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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 28, 2013 14:45:32 GMT -5
If nothing else, that game was what makes the World Juniors so fun to watch...that was exciting, if not very disappointing for Canada. The Czechs sure took advantage of their chances and blocked a gazillion on Canada's.
I am with seventeen, Hudon needs to play more. He and his line seems to make things happen when he gets a chance. Penalties are drawn, he scored the tying goal today, and he just seems way better than Leier who has not been able to warrant his spot yet. Canada plays both Monday and Tuesday, so I expect Fucale should get a start in the Slovak game and how he plays could determine who plays on NYE.
Reway was the Slovak's player of the game today in their loss to the US. He still managed two goals. He is a surprise co-lead in tourney scoring at the moment. DLR and Collberg each found the scoresheet today against Finland. That game is being replayed tonight on TSN2 after the Habs game.
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Post by GNick99 on Dec 29, 2013 5:13:35 GMT -5
Could look at it like that but every team needs the big, physical 50 point getter. Habs really needed size with this pick. Wasn't nothing available at 25 who didn't come with a negative. Petan, Klimchuk, Dano, or a Hartman lack of size was their question mark. Habs had a bit of depth on the blueline, knew Fucale would be there in 2nd round. Who would you took at 25? Hard to say. I hadn't seen any of these guys play, so any opinions are based on various online rankings. I liked what I'd read of Compher, Hartman and Erne at the time. I get the feeling that Timmins was instructed to pick "biggest" player available, and not "best". I'll be thrilled if I'm eating my words about McCarron, but to me he seems like a pretty big gamble. Time will tell. Wasn't nothing available at 25 who wasn't a gamble. Size and toughness as big part of McCarron pick. I think he'll be alright. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 29, 2013 15:00:18 GMT -5
Sweden did what was expected today and rolled over Norway. Sebastian Collberg had a goal and two assists and DLR had an assist in the 10-0 win. That is one fun team to watch, and the NYE tilt against the Russians should be a doozy!
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 2, 2014 0:29:48 GMT -5
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Post by GNick99 on Jan 3, 2014 10:04:43 GMT -5
Hunters have been practicing him standing in front of the net and deflecting pucks. I think he will pick up a few more garbage goals. Like to see him get some powerplay time but understand London is pretty stacked up front. McCarron's shoulder injury likely hampered his production for several months earlier this season. He started good then fell way off, now a four night as he gets back to himself. His game will never be about points, his physical skills will be his best asset. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 3, 2014 13:09:57 GMT -5
Hunters have been practicing him standing in front of the net and deflecting pucks. I think he will pick up a few more garbage goals. Like to see him get some powerplay time but understand London is pretty stacked up front. McCarron's shoulder injury likely hampered his production for several months earlier this season. He started good then fell way off, now a four night as he gets back to himself. His game will never be about points, his physical skills will be his best asset. He has that raw package that so many teams chase both at the draft and in free agency (these days at a massive premium). His development will be slower, and as you say, cannot be measured alone by the scoresheet. We now have a few bigger bodied prospects that offer the potential for a much better balance for the big club in years to come. Hope he keeps showing signs of positive development. |
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Post by seventeen on Jan 3, 2014 13:12:42 GMT -5
In those highlights, it really shows that he can take so much more time in his play simply because no one can dispossess him of the puck. Naturally, he won't have quite that advantage in the NHL, but the kid is only 19 and still filling out. It always seems to take power forwards longer, so I have no qualms at all about him, as long as he's occasionally putting up 4 points like he did yesterday. All I want to see is flashes, the consistency will come later.
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Post by CentreHice on Jan 3, 2014 15:47:14 GMT -5
Using his size to great advantage. On his fourth point, he takes the man out along the boards easily and knocks the puck to Rupert who goes in and scores.
The play-by-play guy missed it...and so did the colour guy, simply saying, "Matt Rupert picks up this loose puck...."
It was loose for a reason.
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Post by seventeen on Jan 10, 2014 11:26:03 GMT -5
London KNights are on Sportsnet EAst, Ontario, West and Pacific at 7 Eastern time tonight. It's our chance to check in on how Big McCarron is doing.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 10, 2014 11:35:37 GMT -5
Habs prospects on tv tonight!
On Sportsnet tonight starting at 7:00 pm ET, Friday Night Hockey features Mike McCarron and the London Knights taking on Guelph.
On the Big Ten Network at 9:00 pm ET, captain Mac Bennett leads his University of Michigan team in NCAA action.
In other prospect news, our two QMJHL captains recently swapped teams. Charles Hudon will return post world juniors to Baie-Comeau, where he joins fellow prospect Jeremy Gregoire. 20 year old UFA signing Jack Nevins has moved from Charlottetown to Rouyn-Noranda for the remainder of the season.
Edit: Oops 17, did not see you had posted about McCarron's game just now.
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Post by blny on Jan 10, 2014 12:44:59 GMT -5
I'll be at the Mooseheads game tonight. No Drouin or Fucale.
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Post by seventeen on Jan 10, 2014 13:02:58 GMT -5
Habs prospects on tv tonight! On Sportsnet tonight starting at 7:00 pm ET, Friday Night Hockey features Mike McCarron and the London Knights taking on Guelph. On the Big Ten Network at 9:00 pm ET, captain Mac Bennett leads his University of Michigan team in NCAA action. In other prospect news, our two QMJHL captains recently swapped teams. Charles Hudon will return post world juniors to Baie-Comeau, where he joins fellow prospect Jeremy Gregoire. 20 year old UFA signing Jack Nevins has moved from Charlottetown to Rouyn-Noranda for the remainder of the season. Edit: Oops 17, did not see you had posted about McCarron's game just now. Good to know we have each others back.  Didn't know about the Michigan game, though, so thanks. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 10, 2014 19:01:55 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 10, 2014 21:45:57 GMT -5
McCarron did not get much ice time tonight. Looks like he has dropped to the fourth line with the trade addition of Gemmel Smith who moves to the first line and drops players down the depth chart. Guelph and their impressive offense won out tonight at home.
Bennett and Michigan down 2-0 after one. Wisconsin getting the bounces. Bennett has looked alright and his smooth skating has been on display on several shifts.
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Post by seventeen on Jan 11, 2014 1:30:47 GMT -5
Yeah, McCarron was not getting much time and not doing much to deserve more. His size is an attribute for sure, but he needs to get quicker at doing whatever needs doing.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 11, 2014 9:31:28 GMT -5
Yeah, McCarron was not getting much time and not doing much to deserve more. His size is an attribute for sure, but he needs to get quicker at doing whatever needs doing. London is now very deep in forwards. It is on him to show he deserves more ice time. Otherwise he will be waiting for all those 19/20 years olds to move on over the summer. |
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Post by blny on Jan 11, 2014 10:59:32 GMT -5
Stephen McAuley has left the Wheeling Nailers for Saint Mary's University. According to him and his agent, after signing the one year deal he was told the Habs had every intention of signing him to a 3 year ELC in the Fall. He bounced around between Hamilton (where he had signed the one year deal) and Wheeling. He reported back to Wheeling after Christmas, but has decided to go the university route - at least for now.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 11, 2014 13:19:34 GMT -5
Stephen McAuley has left the Wheeling Nailers for Saint Mary's University. According to him and his agent, after signing the one year deal he was told the Habs had every intention of signing him to a 3 year ELC in the Fall. He bounced around between Hamilton (where he had signed the one year deal) and Wheeling. He reported back to Wheeling after Christmas, but has decided to go the university route - at least for now. Ben Duffy left for the CIS earlier this season too. The Habs have a lot of forward prospects coming in next season, so it is going to be a bubble season anyway for those on AHL deals or with their NHL contracts coming due. Likely heading into the mix next year (or earlier depending on when their seasons end): Hudon, Bozon, Collberg (no idea if he stays in Sweden next year, but his deal is done their this season), Brady Vail, Connor Crisp, and Jack Nevins. On defense, the likely adds are Dalton Thrower and Mac Bennett. Some will likely have to see some ECHL time, but some of the current Dogs like Quailer and Nattinen will need big seasons to get another looksie. |
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Post by blny on Jan 11, 2014 13:35:50 GMT -5
Mac is definitely a bubble guy. Max potential would likely be a third line guy. Likely an AHLer, but there's nothing wrong with that.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 16, 2014 15:47:46 GMT -5
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Post by BadCompany on Jan 17, 2014 8:07:37 GMT -5
I had such high hopes for Thrower when he was drafted, but then he seemed to really regress. Rumours of attitude problems and all that. I'm not going to put much stock in his point totals or anything like that - he is 20 years old and still playing in junior after all - but I do like that he has taken on a leadership role for a bad team. Don Hay is a good coach, so hopefully he saw some maturity in Thrower that maybe wasn't there last year.
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Post by seventeen on Jan 17, 2014 10:49:20 GMT -5
Pleased to see Thrower turn around what was a bad year in Saskatoon. That was a dysfunctional team, though, with poor chemistry. The guy I'm mostly concerned about right now is McCarron. While I didn't expect him to lead the league in points, I thought he should put up .6 points per game in a learning year. Not happening. Because he's a power forward and even bigger than most power forwards, he deserves more time to prove himself, but I'd sure like to see some more scoring.
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Post by GNick99 on Jan 17, 2014 11:24:12 GMT -5
Pleased to see Thrower turn around what was a bad year in Saskatoon. That was a dysfunctional team, though, with poor chemistry. The guy I'm mostly concerned about right now is McCarron. While I didn't expect him to lead the league in points, I thought he should put up .6 points per game in a learning year. Not happening. Because he's a power forward and even bigger than most power forwards, he deserves more time to prove himself, but I'd sure like to see some more scoring. McCarron should be alright. He had a fanastic camp and shown games this year what he can do. He had some shoulder trouble this year whuch cut him down . see link. Unless he ends up like a Carle and his shoulder keeps popping out, or a Chipcura where injuries curtail his career. But I see that as a slim chance. I see McCarron more as a McDonagh. Whom everybody wanted traded off after his horrendous WJC 2009. But it takes time for some to adjust, once McDonagh made the adjustment his stock jumped dramatically www.lfpress.com/2013/10/11/big-london-knights-forward-grits-teeth-and-plays-through-injury |
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Post by seventeen on Jan 17, 2014 12:57:02 GMT -5
I hope you're right gnick. That article was from October, though, so he's had a lot of time to heal. He had that 4 point game a week or so ago, but now numerous games with no points and he's on the 4th line. Not really what I'd like to see, but because he's a big guy, he gets a lot more leeway from me. Tinordi had a poor first OHL year too.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 17, 2014 16:44:41 GMT -5
I think some patience with McCarron is due, as he is not getting a lot of prime time ice time. The main concern is that the only way that will change is by forcing the hands of your coaches by your play when you do play. Hopefully that urgency and consistency will come with time. The Knights have loaded up for the Memorial Cup as hosts this year, so ice time will be hard to get barring a rash of injuries.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 17, 2014 16:49:25 GMT -5
Pleased to see Thrower turn around what was a bad year in Saskatoon. That was a dysfunctional team, though, with poor chemistry. The guy I'm mostly concerned about right now is McCarron. While I didn't expect him to lead the league in points, I thought he should put up .6 points per game in a learning year. Not happening. Because he's a power forward and even bigger than most power forwards, he deserves more time to prove himself, but I'd sure like to see some more scoring. That was one crazy year in Saskatoon last year. There was some obvious dysfunction overall, but moreso between Thrower and the coach at times. A change of scenery was much needed, and he is thriving under Don Hay (who is no pushover coach either) and demonstrating leadership that you expect from your veteran guys. Prospects will regress, but it is great to see him bounce back with a good effort this year. I really liked him in his draft year and still think he can be a decent defenseman. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 22, 2014 21:26:45 GMT -5
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Post by blny on Jan 22, 2014 22:57:32 GMT -5
To be fair to him, the team in 11-12 was good, but not the loaded team of last year. MacKinnon was a rookie and they only had Drouin for 33 regular season games. For the year they scored 250 goals and gave up 238. This years team is similar to that. Definitely not stacked. They're winning on hard work and a team effort. Drouin is the class of the team. Ehlers has really shown himself, and his draft stock is climbing. Fucale has had far less margin for error this year and in 11-12 than he did in 12-13. |
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Post by GNick99 on Jan 23, 2014 8:12:58 GMT -5
I think some patience with McCarron is due, as he is not getting a lot of prime time ice time. The main concern is that the only way that will change is by forcing the hands of your coaches by your play when you do play. Hopefully that urgency and consistency will come with time. The Knights have loaded up for the Memorial Cup as hosts this year, so ice time will be hard to get barring a rash of injuries. I think it is major injuries generally keeps a player from staying in top condition. McCarron also had strep throat infection in December. I hope he improves on what we seen so far in London. He should, Timmins deemed him worthy of a first round pick and he had an outstanding camp. So, the talent should be there. Another concern could be injuries put him behind the learning curve. Last two years in junior are usually key development time. If he loses them could be a miss. Timmins to me is generally a good judge of talent. My only beef with him is he is not the best judgement of a player's mental makeup. He has spent his first pics before on players not the toughest mental. Guys like Fischer, Leblanc, Kostitsyn, Kristo. A talent can only got so far in NHL if he doesn't have mental toughness. It wouldn't suprise me if DLR makes NHL before McCarron though. Timmins said after WJC he is the most pro ready. |
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Post by GNick99 on Jan 23, 2014 8:19:27 GMT -5
That is quite a feat. He's in good company. I looked it up and nearest him was Jacques Cloutier in 1980, but he was a 20 year old. However, Grant Fuhr would have broke 100 for sure if he stayed in WHL. He had 78 wins as an 18 year old. |
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