Habs Prospects 2018-19

[seventeen]

Fonstad now at 36 points in 37 games, pretty well same pace as last year. If he can continue the most recent scoring pace, he'll exceed last year's ppg and we can consider it an improvement.

McShane is at 25 in 31 games, slightly below last year's pace. He's another who got off to a slow start. Lots of competition at Training Camp next year, so they'll both have to pull their socks up to make an impression.

[NWTHabsFan]

McShane with two more assists last night. He has skill. He made last year's Team Canada U18 team. However, any player who drops to the 4th round has some warts. McShane's biggest ones are his skating and his need to move his feet more. The player development team needs to get him on a program with a skating coach for the former, as it can be improved. The latter is more about consistency of the urgency in his play, rather than skating. That too can be influenced by coaching but it has to come from within.

#61 in white.

[NWTHabsFan]

Three Hab prospects are rumoured to be possibly on the move to a contending team before the deadline: Teasdale, Suzuki and Tyszka.

Teasdale is the first to actually move.

[NWTHabsFan]

A few prospects of note last night.

McShane kept his hot hand going, with a goal and two assists.

Teasdale had a 1+1 night with his new team.

Suzuki had a goal in his return to Owen Sound.

And the there was Josh Brook. Back in his top role, including PP time, and he ended up with three assists. Enter the Tim Hunter comments now lol....

I also saw Walford live last night. No points, but he did get called for two penalties. He plays in all situations for Victoria. Five on five and both special teams. Good skater for his rangy frame, he has an active stick, and seems quite engaged in the play at both ends of the ice. He looked better than last year for sure.

[NWTHabsFan]

The top prospect performance from a guy not playing in the WJC last night was Cole Fonstad with a goal and two assists. He now has 41 points in 40 games, but has been getting more productive as the season progresses.

Suzuki also popped another goal last night, his second in two games since coming back. Owen Sound traded off some offence, so there is not much offensive depth left to support Suzuki. This is also fueling trade rumour talks as his name has popped up a few times of late.

[franko]

Jan 6, 2019 8:56:42 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

The top prospect performance from a guy not playing in the WJC last night was Cole Fonstad with a goal and two assists. He now has 41 points in 40 games, but has been getting more productive as the season progresses.

Suzuki also popped another goal last night, his second in two games since coming back. Owen Sound traded off some offence, so there is not much offensive depth left to support Suzuki. This is also fueling trade rumour talks as his name has popped up a few times of late.

Ottawa's going all-in this year, bring him here so I can see him!

[NWTHabsFan]

Brett Stapley has returned from injury where he missed a few games. The 19 years old seventh rounder from BC has been the biggest surprise for me so far this season. He gets back on the scoreboard again with this nice effort on the assist. #7. This was a head to head game, as prospect Jack Gorniak also recorded an assist for Wisconsin in the game.

[NWTHabsFan]

Jan 6, 2019 10:29:42 GMT -5 franko said:

Jan 6, 2019 8:56:42 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

The top prospect performance from a guy not playing in the WJC last night was Cole Fonstad with a goal and two assists. He now has 41 points in 40 games, but has been getting more productive as the season progresses.

Suzuki also popped another goal last night, his second in two games since coming back. Owen Sound traded off some offence, so there is not much offensive depth left to support Suzuki. This is also fueling trade rumour talks as his name has popped up a few times of late.

Ottawa's going all-in this year, bring him here so I can see him!

Similarly, I am hoping Tyszka gets traded to Edmonton! They are first in their division and a stronger back end would not hurt.

[Willie Dog]

Jan 6, 2019 10:29:42 GMT -5 franko said:

Jan 6, 2019 8:56:42 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

The top prospect performance from a guy not playing in the WJC last night was Cole Fonstad with a goal and two assists. He now has 41 points in 40 games, but has been getting more productive as the season progresses.

Suzuki also popped another goal last night, his second in two games since coming back. Owen Sound traded off some offence, so there is not much offensive depth left to support Suzuki. This is also fueling trade rumour talks as his name has popped up a few times of late.

Ottawa's going all-in this year, bring him here so I can see him!

I agree

[NWTHabsFan]

McShane with two more goals tonight.

And just for seventeen, Tyszka with the GWG tonight. Kaboom!! Don’t have the video for it yet.

[NWTHabsFan]

Dec 30, 2018 22:51:10 GMT -5 seventeen said:

I'd like to nominate myself as president of the Jarret Tyszka fan club.

I fully attribute his recent success to you taking on this key role!!

[NWTHabsFan]

Suzuki has been linked to a few teams over the last couple of days. Let's see if this one is confirmed.

[Cranky]

NWT...thanks for keeping the prospects "hope for a better future" alive.

I'm disappointed how we sstalled on a few prospects with great promise. Scherbak was a bell ringer. I thought he had first line written all over him but alas, now he too is gone.

We need someone from within to "scout" for us. Probably a lot more reliable then blowing hot air "articles" on prospects by vested interests.

[Willie Dog]

Jan 8, 2019 15:45:18 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Suzuki has been linked to a few teams over the last couple of days. Let's see if this one is confirmed.

Would love to see the 67s grab Suzuki

[seventeen]

I'm still not totally sold on Suzuki. His strengths are clearly in the vision and hands side of things. He sees plays developing, he's able to make great passes, he can stickhandle really well and his shot seems to be adequate.

In the WJC, I saw some instances where his skating speed and acceleration were not quite up to the standards being shown by many of the other top prospects. On one play, he missed creating a breakaway because the defenseman caught up to him. If he had an extra half stride he would have gone clear.

On the other hand, I was more impressed than I expected with both Brook and Romanov. I think they have more upside than I originally thought. Ylonen I'm also not sure of. Terrific skater, but will he go to the dirty areas? If he can capture that part of the game, he'll be good.

Poehling had a good tournament. I thought he'd be good anyway, so he basically met my expectations. He's a Danault replacement with better offense.

But Jarrett Tyszka could be better than all of them.

[NWTHabsFan]

The Suzuki trade to Guelph has been confirmed. Guelph is really loading up. This is their fifth trade, as it all started four weeks ago when they moved highly skilled but questionable Ryan Merkley for another defender. All of their other trades have been adding to both defense and forward skill and depth. They were a middle of the pack playoff team up to this point, but they look to be going for a good playoff run now with their additions.

Teasdale has gone to a very strong Rouyn-Noranda team; Suzuki to a now much stronger Guelph team; what, if anything, will happen to seventeen's dude Tyszka? I am still very selfishly hoping he is traded to Edmonton.

The Suzuki move now means that Guelph will have two Habs prospects as teammates: Suzuki and Cam Hillis. Hillis is on the IR and is expected back mid-February. He was starting to heat it up just prior to his injury.

[NWTHabsFan]

Another two assists last night for Brook. The fact that he has adapted back to being the go-to guy in a Moose Jaw after his very different role at the WJC says a lot about how good this kid is playing this year.

[Willie Dog]

Jan 10, 2019 4:55:21 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Another two assists last night for Brook. The fact that he has adapted back to being the go-to guy in a Moose Jaw after his very different role at the WJC says a lot about how good this kid is playing this year.

and how poorly he was utilized...

[NWTHabsFan]

Some more Brook stuff. He is having quite the year, this season. Here is a comparison to last season, where he did miss a lot of games up front due to an injury during rookie camp.

[NWTHabsFan]

Joni Ikonen's long recovery from an on-ice summer training knee injury could finally be over soon. I am sure he is really anxious to play again. Had he been healthy, he could have been part of either the WJC or the Spengler Cup (his club team participated). To add salt to the wound, both teams won!!

[NWTHabsFan]

Walford is our most forgotten of our four WHL drafted defensemen from last year. His somewhat forgettable season last year did him no favours. He is getting more exposure this year, both in terms of his invite to the CAN-RUS super series as part of Team WHL, and also his more noticeable uptick in production as he has become a bit more engaged at both ends of the ice. He is a bubble guy fighting for a contract, so he needs to do more of these types of good plays while not sacrificing his bread and butter which is his defensive play.

The Habs currently have lots of room under their 50 NHL contract limit. Three prospects are already signed and will be joining the pro ranks this fall: Suzuki, Brook and Teasdale. Two CHL guys need to be signed or released: Tyszka and Walford. I expect the Habs will try and sign Poehling, as he is looking more and more pro ready (at least for a jump to the AHL). I don't think there is any rush to sign any of the Euro guys this summer. I think there is very likely contract room if they feel Walford deserves a deal. Not all the RFA/UFA guys whose contracts are up will be resigned, so that opens up room for the new class every year.

[Cranky]

Jan 8, 2019 18:03:02 GMT -5 seventeen said:

I'm still not totally sold on Suzuki. His strengths are clearly in the vision and hands side of things. He sees plays developing, he's able to make great passes, he can stickhandle really well and his shot seems to be adequate.

In the WJC, I saw some instances where his skating speed and acceleration were not quite up to the standards being shown by many of the other top prospects. On one play, he missed creating a breakaway because the defenseman caught up to him. If he had an extra half stride he would have gone clear.

On the other hand, I was more impressed than I expected with both Brook and Romanov. I think they have more upside than I originally thought. Ylonen I'm also not sure of. Terrific skater, but will he go to the dirty areas? If he can capture that part of the game, he'll be good.

Poehling had a good tournament. I thought he'd be good anyway, so he basically met my expectations. He's a Danault replacement with better offense.

But Jarrett Tyszka could be better than all of them.

You forge steel in fire.

Let's see what Suzuki and company can do in the AHL before we pass judgement on their ability or future. Even then....

I'm still not over how Sherbak turned out to be a dud (or perhaps not). He had elite written all over him a few years ago.

[Willie Dog]

Jan 10, 2019 15:47:14 GMT -5 Cranky said:

Jan 8, 2019 18:03:02 GMT -5 seventeen said:

I'm still not totally sold on Suzuki. His strengths are clearly in the vision and hands side of things. He sees plays developing, he's able to make great passes, he can stickhandle really well and his shot seems to be adequate.

In the WJC, I saw some instances where his skating speed and acceleration were not quite up to the standards being shown by many of the other top prospects. On one play, he missed creating a breakaway because the defenseman caught up to him. If he had an extra half stride he would have gone clear.

On the other hand, I was more impressed than I expected with both Brook and Romanov. I think they have more upside than I originally thought. Ylonen I'm also not sure of. Terrific skater, but will he go to the dirty areas? If he can capture that part of the game, he'll be good.

Poehling had a good tournament. I thought he'd be good anyway, so he basically met my expectations. He's a Danault replacement with better offense.

But Jarrett Tyszka could be better than all of them.

You forge steel in fire.

Let's see what Suzuki and company can do in the AHL before we pass judgement on their ability or future. Even then....

I'm still not over how Sherbak turned out to be a dud (or perhaps not). He had elite written all over him a few years ago.

I had real high hopes for him

[seventeen]

Jan 10, 2019 15:47:14 GMT -5 Cranky said:

Jan 8, 2019 18:03:02 GMT -5 seventeen said:

I'm still not totally sold on Suzuki. His strengths are clearly in the vision and hands side of things. He sees plays developing, he's able to make great passes, he can stickhandle really well and his shot seems to be adequate.

In the WJC, I saw some instances where his skating speed and acceleration were not quite up to the standards being shown by many of the other top prospects. On one play, he missed creating a breakaway because the defenseman caught up to him. If he had an extra half stride he would have gone clear.

On the other hand, I was more impressed than I expected with both Brook and Romanov. I think they have more upside than I originally thought. Ylonen I'm also not sure of. Terrific skater, but will he go to the dirty areas? If he can capture that part of the game, he'll be good.

Poehling had a good tournament. I thought he'd be good anyway, so he basically met my expectations. He's a Danault replacement with better offense.

But Jarrett Tyszka could be better than all of them.

You forge steel in fire.

Let's see what Suzuki and company can do in the AHL before we pass judgement on their ability or future. Even then....

I'm still not over how Sherbak turned out to be a dud (or perhaps not). He had elite written all over him a few years ago.

Not passing judgement, just providing a balancing aspect to the rave reviews he's getting. He could turn out to be an excellent player and a scorer that we need badly. Or a guy not quite fast enough to play this high pace style on the top 2 lines. Still, having a creative guy like him on the bottom 2 lines adds a lot to those lines. I'm always concerned when there seems to be a skating deficiency. That was the worry some people had with Kotkaniemi and it was completely undeserved. He'll soon be one of the faster guys on the team. Awkward style, but he gets from A to B pretty quickly. Scherbak looked to have it all too, except for the inensity. Who knows?

[seventeen]

Jan 10, 2019 8:56:45 GMT -5 Willie Dog said:

and how poorly he was utilized...

The more I think about that WJC, the more convinced I am that if Hunter had just made some small adjustments, it would have turned out differently.  The Finns got a couple of extremely lucky breaks against us (the flukey tying goal and the Dobson broken stick on an wide open net shot).  What if we had just scored one more goal to make that comeback impossible?  One more PP goal.  The excess usage of Bouchard on the #1PP and the neglecting of Brook, who was perhaps their best defenseman tourney long, were two big errors, as was not juggling the lines a little bit  The more I see of conservatism, the more it bothers me 

[NWTHabsFan]

Jan 10, 2019 18:03:02 GMT -5 seventeen said:

Jan 10, 2019 8:56:45 GMT -5 Willie Dog said:

and how poorly he was utilized...

The more I think about that WJC, the more convinced I am that if Hunter had just made some small adjustments, it would have turned out differently.  The Finns got a couple of extremely lucky breaks against us (the flukey tying goal and the Dobson broken stick on an wide open net shot).  What if we had just scored one more goal to make that comeback impossible?  One more PP goal.  The excess usage of Bouchard on the #1PP and the neglecting of Brook, who was perhaps their best defenseman tourney long, were two big errors, as was not juggling the lines a little bit  The more I see of conservatism, the more it bothers me 

In hockey these days...#safeisdeath

Claude still partakes.

[NWTHabsFan]

This is how to make your Guelph debut. Win it in OT with a doozie. He also had an assist for a two point night.

[NWTHabsFan]

Oshawa traded their top centre. McShane moves up. He has been on a tear. A mere four points tonight. Get him a skating coach and we are cooking with gas.

[NWTHabsFan]

McShane is taking advantage of his increased ice time since Studnicka was traded. He was on a bit of a roll prior to that too. On a good run right now. He will have to improve his skating though. That is why we got him in the fourth round.

[Disgruntled70sHab]