ADT Canada-Russia Challenge

[NWTHabsFan]

Okay, so many are bemoaning the loss of Hainsey and Hossa and wondering if there is anything left in the farm. Interestingly enough, a bunch of our latest recruits all had some chance to shine against their peers and some young Russian fellas. How did they do, you ask....

From the Q, the two top scorers were both Hab prospects. Guillaume Latendresse ended his two game stint with 6 points, with 5g 1a. Tops in the Q. All eyes were on Gui to shine. Mathieu Aubin, oft forgot, was second on the team in scoring with 5 points. Who knew? Oh yeah, Tender was also player of the game back to back

Off to the O. Matt D'Agostini had no points in his one game. Still, decent performance for a walk on at Guelph. Little fast feisty kid we have on our hands.

From the Dub. This Chipchura guy slowly ends up top scorer from the W with four points in two games. Now, Setoguchi had three points in only one game playing alongside Kyle, so he might have eclipsed young Kyle if he had played. But, alas, he did not. Also, Price was a perfect 1.000 playing 30 minutes of relief in the first game and not letting in a bean.

Hmmmmm, I give that a passing grade....a darn fine passing grade in fact.

[cigarviper]

No doubt, the boys know how to draft talent, but, building a winner doesn't begin and end there. There's a bunch of other stuff in between that needs addressing. You are right though, it's a strong beacon of hope for the future.

[Bob]

Saw Chips and Price play in Saskatoon. I am a big fan of both players.

From what I saw Chips is a very hard worker, willing to take abuse and has some offensive talent but being creative with the puck isn't his biggest strength. In other words, I doubt that he projects out to being a first line center... he is probably 2nd or 3rd line material. But that's the same level that Guy Carbonneau reached and there is nothing wrong with that.

Obviously the guy is a leader. I would say his skating ability is average. There were guys who were quicker and guys who were slower.

Price looks smooth, quick and confident. Although he wasn't tested much, his glove hand looks very fast and he seems to go from his knees back up to his skates very quickly. Where some goaltenders seem to go down and stay there (making them susceptible to high shots), Price gets up in a hurry.

He is also very good with his stick... it seems like a toy in his hands. Where some goaltenders look awkard and the stick looks like it is getting in their way, Price gives you the feeling that he is completely comfortable handling the puck.

I wouldn't mind if both these guys were traded to contending teams. I think both would thrive in a competitive environment.