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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 4, 2015 13:43:24 GMT -5
Time to start a new thread for general discussion on the prospects not playing with the big club or with the farm team in St. John's. The Habs still have the rights to guys like Nattinen and Nygren, although there is definitely some doubt than either will return to North America anytime soon.
QMJHL:
Daniel Audette - Sherbrooke Phoenix
Simon Bourque - Rimouski Oceanic
OHL:
Jeremiah Addison - Ottawa 67's
Michael McNiven - Owen Sound Attack
WHL:
Noah Juulsen - Everett Silvertips
Matt Bradley - Medicine Hat Tigers
NCAA: Jake Evans - University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Hayden Hawkey - Providence College Friars
Colin Sullivan - Miami University RedHawks
Nikolas Koberstein - University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks
Europe
Sweden:
Artturi Lehkonen - Frölunda HC
Magnus Nygren - Färjestad BK
Lukas Vejdemo - Djurgårdens IF
Finland:
Joonas Nättinen - JYP Jyvaskyla
Czech Republic:
Martin Reway - HC Sparta Praha
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 4, 2015 13:48:16 GMT -5
Vejdemo has seen some action for Team Sweden at the Lake Placid WJC camp (he had an assist in one game against the US split squad). Juulsen is in Calgary for the Team Canada WJC summer development camp.
Those are the Habs only two hopes for prospects to participate in the next WJC over the holidays...so here is hoping both can make their respective teams.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 5, 2015 10:10:13 GMT -5
Just a heads up that TSN is showing the World Junior Summer Showcase (the short tournament featuring CAN, RUS and CZE) games on TV. I caught two periods last night, and this was Juulsen's first game playing. Canada plays two more games and it will be interesting to see if they insert Juulsen into the lineup against Russia tonight or the Czechs tomorrow night.
It was my first time really watching Juulsen's game closely. I know it is hockey in August, but these kids are all trying to leave a positive impression with Hockey Canada brass. After missing the scrimmages at the Habs' development camp last month, he is able to play in Calgary this week. I thought he was very solid in his own end. He has good mobility, gap control and awareness, and I liked how he effectively angles and bodies forwards out along the boards (he could add some beef so I was wondering about whether he could be manhandled in his own end). He saw both PP and PK time, and played a very quiet and efficient game. Other guys like Chabot were always trying to jump into the rush, but Juulsen showed he can look after things in his own end. He has a good calm first pass, and earned an assist in the 7-1 victory last night.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 5, 2015 12:35:25 GMT -5
Juulsen paired with Fleury and is in tonight against Russia. Game is a late broadcast; 10pm ET, 8pm MT, 7pm PT on TSN.
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Post by seventeen on Aug 5, 2015 12:57:30 GMT -5
Just a heads up that TSN is showing the World Junior Summer Showcase (the short tournament featuring CAN, RUS and CZE) games on TV. I caught two periods last night, and this was Juulsen's first game playing. Canada plays two more games and it will be interesting to see if they insert Juulsen into the lineup against Russia tonight or the Czechs tomorrow night. It was my first time really watching Juulsen's game closely. I know it is hockey in August, but these kids are all trying to leave a positive impression with Hockey Canada brass. After missing the scrimmages at the Habs' development camp last month, he is able to play in Calgary this week. I thought he was very solid in his own end. He has good mobility, gap control and awareness, and I liked how he effectively angles and bodies forwards out along the boards (he could add some beef so I was wondering about whether he could be manhandled in his own end). He saw both PP and PK time, and played a very quiet and efficient game. Other guys like Chabot were always trying to jump into the rush, but Juulsen showed he can look after things in his own end. He has a good calm first pass, and earned an assist in the 7-1 victory last night. I got much the same impression, NWT. If you're looking at an existing NHL player whose style is similar, coincidentally, it's Jeff Petry. Neither are deliberately physical, but don't shy from it and what they're good at is retrieving pucks and moving them. Juulsen made one rush up the ice along the left side, tried a pass, lost the puck deep but a teammate recovered it and 2 passes later it was in the net. He didn't directly make a pass, but at least he wasn't afraid to carry the puck in. On another play, he got the puck at the right point and wristed it at the net. No big windup, but it was a hard, accurate pass/shot. I liked him more than McKeown, an LA, right handed draft, who was more physical and more noticeable (but not for all the right reasons), but wasn't as efficient as Juulsen. Paired with Fleury tonight, huh? I'd consider that a bit of a promotion. Thanks for the heads up.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 7, 2015 10:26:14 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 13, 2015 9:12:48 GMT -5
A fairly comprehensive piece on Lucas Vejdemo. A lot of the first part of the article is a bit of a recap of things you may have seen and/or read around the time of the draft, but the second half is all about the Swedish team at the recent Lake Placid WJC camp. Some good stuff for the proverbial dog days. allhabs.net/lukas-vejdemo-another-hidden-gem-from-canadiens-trevor-timmins/
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Sept 3, 2015 13:13:34 GMT -5
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Sept 3, 2015 15:00:55 GMT -5
Thanks NWTHF ... if it weren't for you and 17 I'd forget about more than a few of our prospects ... in your opinion, where are these guys on our depth chart ... Cheers.
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Post by seventeen on Sept 3, 2015 15:36:57 GMT -5
NWT probably has a better read than I do, but here's my opinion FWIW.
Nattinen is never going to make the NHL with the Habs. (So much for being nice)
Reway is a favourite of mine, but has size working against him. Brains wise and Hockey IQ wise, he's terrific. He has good hands and is a good two way player. A real leader IMO, but who knows? He could be a better Plekanec, or never come to Montreal.
I haven't seen Vejdemo play, but Timmins was sure happy to get him in round 3 this year. He's a 19 year old rather than the usual 18 year old. Injuries kept him from showing much in his first draft year and then he didn't get much exposure in major tournaments last year, so the thinking (hope?) is simply that not many scouts were aware of him. It's been announced he's been chose for the Swedish WJC line-up for this year. Big centre who projects as a second liner, IF he fulfills his potential.
Lehkonen is a bit like Reway in that he has a lot of skill, but his size is working against him. Hockeydb has him at 5' 11", 163 lbos. He's a faster skater than Reway, though, so might be projected higher by most people. (I throw that in because in my ignorance, I think Reway could make the Habs well before most prospects his age, but then I'm easily influenced by smart play). Lehkonen will get an opportunity with the Habs, but probably after some time in St. John's.
There, the Reader's Digest condensed version of Seventeen's fiction. Caveat Emptor.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Sept 4, 2015 12:24:14 GMT -5
Okay, I will weigh in (lol).
Nattinen will stay in Europe, make money, and play real hockey. He played a full 1:39 with the Habs. He made one little booboo on his second shift early in his NHL debut, and MT stapled him to the bench for the rest of the game. Nuff said.
Reway is a dynamic little guy. He is playing a decent role for his club team and national team, so it will be interesting to see if he comes over and if he would be willing to earn his keep in the AHL to start. I am not as sold as 17 on his two way game yet, but it is better than when he played in the Q and was offense all-the-time and maybe a tad too selfish in not using his teammates. He wore the "C" at the WJC in his last year of eligibility last season, and really carried that team on his back. It will be interesting to see if he comes over next year when his deal is done with Sparta Praha. The Habs need to sign him by 2017, so still some time for both parties to figure out what plays out next. I would like him over here to see how he stacks up in the NA pro game.
Vejdemo had a decent summer camp with the Swedish junior team. I am hopeful he gets one of the final roster spots just to see how he does against the best in his age class. He seems to be locking up a top six spot right now with his SHL team, which is great if he can keep that up. At worst, if he gets top nine ice time in Sweden it will be good for his development as this will be his first year playing against men (he was in the junior league last year unlike a lot of the highly touted and better known Swedish prospects). Seems like a big kid with two way skills and good hockey IQ. More to come for sure.
Lehkonen finally got last year turned around late in the season as he likely was at his healthiest best then. The reports are he has put on some beef this off season, which is great news. He has been playing mens league in FIN and now SWE for years now, and he does have a little of that fearless go-to-the-net and to other dirty places mentality (not unlike Gally). I hope he can keep his hot start up and stay healthy this season to really see what the Habs have in this kid as a prospect. I expect he will come over next season when his contract is up, and likely get his feet wet in the AHL acclimatizing to the NA game (although his style of play will likely be well received by coaches).
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Sept 4, 2015 12:25:16 GMT -5
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Post by seventeen on Sept 5, 2015 13:31:49 GMT -5
Regarding Reway.
He also scored a very pretty shootout goal, but I can't seem to get the video to work. Here's a goal he got during a game.
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Post by seventeen on Sept 6, 2015 19:09:32 GMT -5
Sorry, got them mixed up. The above is the shootout goal. This next one is a goal scored in the CHL in Europe, during play. Nice pickup of the pass with his skates and then great hands. streamable.com/8i6l
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Sept 18, 2015 16:21:38 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Sept 22, 2015 15:46:56 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 1, 2015 11:42:49 GMT -5
Reway's three shootout goals from last weekend. Nice hands, really good on the backhand. Hey goalie, did you not anticipate backhand on the third one lol? www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIciJPv0qDE
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 1, 2015 16:31:20 GMT -5
McNiven has had a good first week back in the OHL. 3-0 record, 1.91 gaa, .935 save percentage.
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Post by oldhabsfan on Oct 10, 2015 2:21:19 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 13, 2015 9:47:10 GMT -5
It is still very early in the season, but Martin Reway is off to a very good offensive start in the Czech Extraliga. As of this past weekend, Reway was leading the league in scoring which is quite an accomplishment for the young, dynamic forward. He has 5g 7a in his first 10 games and also has six points in his six Champions Hockey League games as well. www.habseyesontheprize.com/2015/10/12/9511271/martin-reway-scores-again-now-leads-the-czech-extraliga-in-scoring-highlightsReway is under contract with Sparta Praha for this season and must be signed by the Habs by June 1, 2017 or else they would lose his NHL rights and he would become a free agent.
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Post by seventeen on Oct 13, 2015 12:46:33 GMT -5
I like this kid a lot. He's a bit of a rebel, but then, so is PK. His skill level is high.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 13, 2015 14:25:22 GMT -5
I like this kid a lot. He's a bit of a rebel, but then, so is PK. His skill level is high. His production in the top Czech mens league has meant that he likely would only want to come over if he can play in the NHL, rather than earning his keep in the AHL. Entry level deals still have to be two-way deals, so it really would be up to him to show that he deserves a spot on a 23 man NHL roster. It will be interesting to see if and when the Habs are able to lure Reway and Lehkonen over to North America (and what they eventually do with Nygren or his rights). The other "interesting" fact about Sparta Praha is that the team's second highest scorer is 2011 Habs draft pick Daniel Pribyl. He did not get a contract with the Habs but is still only 22 years old. The C/RW is now a very big boy, at 6'3" and 238lbs according to Elite Prospects. The knock on him was always his skating, but he did score some dandy goals back in the day, so he has some skill. He is on pace to have his most productive season in the Extraliga. www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=101160
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 13, 2015 15:55:30 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 20, 2015 10:06:26 GMT -5
This should come as no surprise, but nice to see it confirmed. Noah Juulsen will suit up for team WHL when the Canada-Russia Super Series comes out west for two games this November. whl.ca/article/team-whl-roster-announced-
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Post by seventeen on Oct 20, 2015 12:20:15 GMT -5
I'd be surprised if he doesn't make the Canada WJC team over Christmas. He seems to be a very well grounded dman. Comparison wise, Petry is a close fit IMO.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 21, 2015 21:08:31 GMT -5
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Post by seventeen on Oct 21, 2015 22:49:37 GMT -5
Wow. Our talent evaluators are pretty good.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 23, 2015 12:53:02 GMT -5
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Post by seventeen on Oct 23, 2015 13:06:15 GMT -5
Odds are 95% it's Reway's issue, but it should be kept in mind that in European hockey, personality conflicts can play a role. Some decisions are hard to explain, eg, how Victor Hedman was not chosen on the Swedish Olympic team.
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Post by frozone on Oct 23, 2015 13:56:35 GMT -5
I have no idea what Reway's icetime has been like, but youngsters generally don't get much ice time in Europe. If Reway is leading his team in points with only 10 min per game, at least there's some silver lining to this news piece.
Considering they were apparently negotiating a new contract, hopefully it was all the agent's fault and Reway isn't the headcase he appears to be.
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