The Hockey News' Habs prospect rankings

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Swiped from someplace.

*

Montreal's system was ranked 17th and graded with a C+.

The Monreal Canadiens made an effort last season to rebuild yet again and go with youth - mostly because the old formula wasn't working.

But the organization also believed several prospects had the talent to make the transition to NHL play. This resulted in Michael Ryder being named finalist for the Calder Trophy. Meanwhile, Mike Komisarek proved he could be the one of the Canadiens' regulars along the blueline.

The Canadiens believe the next wave is ready to challenge for roster spots.

(1) ANDREI KOSTITSYN, RW, HAMILTON:

Kostitsyn is believed to be the most talented of the organization's prospects. He has a quick shot, good hands and is considered a good passer. He is a strong skater and has a solid build.

This is his first year in North America, so Kostitsyn must learn to play defense better and improve his consistency.

Slowly, the Belarussian appears to be growing more comfortable with the culture and language. while his epileptic seizures have been brought under control with a change in medication.

(2) CHRIS HIGGINS, LW, HAMILTON:

Canadiens were disappointed by Higgins' slow start during his second AHL season, although his production has improved in the second half.

It didn't help his confidence when he was switched between center and the wing, but he has proven to be more adept on the wing due to his good shot.

He's a good skater, bit isn't that physical. He works hard and is determined to take the next step.

(3) ALEXANDER PEREZHOGIN, LW, OMSK (Rus):

Suspended for a year by the AHL following a stick-swinging incident, Perezhogi has been banished to Russia for the season, although management believes there would have been a spot for him in Montreal.

Following a slow start last season, Perezhogin took off in the second half, producing points while using speed and agility to his advantage.

Although he's not as falshy as Kostitsyn, Perezhogin can be effective if used on a scoring line. He's creative offensively, but needs more strength.

(4) YANN DANIS, G, HAMILTON:

Danis has succeeded in overcoming two obstacles. Coming from U.S. college, he has to adjust to a heavier workload with fewer practises - the opposite of what he's accustomed to. Also, Danis is playing for an offensively-challenged team, which places extra pressure on him. But he has handled it well and is having a solid season

He has proven to be steady and displays a good amount of composure, adjusting quite nicely to the pro level. The Canadiens believe they've found their goalie of the future.

(5) KYKLE CHIPCHURA, C, PRINCE ALBERT:

Chipchura was enjoying a solid season before lacerating his Achilles tendon during a practise and would have been a prospect to play for Canada at the World Junior CHampionship.

He had been producing offensively and all facets of his game were improving at the time of his injury. Chipchura has good hockey sense and character. He is a leader on and off the ice, but his skating and speed requite improvement.

(6) TOMAS PLEKANEC, LW, HAMILTON:

Has talent despite small size, but must make adjustment to pro schedule.

(7) RON HAINSEY, D, HAMILTON:

Has he talent, but hasn't remained in the NHL due to lack of consistency and maturity.

(8) MARCEL HOSSA, LW, MORA (Swe):

Perhaps time in Europe will help talented player combine all his skills

(9) MARK STREIT, D, LIONS (Switz):

Talented offensively and captained Swiss national team.

(10) MAXIM LAPIERRE, C, P.E.I. (QMJHL)

Big, strong, fast and physical; must be able to anticipate better.

NOTE: You'll notice that Corey Locke (Hamilton), Jaroslav Halak (Lewiston: QMJHL), Mikhail Grabovsky (Neftekhimik: Rus), Konstantin Korneyev (Kazan Ak-Bars: Rus) and Alexei Yemelin (Lada: Rus) were not included.

[mic]

M. said:

(2) CHRIS HIGGINS, LW, HAMILTON:

Canadiens were disappointed by Higgins' slow start during his second AHL season, although his production has improved in the second half.

It didn't help his confidence when he was switched between center and the wing, but he has proven to be more adept on the wing due to his good shot.

He's a good skater, bit isn't that physical. He works hard and is determined to take the next step.

So, it looks like Savard was right. I remember that Savard's declaration about moving Higgins from the center to the wing was discussed a lot on this board (but then again : what isn't ?). The lack of depth we had (and still have) on this spot made people feel unease with the idea to move our most promising center to the wing. As much as I'm glad that Savard isn't the Habs GM anymore, he has a good understanding for juniors.

(10) MAXIM LAPIERRE, C, P.E.I. (QMJHL)

Big, strong, fast and physical; must be able to anticipate better.

I really look forward to see what he can do on pro level. While I didn't like Urquhart's pick, I definitly like what I read about Lapierre. A bigger Begin with perhaps a better scoring touch.

[BadCompany]

Can't argue too much with these rankings. They seem pretty good to me...

Gotta love the Danis find. While its perhaps an exception, it does nonetheless reinforce my belief that in most cases you shouldn't bother drafting a goalie in the first round. Unless you're talking a franchise, sure-fire, Luongo/Lehtonen star in the making. There are just too many other good goalies floating around, to waste a pick like that. In my opinion.

I also find the Mark Streit placing very interesting. If there had of been a season this year, I honestly thought Streit would have been given the inside shot at making the Habs as a 6th or 7th defenseman. Much like Martie Jarventie did a couple of years ago. People forget, but Jarventie actually broke camp with the team that year, until injuries set him back. Anyways, Streit as an overager, and a Swiss overager to boot, wasn't going to come over here to toil in Hamilton for minimum wages for a couple of years. Swiss players are paid very well, and they have easy life-styles, so unless he was told he stood a very good chance of hitting it big in the NHL, I don't see why he would want to North America.

With the lockout though, I don't know what will happen with him. He'd make an interesting replacement player option, but again, it has to be financially worth his while. If he isn't a replacement player, and salaries plunge as expected, he'd probably be one of those guys who just stays in Europe, because he's making as much, if not more, over there.

Personally, I would have put Ryan O'Byrne on the list, ahead of Lapierre, but that's just me. I think O'Byrne is on the long-route to the NHL, but unless his mental game just doesn't catch up to the speed of pro hockey, I think he is a decent bet to make it. Big, strong, good skater - very easy to turn these guys into Craig Ludwig types. Simple, effective, underated, but key members of good overall bluelines.

[habmeister]

Weren't we ranked top 3 last year or the year before that? Why did we drop from having one of the best crops of young guys to an average crop? When the new cba is signed the team that has the best young talent will definetly have a huge advantage over teams that gave it all away in recent years with trades.

[NWTHabsFan]

BadCompany said:

Personally, I would have put Ryan O'Byrne on the list, ahead of Lapierre, but that's just me. I think O'Byrne is on the long-route to the NHL, but unless his mental game just doesn't catch up to the speed of pro hockey, I think he is a decent bet to make it. Big, strong, good skater - very easy to turn these guys into Craig Ludwig types. Simple, effective, underated, but key members of good overall bluelines.

BC, I join you in Ryan's corner as well. I have been following the ECAC and Cornell quite closely to monitor his progress and have the occassional chat online with some Big Red supporters (they are a dedicated legion, those Lynah Rink faithful). The only knock on him seems to be his steady parade to the penalty box, quite often for holding or obstruction calls. Once he can mature that part of the game or adapt to tight refereeing in the NCAA, then he will be even more valuable to the team. I saw one of his games on the NHL Network this year and a Cornell fan is sending me a tape of another, so I look forward to another closer look at his game.

You really can't deny the defensive system and program they have in place in Ithaca. 24 goals against in 20 games in ECACHL play is simply amazing. Their overall goals against for all games (36 goals in 27 games), including out of conference games, is the best in the NCAA. He is learning to play the pro game, and will only benefit next year with the departure of two seniors on defence.

I will also put my plug in for a 2005 draft eligible Dman Sasha Pokulok. He is 19, a freshman from Quebec, is 6'5" 220 lbs, as has more points than O'Byrne and Gleed combined. Some reports from the Cornell faithful with whom I have chatted think he has the biggest upside of the three. He has been getting top pairing ice time before his injury, which is great for a frosh. He is projected 2-3rd round, but is injured right now and could drop as a result. I hope the Habs have had a good look at him while monitoring the other two, and consider him if he is still around when they pick in the third round (whenever the heck that will be).