Pierre Gauthier on Streit, Grabovsky and stuff

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

I'll dedicate this one to BC.

*

04-03-2005

Streit continues to impress

Mathias Brunet
La Presse

At 27 years of age, Swiss defenseman Mark Streit is a little old to find himself grouped amomg the Canadiens' prospects, but the team has plans for him.

Ignored by NHL clubs until the Habs finally gave him his chance last summer, Streit has had an astonishing season with the Zurich Lions of the Swiss National League In spite of the presence of NHL players, this ninth round choice of the Canadiens has been among the League's scoring leaders with 43 points, including 14 goals, in 44 matches.

The Canadiens professional scout, Pierre Gauthier, is not lost for superlatives regarding the player he highly recommended to the team's management. "I think that he can play in the NHL," mentions Gauthier at the other end of the phone. "He's having a really big season in Zurich and with the national team. It's a significant year for him. We will seriously evaluate him at the World Championship in Vienna. There will be many NHL players over there and he will be confronted by the cream of the crop. It will be a good situation in which to measure his skills."

Streit played his first five professional seasons in the Swiss League, before trying his hand in North America at 22 years of age in 1999-2000. He spent only one season here, moving between Springfield in the American League, and Tallahassee in the East Coast League before returning home. His offensive production has been impressive for four seasons in Zurich.

"He really grabbed my attention during the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002, with the Swiss national team," underlines the the Senators' and Mighty Ducks' ex-GM. "He's a defenseman of average size, between 5 feet 11 inches and 6 feet, 195 to 200 pounds, but he produces on offense. He makes good decisions with the puck at the point. He's a guy who scores goals."

Gauthier observed a constant progression in his case. "I noticed at the World Championships last spring, that he had bulked up physically. His defensive play was somewhat improved. He won his one-on-one battles in the corners. I said to myself that he was only 26 years old and that he could cope with the pressure in Montreal in a year or two because his play had become more complete."

On the advice of Gauthier, Trevor Timmins drafted him in the ninth round last summer "He is the heart and soul of the Swiss national team," mentions the our colleague Emmanuel Favre from the Swiss daily newspaper Le Matin, "Besides, management appointed him captain of the club. He is hungry. Mark Streit would have loved to have had an earlier chance at the NHL."

The Canadiens have never had much success with older defensemans coming from Europe. The Finn Marko Kiprusoff (brother of Miikka the goalie) had his shot in Montreal in 1995, in the company of his good buddy Saku Koivu when it was 23 years old, but he faded fast. His lack of physicality hurt him a great deal and he returned to Finland at the end of the season, after having split time between Montreal and Fredericton.

More recently, in 2001, another Finn, 25 year old Martti Jarventie, showed up at the Canadiens' training camp after being drafted by the organization a few months earlier. He spent the season in the American League, in Quebec, before leaving.

"One never knows how the older European players will react in a new environment, but I believe that Mark Streit has a very good chance to be well acclimatized to our style of play."

*

The Hainsey subtext is so strong in this article..

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

04-03-2005

European players:
A strategy that Gauthier likes

Mathias Brunet
La Presse

Pierre Gauthier liked to draft older European players when he was GM of the Ottawa Senators, and it served them well.

"We built half of our club with players like that," he says. "We had a lot of positions to fill at the time. Daniel Alfredsson was 21 years old when we drafted him in the sixth round in 1994. We put our hands on Andreas Dackell, Sami Salo, Magnus Arvedson and Jani Hurme during following years and they gave invaluable service for us."

Last year two of the nine players drafted by the Canadiens were 20 years or older: Mark Streit, 26, and Mikhail Grabovsky, 20. The latter is having one exceptional season in Russia, in spite of his youth, with a record of 32 points in 55 games, at one point being the 10th highest scorer in the RSL. Gauthier had his input in the selection of Grabovsky.

"Let's not forget that the RSL is very strong this year with the presence of all these NHL players. He's a young man who has talent and beautiful hockey sense. He will adapt well to North American hockey because he can play in heavy traffic. He measures only 5 feet 10 inches and half, but when you are intelligent like that, that's not a problem "

More and more teams seem to risk choices by drafting players ignored in their first year of eligibility "With 30 teams, it's necessary to scout everywhere and this category of players has proven to be reliable. It's a market place full of interesting players. Brian Rafalski is the most obvious case, but there is also Niclas Havelid, the goalie Martin Gerber, David Vyborny in Columbus, Pavel Datsyuk in Detroit, Marek Zidlicky in Nashville, Alexander Khavanov and Peter Cajanek with St-Louis, Jarkko Ruutu in Vancouver, Cristobal Huet, Karlis Skrastins, the list is long..."

"It is a question however of having a feel for the player, because of many European players are successful in their country but flops in North America. The most difficult element to judge for us is not the talent, but their capacity for adaptation," specifies Gauthier. "But it is necessary to pay close attention before saying that the European leagues are weaker. On the level of talent they are as strong as the American League. There is also a lot of experience in Europe. They are leagues where hockey is very mature. Even in Germany, they play hard. It is difficult for young players to reach those leagues. When they arrive in North America the players drafted late are already mature and they can help a club in the short-term. That'ss our wish in the case of Streit."

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

Mark Streit is too old.
He is 27 now and will be 35 when the NHL starts to play.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Grabovsky tied for second in over all scoring, thus far, at the WHC.

Streit tied for the lead as top scoring defenseman at the WHC.

[NWTHabsFan]

I think this pair's success at the WHC is really great, but there sure were signs that these two had it in them. Grabs ended up 14th in scoring in the RSL in the year in which he turned 21 and with a large influx of NHL players. Ditto for the Swiss league, where Streit was 19th in scoring and only three points fewer than Rick Nash, in the same number of games. Both also had good showings with their national teams last year.

I did manage to see one of Grabovski's league games on tape this year and I could really see his hockey sense and puck skills, along with truly impressive speed. A little buzz bomb like Petrov with better finish.

An accurate comment, Mr B, about the Hainsey subtext. Would management be as interested in having a 27 year old offensively-gifted, undersized defender from afar if a certain 24 year old prospect was less of an enigma? Problem with both these guys is that money is pretty decent right now in the RSL and in Switzerland (with its tax breaks as well), so the NHL-less economy is likely not enough to lure them over to take pay cuts to play in the AHL. Would like to see both them over for camp this summer/fall though.

What is great is that Pierre Gauthier is out checking these events and professional leagues out. This expands the talent search beyond what Trevor Timmins and the amateur scouting guys normally cover, and Gauthier is a proven judge of talent. I haven't seen or heard anything about who gave Gainey the advice on waiver pickups like Begin and Langdon, but again it points to solid pro scouting. Gives us all hope!!

[HabbaDasher]

I would guess Gainey recognized the need for Begin & Langdon. André Savard had a knack for picking up talent, but I think Gainey understands the mix needed for success. Begin & Langdon were the sandpaper & knuckles for a soft, talented team.

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

HabbaDasher said:

I would guess Gainey recognized the need for Begin & Langdon. André Savard had a knack for picking up talent, but I think Gainey understands the mix needed for success. Begin & Langdon were the sandpaper & knuckles for a soft, talented team.

Habsolutely right.
My concern is that so many of our prospects look the same, tons of offensive talent, 5'11' 190 lbs = or - an inch.
Drafting is an inexact science. Pick 10 good prospects and four will make it big if you are lucky. No telling which ones though. If you pick 10 prospects and none of them is big in physical size, the four that come through won't be big in size. Chipchura stands out in the crowd of offensively gifted small men.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Streit scored the goal that gave the Swiss a 3-2 lead against Russia today. The game ended 3-3.

[NWTHabsFan]

M. said:

Streit scored the goal that gave the Swiss a 3-2 lead against Russia today. The game ended 3-3.

Hmmm, Breezer with a $1M buyout clause, a bad back, and a net savings to the club of $3M if they take that option given there is NHL hockey next season. Methinks the Breezer subtext could only be second to the Hainsey subtext. A point a game guy in the Swiss league (and a 5 point a game guy in 4 games in the WHC) could be a legitimate PP QB in the NHL.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

NWTHabsFan said:

Hmmm, Breezer with a $1M buyout clause, a bad back, and a net savings to the club of $3M if they take that option given there is NHL hockey next season. Methinks the Breezer subtext could only be second to the Hainsey subtext. A point a game guy in the Swiss league (and a 5 point a game guy in 4 games in the WHC) could be a legitimate PP QB in the NHL.

Streit is starting to sound like a Zurich group insurance plan.

He did play a season in NA, so the style is not unfamiliar to him. Playing 8 seasons as a regular d-man in one of the top European leagues, on the big ice, likely means he has superior skating legs. Leader of the Swiss team in international play. Typical for d-men, really put his game together at age 26 (ratcheting up his offensive game a few notches). Kudos to the Habs' scouts, and drafting team.

[seventeen]

A Streitcar Named Desire.

[HabbaDasher]

I think Brisebois will retire a Hab.
He'll sign for less and have a reduced role.
He doesn't want to leave Montreal.

[HabbaDasher]

Habs_fan_in_LA said:

Habsolutely right.
My concern is that so many of our prospects look the same, tons of offensive talent, 5'11' 190 lbs = or - an inch.
Drafting is an inexact science. Pick 10 good prospects and four will make it big if you are lucky. No telling which ones though. If you pick 10 prospects and none of them is big in physical size, the four that come through won't be big in size. Chipchura stands out in the crowd of offensively gifted small men.

I think the philosophy is draft for talent and trade (or grab off waivers) for toughness.

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

HabbaDasher said:

I think the philosophy is draft for talent and trade (or grab off waivers) for toughness.

Once again, I think you're right, but it's hard to pickup a Lindros, Thornton or Lecavalier on waivers.

[blaise]

Habs_fan_in_LA said:

Once again, I think you're right, but it's hard to pickup a Lindros, Thornton or Lecavalier on waivers.

Those are the players you get by tanking (and not losing your #1 pick because someone else edges ahead of you in the lottery, as happened with Ovechkin).

[NWTHabsFan]

Streit had another helper in Switzerland's big 2-0 win over Belarus today, to secure the Swiss a quarter final spot.

[NWTHabsFan]

I liked what I saw of Streit on TV today against Sweden and what others had posted about his play so far in the WHC. I went googling and found a few stories about this storied Swiss and Zurich captain. The source is noted in the article and original link to the article in German is provided at the bottom. Good reading IMO.

Streit and Blindenbacher into the NHL?
1. Do Marks Streit and Severin Blindenbacher at these world championships play around an imminent future in the NHL? Does the ZSC Lions have to replace even two of their most important defenders at short notice with beginning of season?

from Joeel Wuethrich, Working press Basel Montreal/Monday, 9 May 2005/08:38

To this horror scenario ZSC Sportchef Simon wants gives not to think, but in two cases it can happen nevertheless.

Case 1:
Michael bar-nicely, general manager of the Phoenix Coyotes was full the praise for its three Swiss Draftpicks Bezina, Forster and Blindenbacher. Particularly Sevi Blindenbacher impressed the former Gretzky agent and companion of many years of the "Great One". It would not be averse to tighten it also in the case of one season with the so-called "Replacement Players" with no agreement between NHL and NHLPA.

Case 2:
Also Montreal Draftpick Mark Streit is in the focus of the NHL Dinos: Almost faultlessly and sovereign directs he Swiss defense and proves that it is also on international level "rough and tough". As Blueliner it delivered its visiting card likewise once more.

With the Montreal Canadiens would be a place however very hard contests, because the defensive of the "Habs" is very balanced and strongly occupied: The "Big Guys" Souray, Dykhuis, bouillon and Komisarek, the co-ordinator Brisebois and the mobile Blueliner Markov and Rivet formed last in the season 2003/04 a strong defensive department. Besides wait the young and very much talented Hainsey, Archer and Shasby for its chance. But a case could come to meet Mark Streit nevertheless strongly: If the "Habs" should wish itself after the experiences of the Lockout season and the current world championships a new mobile, still powerful and technically experienced defender, strikes the hour Mark Streit. At least the Chefscout of the Montreal Canadiens Pierre Gauthier expressed itself in this direction. The fact that also Montreal GM Bob Gainey of this opinion was could give cause for hope.

- Original link in German -

[NWTHabsFan]

Another beauty...source CHfans.com, which found this from a Swiss hockey site, Signal Hockey. Link to original French source is provided below.

Wednesday May 4, 2005 - In the French-speaking magazine of the hockey Swiss, Signal Hockey, the interview of the month is that of the captain of the team of Switzerland, fished out in 26è position (ninth round) in 2004 by CH It is the occasion for you to make knowledge with the defender of Zurich Lions.

Signal Hockey: For the pure one produced CP Bern which you were, to carry out its baptism in Ligu Nationale A with Freiburg-Gottéron, the rival and enemy club, it is particular...
Streit Mark: (laughter) In Freiburg, I disputed one season with the juniors elites (ndsSk: the equivalent of the major junior) before integrating the first team. Sascha Schneider, one of my best buddies in Bern, had decided to continue its career in Freiburg. That made me reflect. While remaining with the CP Bern, my chances to succeed in hockey would have been tiny, even null! My parents thus advised me to imitate Sascha. It was special: Bernois are not appreciated in Freiburg. I smelled an animosity the first weeks. And I was accepted as of the moment when my fellow-members saw that I gave all for Freiburg-Gottéron. I also very quickly learned French and that facilitated my integration.

You say that "your chances to succeed would have been tiny, even null" with Bern and yet you are one of the best defenders of Switzerland (ndsSk: it was elected better defender by the trainers and captains of the 12 clubs of LNA)!
If I had remained in Bern, I have this conviction that my course would not have been the same one. The CP Bern, which gained many dedications, is not a formative club which A grants a chance to its young people. Of my flight, we were several good players born in 1977 and 1978 - Sascha Schneider (currently in Freiburg-Gottéron), Laurent Müller (Davos) and me -, but we had never been able to involve us with the first team. Freiburg-Gottéron represented the best springboard to launch my career. At 17 years, I evolved/moved in LNA.

Kjell Larsson, which had launched you in the arena at 17 years, called you "my kid"...
(laughter) My establishment had been surprising. With the exception of the last match of our preparation in Lugano, I had not disputed any friendly meeting and... I was titular during all season 95/96!

You left Freiburg, after one season, for Davos...
The manager of the time which had engaged me, Didier Eltschinger, had been dislocated of his functions. Kjell Larsson, which had given me my chance, did not seem to achieve the unanimity near the leaders... At the time of World of less than 20 years, in Boston, I had côtoyé Arno del Curto, which was also the coach of Davos (ndsSk: it is it always...). The club grison showed me interest and I knew that my time of ice would be consequent.

By leaving Switzerland for the leagues minors in the United States, in 1999, the international one that vousétiez had had to grant large financial sacrifices...
In Springfield, I perceived 2400 US dollars per fortnight, but I paid my apartment and my car. Compared to my wages with Davos, vela represented little money. But I do not regret this experiment. In the United States, I gained in maturity: the boy that I was became a man. I had to beat me to make me my place.

Did you think of throwing sponge and of returning to Switzerland?
I have pride and pride! This idea sometimes effleuré me the spirit, but my brain and my heart said to me not! Estimating that I wasted my time in ECHL, my parnts and my friends, they, advised me to return to Switzerland.

Did your fishing out, last summer, by the Canadian of Montreal constitute a surprise?
And how! The preceding years, via Internet, I had never missed anything of the fishing out and I remained hours in front of my small screen. After the edition 2003, I had given up any hope to be fished out one day in LNH. A journalist of Tages Anzeiger me télephone. I say myself: it does not fail a base to call me one Sunday during the summer. While wanting to collect my impressions, it taught me the good news.

Did CH contact you after this "draft"?
Yes! Its leaders wanted to know which were my intentions for the future. I said to them that I would carry out the entirety of season 2004-05 in Zurich Lions because of uncertainty related to the lockout. They then questioned me: "And if the LNH begins again, be you ready to try your chance?" I answered them yes, with the proviso of being likely to belong to the team.

Would you accept today a contract "two ways"?
(hesitation) I do not believe. I already played in LAH... If the Canadian really wants me, it will have to show it to me and a contract "one way" would be a beautiful proof!

Why, during your first experiment in North America, you had not succeeded in imposing to you?
I was too young person and not yet ripe physically! Today, I am ready to play in LNH! It is the challenge which I launched out and the LNH always constituted a dream.

Which are qualities which could make you succeed in LNH?
My strong points, namely my fast and offensive play, my revivals and my precision in the master keys. I think of being able to contribute my share on the play of power. I am not large, nor large... If CH proposes a contract to me, it will be for my qualities, but I do not have the conviction that he wants me at 100%. I take the things as they come. Moreover, I like myself Zurich Lions where I have just prolonged two seasons with a legal tender clause. In this case of figure, I am sure that the leaders of the club and the fans would include/understand and would encourage me to carry out this attempt.

Why this renewal with the Lions for two years?
It reigns an excellent spirit within our team and it is always special to evolve/move in a large city (ndsSk: a million inhabitants with the agglomeration, is a seventh of the Swiss population...). "the new"
Captain of Zurich Lions, you lêtes also in team of Switzerland, it is a beautiful mark of confidence?I like to assume this responsibility. To be a captain, it is not only to have one "C" on its shirt! You must detect possible problems and speak with the players and the trainers. You take care that the team spirit is good. I am honoured and proud to be the captain of the Lions and Switzerland.

Is your statute of public character difficult to assume?
Not in a city like Zurich! Perhaps elsewhere where people would tend to recognize a sportsman more easily. Some seek with côtoyer the human hockeyor and not lêtre. I do not like this surface side. I detect these characters who approach you only by interest, but that also formed part of our trade.

A Swiss hockeyor, who more is of the national team, perceives good wages. What do you make your money?
I am careful and make some economies. I have all which I need to live: I have a car, clothes... I am privileged to earn my living while playing hockey and I of it am perfectly conscious. I appreciate the holidays and I am likely to be able to please to me, to go where I want, without having too much to look at. I like my trade: hockey. A sportsman cannot cheat: he cannot follow his occupation only for the money. That would feel some in its performances...

Does it sometimes happen to you to think of your reconversion?
Yes (note: Mark Streit is for the benefit of a commercial diploma), but at 27 years, my beautiful years are in front of me. I do not favour to carry on a different activity, even at reduced time. As long as I will be a professional player, I will devote myself to 100% with this activity.

Will you play one day for the CP Bern?
(laughter) I do not know... (long silence one never should never say!

The fans of the CP did Bern understand that Bernois that you are pushed back offers of the club of the federal City?
I think that many partisans did not include/understand. It is as in a couple: it is not only my fault, it is also that of the CP Bern! When I spoke with Bern, I never had the impression that one wanted me at 100%. I enjoy myself in Zurich and did not see imperative reason to change club. The Lions entrusted each year to me more responsibilities. In Bern, I adore the city and I have my buddies there...

Do you dedicate cos success to people as private individuals?
With my parents! They led me tous.les.jours to the skating rink. Today still, they try to attend my matches. They also follow me at the time of the World ones. Hockey, they is them hobby and I am extrêment grateful to them for all that they did for me. We are a very plain family and I have also a sister, Prisca, which played hockey. Contrary to me, it remained faithful in Bern during 14 seasons (laughter) .

Your best memory remains your national title with Zurich Lions in 2001...
The feeling was indescribable! We were led 3 to 1 and we went to gain twice in Lugano. Unfortunately, we did not republish the exploit this year vis-a-vis Davos. In Resega (Lugano)m the festival was ready. Journalists had already received the course of the festivities luganaises. That had returned to our ears and we even were motivated. There were great emotions.

- Link to CHFans.com article in French -

[NWTHabsFan]

An assessment of Mark Streit's skill set, taken from Eishockey.ch and translated (note: NLA is the Swiss Elite League):

Eishockey.ch Scouting report

JW. - note giving 1 to 7 in accordance with an internationally applicable notenschluessel. 7 = outstanding/world class, 6 = international class, 5 = NLA star, 4 = NLA average, 3 = NLA role player, 2 = NLA with dignity however with lack, 1 = NLA unworthy

Technik/Skating: 6
Mental strength: 5
Physis: 5
Condition: 5
Discipline: 5
Tactical understanding: 6
Firing technology: 6
Killer instinct: 5
Maximum stress: 5
Future prospects: 5

Totally: Note 5,3

[Rimmer]

last night i watched the game between Switzerland and Sweden and I got to see MArk Streit play for the first time. while it's hard to judge a player based on one game seen on TV, here's what I've seen. the thing that becomes obvious right away is the fact that playing with a puck is his forte. he can take it up the ice on his own (his skating is seemed to be very good) or make precise, long passes right on the stick of his rushing forwards. he has a hard and accurate shot which he isn't afraid to use, the kind that is perfect for the players standing in front of the net to put their stick on. he is their main option on the PP and he helps set it up effectively which is evident by their 26.32% success on the PP, 2nd only to team Canada's 30.30%. he also looks very calm under pressure. you get the feeling that he is more confident with a puck than without it, which doesn't mean that he is a defensive liability. he does not seem to be very big but I've seen him play tough on a few occasions. his positioning seemed to be good which is probably why he plays on their 1st PK unit (4th in the tournament with a 89.36 success rate).

I can't say if he has a future in the NHL, mainly because I haven't seen many NHL games in the past few years and, well, because I'm not such an expert :-). but on the big ice, he does seem to have the quality to play with the big boys. 2 things, IMHO, could present the biggest problems problem to his NHL career:

1. his size (5'11'', 196 lbs) - i believe he could have a career if used properly, as a 3rd pairing PP specialist. anything more would depend on whether he can handle big forwards in the NHL

2. smaller rinks in NA - combine this with the fact that in NA teams dump the puck in the offensive zone and then forecheck aggresively a lot more often than in Europe and you get less space and time to react than what he's used to. if he's not able to adjust to that change, his main quality as a dman will be neutralized or even become a liabilty. OTOH, being able to move and pass the puck well and under pressure, can be a great asset to his team opening up on the (counter) attack.

please bear in mind that all this is based on 1 game seen on TV. I'm sure mic has seen him play more often in Switzerland so he can give a more accurate assessment

R.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Thanks for the Streit goods, guys!

Here's a cleaned up excerpt from the French article:

By leaving Switzerland in 1999, for the minor leagues in the United States,you had to make considerable financial sacrifices...
In Springfield, I received 2,400 US dollars bimonthly, but I paid for my apartment and my car. Compared to my salary with Davos, that represented less money. But I do not regret the experience. In the United States, I matured: the boy that I was became a man. I had to fight to make my place.

Did you think of throwing in the towel and returning to Switzerland?
I have arrogance and pride! This idea sometimes brushed my spirit, but my mind and my heart said "No!" Assuming that I was wasting my time in the ECHL, my parents and my friends advised me to return to Switzerland.

Did your being drafted last summer by the Montreal Canadiens constitute a surprise?
And how! In previous years, via the Internet, I had never missed a single draft, and I would be glued for hours in front of my little screen. After the 2003 edition, I had given up any hope of ever being drafted by the NHL. A journalist from "Tages Anzeiger" phoned me. I said to myself: he's got his nerve to call me on a Sunday during the summer. Wanting to get my impressions, he told me the good news.

Did the CH contact you after this draft?
Yes! Their management wanted to know what my intentions were for the future. I told them that I would play the entirety of the 2004-05 season in Zurich because of uncertainty related to the lockout. They then questioned me: "And if the NHL begins again, are you ready to try your hand?" I answered them yes, on the condition of belonging to the team.

Would you today accept a two-way contract?
(hesitation) I don't think so. I've already played in the AHL... If the Canadiens really want me, they will have to show me that, and a one-way contract would be the best proof!

Why, during your first experience in North America, did you not succeed in making your mark?
I was too young and not yet physically mature! Today, I am ready to play in the NHL! It's the challenge that I gave myself, and the NHL has always been my dream.

Which qualities would allow you to succeed in the NHL?
My strong points, namely my speed and my offensive play, my coverage and the precision of my passes. I think I could contribute my share on the power play. I am not tall, or heavy... If the CH proposes a contract to me, it will be for my skills, but I do not have a 100% conviction that they want me. I'll take things as they come. Moreover, I am happy with the Zurich Lions, where I have just renewed for two seasons, with an escape clause. In case the opportunity arises, I am sure that the club management and the fans would understand, and would encourage me to take the plunge.

[BadCompany]

mrbozo said:

In Springfield, I received 2,400 US dollars bimonthly, but I paid for my apartment and my car. Compared to my salary with Davos, that represented less money...

... I answered them yes, on the condition of belonging to the team.

Would you today accept a two-way contract?
(hesitation) I don't think so. I've already played in the AHL... If the Canadiens really want me, they will have to show me that, and a one-way contract would be the best proof!

Bery, bery inn-terresting…

So do the Habs give a one-way contract to a guy who may or may not play well in North America, in all likelihood costing them either Hainsey or Bouillon in the process, and tying up cap money at the same time?

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

badcompany said:

Bery, bery inn-terresting…

So do the Habs give a one-way contract to a guy who may or may not play well in North America, in all likelihood costing them either Hainsey or Bouillon in the process, and tying up cap money at the same time?

The next chapter of the Streit story may hinge on what happens with Brisebois. If the Habs buy him out for $1M (expected), rather than pay him the $4.5M for the final season of his contract, how easy will it be to re-sign him? And for how much? What does Brisebois bring to the rink that Streit doesn't, or vice-versa?

[NWTHabsFan]

Hmmm.

My pick, Breezer and big bucks gone...bye, bye.

Streit and young guns in....hmmmm

Good deal IMO.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

nwthabsfan said:

Hmmm.

My pick, Breezer and big bucks gone...bye, bye.

Streit and young guns in....hmmmm

Good deal IMO.

Yes, but will the fans then boo Streit for replacing Brisebois? Will Gainey bark at them in German, telling them to stop acting like idiots?

Gee Wally, I miss all the peripheral stuff about following the Habs.

But, yeah, I too can picture your scenario as coming to pass.

[Forum Ghost]

Last month's HabsWorld prospect of the month... Mark Streit.


Habsworld.net has named Mark Streit the May Prospect of the Month for his excellent play at the 2005 World Championship tournament as the captain of Team Switzerland. Out of the 16 team tournament, the Swiss ended up in eighth place, not a great finish but they did play well with some very exciting hockey. The Swiss were led by their captain Mark Streit and his impressive all round play as he was a force at both ends of the rink. He led his team in scoring and was also one of the top scoring defensemen in the tournament, picking up one goal and six assists in seven games as well as leading his team in shots on goal with 15 and tied for the team lead in plus minus rating with a plus 1.

What may have been most impressive about Streit’s play was his defensive play one on one, as he showed he can handle bigger players but using smart body positioning, an active stick and a willingness to take the body. He also showed good endurance as he was one of the leaders in ice time for the Swiss, playing in all situations on the top pairing and at times it appeared as though he was always on the ice especially late in the game when his team needed him most. One would think that the Canadiens management is very pleased with what they saw from the ninth round pick of the 2004 draft, taken 262nd overall. Pierre Gauither should be the most pleased with his performance as he was the driving force behind managements decision to select the overage Swiss defender, who is coming off a career year in the LNSW.

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The article also gives special consideration to Grabovsky...


Also in the running and very close to getting the prospect of the month award was Mikhail Grabovsky who also enjoyed a very successful appearance at the 2005 World Championship tournament. Grabovsky exploded offensively in a game against the host nation Austria, as he picked up four goals in one game against Flyers draft pick Bernd Brueckler out of the NCAA. Grabovsky went on to led his team in goals with four and was second on the team in points with five in six games and in addition, was second on the team in shots on goal with 16. While fans were likely disappointed in the lack of offensive production from top 2003 pick Andrei Kostitsyn, they had to enjoy the breakout tournament that Grabovsky had. It was his speed, skating and offensive willingness to create chances for himself and his teammates that was most impressive, as he had several quality chances and always seemed to make things happen on the ice while playing on the top line for Team Belarus.

[Rimmer]

another Streit article, this time from www.canadiens.com:

Making a Mark in Europe

Streit has potential to pay dividends (06/30/2005)


MONTREAL -- For even the most optimistic of players, by the time the NHL draft dips into the 260th-pick range, it’s hard to mask your disappointment if you’ve yet to hear your name called. For many, when the arena staff outnumbers the unselected players remaining in the stands, it’s time to push the panic button. Unless you’re Mark Streit, that is.

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R.

[Deleted]

So much hype about Streit, suddenly.

[montreal]

mattdhf said:

So much hype about Streit, suddenly.

I never saw him play until the WC's, where I got to see him play twice. I can't stress how impressed I was with his play, especially his one on one play. He made a great play against Kovalev (funny they used a pic of them) as he tied him up along the boards and he held Kovalev in check.

I have no idea what kind of impact he will have but I hope he's signed as he displayed a good bit of skill and impressive body positioning.

[Cranky]

Hype.......hype......hype....I remember all the hype sourrounding Komi...

Let's see what he does against Sundin when the Leafs are down by two goals.