Habs Prospects 2014-15

[Lord Bebop]

Oct 27, 2014 6:50:00 GMT -5 BadCompany said:

Nine points in his last three games for McCarron.

Not bad for a guy thats suppose to be on the IR for another two to three weeks...... Playing injured i would guess

[GNick99]

Oct 26, 2014 18:56:48 GMT -5 Lord Bebop said:

Mike McCarron has been putting up some points....2 assist last night...... Another 2 tonight so far tonight. 6 games 2 goals 7 assist. Not bad for a 6'5" 240 lbs giant

Audette adds another 2 goals earlier today. Just killing the QMJHL this year....... Another talented but undersized 5th rounder. 15 gp 12 g 14 a.

McCarron getting lot more positive posts than he was last year

[seventeen]

From bust to ......?

[NWTHabsFan]

Oct 27, 2014 11:20:01 GMT -5 seventeen said:

From bust to ......?

He got in shape this off season, and came to camp committed to being much better conditioned. It has made a huge difference. That and he likely is growing into his body and able to use it more this season. A lot of the highlights show strong board work and the ability to be effective in front of the net.

[blny]

Oct 27, 2014 12:28:58 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Oct 27, 2014 11:20:01 GMT -5 seventeen said:

From bust to ......?

He got in shape this off season, and came to camp committed to being much better conditioned. It has made a huge difference. That and he likely is growing into his body and able to use it more this season. A lot of the highlights show strong board work and the ability to be effective in front of the net.

I think it's important to keep in mind as well that he came to London from a program where he played 54 games over 2 years. Stiffer competition from the OHL and a 70 game season was a steep learning curve.

[Cranky]

I'm looking forward to the day when McCarron and Gallagher can play together. My favorite play will be the McGally Graviton Play. Pretty simple really....Ghally slingshots of the gravitational pull off McCarron and hits single digit Mach numbers.

Alternatively play would be the Trojan Horse Play. Hidden inside McCarrons jockstrap, McCarron engages the opposing defenseman and Ghally drops down to pick up the puck and score.

The possibilities are endless for an imaginative coach........

[NWTHabsFan]

Oct 27, 2014 13:04:07 GMT -5 blny said:

Oct 27, 2014 12:28:58 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

He got in shape this off season, and came to camp committed to being much better conditioned. It has made a huge difference. That and he likely is growing into his body and able to use it more this season. A lot of the highlights show strong board work and the ability to be effective in front of the net.

I think it's important to keep in mind as well that he came to London from a program where he played 54 games over 2 years. Stiffer competition from the OHL and a 70 game season was a steep learning curve.

Very true, it was a big factor I imagine. Tinordi's first year in the OHL was a disaster too, but he looked a ton better in year two. Similar paths, both big boys learning to grow into their big frames, both wearing #24 in London!!

[frozone]

I thought McCarron got off to a good start early last season. Then he got injured (shoulder?) and he couldn’t get anything going when he came back. Worst of all, he looked downright lost out there. He didn’t know what his role was, and that makes me question how much the Hunters really develop their prospects. They seem to inherit a lot of talent rather than develop it. Anyway, I don’t think McCarron even played in the top 6 last year. Poor usage of the big man imo and it is not wonder he struggled.

This year, it looks like McCarron is playing with Domi. Great to see that McCarron is keeping up with him and producing, but I suspect that McCarron would have been able to do so last year if he had been given the opportunity.

[seventeen]

It shouldn't be surprising (but it always is). I won't do the research, but I'd guess that big boys who are still growing, take longer to develop because they are just awkward as hell nothing has caught up to their growth. In the second year, assuming growth is slowing, they become more coordinated and stronger and end up being more successful. It accounts for Tinordi and McCaroon both. I think blny also has a point in that the number of games he played changed significantly so he didn't have the same amount of time to recover from his previous game. He's more used to it now and that is no longer a problem.

[GNick99]

As I think about it though, McCarron should be putting up good offensive numbers, be major red flag if he was under PPG. He was a first round pick in exceptional good draft. This is his last year of junior eligibility, plus he's in one of top junior programs in Country playing with Domi. How many first picks who go on to good NHL career don't put up good numbers their last year of junior. Even late picks like Brady Vail scored at 1.2 PPG clip last year. Crisp .9 PPG, Andrighetto at 1.4 PPG pace. Some of them are doubtful NHLers.

[seventeen]

The thing with McCarron is simply his size and the fact bigger guys often take longer to develop. Brady Vail was not a high pick, which suggests there were weaknesses to his game that scouts didn't think he'd be able to overcome enough to make the NHL. He's closer that projected, but I don't think anyone is saying he'd be anything more than a fringe NHL'er. McCarron on the other hand, showed at least in the exhibition games, that he's capable of playing, and he's just 19, so the outlook is better for him. All the guys picked in 2013 around his spot, and even earlier, are still just potential themselves. Burakovsky has played a few games (and scored against us) but there's talk of sending him down too.

[madhabber]

I get your point but sometimes you can't tell.

Chris Neil had 1.1 ppg in his last OHL season. 0.42 is his best in the NHL.

Lucie's final season in the WHL is 0.97 and his best in the NHL is 0.78. In his last 3 complete seasons in the NHL, he's got 62, 61, and 59 points. In the WHL he had 19 and 68 points. Although he was 18 but sometimes you can't tell.

Anyways, he's looking good so far and I think his type of game will translate well in the NHL. All board play, and front of the net, the dirty areas, with size, strength and enough talent to score some important goals if he doesn't fill the net. A Bryan Bickell, Mike McPhee type.

[GNick99]

Oct 28, 2014 18:42:13 GMT -5 madhabber said:

I get your point but sometimes you can't tell.

Chris Neil had 1.1 ppg in his last OHL season. 0.42 is his best in the NHL.

Lucie's final season in the WHL is 0.97 and his best in the NHL is 0.78. In his last 3 complete seasons in the NHL, he's got 62, 61, and 59 points. In the WHL he had 19 and 68 points. Although he was 18 but sometimes you can't tell.

Anyways, he's looking good so far and I think his type of game will translate well in the NHL. All board play, and front of the net, the dirty areas, with size, strength and enough talent to score some important goals if he doesn't fill the net. A Bryan Bickell, Mike McPhee type.

Lucic was a year younger and in weaker program than McCarron. No doubt if he plays junior as 19 year old he puts up big numbers.

[Cranky]

I rather see McCarron in the AHL then OHL. Playing against man is a lot more challenging. He showed that he could handle himself against NHL sized players in pre-season, so why not push him to his limits? If the argument is it could "destroy his confidence", then maybe we should of never drafted him if he is that mentally fragile.

[seventeen]

He can't be sent to Hamilton or he'd be there. It's that agreement between the NHL and Juniour leagues. If he came from Europe, like Delarose, he could go to Hamilton.

[Cranky]

Oct 29, 2014 20:17:36 GMT -5 seventeen said:

He can't be sent to Hamilton or he'd be there. It's that agreement between the NHL and Juniour leagues. If he came from Europe, like Delarose, he could go to Hamilton.

I didn't know that. Why? Is there a restriction to go to the AHL if they are under a certain age?

Why?

[Disgruntled70sHab]

Oct 28, 2014 18:42:13 GMT -5 madhabber said:

I get your point but sometimes you can't tell.

Chris Neil had 1.1 ppg in his last OHL season. 0.42 is his best in the NHL.

Lucie's final season in the WHL is 0.97 and his best in the NHL is 0.78. In his last 3 complete seasons in the NHL, he's got 62, 61, and 59 points. In the WHL he had 19 and 68 points. Although he was 18 but sometimes you can't tell.

Anyways, he's looking good so far and I think his type of game will translate well in the NHL. All board play, and front of the net, the dirty areas, with size, strength and enough talent to score some important goals if he doesn't fill the net. A Bryan Bickell, Mike McPhee type.

I was looking at his time in the box last season and he was at 120 PIM ... I don't know how many fights he was in last year but, if that total is on, I suspect he was tested regularly ... that said, he now has eleven points in six games ...

Cheers.

[seventeen]

Oct 29, 2014 20:19:48 GMT -5 Cranky said:

Oct 29, 2014 20:17:36 GMT -5 seventeen said:

He can't be sent to Hamilton or he'd be there. It's that agreement between the NHL and Juniour leagues. If he came from Europe, like Delarose, he could go to Hamilton.

I didn't know that. Why? Is there a restriction to go to the AHL if they are under a certain age?

Why?

It was an agreement between the CHL and the NHL. It includes such things as the NHL paying CHL teams when they draft one of their players and also pledges that if the juniour doesn't make the NHL team and is still juniour eligible (namely 19 or under) he has to be returned to the juniour team. That's to help them survive as these guys are often big ticket draws. If they could go to the AHL, the juniour team would lose a lot of revenue and might not be able to continue developing players for the NHL. It makes sense for hockey quality at that age level, but it may retard the development of some kids (though probably not all). The OHL might be better for McCarron as you'd think he could dominate more there and build his confidence and puck skills.

[madhabber]

Oct 29, 2014 20:05:58 GMT -5 Cranky said:

I rather see McCarron in the AHL then OHL. Playing against man is a lot more challenging. He showed that he could handle himself against NHL sized players in pre-season, so why not push him to his limits? If the argument is it could "destroy his confidence", then maybe we should of never drafted him if he is that mentally fragile.

Aside from the NHL/CHL agreement that seventeen is referring too, I think it's always preferable that your draft picks dominate at the lower levels before graduating. Dominating can mean different things to different types of players, but I think we can all agree that McCarron did not dominate in any way last year in the OHL. So best to let him test his limits with OHLers before trying his hand with the pros. I'd love to see him in Hamilton this year if the Bulldogs can turn things around and get themselves in the playoffs and the London Knights' season sorta falls short this year. Like they did for Vail, Crisp and Nevins this past season.

[Willie Dog]

Good article on Habs prospect pool

Prospect Pool

Despite graduating phenomenal young players like Alex Galchenyuk, Brendan Gallagher, and Michael Bournival, the Montreal Canadiens prospect pool continues to look strong. While restocking, the Canadiens have also managed to diversify their prospect pool, developing players of many different styles and capabilities at all positions.


For over a decade, Trevor Timmins, Montreal’s Vice President of Player Personnel and Director of Amateur Scouting, has developed a reputation for finding NHL-caliber talent in the later rounds. General Manager Marc Bergevin arrived in 2012, stating his mission was to improve the team’s character and build through the draft. Timmins eye for talent combined with Bergevin’s mandate for a balanced roster are methodically revamping Montreal’s prospect pool. Instead of stockpiles of speedy wingers, there are players of nearly every size and skillset. This prospect diversity provides the Canadiens with the option of addressing nearly every injury or roster hole from within the organization.

Left Wing

The Canadiens return the same left wing prospects as last season, along with the notable addition of Jiri Sekac. Beyond Sekac, Montreal’s best left wing prospects are smallish, offensively gifted players like Charles Hudon, Tim Bozon, Martin Reway, and Artturi Lehkonen. It almost seems like these finesse players are competing amongst each other to determine who successfully transitions into one day being Montreal’s second line left wing behind Max Pacioretty.

Bergevin won the bidding war for Sekac when he decided to leave Prague Lev in the KHL. Skating and playmaking are the keys to his game. Going into training camp, the biggest question mark was Sekac’s ability to withstand the higher degree of physicality in the NHL. Canadiens management is obviously confident in his ability to cope with this challenge. He broke camp with the club and early in the season, has been deployed on his off-wing on multiple lines.

In Hamilton, Hudon should receive first-line minutes. This will be his first season of professional hockey after tearing up the QMJHL over the past two seasons.

Connor Crisp was a third round selection in Bergevin’s first draft, one of the players intended to inject grit and truculence into Montreal’s identity. At 6’3 225, Crisp dominates the dirty areas and is always willing to drop the gloves. He has also flashed some puck skills. Entering his first full season of professional hockey, it will be revealing to observe how Crisp’s physical style translates to the professional ranks.

Daniel Carr and Jack Nevins will also be AHL rookies competing for minutes. Nevins, a crash-and-banger from the QMJHL, and Carr, more of a puck possession forward from Union College, were both free agent signings.

Lehkonen and Reway arguably have the highest offensive upside of any of Montreal’s prospects. Both will play in European leagues in 2014-15. Reway is playing for HC Sparta Praha in the Czech League where he has nine assists in 10 games. Lehkonen, playing in the more competitive SHL for Frolunda, has nine points in 15 games.

After overcoming a life-threatening bout with meningitis, Bozon has astonished everyone by returning to the Kootenay Ice. By all accounts, he is close to last year’s form which saw him tally 30 goals and 32 assists in 50 games. In the NCAA, Mark MacMillan was off to a hot start with the University of North Dakota before being injured in a game against Providence. MacMillan projects as more of a defensive forward in professional hockey but he had five goals and two assists in five games. His wrist was cut by a skate blade and, following surgery, MacMillan is out indefinitely.

Center

Montreal’s prospect pool appears exceedingly thin at the center position. However, when evaluating this position group, it is helpful to consider the recent graduations of 20-year-old Galchenyuk and the steady, 22-year-old two-way center Bournival.

Jacob de la Rose arrived from overseas and turned in such an outstanding performance at training camp he nearly played his way onto the Canadiens. In the eleventh hour, de la Rose was assigned to Hamilton. He plays a three-zone game and should be deployed in multiple roles with the Bulldogs. As long as de la Rose’s play does not regress, a call-up is not out of the question.

Gabriel Dumont‘s development arc has appeared to have tapered off. He will most likely play in a depth role in Hamilton in 2014-15.

Jeremy Gregoire and Daniel Audette were both late-round selections from the 2013 and 2014 drafts respectively. Possessing almost polar opposite playing styles, both returned to the QMJHL this season. With Baie-Comeau, Gregoire made his bones by outworking everybody else on the ice. There is no questioning his character or ability to compete in the dirty areas at any level but Gregoire’s skating and offensive aptitude must improve drastically. In Sherbrooke, Audette is a high-risk, high-reward prospect. His great speed and uncanny hands make him almost impossible to contain at the CHL level. It remains to be seen whether the 5’8, 175 pound forward can withstand the grind of professional hockey.

After three seasons with the Hamilton Bulldogs, Joonas Nattinen has returned to Europe, playing in the SHL for MODO Hockey. This decision actually benefits the Canadiens because it allows them to retain Nattinen’s rights without having to commit one of their contracts to him.

Right Wing

This positional grouping has lost almost as much talent as the center grouping. Of course, Gallagher has graduated to become a core piece of the Montreal Canadiens. Also over the past two seasons, trades have sent away Sebastian Collberg (NYI) and Danny Kristo (NYR). Collberg was dealt in order to acquire Thomas Vanek at the 2013-14 NHL trade deadline. Kristo returned another right wing prospect, Christian Thomas.

Thomas had an excellent training camp. Lack of size has always been a concern with Thomas but he displayed grit and persistence while generating scoring opportunities consistently in the preseason. He was one of the final cuts. Thomas should be deployed in a top-six role in Hamilton and is a prime candidate for a call-up if Montreal has difficulty filling their hole at right wing within their current roster. Sven Andrighetto will also see big minutes in Hamilton. Andrighetto looks to build on a stellar rookie season where he scored 44 points in 64 games, answering questions about his ability to compete with men in North America. Stefan Fournier will battle for a bottom-six role although he begins the season hampered by injury.

Montreal’s last two first round selections, Nikita Scherbak and Mike McCarron, will play in the CHL this season. Scherbak turned heads in training camp before being returned to the WHL where he was acquired by the Everett Silvertips. Following a dismal 2013-14 campaign, McCarron turned in a strong training camp. The 6’5, 230 pound winger was able to impose his size on the opposition in preseason exhibitions. However, he suffered a shoulder injury in a freak net collision against the Boston Bruins which cut his preseason short. Following the injury, he was returned to the London Knights.

Montreal’s final selection in the 2014 NHL Draft, Jake Evans will enter his freshman season at the University of Notre Dame. Rounding out the right wing group, Maxim Trunev will play another season in the KHL with Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Trunev has lost a lot of value as a prospect. He is a finesse player that has never produced with anything close to consistency in six seasons of professional hockey.

Defensemen

On the blue line, Nathan Beaulieu and Jarred Tinordi are the two most NHL-ready prospects in Montreal’s entire talent pool. Essentially, Beaulieu and Tinordi have been platooning on the bottom-pairing next to veteran blueliner Mike Weaver. Both Tinordi and Beaulieu have played solid early on. Barring a major regression, both defensemen’s playing time should only increase as the season progresses. Both are highly likely to graduate from prospect status by season’s end.

Magnus Nygren and, to a lesser extent, Greg Pateryn looked capable of NHL minutes in training camp but were returned to Montreal’s AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs. Pateryn and Nygren, both right-handed defensemen, will be the lynchpins of Hamilton’s defensive corps. Both are knocking on the door of an NHL debut. Morgan Ellis and Darren Dietz also return to the Bulldogs lineup in 2014-15. Dietz flashed in training camp but finds himself buried at the bottom of Montreal’s stacked depth on right defense. Ellis is a steady all-around defensemen who should have the opportunity to play a central role in Hamilton provided Tinordi and Beaulieu stick in Montreal.

Dalton Thrower and Mac Bennett will compete in their first seasons of professional hockey with Hamilton in 2014-15. Thrower is a gritty, physical defenseman. If he develops, his playing style would be valuable change-up to include in Montreal’s stable of puck-movers. Bennett arrives via the University of Michigan where he turned in a standout four-year NCAA career.

Like Thrower, the physical side of the game comes naturally to Brett Lernout. The volatile defenseman returns to Swift Current in the WHL where he hopes to build on all areas of his game. Bergevin and Timmins spent a lot of draft capital in order to acquire Lernout. If he truly has NHL upside, he should display more ambition with the puck on his stick against CHL competition.

Josiah Didier and Colin Sullivan will both play NCAA hockey in 2014-15. Didier enters his senior year at the University of Denver where he will serve as an alternate captain. Having recently transferred to Miami-Ohio, Sullivan will try to carve himself out a blue line role for the RedHawks.

Nikolas Koberstein is a long term project for Montreal. He will play for the Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL this season while considering whether to pursue NCAA hockey at the University of Alaska at Anchorage or play in the CHL.

Goaltending

The composition of Montreal’s goaltending prospects has changed drastically.

After a strong season with the Wheeling Nailers in the ECHL, Mike Condon will have an opportunity to take a giant leap forward in his career development as he will split the Hamilton Bulldogs starting duties with Joey MacDonald.

Zachary Fucale will return to the Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL where he attempts to continue to be among the best amateur goaltenders in the world. Hayden Hawkey will return to the Omaha Lancers of the USHL. Hawkey intends to enroll at Providence College in 2015-16.

Overall Montreal has improved their goaltending pool by employing a quality over quantity philosophy. After granting Dustin Tokarski a much-deserved promotion, they have essentially released their weaker prospects in order to provide their best prospects with more playing time which should maximize their development. The Canadiens possess a relatively strong goaltender at each point along their pipeline.

[NWTHabsFan]

A few updates.

London Knights named Domi their new captain, and Mike McCarron was named one of the alternate captains. Good to see.

Nikita Scherbak did not score last night, but still picked up two assists and now have moved into top spot for the team scoring leaders despite missing some early games due to him still being in camp in Montreal.

[NWTHabsFan]

Big Mac with a goal and four assists tonight in a 8-5 win over Sault Ste Marie.

Reway with a goal and an assist. He is #10 in red.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=pyJY9wkhurE

[GNick99]

Oct 31, 2014 21:13:35 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Big Mac with a goal and four assists tonight in a 8-5 win over Sault Ste Marie.

Reway with a goal and an assist. He is #10 in red.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=pyJY9wkhurE

McCarron unreal this year....such a transformation from last season.

[Lord Bebop]

Nov 1, 2014 5:17:13 GMT -5 GNick99 said:

Oct 31, 2014 21:13:35 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Big Mac with a goal and four assists tonight in a 8-5 win over Sault Ste Marie.

Reway with a goal and an assist. He is #10 in red.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=pyJY9wkhurE

McCarron unreal this year....such a transformation from last season.

Haven't saw him yet....but apparently he's centering there top line too. I find that interesting after Trevor Timmins saying Mccarron should no way be playing center.

From what I hear Mccarron is doing well in the face off circle as well

[Lord Bebop]

Some high praise on Twitter today for McCarron
@markedwardshp: Props to @golondonknights Michael McCarron - he played the best game I've seen him play Friday & it wasn't just because of the pts. #Habs

@markedwardshp: McCarron made smart decisions with the puck, including some beauty passes. Skating is better, speed is better & he looked confident #Habs

[NWTHabsFan]

Have a peek lads and enjoy. Big #24 in white.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=I_hyZeuiqhA

And standing up for his mates against Nurse.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=8LdAtZcNrbg

[Willie Dog]

Wow galchy, mccarron and eller as our top 3 centres.... would be nice to have that size down the middle.

[Lord Bebop]

Nov 1, 2014 10:37:13 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Have a peek lads and enjoy. Big #24 in white.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=I_hyZeuiqhA

And standing up for his mates against Nurse.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=8LdAtZcNrbg

Lol Mccarron won't say but if you watch the londons 6th goal.... And the way he celebrated Mccarron deflected that one in.... Unselfish on his part!! But that was mccarron's goal

[NWTHabsFan]

After the first month and a half of CHL action, we have a prospect lighting it up in each league.

QMJHL - diminutive Daniel Audette 15gp 12g 14a 26pts
OHL - big Mike McCarron 7gp 4g 12a 16pts
WHL - slick Nikita Scherbak 10gp 7g 9a 16pts

[seventeen]

The goal that Domi scored on the 2 on 1 revealed a couple of things. First, McCarron showed some quick acceleration right at the blue line to get the puck and burst in. Secondly, he held on long enough to concern the goalie with a potential shot before making a difficult pass to Domi who now had a lot of space. McCarron was not the 2nd assist on most of the goals, he was a primary reason for all but 1 of the goals. I wasn't expecting him to be playing centre, especially not with Domi there, or perhaps he was just taking face-offs. He was winning the faceoffs we saw. He looks a ton better than last year and he had the Gordie Howe hat-trick yesterday. Timmins is going from the basement to the penthouse on that pick. McCarron is looking less like bottom 6 than top 6 this year.

Just another lesson in patience, huh? You'd think we should have learned that with McDonagh. Perhaps we forgot about it with Leblanc and Fischer.