Hamilton 2004-05

[blaise]

At the start of the AHL season I insisted that the defense corps of the Bulldogs looked schwach. The names that were tossed about in preseason failed to impress me. They turned out to be utterly inept. The only prospects who just might make it to the Habs (O'Byrne, Korpikari, Korneev) aren't available, and even they aren't sure bets.

By the way, I saw first round pick A.J. Thelen of Michigan State play in a televised game against Minnesota. He didn't impress me.

[blaise]

M. said:

Of course it is. The two teams are virtually identicial in goals for; Hartford has scored 40 and the Bulldogs have scored 41. Plus Balej is playing for a team which is relying on a defensive game with much greater success than Hamilton is enjoying at present.

The Rangers have loaded up their system with some good prospects as the result of trades and drafting at the end of last season (Sather belatedly saw the light), and the Hartford coach seems to be a better tutor than Jarvis. While I am not knocking the Habs' 2004 draft, which has no impact on the current AHL season, I look askance at the 99-cent-store free agents Gainey recently acquired for Hamilton. For example, Gavin Morgan is a toad, and I am sorely disappointed in Dan Focht (I could name others). Still another thing: Trevor Daley doesn't seem to know how to defend. Finally, Hartford isn't saddled with a Smellis-Ellis. So if it isn't entirely Jarvis's fault, his bosses must share in the blame.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Blaise said:

The Rangers have loaded up their system with some good prospects as the result of trades and drafting at the end of last season (Sather belatedly saw the light)...

Reminiscent of Ye Olde Penguin Fire Sale.

...and the Hartford coach seems to be a better tutor than Jarvis.

Well, the players do seem to be paying him more mind. Or are they just a more talented bunch?

While I am not knocking the Habs' 2004 draft, which has no impact on the current AHL season, I look askance at the 99-cent-store free agents Gainey recently acquired for Hamilton. For example, Gavin Morgan is a toad, and I am sorely disappointed in Dan Focht (I could name others). Still another thing: Trevor Daley doesn't seem to know how to defend. Finally, Hartford isn't saddled with a Smellis-Ellis. So if it isn't entirely Jarvis's fault, his bosses must share in the blame.

Morgan sure ain't no Gratton. And with Komisarek and Coté injured we were Focht even before we signed him.

34 goals surrendered in 18 games does suggest that there isn't a Yin and Yan situation as far as Hartford's goaltending goes.

I must admit that pairing Daley with Hainsey seems to be a golden invite to test one's goalie's reflexes.

[blaise]

If the NHL manages to salvage part of this season it would be a golden opportunity for a select few players in Hamilton. Higgins, Plekanec, and Ward are already up to speed and wouldn't require a full training camp. If Komisarek hasn't recovered from his hip injury by then, Hainsey would feel added pressure to succeed.

[Gogie]

Blaise said:

If Komisarek hasn't recovered from his hip injury by then, Hainsey would feel added pressure to succeed.

I have to laugh everytime I hear Hainsey's name and NHL used in the same sentence. For those of you who have not seen him play regularly this season, give it up. He's far from the best defenceman on the Bulldogs, let alone ready for the NHL. If Hamilton had 5 or 6 AHL calibre defencemen then Hainsey would be heading down (to the ECHL) not up! His play has been mediocre at best so far this year. From what I've seen (and I've seen alot) he's continued to regress, not progress, over the last two years. He's useless in his own end, he has trouble skating backwards, and, despite his size, he shys away from physical play. If the Habs could get a bucket of used pucks for this guy I'd consider it a steal.

I hope Hainsey eventually proves me wrong, but he has a long way to go to do that!

[blaise]

There could be two openings on the Habs if the season resumes shortly. Besides Komisarek's hip, there's Brisebois' back to worry about

[seventeen]

Blaise said:

...... there's Brisebois' back to worry about

Brisebois' back and there's going to be trouble, Hey la, hey lay, Brisebois' back.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

seventeen said:

Brisebois' back and there's going to be trouble, Hey la, hey lay, Brisebois' back.

Da do Ron Ron?

[blaise]

Oh, my broken wood back.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Been a while since I looked forward to doing a

Stats Update

Points: Plekanec 17, Locke 13, Ward 12, Higgins and Milroy 11.
Goals: Plekanec and Locke 7, Ward 6, Higgins 5, Milroy and Kostitsyn 4.
Assists: Plekanec 10, Daley 8, Milroy and Thinel 7, 5 tied with 6.

+/- (good): Locke +5, Higgins +4, Coté +3, Lambert +2, Jancevski 0.
+/- (bad and ugly): Morgan -9, Ivanans -8, Plante -7, Hainsey -6, daley and Thinel -5.

PIM: Ivanans 95, Ott 79, Focht 64, Jancevski 58, Morgan 57.

PPG: Ward 5, Locke 4, Plekanec 3, Milroy 2, Hainsey and Jancevski 1.
SHG: Higgins 2, Kostitsyn and Morgan 1.
GWG: Higgins and MIlroy 2, 5 tied with 1.

Shots: Plekanec 81, Higgins 69, Hainsey 68, Daley 57, Ward 56.
Shot %: Locke 16.7, Kostitsyn 11.8, Milroy 10.8, Ward 10.7, Plekanec 8.6

Danis: 7-6-1, 1 SO, 2.40 GAA, .920 save %.
Ellis: 3-9-0, 1 SO, 2.70 GAA, .911 save %.

[franko]

M. said:

Stats Update

Points: Locke 13
Goals: Locke 7
Assists: tied with 6.

+/- (good): Locke +5,

Shot %: Locke 16.7

Not bad for a small guy who doesn't have what it takes to make it. If only he would shoot more . . .

M. said:

Ellis: 3 . . , 1 SO, 2.70 GAA,

On a bit of a roll, is he?

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

franko said:

Not bad for a small guy who doesn't have what it takes to make it. If only he would shoot more . . .


On a bit of a roll, is he?

Locke may not lead the AHL in scoring this year, but he has shown he can produce at every level. After a slow start he's turning up his game. He isn't getting a lot of ice time, but it's interesting to see that his linemates have upped their production too. Cause or effect. His +/- is excellent for a guy who gets half of his goals on the PP so they don't count overall.
I don't think Lockes game is shooting. He looks for the open man and threads seeing eye passes to the tape.

[NWTHabsFan]

The Bulldogs' Bus is going west, young man.

The Dogs head to the 'Peg this weekend to play a pair of games against the hot Manitoba Moose in their brand new downtown arena (where did Eaton's go?). After those Friday and Saturday tilts against the bison-loving Moose, the Greyhound points further west to the Alberta capital that is celebrating its 100th year anniversary. The games against the Roadrunners (never seen one live personally in all my many trips to Alberta) are on Monday and Wednesday night, and should be two more tough challenges. A good test for our young boys coming off three well earned wins in a row. Both teams are ahead of the Dogs in the divisional standings, so basically four four-point road games in a row.

For those that are all out of frequent flyer points or cannot afford the time to traverse (*Horrible Flashback*) our great land, all four games are going be delivered to your living room courtesy of our friendly neighbourhood Sportsnet.

[blaise]

The team's weak scoring is discouraging.

www.theahl.com/AHLStatistics0405/hamilton.html

[NWTHabsFan]

With Higgins injured and with Kostitsyn soon to be North Dakota bound for the WJC, the Dogs have recalled Christian Larrivee from the Ice Dogs.

www.icedogs.com/news/?cat=3&id=174

[blaise]

Oh, so now there's nothing for them to worry about.

[Skilly]

Ying Yann: 8W 8L (although one was in a shootout, but being as great as he is, he should be happy nobody is in his way) 2.48 GAA 0.916 S%

Those numbers get worse and worse with each passing day. At least he is consistent, he has the same winning percentage as he did with Brown.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

NWTHabsFan said:

With Higgins injured and with Kostitsyn soon to be North Dakota bound for the WJC, the Dogs have recalled Christian Larrivee from the Ice Dogs.

www.icedogs.com/news/?cat=3&id=174

Hmmm, I was hoping that Urquhart (3-5-8, -1) would get the call before Larrivée (2-3-5, -1). I guess Larrivée has more experience and is being given every chance to show something before he runs out of track.

[NWTHabsFan]

Skilly said:

Ying Yann: 8W 8L (although one was in a shootout, but being as great as he is, he should be happy nobody is in his way) 2.48 GAA 0.916 S%

Those numbers get worse and worse with each passing day. At least he is consistent, he has the same winning percentage as he did with Brown.

A lot of those losses come as a result of a team that just can't seem to find its scoring touch in front of him and a mediocre defence that goes for stretches without doing him any favours. Just ask his buddy Dan Ellis with 9 straight losses to start the season.

Danis gave up 6 goals against a strong Manitoba team this past weekend, but only one was anywhere near his "fault". He gave up a bad rebound off to the side that was whacked into an open net. Other than that, he is very sound positionally and has very good reflexes. I am glad we have him in the system.

[NWTHabsFan]

M. said:

Hmmm, I was hoping that Urquhart (3-5-8, -1) would get the call before Larrivée (2-3-5, -1). I guess Larrivée has more experience and is being given every chance to show something before he runs out of track.

He had my vote as well. All things being equal, I would have gone with the younger guy with the higher upside. Depending on how long Higgins is out with his injury (haven't heard a boo about it, just the fact he didn't play on Saturday after a solid game on Friday) and with Kosty missing a few with his stint in the WJC, there may be room for another call-up which should be Urquhart. Dusablon is the only other roster forward left that I can recall, and he is still in limbo recovering from that herniated disk in his neck.

[HabbaDasher]

Doesn't Higgins play LW in Hamilton?
Why call up a center (Urquhart) when Larivee plays LW?

[Skilly]

NWTHabsFan said:

A lot of those losses come as a result of a team that just can't seem to find its scoring touch in front of him and a mediocre defence that goes for stretches without doing him any favours. Just ask his buddy Dan Ellis with 9 straight losses to start the season.

Danis gave up 6 goals against a strong Manitoba team this past weekend, but only one was anywhere near his "fault". He gave up a bad rebound off to the side that was whacked into an open net. Other than that, he is very sound positionally and has very good reflexes. I am glad we have him in the system.

I didn't hear any such reprieve for Theo playing behind a weak defense, so I will not afford such an "ordained heir apparent" the same luxury.

For a Habs goalie (and let's face it he is a Habs goalie, not a Dogs goalie) to be successful he has to play good despite his defensive unit. Danis could not play above 0.500 on Brown, now he struggles to play above 0.500 on Hamilton, could it be that he is only a 0.500 goalie? Ohh nooo, of course not ..... we will just keep using the excuse (which isn't afford to any other goalie in the system or even Ellis from posters on here) that it was the defense's fault. Sure we have a whole thread on Ellis' ineptitude, but I suppose he had great defense in those games.

[NWTHabsFan]

Skilly said:

I didn't hear any such reprieve for Theo playing behind a weak defense, so I will not afford such an "ordained heir apparent" the same luxury.

For a Habs goalie (and let's face it he is a Habs goalie, not a Dogs goalie) to be successful he has to play good despite his defensive unit. Danis could not play above 0.500 on Brown, now he struggles to play above 0.500 on Hamilton, could it be that he is only a 0.500 goalie? Ohh nooo, of course not ..... we will just keep using the excuse (which isn't afford to any other goalie in the system or even Ellis from posters on here) that it was the defense's fault. Sure we have a whole thread on Ellis' ineptitude, but I suppose he had great defense in those games.

No excuses here. I watched him this weekend play .500 hockey and found him to be a very sound goalie with lots of potential. No difference from the other games in which I have seen him play this year to date. I am looking past his current stats (which aren't horrible) and his current defence and I can see that potential. Others are welcome to ordain him or conversely, to relish in the hopes of being the first to the "I told you so" club, but I just like how this young man plays.

[blaise]

Skilly said:

I didn't hear any such reprieve for Theo playing behind a weak defense, so I will not afford such an "ordained heir apparent" the same luxury.

For a Habs goalie (and let's face it he is a Habs goalie, not a Dogs goalie) to be successful he has to play good despite his defensive unit. Danis could not play above 0.500 on Brown, now he struggles to play above 0.500 on Hamilton, could it be that he is only a 0.500 goalie? Ohh nooo, of course not ..... we will just keep using the excuse (which isn't afford to any other goalie in the system or even Ellis from posters on here) that it was the defense's fault. Sure we have a whole thread on Ellis' ineptitude, but I suppose he had great defense in those games.

Just watch him play before you give your .500 verdict. There are good goaltenders in the NHL with career sub-.500 records. I might add that there are quite a few good (i.e., NHL-capable) goaltenders on opposing teams in the AHL this season. Hamilton is not among the stronger teams. Just look at the scoring stats (57 goals in 28 games, including OT) and bear in mind that the defense sucks. Even with that shabby defense--and it really is a millstone around his neck--don't you think his record would be better than .500 if his team scored as many goals per game as his GAA?

[Skilly]

Blaise said:

Just watch him play before you give your .500 verdict. There are good goaltenders in the NHL with career sub-.500 records. I might add that there are quite a few good (i.e., NHL-capable) goaltenders on opposing teams in the AHL this season. Hamilton is not among the stronger teams. Just look at the scoring stats (57 goals in 28 games, including OT) and bear in mind that the defense sucks. Even with that shabby defense--and it really is a millstone around his neck--don't you think his record would be better than .500 if his team scored as many goals per game as his GAA?

Any goalie could say that. " Don't look at my 4.89 GAA. If my team was scoring as many goals as I was giving up, sure I would have a great record."

Yes Hamilton's defense sucks. (So does Montreal's)
Yes Hamilton's offense is lethargic (So is Montreal's)

If you want to be a Habs goalie "Oh Yanny Boy" then get used to it. You may be a great prospect, but in Montreal they expect results. 0.500 and below are not acceptable.

Btw, correct me if I am wrong, but most on here thought the Dogs had a wonderful team this year and looked forward to them contending for the Calder. But now that they are faltering, people look for excuses? We don't do it for the parent club, and since the parent club is not available, I don't see why we shoudl do it for the farm. These are the guys who could in all likelihood, be the team next year, might as well get them used to our scrutiny.

Ying Yann is now a sub 0.500 goalie. 8-9

[blaise]

I was not one of those who panted to climb aboard the Hamilton bandwagon. I pointed out a number of times that the defense was very weak, a situation aggravated by Komisarek's absence. Whatever might be said about the Habs' Dmen, they rate comparatively better in the NHL than Hamilton's does in the AHL. I'd say Hainsey et Cie rank near the bottom of that league. The situation is compounded by the inexperience of many of the forwards.

Skilly, you might want to read what fans on HabsRus (and other sites) who have seen Danis play say about him. Their comments are as encouraging as yours are discouraging. Same thing about Higgins, by the way.

[Skilly]

Blaise said:

Skilly, you might want to read what fans on HabsRus (and other sites) who have seen Danis play say about him. Their comments are as encouraging as yours are discouraging. Same thing about Higgins, by the way.

Only time will tell, mon ami Pascal. Only time will tell. I don't mind admitting when I am wrong, I hope the same can be said of you. And let's not forget, I did not say they wouldn't make the team, just Danis will not be a #1 goalie and Higgins will not be an offensive star but a third or fourth liner grinder. I do not see him as an offensive threat in the NHL.

[NWTHabsFan]

Skilly said:

Btw, correct me if I am wrong, but most on here thought the Dogs had a wonderful team this year and looked forward to them contending for the Calder. But now that they are faltering, people look for excuses?

Count me as one of those people who thought the Dogs would have a much better year and compete for top spot in their division. What I failed to properly take into account were two main factors: the impact of the lockout on other teams, and the impact of players lost.

The first is very hard to define, but every lineup has players that either were, or should be, playing in the NHL if not for the lockout. That includes the Dogs as well, but most of those other teams have brought those players in to add to and to improve their lineup. I agree with Hainsey's comments on Saturday night, there are no off nights any more because the overall calibre of play is just that much better than last season.

The second is a bit easier to define, and it really compounds when impacted by the first factor. The team has lost 7 of its top 10 scorers from last year (#2 Balej, #3 Gratton, #4 Perezhogin, #6 Hossa, #7 Beauchemin, #8 Somervuori, and #10 Traverse). The team also lost three of its top 4 defencemen (Beauchemin, Dykhuis and Traverse), its top two goalies (Damphousse and Fichaud - 66 games between the two), and has seen a huge overall turnover in its roster.

I suppose some may feel that these two factors are "excuses", but I see them more as reasons to feel optimistic that the current performance is not all that bad considering the relative youth and inexperience of the prospects on the team. I still think that a playoff spot is in their sights, and currently it is only 7 points away (5 if they win tomorrow night). I think there is lots of time for them to make up that ground and get the valuable playoff experience this spring. Go Dogs Go!!

[NWTHabsFan]

The Bulldogs' road bus gets some mileage over the next three nights as they trek off to the US midwest for three road games in three nights in three different cities. Tonight they face the Baby Ducks (*crappy wine flashback*) in Cincinnati, tomorrow is the Tootoo Train and the rest of the baby Preds in Milwaukee, and night three is in Grand Rapids to face the baby Wings.

[seventeen]

NWTHabsFan said:

I suppose some may feel that these two factors are "excuses", but I see them more as reasons to feel optimistic that the current performance is not all that bad considering the relative youth and inexperience of the prospects on the team. I still think that a playoff spot is in their sights, and currently it is only 7 points away (5 if they win tomorrow night). I think there is lots of time for them to make up that ground and get the valuable playoff experience this spring. Go Dogs Go!!

Agree totallly. They're doing well under the circumstances. As their goaltending and defence mature, they'll score more and win more.