later. He isn't needed in Montreal right now, do the right thing PG.
Off to the MTS Centre in the 'Peg up 2-0. Sweet!!
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Post by roke on Apr 17, 2010 22:42:33 GMT -5
If the NHL reffing is as bad next game as it was tonight, I'll head downtown for game 4 of the Moose-Bulldogs series.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 21, 2010 23:30:07 GMT -5
Dogs win a thrilla in the Peg tonight 5-4 in 2OT. PK with the winner in the double OT period, his second of the night. Glumac, with 2, and Trotter had the other. Desjardins got the win despite being shaky early on. The Dogs now stick around for one more in the Manitoba capital for game 5 on Friday night. With the Dogs up 3-1 now in the series, games 6 and 7 if necessary will be back in Steeltown. Because of the long travel in this series, it is a 2-3-2 format so this win was huge. I am sure Boucher did not want to be tied up with one more in their barn. When I tuned in after the Habs game was over it was 4-2 for the bad guys in the second. I was not hopeful as it sure sounded like a repeat of the big boys. Thankfully, the ending was quite different. Onwards and upwards. theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007230 |
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Post by seventeen on Apr 22, 2010 0:45:11 GMT -5
Aaron Palushaj with the 3rd star in that game. Subban with 2 and th OT winner, but not one of the stars. Interesting..
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Apr 22, 2010 18:06:09 GMT -5
If Hamilton gets knocked out of the AHL playoffs we get to bring up guys like Palushaj and Subban.
If Montreal gets knocked out can we send the Kostitsyns to Hamilton or do they have to earn a spot on the Bulldogs?
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Post by roke on Apr 22, 2010 18:22:50 GMT -5
If Hamilton gets knocked out of the AHL playoffs we get to bring up guys like Palushaj and Subban. If Montreal gets knocked out can we send the Kostitsyns to Hamilton or do they have to earn a spot on the Bulldogs? I don't think Sergei is on Hamilton's clear-day roster for the playoffs, so it would take an injury to one of the 23 players on the roster to allow him to play. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 23, 2010 9:36:09 GMT -5
If Hamilton gets knocked out of the AHL playoffs we get to bring up guys like Palushaj and Subban. If Montreal gets knocked out can we send the Kostitsyns to Hamilton or do they have to earn a spot on the Bulldogs? As far as the Kosty's go, no they cannot go to Hamilton if the Habs are knocked out. Only Maxwell and Pyatt can be sent down as they are the only two Habs on the Bulldogs Clear Day Roster. If there are injuries, suspensions or callups, they can use players on their In-Residence list, but there are no current Habs on that list. They can also dress and play any players signed to Amateur Try Out contracts after their junior or NCAA seasons are over. There are two players in that category right now: Hunter Bishop and Brendan Nash. Bishop has been playing some with the Dogs. Not sure if Nash in even practicing with the team. Pacioretty has been injured and no word on his potential return. Dogs can win their first round series tonight in the Peg. Go Dogs Go. |
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Post by jkr on Apr 23, 2010 15:28:53 GMT -5
If Hamilton gets knocked out of the AHL playoffs we get to bring up guys like Palushaj and Subban. If Montreal gets knocked out can we send the Kostitsyns to Hamilton or do they have to earn a spot on the Bulldogs? As far as the Kosty's go, no they cannot go to Hamilton if the Habs are knocked out. Only Maxwell and Pyatt can be sent down as they are the only two Habs on the Bulldogs Clear Day Roster. If there are injuries, suspensions or callups, they can use players on their In-Residence list, but there are no current Habs on that list. They can also dress and play any players signed to Amateur Try Out contracts after their junior or NCAA seasons are over. Does that include David Fischer? |
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Post by CentreHice on Apr 23, 2010 16:16:17 GMT -5
 Mike Keane still kickin' it with the Moose. He'll be 43 next month. Good job, Keener. Keane ProfileIf there was a 110% award..... |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 23, 2010 18:20:27 GMT -5
As far as the Kosty's go, no they cannot go to Hamilton if the Habs are knocked out. Only Maxwell and Pyatt can be sent down as they are the only two Habs on the Bulldogs Clear Day Roster. If there are injuries, suspensions or callups, they can use players on their In-Residence list, but there are no current Habs on that list. They can also dress and play any players signed to Amateur Try Out contracts after their junior or NCAA seasons are over. Does that include David Fischer? If they sign him before the playoffs are done...yes. |
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Post by seventeen on Apr 23, 2010 22:44:42 GMT -5
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Post by Gogie on Apr 24, 2010 18:49:37 GMT -5
Looks like Desjardins didn't play too well either - 4 goals on 21 shots (Dogs outshot the Moose 30-22). Heading down to Steeltown tomorrow to take in Game 6. |
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