Habs Prospects 2014-15

[blny]

I definitely don't think we're going to have to worry about McCarron's skating. He's not a speed demon, but he's not slow. He won the race to get his empty netter, and he shows very good burst getting from the blue line to the net. His strides are so long that he's there in only a couple. He's a deft passer of the puck too. Taking on Nurse shows willingness. Nurse would definitely have the advantage, as he's more accustomed to fighting. From those highlights, I think it's fair to say that Domi isn't carrying him. He's there cause he deserves to be.

[Lord Bebop]

Some more positive Twitter critique concerning McCarron

@brockotten: Since Michael McCarron returned to the London line-up, the Knights are 6-1 and outscoring their opponents 34-20. #turnaround

@brockotten: Clear that McCarron focused on conditioning this offseason. Massively improved (no pun intended). OHL defenders having trouble with his size

[seventeen]

Nov 1, 2014 15:04:26 GMT -5 blny said:

I definitely don't think we're going to have to worry about McCarron's skating. He's not a speed demon, but he's not slow. He won the race to get his empty netter, and he shows very good burst getting from the blue line to the net. His strides are so long that he's there in only a couple. He's a deft passer of the puck too. Taking on Nurse shows willingness. Nurse would definitely have the advantage, as he's more accustomed to fighting. From those highlights, I think it's fair to say that Domi isn't carrying him. He's there cause he deserves to be.

When Domi was getting those points I was thinking the reverse, that mcCarron is carrying Domi.

[NWTHabsFan]

Audette with a couple of helpers last night, McCarron and Scherbak with one assist each.

[GNick99]

Lot of McCarron's points been assists. Only part that concerns me. He may be beneficiary of junior veteran and playing on great line. Patrick Holland scored bunched of points, mostly assists his last season in junior.

[Willie Dog]

Link to a breakdown of how propects are doing

Prospects

Player of the Week: Michael McCarron

McCarron continues to make his previous season look like a bad memory with his taking a leading role for the London Knights this season. He set a new career high for points in a game this past week when he scored a goal and four assists in a 7-5 win for London over the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. McCarron marked another assist in his next game, a 4-3 win over the Windsor Spitfires. He went without a point in his final game, a 7-2 win over the Sudbury Wolves. McCarron has now scored 17 points in 9 games this season, it took him 36 games to score as many points last season. He is 4th in team scoring on the Knights, with all players ahead of him having played at least 5 more games.

GP Goals Assists Points PIM
3     1     5         6         7


The Juniors Report

The Canadiens currently feature prospects playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), the Western Hockey League (WHL), the USHL (United States Hockey League) and the NCAA (National College Athletic Association). These leagues can be considered the primary conduit towards professional hockey in North America.

Here's how the players playing in the aforementioned leagues performed last week

Player League GP G A PTS PIM
Daniel Audette (C) QMJHL 2 0 2 2 2
Jeremy Gregoire (RW) QMJHL 0 0 0 0 0
Michael McCarron (RW) OHL 3 1 5 6 7
Tim Bozon (LW) WHL 0 0 0 0 0
Brett Lernout (D) WHL 2 0 0 0 2
Nikita Scherbak (RW) WHL 2 0 3 3 0
Nikolas Koberstein (D) USHL 0 0 0 0 0
Josiah Didier (D) NCAA 2 0 1 1 2
Jake Evans (C) NCAA 1 1 0 1 2
Mark MacMillan (C) NCAA 0 0 0 0 0
Goalie League GP W L OTL GAA Save% SO
Zachary Fucale QMJHL 3 2 1 0 1.69 .926 1
Hayden Hawkey USHL 1 1 0 0 0.00 1.00 1

Daniel Audette: Audette continues to be one of the top offensive players in the QMJHL this season and a key asset for the Sherbrooke Phoenix. He recorded two assists in his first game, a 5-4 overtime win over the Baie-Comeau Drakkar. He went without a point in a 5-1 win over the Chicoutimi Saugeneens. Audette is currently 8th in QMJHL scoring with 12 goals and 16 assists over 17 games. He was named the 3rd Star of the Month of the QMJHL for October.

Jeremy Gregoire: Injuries continue to be a tough story for Gregoire, issues with his hand injury have led to requiring surgery and he is now projected to miss up to 6 more weeks of the season. This likely eliminates his chances to be placed on Team Canada for the upcoming 2015 World Junior Championship.

Michael McCarron: McCarron continues to make his previous season look like a bad memory with his taking a leading role for the London Knights this seaon. He set a new career high for points in a game this past week when he scored a goal and four assists in a 7-5 win for London over the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. McCarron slowed a bit in his next game, marking a lone assist in a 4-3 win over the Windsor Spitfires.

Tim Bozon: A nagging lower-body injury has kept Bozon out of the lineup this past week for the Kootenay Ice.

Brett Lernout: Lernout's offence continues to come and go this season with the Swift Current Broncos. He went without a point in both a 3-0 shutout of the Calgary Hitmen and a 2-1 shootout loss to the Regina Pats. He continues to lead all team defencemen in scoring with 3 goals, 7 assists over 19 games.

Nikolas Koberstein: After going pointless in both of his games this past week, Koberstein is now 12 games into the USHL season without recording a point.

Nikita Scherbak: Scherbak continues to produce at a solid pace with the Everett Silvertips this season. He marked two assists in a 4-1 win over the Kamloops Blazers to begin his week and added another assist in a 3-0 shutout of the Edmonton Oil Kings. His 7 goals and 10 assists in 11 games have him tied for the team scoring lead on Everett.

Josiah Didier: Didier's season continues to be a quiet one on the offensive charts. He went without a point in a 2-1 loss to Boston College. he recorded his first point of the season in a 2-1 win over Boston College, an assist to give him his first point in six games.

Jake Evans: Evans continues to keep a steady offensive pace with the University of Notre Dame this season. After going without a point in a 3-2 win for Notre Dame over the University of Vermont he scored a goal in a 2-2 tie with Vermont the following night. His 3 goals and 3 assists make him the leading freshman scorer on his team.

Zachary Fucale: Fucale continues to work towards consistency this season with the Halifax Mooseheads. His 1st start of the week saw him giving up 3 goals on 24 shots in a 4-1 loss to the Charlottetown Islanders. His second start was more successful as he stopped 23 of 25 to ensure a 3-2 win over the Moncton Wildcats. He finished his season posting his first shutout of the season in his final start of the week, a 20-save shutout of the Charlottetown Islanders. He posted a .923 save % and a 1.69 Goals Against Average over his three starts.

Hayden Hawkey: After several shaky weeks in net, Hayden Hawkey emerged with his best game of the season this past week, a 29-save shutout performance for the Omaha Lancers as they defeated the Sioux City Musketeers 3-0.

The European report

The SHL is the top professional men's league in Sweden and is at a comparable level to the AHL. Strong play here can often give indications that the player is moving towards being capable of playing in the NHL.

The Extraliga is the top professional men's league in the Czech Republic, while it is not at the level of the SHL, it is still a competitive pro league where solid production would give credence to a player's NHL potential.

Here's how the European prospects performed last week:

Player League GP G A PTS PIM
Artturi Lehkonen (LW/RW) SHL 3 0 1 1 0
Joonas Nattinen (C/RW) SHL 3 0 0 0 4
Martin Reway (C/LW) Extraliga 2 1 0 1 12

Artturi Lehkonen: Lehkonen's mini-slump has seen his solid SHL production slow in the past bit. He went without a point in a 3-2 loss to Farjestads BK and once more in a 3-2 overtime win over Vaxjo Lakers HC. He ended his four game points drought by recording an assist in a 3-1 win over Skelleftea AIK. Lehkonen has given up his lead as the top scorer in the SHL for players under 20 years old, but still holds down third place with 10 points in 18 games this season.

Joonas Nattinen: Consistent production continues to elude Nattinen this season with MODO Hockey. He would go pointless in a 7-3 loss to Skelleftea AIK, a 4-3 win over Orebro HK and miss the scoresheet once more in a 4-3 win over HV 71. Nattinen's 1 goal and 3 assists in 18 games places him a distant 14th on team scoring for MODO.

Martin Reway: Reway's strong season in the Extraliga does not seem to be slowing down. In his 11th game of the season, he recorded his first career goal, along with an assist on the overtime game-winning goal to give Sparta Praha a 5-4 win over HC Karlovy Vary. See Reway's goal and assist. Reway went without a point in a 1-0 loss to Slavia Praha. He continues to lead all players under 20 years old in the Extraliga in scoring with 1 goal and 9 assists.

Year to date statistics:

Player League GP G A P PIM
Daniel Audette (C) QMJHL 17 12 16 28 24
Jeremy Gregoire (RW) QMJHL 0 0 0 0 0
Michael McCarron (RW) OHL 9 4 13 17 17
Tim Bozon (LW) WHL 2 0 1 1
Brett Lernout (D) WHL 19 3 7 10 28
Nikita Scherbak (RW) WHL 11 7 10 17 8
Nikolas Koberstein (D) USHL 12 0 0 0 40
Josiah Didier (D) NCAA 6 0 1 1 10
Jake Evans (C) NCAA 6 3 3 6 4
Mark MacMillan (C) NCAA 5 5 2 7 0
Artturi Lehkonen (LW/RW) SHL 18 4 6 10 2
Joonas Nattinen (C/RW) SHL 17 1 3 4 12
Martin Reway (C/LW) Extraliga 12 1 9 10 18
Goalie League GP W L OTL GAA Save% SO
Zachary Fucale QMJHL 13 6 6 1 3.13 .896 1
Hayden Hawkey USHL 9 2 6 1 3.61 .883 1

[NWTHabsFan]

A CTV London video on Big Mac.

london.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=483482&binId=1.1137794&playlistPageNum=1

[NWTHabsFan]

Nikita with the hat trick and first star last night against Red Deer.

[NWTHabsFan]

Nikita's three goals last night.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=FWGS1RODugs

Big Mac's two goals tonight.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=PgH6otuskMA

[BadCompany]

Nov 6, 2014 21:53:46 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Nikita's three goals last night.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=FWGS1RODugs

Big Mac's two goals tonight.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=PgH6otuskMA

I know the video quality wasn't great but... did Nikita... after that third goal... did he... did he kiss that guy afterwards??

(Not that there is anything wrong with that of course)

[Disgruntled70sHab]

Nov 7, 2014 7:57:35 GMT -5 BadCompany said:

Nov 6, 2014 21:53:46 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Nikita's three goals last night.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=FWGS1RODugs

Big Mac's two goals tonight.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=PgH6otuskMA

I know the video quality wasn't great but... did Nikita... after that third goal... did he... did he kiss that guy afterwards??

(Not that there is anything wrong with that of course)

Not sure what customs are nowadays, but it was nothing for Russian men to kiss each other back in the day ... besides, if Brendan Shanahan can do it (after scoring his first NHL goal) ...

Cheers.

[franko]

and PK . . .

[BadCompany]

No means no PK!!

Where is Stevie Yzerman when you need him?

[NWTHabsFan]

An article about Scherbak in the Vancouver Province, as Everett visits the Giants tonight. Scherbak was named yesterday to the Russian squad for next week's Subway Super Series tilts against the WHL. We get to see him on Sportsnet as a result!!

www.theprovince.com/sports/hockey/canucks-hockey/Nikita+Scherbak+talk+action/10360065/story.html

[NWTHabsFan]

Tim Bozon has had some minor injuries since being assigned to Kootenay, so last night was only his third game this season. He scored his first goal and added a helper. Quite the sweet goal too.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=afZ1lp1t8zw

Last night, Scherbak had an assist and McCarron added another goal to his tally.

[seventeen]

That was a nice goal by Domi. Kootenay's had a rough start to the year, not being able to score (zounds!, remind you of any other team?) but not that Reinhart's back (2 goals) and Bozon's back and hopefully healthy, that should not be a problem. The guys trying to fill #1 skates, now only have to fill #2 skates and they'll be better too. Go Cranbrook!

Regarding McCarron, I saw the highlights on one of the sports channels last night and they gushed about Max Domi's hat trick. On his two PP goals, all I could see was the 6'6" door stationed right in front of the goalie. The poor guy couldn't see a thing. Domi just had to miss hitting the goalie and its in. That put a warm and fuzzy feeling in my heart. Exactly what we've been complaining about....a big guy who'll stand in front on the PP. McCarron is it. And he has nice hands for rebounds and passes too. Maybe even next season?

[NWTHabsFan]

Seventeen, absolutely right about Kootenay. Two wins this weekend, so they are getting better results with the additions of Bozon and Reinhart into the lineup, not surprisingly. Bozon with his second goal last night.

Nikita had a goal and an assist last night against Spokane, and Everett took a comfy 4-2 lead into the third...four unanswered goals in the third changed things a ton. Scherbak's two points last night keep a rather impressive run going. In 14 games so far this season, he has been kept off the scoresheet only once.

Big Mac's goal on Friday night. A few of his highlights have show a much better and strong stride this season and a great shot. Funny what much better conditioning and strength can do.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=HKNdYG7zjWc

[NWTHabsFan]

Sportsnet announced its CHL broadcast schedule for the year. Here are the games that involve a Hab prospect.

SUBWAY Super Series Broadcast Schedule - Sportsnet

Monday, Nov. 10 - Team Russia vs. Team WHL, 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario and Pacific, TVA Sports, and Sportsnet 590 The FAN)Scherbak
Tuesday, Nov. 11 - Team Russia vs. Team WHL, 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT (Sportsnet Ontario, Pacific, 360, and TVA Sports)Scherbak
Tuesday, Nov. 18 - Team Russia vs. Team QMJHL, 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT (Sportsnet Ontario, Pacific, 360, and TVA Sports)Fucale,Audette
Thursday, Nov. 20 - Team Russia vs. Team QMJHL, 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT (Sportsnet ONE and TVA Sports)Fucale, Audette

CHL Broadcast Schedule - Sportsnet

Friday, Nov. 28 - Erie @ London, 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT (Sportsnet Ontario and ONE)McCarron
Thursday, Jan. 22 (2015 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game) - Team Orr @ Team Cherry, 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario, West, Pacific, TVA Sports, and Sportsnet 590 The FAN)Some possible future Hab(s)
Friday, Feb. 13 - Shawinigan @ Halifax, 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario, West, Pacific, and TVA Sports)Fucale
Saturday, Feb. 14 (Hockey Day in Canada) - Cape Breton @ Halifax, 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific)Fucale
Friday, Feb. 27 - Guelph @ London, 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario and Pacific)McCarron
Sunday, March 1 - London @ Sault Ste. Marie, 3 p.m. ET/Noon PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific)McCarron
Sunday, March 15 - Rouyn-Noranda @ Sherbrooke, 3 p.m. ET/Noon PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario, West, Pacific, and TVA Sports)Audette

[seventeen]

Thanks NWT. Good info.

[Lord Bebop]

Michael McCarron with 2 goals and -2 in a 9-4 loss to the Guelph Storm. The big guy keeps on racking up points.

OHL Total:
12gp 8 goals 13 assist +7
32pm

Should get him a opportunity for a spot on USA WJC hockey club I would guess

[Disgruntled70sHab]

Nov 9, 2014 12:20:38 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Sportsnet announced its CHL broadcast schedule for the year. Here are the games that involve a Hab prospect.

SUBWAY Super Series Broadcast Schedule - Sportsnet

Monday, Nov. 10 - Team Russia vs. Team WHL, 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario and Pacific, TVA Sports, and Sportsnet 590 The FAN)Scherbak
Tuesday, Nov. 11 - Team Russia vs. Team WHL, 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT (Sportsnet Ontario, Pacific, 360, and TVA Sports)Scherbak
Tuesday, Nov. 18 - Team Russia vs. Team QMJHL, 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT (Sportsnet Ontario, Pacific, 360, and TVA Sports)Fucale,Audette
Thursday, Nov. 20 - Team Russia vs. Team QMJHL, 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT (Sportsnet ONE and TVA Sports)Fucale, Audette

CHL Broadcast Schedule - Sportsnet

Friday, Nov. 28 - Erie @ London, 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT (Sportsnet Ontario and ONE)McCarron
Thursday, Jan. 22 (2015 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game) - Team Orr @ Team Cherry, 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario, West, Pacific, TVA Sports, and Sportsnet 590 The FAN)Some possible future Hab(s)
Friday, Feb. 13 - Shawinigan @ Halifax, 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario, West, Pacific, and TVA Sports)Fucale
Saturday, Feb. 14 (Hockey Day in Canada) - Cape Breton @ Halifax, 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific)Fucale
Friday, Feb. 27 - Guelph @ London, 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario and Pacific)McCarron
Sunday, March 1 - London @ Sault Ste. Marie, 3 p.m. ET/Noon PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific)McCarron
Sunday, March 15 - Rouyn-Noranda @ Sherbrooke, 3 p.m. ET/Noon PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario, West, Pacific, and TVA Sports)Audette

Have to agree with 17 in that this is very useful ... thanks NWTHF ... I'll be out of the country on the 19th, but I'll be checking in here on the boards to check updates every so often ... appreciate the effort in keeping this thread current ...

Cheers.

[NWTHabsFan]

His two goals today.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=qKoV7eytZgo

[seventeen]

I liked the 2nd goal, the garbage variety. I like garbage goals. McCarron has to hang in the dirty areas to get garbage goals, which he's doing. I'm actually less happy with his first goal, which was a good shot from the slot. It took him too long to get it off. Instead of snapping it as it hit his stick, he corralled it first and then shot it. In the NHL, I don't think he'll score that goal. The goalies react too quickly.

[NWTHabsFan]

Scherbak on Sportsnet East, Ont and Pac in 15 mins!

Russia vs WHL.

[NWTHabsFan]

A bit of news about a few of our prospects.

Hayden Hawkey has been named to Team USA for the upcoming World Junior A Challenge that is being played in December in Kindersley, SK.

www.lancers.com/leagues/newsletter.cfm?leagueID=4581&clientID=1996&page=83943

With a nice SK segue way, while Nikita Scherbak was in Saskatoon for the Subway Super Series, the local paper did an article on him.

www.thestarphoenix.com/sports/Offence+isnt+Scherbaks+only+ticket/10373511/story.html

[NWTHabsFan]

London win 6-4 tonight. A hat trick for Big Mac.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=C5rw3UBpeJY

17, he gets these shots off faster. Good to see!

[seventeen]

He got the message from someone. Each of those were first timers. Loved it.

[christrpn]

Very exciting to be a Habs fans these days

[Lord Bebop]

Nov 14, 2014 23:10:16 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

London win 6-4 tonight. A hat trick for Big Mac.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=C5rw3UBpeJY

17, he gets these shots off faster. Good to see!

Still waiting on word of suspension for Big Mac...... He left the bench to intiate the fight he had last night

[Lord Bebop]

Nov 15, 2014 19:03:42 GMT -5 Lord Bebop said:

Nov 14, 2014 23:10:16 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

London win 6-4 tonight. A hat trick for Big Mac.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=C5rw3UBpeJY

17, he gets these shots off faster. Good to see!

Still waiting on word of suspension for Big Mac...... He left the bench to intiate the fight he had last night

@dankramerhabs: LRT: #Habs Mike McCarron suspended 2 games for leaving the bench to join an altercation. Riding 4-game goal streak with 8 goals in that span