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Post by blny on Nov 28, 2017 18:56:17 GMT -5
Even more reason to watch the Spengler cup. I paid more attention a couple of years ago when Fucale was on the team. I watch as much as I can every year, regardless. It's a great event. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Nov 29, 2017 8:39:16 GMT -5
Josh Brook played last night, his first game of the year. Great news for him. He registered an assist and was named third star to boot. Pretty good debut shaking off some serious rust.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Nov 30, 2017 11:42:35 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 1, 2017 23:43:16 GMT -5
Decently productive night for a bunch of our prospects.
Evans with one goal and an assist.
Poehling with two apples.
Hawkey with 2 gaa on 22 shots and the win; Primeau with one goal on 29 shots and the win.
Walford and Fleury with two assists each.
Bitten with a 1+1 night.
Pezzetta with a goal.
Ikonen with his first Liiga goal, and he added an assist too.
Koberstein with an assist.
Fucale gave up three in his loss tonight.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 2, 2017 19:45:26 GMT -5
Good night for our Euro guys. Ikonen waited a long time to score his first Liiga goal, now he has three in two games! A great two goal game from him.
Vejdemo has been quiet point wise for a bit, but added two assists today.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 3, 2017 10:49:33 GMT -5
Our NCAA goalies were both stingy last night, giving up just one goal each. Primeau got the loss, but unfortunately Hawkey’s Team was shut out so it was all for naught in his case.
Evans had a helper, and Poehling did not play (resting him after a minor thing from a Friday night...got to keep him healthy for the Christmas break and his WJC date!).
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Post by blny on Dec 4, 2017 8:44:04 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 4, 2017 12:10:49 GMT -5
Good for him, although I would have been shocked if he was left out. He has a strong record of good production and performances recently in best on best tournaments in his own age group. He was key to their U18 team and this past summer was great in the Junior Summer Showcase, which was a U20 warm up tournament for a few countries. He is an interesting case of player development this season. He has struggled adapting to playing in the men’s league and getting any production. He is on a team that has struggled to generate offence overall, and he is also facing the usual challenges of playing against much more physically mature opponents. I have read reports of those who follow him quite closely that he has shown good things, but just has been offensively snake bitten. His recent game where he finally scored his first Liiga goal (and added an assist in the same game) was quickly followed up with a two goal game. Let’s hope that gives him the confidence to be able to produce a bit more frequently in the lineup. Having a good WJC would definitely go a long way. The WJC could be fun for Habs fans with Poehling and Ikonen playing. Bitten has an outside shot but has been putting up very promising numbers of late, and plays that good two way hustle game that is endearing to Team Canada scouts. And then there is Mete. No clear indication on what the Habs may do yet. The Canada selection camp roster does get announced in a few days, so we shall see. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 4, 2017 23:17:12 GMT -5
Have not had much reason to follow our NCAA prospects in a while. That has changed.
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Post by seventeen on Dec 5, 2017 0:28:25 GMT -5
Good for him, although I would have been shocked if he was left out. He has a strong record of good production and performances recently in best on best tournaments in his own age group. He was key to their U18 team and this past summer was great in the Junior Summer Showcase, which was a U20 warm up tournament for a few countries. He is an interesting case of player development this season. He has struggled adapting to playing in the men’s league and getting any production. He is on a team that has struggled to generate offence overall, and he is also facing the usual challenges of playing against much more physically mature opponents. I have read reports of those who follow him quite closely that he has shown good things, but just has been offensively snake bitten. His recent game where he finally scored his first Liiga goal (and added an assist in the same game) was quickly followed up with a two goal game. Let’s hope that gives him the confidence to be able to produce a bit more frequently in the lineup. Having a good WJC would definitely go a long way. The WJC could be fun for Habs fans with Poehling and Ikonen playing. Bitten has an outside shot but has been putting up very promising numbers of late, and plays that good two way hustle game that is endearing to Team Canada scouts. And then there is Mete. No clear indication on what the Habs may do yet. The Canada selection camp roster does get announced in a few days, so we shall see. He broke out lately. Six points in 28 games, but I think 5 have come in the last 3. Or something like that. He may have figured it out. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 5, 2017 11:47:42 GMT -5
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Post by seventeen on Dec 5, 2017 13:41:58 GMT -5
ONe can't say we have no depth at the goalie position. That's always a tough position to draft for, since it's quite common for NHL goalies to come out of late rounds. It really is a position where quantity matters.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 5, 2017 18:05:05 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 6, 2017 14:37:57 GMT -5
No Bitten on the invite list to Team Canada's WJC selection camp. Not entirely surprising as there are a lot of other forwards having pretty impressive years, so pretty tough competition. I was hoping, but knew it he would only have an outside shot at a spot. The Habs have until December 19th to decide on what to do with Mete with respect to the WJC roster. I just hope Canada keeps Logan Stanley at home. I want our team to be able to skate!! www.tsn.ca/wide-open-competition-for-spots-as-canada-names-wjc-camp-roster-1.936223 |
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Post by seventeen on Dec 6, 2017 15:36:36 GMT -5
When I saw Stanley's name on Bob McKenzie's TSN roster show, I nearly choked. Visions of sugar pylons dancing in my head from the Summer challenge where everyone was walking around him. Sheesh. You'd think they'd learn. KEvin Chevaldayoff's scouting group doesn't make many mistakes, but I think they blew that one. Please....keep him off the roster! |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 9, 2017 1:12:41 GMT -5
Sweet goal by Poehling tonight.
And Josh Brook last night.
And Vejdemo. Nice goal dude.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 9, 2017 9:14:39 GMT -5
It is interesting to watch our four recent defence draft picks from the Dub. All decent size, with mobility and the ability to move the puck. They are the total anti-Alzner model, which is good, because these are the types you want to draft and develop for how the game is played now.
All four lads had at least one assist last night too, so they help get the offence going. Fleury and Brook had one assist, Walford had two, and Tyszka had three.
Fleury has 17 points in 27 games.
Brook has 4 points in 6 games.
Walford has 16 points in 30 games.
Tyszka has 19 points in 28 games.
It is still a long way from the WHL to the NHL, but it gives me and others something Habbish to watch in the Dub again!
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Post by seventeen on Dec 9, 2017 10:56:57 GMT -5
And things to hope for. Along with Poehling and a rejuvinated Ikonen, last year's draft is looking solid.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 9, 2017 22:55:06 GMT -5
Fleury with three assists and the second star tonight as the Pats won 4-2.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 10, 2017 9:07:16 GMT -5
And things to hope for. Along with Poehling and a rejuvinated Ikonen, last year's draft is looking solid. And the seventh pick, the oft forgotten 7th rounder Kid Primeau is having a pretty good rookie season too (He got another win against Boston College last night). There is no way all of these kids make it. There is always the post draft buzz, but it has been one of the more interesting Habs draft classes to follow in a while. Considering how rather uninspiring our draft depth is/was before this last draft, we needed something to feel a bit better about. So far, I feel a bit better! |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 11, 2017 19:03:06 GMT -5
Will Bitten has been the model of consistency over the last while, collecting at least one point in nine of his last ten games. He has 16 points in that 10 game stretch.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 11, 2017 23:56:47 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 13, 2017 15:22:02 GMT -5
Joni Ikonen definitely had his struggles early on this season in the Liiga, as he battles to find productivity and be effective in a top tier men's league. He has just signed a one-year extension to remain with his Finnish league team through next season. He has been getting better of late and is starting to gain confidence as he finds his name on the score sheet more. As with any teenager, he can use time to gain strength and acceleration to be more effective against bigger, stronger and faster opponents. Keeping European prospects playing in top tier mens' leagues until they are ready to acclimatize to the NHL or AHL has proven to be successful for guys like Lehkonen, and it appears to be the route being chosen for Lukas Vejdemo as well. Ikonen will still have tons to learn as a 19 year old next season, so at least this way he stays in a familiar environment and hopefully can continue to gain his confidence and that of his coach, and thus get charged with greater responsibilities for his club team. Ikonen still has two years of World Junior eligibility left, as he could play a significant role for Team Finland later this month and the year following. That also helps him develop in a best-on-best tournament of his age peers. www.prohockeyrumors.com/2017/12/joni-ikonen-signs-one-year-extension-in-finland.html |
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Post by folatre on Dec 13, 2017 16:05:19 GMT -5
Vejdemo always looked like intriguing pick because of his skating. But now, while far from a sure thing at NHL level, it seems like he is growing into a hockey player. That is good news.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 14, 2017 15:55:22 GMT -5
Vejdemo always looked like intriguing pick because of his skating. But now, while far from a sure thing at NHL level, it seems like he is growing into a hockey player. That is good news. Yup, definitely not a sure thing. As you say, he is rounding out some other parts to his game which should be increasing his chances of an entry level deal and a plane ticket across the pond. Last year was a real struggle offensively for him, so it really nice to see him back on the positive development track. He is still only 21, so there really is no rush yet as the new CBA does allow Euro players four years before their NHL team loses their rights (June 1, 2019 in Lukas' case). |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 15, 2017 1:56:30 GMT -5
Will Bitten has been the model of consistency over the last while, collecting at least one point in nine of his last ten games. He has 16 points in that 10 game stretch. 17 points in his last 11 now, and points in ten of those 11. The team that he did not make the cut lost against some CIS all stars tonight. Just sayin’, lol. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 15, 2017 2:02:57 GMT -5
Josh Brook. Missed the first chunk of the season. Comes back strong in late November like it is nobody’s business. He has 8 points in 8 games, is +11, has a few game stars, and has impressed observers with his game. I think we are all going to be talking about this kid for a while.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 15, 2017 23:14:02 GMT -5
Bitten with 1+1 tonight. That is 19 points in his last 12 games.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 16, 2017 13:39:02 GMT -5
A Bit of Bitten.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 19, 2017 16:06:24 GMT -5
Vejdemo has signed a one year contract extension with his SHL club. This actually perfectly aligns with the summer of 2018 at which point the Habs have to decide whether or not to offer him an entry level deal or else lose his rights. If the Habs were really pressing to get him signed and over next season, then that could happen too if all the parties agreed. Either way, his continued development is in good hands and has been moving nicely upwards this year for the young 21 year old Swedish centre.
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