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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jul 8, 2015 18:01:02 GMT -5
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Post by seventeen on Jul 8, 2015 20:03:25 GMT -5
As for Reway, his recent twitter post of him vacationing in Turkey has fans on other boards frothing at the mouth wondering why he is too good to be at this camp. The full inquisition is next!! Everyone needs a vacation. Especially us retired folks whose wives have plenty of projects. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jul 9, 2015 6:59:02 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jul 9, 2015 14:16:15 GMT -5
A player by player report on today's three period scrimmage, that wrapped up the camp. Written by Whitesnake over at HF.
Again, I know I keep repeating myself, but think of the new guys that just signed in to this board and that their only goal is to take that thread out in 5 years to tell me how wrong I was about a guy....THIS IS JUST A REPORT ON 1 DAY OF DEVELOPMENT CAMP IN JULY. In no way, shape or form, does that mean that this or that player will suck forever or will be playing top 6 in October. Just take it for what it is.....a cute read in July about kids playing a game the last day of a development camp when most aren't top shape and don't know their teamates. Still....a few interesting thoughts.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:•I think there was more people this year than any other year. People were sitting on the stairs beside me....never seen that before. Crazy.
•Pace of the game was quite high especially at the start. Again, not sure if I ever witness this.
•Whites had a much better chemistry than reds for some reason. Might explain a lot of situations and plays, explain why most whites did look good compared to reds...but let's try to analyse each player nonetheless.
I'm just separating this into a few categories: Standouts, Good performances, Meh, Invisible and Dissapointing....
Guys who didn't play: Juulsen, Scherbak, Brown, Ghetto, Crisp, McMillan
STANDOUTS
Vejdemo: If you take EVERYTHING into account...this guy was great to see today. You had to see his skills shine in a context of a tight and fast game, with teamates he didn,t know, on a ice surface he's not used to...and I think he did more good than bad. I thought he showed his hands, He showed he could manoeuver in tight spaces, which was extremely fun to see. Showed some very good vision....did miss a few passes, but I noticed it was mostly towards the end of his shifts. He does have that let's pass first syndrom....but that surely comes with the territoy of a newcomer wanting to find the vets to pass to. CLEARLY.....needs some hugh strength to ever wish play NHL hockey. Tried a bodycheck once on not even that big of a guy and it look like a big marshmallow trying to prove something.....Physical aspect...needs work. But hockey aspect? The day we see what his shooting is all about? Pick looking great....so far....
Lernout: So intense. This guy looks at you and you just want to go away and hide Under the bench.....Didn't really show that much offensive today but was pretty much a rock defensively. What I did love is that compared to last year when he was pinching when it wasn't the time...he looked so much more poised this year and was mostly taking good décisions all around. Just a no-nonsense type of guy that if he develops properly, we will love to see him in action. Looked to me like a much much (obviously) faster version of Dave Manson....Scary dude. And defensively solid.
Addison: I thought he was just great. This kid has underrated skills, vision and anticipation. Caught a few passes by just knowing where it was going to end up. Didn't look like a 7th rounder at all. To this day, CLEARLY our best 7th rounder for quite a long time. Intense, very good shot.....if this guy develops....this is purely steal material...(DISCLAIMER: Whitesnake...calm down...just one day....in July.....you said it yourself at the beginning of the thread....)
McCarron: I don't think he tried that much, frankly, I don't think he should....he could have killed a few guys out there, decided to kill the boards instead. Just toying with most people in there. Wasn't exactly THAT involved offensively....but somehow, I thought that while he could have been better....something tells me that it wasn,t the place to do that. Yet, without even trying (and I'm not talking about his work ethic or him being lazy...just him not wanting to hurt people...), he had a few chances. What I do love about him is that it's true....him playing the C position thought him so much about the defensive aspect of the game. Kid is thinking out there and it shows. Great to see. His game will be more clear during rookie tournament and with the big boys. Well...the smaller big boys....
GOOD PERFORMANCES:
Audette: I thought he did a lot with the linemates he had. Contrary to somebody else below....he tried some fancy moves that, for the majority of them, quite worked. Had a few chances. Works hard. Uses his low gravity to overtake players. Still not convinced he'll ever have the extra gear to be a NHL'er...but he was fine today.
Watson: I thought he was particularly effective in the 2nd part of the game. Also showed some nice vision on 1 goal, strong skater, not lightning fast, but strong. Drives the net, showed some nice things....
Hudon: Well while he didn't convert on a lot of things, you still were able to see that Hudon was the best player on the ice. And what I loved what his leadership and commitment to the game....frustrated because the reds were going nowhere. Going to the refs to make sure that Hunt goal would count....while this is a development camp game.....Kid is just great. You see his progression day after day. Impressive. But, only in the good section because he could have done much more today, could have used his teamates better...
Michael Webster and Ryan Johnston: Somehow....I think those guys should be awesome.....forwards. They both show some great elusiveness, great passing skills, great footspeed, really agile...and yet, you do see that they will be crushed playing defense while looking so small. Not sure their actual height and weight but it does look like they could be easily overpowered. Yet, I saw both guys, just get out of problematic situations with their skating and agility. Did see a few bad passes too though in majority, both showed good vision with the puck.
Eisenschmid and Rosenthal: putting both guys together in my category of....didn't do THAT much today....but geez you see and know that there are more in them than what you saw.....Both guys are awfullly interesting. Yet, weren't able to look as good as they looked on vid from all week...but the speed is there, the vision, the hockey IQ....Just weren't as visible today. But you saw the flashes that makes you believe that there's more.
Parisi: He surprised me. Showed some good defensive and offensive instincts. Great skating.
MEH PERFORMANCES:
Bozon: Tried hard. Tried to dipsy doodle and it usually never worked. Bozon still seem to me as a guy who will be a great complementary player....but that needs a LOT of help as he's not a big initiator. But worked hard though. Based on today, for whatever it means, Bozon should start the year in the ECHL. I really hope that's what we do. Oh and please be smarter.....you don't hit a guy like that in development camp.
Burke: Another one of this type of scorer that you don't see a lot and scores when it's time to do so. Clealry a ECHL type of player....Wonder if he'll get a contract there in due time. You don't see him doing too much else but then if he scores....why not? Slow footed though....
Carr: Not invisible 'cause you did see him....not dissapoiting 'cause it all goes with expectations....but I wished I would have seen more despite the few good plays he made. Nice backchecking, removed the puck a few times during the game. Good vision, awesome pass here and there....but let just say that like Hudon....wasn't their A game today.
Fournier: Career ECHL that loves power moves if he can't succeed with those....but it's only way to do something....Wasn't invisible...tried real hard...but talent so limited...Next.
Grégoire: Aside form the awesome pass to I don't konw who, and this great wraparound goal....a fine but uneventful game for Grégoire who could do much much more. But I do know what he can do so......Still want to see him take power skating lessons...this summer....and all summers....
Hunt: Can't be invisible 'cause that goal backhand goal was nasty. But the rest of the game was more invisible-bad than anything else. Was epxecting more from him. And I HATED when he looked terrified at first period to receive a bodycheck. That looked pretty bad.
Miceli: He actually might have done enough to impress...the ECHL coach if he was there. Good goal. Looked faster and more present in the 2nd part of the game. Not a fancy guy, but a guy that gets thinkgs going. That would be enough for a ECHL team. If not a contract by Habs, I hope the Beast looks at him....
Bourque: Well he did looked overwhelmed in most occasions. Normal for a 1st year.....didn't look stupid or bad...just looked nervous and unready. Will look better next year.Didn't show any offense whatsoever.
Joyaux: Okay Mr....you showed your speed, showed your end to end rushes....but then what. Not sure you know yourself. Didn't want me to put him in my invisible column. Okay, you won't. But I didn' see enough despite that to deserve more attention.
Koberstein: Solid. But his game is plain meh. And in his case, it might be good. No big mistakes.
INVISIBLE:
Bradley: You would have told me that this guy was an invitee and I would have said to not give him another look....based on today, As another one of the most recent draft, looked overmatched. Was rarely at the right place at the right time. Then you compare him to Addison....and it looks real bad. Yet...it also looks like the matchups was better for Addison....but Jeremiah looked awfully like the initiator on his line while Matt was nowhere to be found. 1st camp....happens to the best of them.
Clifton? Who? Next. Wasted spot.
Huber? Did he play? No...serious question. I saw him at first but did he leave 'cause I don't remember him that much.
Magee: Of course, most people I have in invisible might have made 1 or 2 fine players....But when I sit with myself and I have to think real hard about what I saw....i tmenas that they were invisible....at least for me. But mostly, invisible does mean that I don't think they did enough, as invitee, to have impressed the managaement so that they are signed in the ECHL or that we might draft them later next year etc.....Those guys, for me, just didn't do enough.
McGauley: Interseting case. Like Eisenschmid and Rosenthal, you know that there's something there with that player. I had to concentrate on him to be sure he weas there today. Not a good sign. He seems to have all the intangibles, the IQ....but just didn't do squat with it today. He would still be on my radar though....
Bailey Webster: Didn't see him that much. Tried to be tough...not sure it worked....
DISAPPOINTING (in the context of a development camp...in July....1 game):
Lehkonen: I am not a big fan. Never was. But I WANT to like him. Didn't happen for me today. This guy should be standout. Tried a few things. But you didn't see him most of the game. Again, he looked more like an invitee than anything else. Doesn't initiate a whole lot. Waiting for oppotunities, falls a lot, still look frail....I think there's WAYS to go for him....
Bennett: Okay. well....Sorry. Let me forget what I said about that being just a camp....to not form an opinion on that one game....but this guy is dissapointing. Should be better than most guys there. I even think he lost a step or 2 skating Wise, which was his strongest point. Can't find the open lanes to shoot Has an awful and weak shot. Very good 1 on 1 . But a dissapointing based at where he is in his career.
Dietz: WAs forming a pair with Bennett, and both guys should have dominated which they didn't. For a guy who played in the NHL last year....that didn't seem to be the case today....Was wearing a full mask though...not sure what that was all about.
GOALIES:
Fucale was weak, Dubeau was solid yet shouldn't be consider for anything, can't believe McNiven wasn't picked...Mancini was average.
That's it.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jul 9, 2015 14:21:08 GMT -5
And from Harry Kakalovich at HF:
Just got back from the development camp - here are my impressions which I share whenever I go
First off disappointing that Juulsen, Scherbak, and Andrighetto were not playing, especially Juulsen since he is new. It would have been especially useful to compare Vejdemo to Scherbak and Andrighetto but oh well.
I know very little about goaltending so I can't really comment on that except to note the three invitees are chlers so maybe they sign one if they like him?
General impression, the three big skating prospects I saw were McCarron, Vejdemo, and Lernout. I think those are the three best prospects that took part in the scrimmage. Vejdemo is quite exciting as a prospect, not sure what his upside is but he looks like he could possibly put up points in the NHL. McCarron is a very complete prospect and is huge. He should get an opportunity fairly soon, not sure about how much he will score, but even without scoring a ton he should impact games. Lernout looked a lot more polished than last year, threw some big hits, seemed to keep up skating wise, and is a big boy which will help him going forward. I like Koberstein too but not sure he belongs in this list.
Outside of those three, and obviously Juulsen and Scherbak who didn't play, i think the rest are more diamond in the rough kind of prospects. I doubt any of the other guys who are older prospects will play top roles going forward. Of course improvements happen so one never knows but they look like depth guys. None of the AHL or older guys looked as good as Christian Thomas did last year.
lets go through some of the names, starting with 2015 draft guys
Addison - I liked him - had jam and skill - played well with Vejdemo and Vejdemo's line was generally the best line out there. Heard of him as more of a grinder so was surprised he had a bit more offense know-how than I was expecting.
Bourque - not a toolsy-type of pick at all. Underwhelming skillset but I thought on the whole he was quite effective for one of the younger dmen out there. I like the pick. Not a cannon of a prospect, but an under the radar guy who maybe his hockey sense pans out and in a few years the Habs have an NHL dman. Not a sure thing but hey he was a 6th.
Bradley - didn't stand out much but seemed to have some jam - heard of him as more finesse so having jam will be good if he has the skills which I didn't really see but wait and see for next year he is a 97.
Ok that takes care of that moving on
Audette and Bozon - didn't really stand out much at all. Audette maybe a little more, but seem to recall him doing better last year.
Carr - liked him, but he is a 91 so he better look good here
Fournier - he is what he is - like these kinds of players but not sure he does enough yet - maybe this year?
Gregoire - didn't really stand out much but he scored and seemed reasonably fast - has some potential to score in the nhl but see him more as depth right now unless he brings something more - entering his first pro year so it will be a big year for him
Hudon - Intriguing, can do great things but not sure he can do them often enough to put up points in the nhl. Do think he will be useful / have potential to score big goals in the playoffs. If he could be effective more consistently then maybe he could take a big step forward and be a bigger prospect. Just not sure that this will happen.
Lehkonen - around the puck a ton, don't think he has the skill to put up points in the nhl but maybe if he plays in NA he could be a bottom-six guy.
Bennett and Dietz - I found them underwhelming. Bennett is a 91, Dietz is a 93. They are ok guys but am more excited by Lernout.
Koberstein - I really like this pick - I think this guy is a prospect. We'll see how it goes for him moving forward but I liked him last year and heard he had a bad year, but I still like him this year. I think he might turn out to be pretty good.
As for invitees - Johnston the dman looked good - he's ncaa so not sure if he's looking to sign or not - also a bit of a riverboat gambler so not sure how he looks in a real game situation...
A lot of decent forwards - didn't really pay too much attention to them but Miceli stood out for me - has some jam, obviously scored a ton in the Q, and is a Montreal kid - he could be worth a look for the AHL squad - I'm sure some of the other guys were ok too, like I said - those two just stood out a little more.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jul 9, 2015 15:47:19 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jul 9, 2015 22:47:44 GMT -5
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Jul 10, 2015 1:02:16 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jul 10, 2015 13:19:26 GMT -5
A couple more additions to the library of stories about the camp. One about the last day and one about Hudon. allhabs.net/habs-development-camp-day-5/www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/canadiens-hudon-impresses-at-development-camp/For the record, I am pleasantly surprised about how well Hudon adapted to his first year of pro hockey last season. At one point, he was leading the AHL in scoring as a rookie, on a Lefebvre-led team that could not score. I figured his size, past injury trends, and his lack of explosive speed would hold him back. Great to see his progression. I had similar concerns about Gallagher too, but he has done just fine and developed into a very effective NHL winger much faster than I would have imagined. I loved his in-your-face and in-your-crease game in juniors, but wondered if he could keep that up at the NHL level without spending every second day in traction. Every team needs players that continue to develop upwards, to make up for those whose development stall or actually slide. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Jul 17, 2015 18:04:23 GMT -5
Click on the link to access the photos ...
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Sept 1, 2015 13:06:38 GMT -5
It is September, so time to focus on rookie camp in Brossard and the rookie tournament in London, ON. The Habs announced their lineup including invitees. The number of invitees is a lot smaller than at the development camp, and they are probably the most "likely" of names. The Habs have 47 NHL contracts right now, so expect these guys to be competing for AHL deals. canadiens.nhl.com/fr/v2/ext/2015-2016/pdf/Roster_2015_Rookie_Camp.pdfThe invitees are: Markus Eisenschmid, C, Medicine Hat (WHL) Dryden Hunt, C, Medicine Hat/Regina (WHL) Angelo Miceli, C, Victoriaville (QMJHL) Jamal Watson, LW, Lethbridge (WHL) Michael McNiven, G, Owen Sound (OHL) All were at the summer development camp. The forwards are all eligible to play pro hockey this season, so can be signed to a deal and play this fall. McNiven is still draft eligible, so if the Habs want to sign him they can only offer him an entry level NHL two-way deal (three years), but it would slide once they return him to juniors as he would not be age eligible to play in the minor pros for the next two seasons. |
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Post by seventeen on Sept 12, 2015 1:47:36 GMT -5
Habs young stars lost to Pittsburgh tonight. Scherbak had an open net and it somehow stayed out (night have hit Daniel Carr who had been knocked down cutting through the crease). Pens went the other way on a breakaway and scored on Fucale.
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Post by seventeen on Sept 12, 2015 23:17:53 GMT -5
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Post by Lord Bebop on Sept 13, 2015 17:03:03 GMT -5
@markofznfutures Canadiens invite Angelo Miceli to development camp This Micelli kid is very talented..hope he earned a contract at least to play in for the Brampton Beast |
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Post by CentreHice on Sept 14, 2015 12:15:24 GMT -5
Yeah, McCarron's trying to take his helmet off and the Leaf decides to get in a shot the best way he could….cheaply. McCarron arm-slammed him to the ice. Word will spread quickly. Does McCarron have a shot this year? He represents a lot of what we've been missing on our PP…the size, strength, skill, and I-can-back-myself-up ability to not only screen/muck it up in front….but to cash-in as well. Perhaps the patient, passing, perimeter point-shot days would be over…. I can't recall the last Top 6 tough-skilled forward we had who was close to 6-6, 225. Peter Mahovlich, maybe? 6-5, 205. McCarron isn't that good offensively, relative to the era…..but Pete was also tough, laid on the body, and would answer the bell if need be. Mike McPhee is likely a better comparison….but he was a third-liner, and 4 inches shorter and 20 pound lighter than McCarron. The Smurf days are behind us….but that era certainly took up way too many years of our history…. Pretty bad when you have to go back 40 years to find a comparable size-toughness-skill combo in the Top 6. Of course, I'm most likely forgetting a few such players….so please point them out. And….perhaps those types of players are few and far between anyway. |
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Post by seventeen on Sept 14, 2015 13:41:29 GMT -5
The biggest hurdle facing McCarron is the fact he can be sent to St. John's without clearing waivers. It's become a numbers game now, with up to 8 players fighting for 2 or 3 spots on the bottom 6. Will Berg send DSP down? or Brian Flynn, if McCarron outplays them? Not likely. I wouldn't either, so the plan should be to start the season with the vets, have the kids (except maybe Bournival who should make the team) get some experience in the AHL and then do some trimming through the year until the trade deadline and then bring up the kids who have earned a call-up. If we didn't have so much 'depth' (IMO quantity more so than quality), then a couple of kids might have had a chance. Certainly Hudon and Carr, who have played a year in the AHL. Anyway, that's my take.
PS. Habs Eye on the Prize had some GIF's of the rookie game vs the Sens yesterday. On one play, McCarron fought for the puck behind the net, lost it, recovered it, started to skate behind the net to the goalie's left while being chased by a forechecker, and made a quick turn back to the goalie's right, losing the forechecker, and up the ice. Simple, but very effective play. You'd never think he was that agile and he carried it out, with possession. Good play.
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Post by Polarice on Sept 14, 2015 14:47:41 GMT -5
I think after watching some of these rookie games that McCarron should play at least one year in the AHL. I would like him get used to playing against larger, stronger, faster players before making a go of it in the NHL. I'd hate to see what happens to Lats happen to him.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Sept 17, 2015 10:09:36 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 22, 2016 11:39:35 GMT -5
Don't like dredging out old threads, but just an update on one of our camp invitees. Dryden Hunt (#29 too by the way!), is a 20 year old undrafted forward who is tearing up the Dub this year. He has been scoring hat tricks of late like nobody's business. He now has 49 goals and 99 points for Moose Jaw to lead the league in goals and narrowly in points. He does play with dynamic Tampa prospect Brayden Point, so that does not hurt your chances of putting up points. Dreger is reporting there are four teams looking to sign him to an entry level deal, including at least one Canadian team. Wonder if the Habs are nibbling, as all he would cost is one of the fifty contracts. These types of signings usually don't result in much more than minor league depth, but you always hope you can find that rare home run. As much as it is easy to maligne DD, he has been a very good FA signing. A regular roster spot without giving up assets is good in my books.
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Post by Willie Dog on Feb 22, 2016 16:31:52 GMT -5
Don't like dredging out old threads, but just an update on one of our camp invitees. Dryden Hunt (#29 too by the way!), is a 20 year old undrafted forward who is tearing up the Dub this year. He has been scoring hat tricks of late like nobody's business. He now has 49 goals and 99 points for Moose Jaw to lead the league in goals and narrowly in points. He does play with dynamic Tampa prospect Brayden Point, so that does not hurt your chances of putting up points. Dreger is reporting there are four teams looking to sign him to an entry level deal, including at least one Canadian team. Wonder if the Habs are nibbling, as all he would cost is one of the fifty contracts. These types of signings usually don't result in much more than minor league depth, but you always hope you can find that rare home run. As much as it is easy to maligne DD, he has been a very good FA signing. A regular roster spot without giving up assets is good in my books. Nice find bud.... free assets are always good |
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Post by Skilly on Feb 23, 2016 8:22:14 GMT -5
Don't like dredging out old threads, but just an update on one of our camp invitees. Dryden Hunt (#29 too by the way!), is a 20 year old undrafted forward who is tearing up the Dub this year. He has been scoring hat tricks of late like nobody's business. He now has 49 goals and 99 points for Moose Jaw to lead the league in goals and narrowly in points. He does play with dynamic Tampa prospect Brayden Point, so that does not hurt your chances of putting up points. Dreger is reporting there are four teams looking to sign him to an entry level deal, including at least one Canadian team. Wonder if the Habs are nibbling, as all he would cost is one of the fifty contracts. These types of signings usually don't result in much more than minor league depth, but you always hope you can find that rare home run. As much as it is easy to maligne DD, he has been a very good FA signing. A regular roster spot without giving up assets is good in my books. Nice find bud.... free assets are always good Most times though .. you get what you pay for |
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Post by Willie Dog on Feb 23, 2016 10:29:42 GMT -5
Nice find bud.... free assets are always good Most times though .. you get what you pay forVery True but some work out quite well, DD is a good example, we've gotten a lot out of him, he doesn't fit where he gets played right now but as a 3rd line winger he is quite productive. How about from the 2013 season alone see linkFrancis Bouillon, Josh Gorges, Rene Bourque, David Desharnais, Raphael Diaz We also had Darche and we have Condon as well to name a few Also Here is a list of undrafted players who have played more than 100 games... sort the list by games played and you get some really good hockey players. |
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Post by Skilly on Feb 23, 2016 11:30:44 GMT -5
Willie ... could it be, the reason we are mired in mediocrity is because we are using 7 guys like this? Instead of developing the guys we drafted properly?
Seven undrafted players on one team in the span of a decade is A LOT!!! ( I realize we traded for Gorges and Bourque)
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Post by Willie Dog on Feb 24, 2016 21:13:37 GMT -5
Willie ... could it be, the reason we are mired in mediocrity is because we are using 7 guys like this? Instead of developing the guys we drafted properly? Seven undrafted players on one team in the span of a decade is A LOT!!! ( I realize we traded for Gorges and Bourque) I agree but there are still good undrafted players...we just had a bunch of mediocre ones and that goes to poor management, poor scouting (amateur and professional) and extremely poor player development |
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