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Post by blaise on Aug 21, 2004 12:39:25 GMT -5
Herb Zurkowsky of the Montréal Gazette ranks the Habs prospects as follows (2004 draft picks not included):
Sure-fire NHLers
Andrei Kostitsyn
Chris Higgins
Alexander Perezhogin
Marcel Hossa
Ron Hainsey
Cory Urquhart
Michael Lambert
Maxim Lapierre
Tomas Plekanec
Yann Danis
IMO Plekanec and Danis are as likely as Hossa and Hainsey to have NHL careers. It's too early to judge Urquhart, Lambert, and Lapierre.
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Post by mic on Aug 21, 2004 17:58:17 GMT -5
I'm a bit surprised to see Plekanec only ranked as the 9th prospect the Habs have, behind Lambert, Urquhart or Lapierre. I don't know if I wouldn't even put him behind Hainsey and Hossa. Of course, some of these players are supposed to have more potential than Plekanec, but the season he had in Hamilton (and the few games he played with Montreal) showed in my opinion that he should be seriously concidered as a wild card for the next camp while players like Lambert must first get a spot on Hamilton.
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Post by JFM on Aug 22, 2004 0:03:47 GMT -5
Zeke Herbowski (as Jack Todd calls him) is even less knowledgeable than Pat Hickey when it comes to covering the Habs.
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Post by BadCompany on Aug 22, 2004 11:38:54 GMT -5
I'm a bit surprised to see Plekanec only ranked as the 9th prospect the Habs have, behind Lambert, Urquhart or Lapierre. I don't know if I wouldn't even put him behind Hainsey and Hossa. Of course, some of these players are supposed to have more potential than Plekanec, but the season he had in Hamilton (and the few games he played with Montreal) showed in my opinion that he should be seriously concidered as a wild card for the next camp while players like Lambert must first get a spot on Hamilton. I guess it depends on what went into the ranking process. As far as Plekanec goes, I too think he is a very talented prospect, and probably one of the better players in Hamilton last year (for stretches). The problem comes in figuring out how he fits into Montreal, or the NHL. He's a small center on a team with a bunch of small centers, and with a GM who has publicly stated they "need to get bigger up front." You could move him to the wing, I suppose, and its something I speculated on, but that doesn't make him any bigger, and it takes away from the style of game he plays (shifty, dancing, jittery water-bug who is all over the place). And even if you disregard his size, you still have to ask where he is going to play in Montreal. Koivu and Ribeiro seem set, Bonk just signed a three year contract, and 4th line center seems a waste, and again, isn't really the game he plays. On the other hand, of the prospects listed ahead of Plekanec, the first four are wingers (which we have a need for), the 5th is a defenseman (also needed), and the next three are centers/wingers with size and/or grit. A guy like Lapierre, for example, a gritty, shift-disturber who bangs around and crashes like there is no tomorrow, is much more lacking in the system (and on the big team) than a talented, skilled player who isn't all that big or strong (no matter how hard he tries). Plekanec will probably have an NHL career, and probably a good one at that. But I'm not so sure it will be with Montreal. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if he is next year's trade bait at the deadline (I'd angle for a stud defenseman). |
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Post by blaise on Aug 22, 2004 12:30:10 GMT -5
Your points are all well taken. However. the rankings should be based on the player's ability rather than on the Habs' specific needs. Another team might consider Plekanec more attractive than Hossa in future terms. The fact that Hossa hasn't been traded by now makes me suspect that other teams haven't expressed strong interest in him either in a one-for-one deal or in a package. As for room on the Habs, I believe Plekanec would be the first center to be recalled if Koivu or Ribeiro is injured (assuming Higgins is seen as a left wing). It is also not out of the question for Ribeiro to be traded in a deal for that defenseman if Plekanec continues to improve. They bring different assets to the game, and IMO Ribeiro is not yet a complete player.
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Post by seventeen on Aug 24, 2004 1:06:15 GMT -5
And even if you disregard his size, you still have to ask where he is going to play in Montreal. Koivu and Ribeiro seem set, Bonk just signed a three year contract, and 4th line center seems a waste, and again, isn't really the game he plays. And if Ribs gets traded? I still don't see him as a Gainey type player, and those don't last for long. |
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Aug 24, 2004 2:30:59 GMT -5
And if Ribs gets traded? I still don't see him as a Gainey type player, and those don't last for long. The Montreal Canadiens didn't have 18 Gaineys on the ice ever; They had Gainey as a defensive forward, Lafleur carrying the puck, Shutt shooting, Robinson defending etc........... Gainey knows he needs a mix of players and skills. Ribs has a place on the team and a leadership role too. |
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Post by Bob on Aug 24, 2004 8:57:48 GMT -5
Ribs has a place on the team and a leadership role too. Ribeiro has a lot of offensive skills but isn't a complete hockey player in the sense of playing both ends of the ice. Neither is he dominating enough offensively at this point to neglect the defensive part of the game. Hopefully he keeps improving those on ice skills. As for a leadership role... he has a lot more work to do in that area. He gives me the impression of a "me first" kind of guy and not someone you would turn to for advice or leadership. It could happen that he develops those skills as well but that would seem to be much farther down the road. |
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Post by FormerLurker on Aug 24, 2004 10:15:58 GMT -5
Plekanec will probably have an NHL career, and probably a good one at that. But I'm not so sure it will be with Montreal. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if he is next year's trade bait at the deadline (I'd angle for a stud defenseman). Rhett Warrener. Not exactly a stud, but still a youngish veteran with three trips to the finals under his belt (Florida 96, Buffalo 99, Calgary 04). He's 28, 6'2", 217 lbs, and mean. Oh, and he could be effectively paired with Markov, as he's a righty. Calgary's probably got the best defence in the league, so they might be tempted to let him go. Calgary could use a center, Plekanec is the kind of player that would fit in well in Sutter's system, and he fits their budget too. |
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Post by FormerLurker on Aug 27, 2004 8:56:00 GMT -5
Calgary's probably got the best defence in the league, so they might be tempted to let him go. Calgary could use a center, Plekanec is the kind of player that would fit in well in Sutter's system, and he fits their budget too. The Flames just acquired Langkow, who is exactly the kind of player that Plekanec may emerge to be. Langkow's profile on waymoresports sounds like it could be describing Plekanec: ASSETS: Plays a complete game up the middle. Is very creative with the puck and defensively sound without it. Can produce good numbers, especially in the assists department. FLAWS: Lacks the ideal size of a true No. 1 center. His aggressive nature leads to occasional bad penalties. CAREER POTENTIAL: Second-line center. |
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Post by blaise on Aug 27, 2004 9:29:57 GMT -5
Sounds about right.
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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Aug 27, 2004 10:20:21 GMT -5
FWIW, here's plekanec's profile from the same source:
Assets
Has excellent hockey sense and playmaking instincts. Is polished in the defensive zone and not afraid of going in the corners to fish out the puck. Can line up anywhere up front.
Flaws
May not survive the physical aspects of the NHL game, mainly due to his 5-10 frame. Isn't a true sniper and could struggle to find the back of the net in the big league.
Career potential Third line forward.
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Post by BadCompany on Aug 27, 2004 11:19:55 GMT -5
Can line up anywhere up front. Well, he lists himself as a center, he's played most, if not all of his two AHL seasons at center, he played his entire Czech career as a center, and at every developmental camp, rookie tournament or training camp the Habs have had him line up at center. If it walks like a duck... |
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Post by Doc Holliday on Aug 27, 2004 13:14:01 GMT -5
"not afraid to go in the corner" doesn't mean likes to play with grit and a physical edge like Langkow… I think this guy is closer to a Dackell in terms of potential. A "complete" player with lack of size isn't necessarily a highly sought commodity which would explain his low ranking.
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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Aug 27, 2004 13:43:42 GMT -5
"not afraid to go in the corner" doesn't mean likes to play with grit and a physical edge like Langkow… Soft players do not make a habit of fighting for the puck along the boards and in the corners. First time I've heard him compared to Dackell. Who is giving him a low ranking? "montreal" (who probably has seen more of Pleky live and on tape than most of us) has him pegged thus: 4. (4) Tomas Plekanec, C - Plekanec remains at No. 4, as he enjoyed another very solid year in just his second season playing in North America. Taken in the 2001 draft in the third round, 71st overall, Plekanec ended up the year as the top scorer on his team, and for his efforts was named to the AHL All-Star team and even got to dress in two NHL games this year. Not only did he lead his team in scoring, but he also led them in game winning goals and plus/minus as well, and was 13th in the league in scoring as well, as he helped his team get into the second round of the playoffs. - www.montrealcanadiens.ca/artman/publish/article_202.shtml"montreal" had only Kostitsyn, Perezhogin and Higgins ranked higher among all Habs prospects. He was brought up for a couple of games last season by the Habs, not something that is done with low-ranked prospects. * Koivu C 5'10 181 Ribeiro C 6' 176 Bonk C 6'3 220 Bégin C/LW 5'11 185 Plekanec C/LW 5'10 202 - a few inches shorter than the NHL norm but at average NHL weight. Doesn't sound frail to me. Still very young too. * Claude Julien had only good things to say about this player who he coached in Hamilton, and who had already been noticeable in his first camp with the Canadiens.
"He's a very talented player who doesn't fear going in the corners and getting involved. For a guy who was in his first year in North America, I found that he adapted very quickly and developed a lot during the course of the season.
"He's also a player on who one can count for a big play or a big goal when the situation requires it", continued the coach, who estimates that all that Plekanec is lacking is experience. However, the player himself acknowledges that he must improve his defensive play, even if he considers that he progressed last season.
Julien requires constant defensive involvement from his players: "I like offensive play better, but I understand the situation", says he who was converted to LW from C upon his arrival from the Czech Republic.
Plekanec measures only 5'10", but weighs 202 pounds and he seems very solid. And is a fast skater.
"I don't have a problem with that", he says of the physical play, even if it's the most obvious change in play since he left his country.
"It's much tougher along the boards, we don't play like that back home."- www2.canoe.com/sports/nouvelles/archives/2003/09/20030924-160452.html That was from September 2003. He seems to have been ranked fairly highly even back then. I guess actual judgement will have to wait until he suits up for a regualr shift next season on the Habs. |
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Aug 27, 2004 20:01:25 GMT -5
4. (4) Tomas Plekanec, C - Plekanec remains at No. 4, as he enjoyed another very solid year in just his second season playing in North America. Taken in the 2001 draft in the third round, 71st overall, Plekanec ended up the year as the top scorer on his team, and for his efforts was named to the AHL All-Star team and even got to dress in two NHL games this year. Not only did he lead his team in scoring, but he also led them in game winning goals and plus/minus as well, and was 13th in the league in scoring as well, as he helped his team get into the second round of the playoffs. - www.montrealcanadiens.ca/artman/publish/article_202.shtml"montreal" had only Kostitsyn, Perezhogin and Higgins ranked higher among all Habs prospects. He was brought up for a couple of games last season by the Habs, not something that is done with low-ranked prospects. * Koivu C 5'10 181 Ribeiro C 6' 176 Bonk C 6'3 220 Bégin C/LW 5'11 185 Plekanec C/LW 5'10 202 - a few inches shorter than the NHL norm but at average NHL weight. Doesn't sound frail to me. Still very young too. * Claude Julien had only good things to say about this player who he coached in Hamilton, and who had already been noticeable in his first camp with the Canadiens.
"He's a very talented player who doesn't fear going in the corners and getting involved. For a guy who was in his first year in North America, I found that he adapted very quickly and developed a lot during the course of the season.
"He's also a player on who one can count for a big play or a big goal when the situation requires it", continued the coach, who estimates that all that Plekanec is lacking is experience. However, the player himself acknowledges that he must improve his defensive play, even if he considers that he progressed last season.
Julien requires constant defensive involvement from his players: "I like offensive play better, but I understand the situation", says he who was converted to LW from C upon his arrival from the Czech Republic.
Plekanec measures only 5'10", but weighs 202 pounds and he seems very solid. And is a fast skater.
"I don't have a problem with that", he says of the physical play, even if it's the most obvious change in play since he left his country.
"It's much tougher along the boards, we don't play like that back home."- www2.canoe.com/sports/nouvelles/archives/2003/09/20030924-160452.html That was from September 2003. He seems to have been ranked fairly highly even back then. I guess actual judgement will have to wait until he suits up for a regualr shift next season on the Habs. Agree! Too much is made of players height and weight. John Ferguson was 5'11" and 185 lbs. Steve Begin is 5'11" and 195 lbs. They both played much bigger. Dagenais is listed at 6'5" and 215 lbs but plays much smaller. The numbers don't tell that much. Rosanne Barr 5'8" 240llbs. Cindy Crawford 5'11' 120 lbs. Christy Brinkley 5'10" 122 lbs. Mother Theresa 4'11" 89 lbs. The numbers don't tell the whole story and if you just go by the numbers you might make a horrible mistake.. |
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Post by Skilly on Aug 28, 2004 18:03:25 GMT -5
Rosanne Barr 5'8" 240llbs. Cindy Crawford 5'11' 120 lbs. Christy Brinkley 5'10" 122 lbs. Mother Theresa 4'11" 89 lbs. The numbers don't tell the whole story and if you just go by the numbers you might make a horrible mistake.. Maybe you. But only a deaf man who can't read lips takes a 240 lb woman or a 4'11, 89 lb woman (sound more like a little girl) over 2 - 120 lbs women. |
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Post by PTH on Aug 28, 2004 18:09:28 GMT -5
Maybe you. But only a deaf man who can't read lips takes a 240 lb woman or a 4'11, 89 lb woman (sound more like a little girl) over 2 - 120 lbs women. Yeah, I know, if I were just looking at those numbers, who I'd pick to have beakfast with... I don't know which supermodel I'd end up with, but hey, either would be good company ! |
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