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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 12, 2018 6:49:20 GMT -5
It is the weekend, so the lineup of prospects’ games goes way up. Of particular interest is the opening weekend for NCAA hockey, so a bunch of our guys will see their first official action tonight. Will Poehling and Primeau take their conferences by storm? Will the new draftees get some meaningful ice time and how will they do? It will be a first chance to get a sense in what we have in Gorniak and Harris as they make the big jump from high school hockey to NCAA (with a few brief USHL games at the end of the season).
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Post by BadCompany on Oct 12, 2018 9:36:19 GMT -5
It would be interesting to get the full story on his draft. I was certainly disappointed that we expended that early a 2nd rounder on a guy who most services had rated quite a bit lower. Not that I didn't want him, just thought he'd be available with a late 2nd round pick or early 3rd round pick. Now the consensus of the general scouting services isn't necessarily right (we've seen numerous examples of that, both positive and negative). Timmins said that there were other teams interested in Romanov and he (Timmins) didn't think he'd be available late in the 2nd. He could be right and I'd love to know which team(s) and more of the background to that. I have wondered about all that too. We still had three second round picks left at that point, only having used up one on Ylonen and not yet traded the Washington second rounder to get two picks. TT has used that line before about knowing other teams were after a guy. I know he did it with Lernout. I guess the scouts know who is at the games and who teams are spending a fair bit of time watching, but their draft boards may look very different than ours. So there could have been teams really interested in Romanov, but did they have him ahead of who they picked with their second round pick? We will never really know that one. Anyway, making CSKA's KHL squad as an 18 year old does indicate that some of the scouting services likely had him too low for sure. In the end, it really won't matter where he is drafted if he can develop into an effective NHLer down the road. And yes, I was miffed at the draft that we went with him that early. It was a case of drafting for position as TT mentioned a bunch of LHD on their draft board were picked before that pick. I think that in today's scouting world you have to assume that if you see something in someone, other teams see it as well. We're not the only teams scouting after all, particularly in this day and age of "build through the draft". Plus, like everybody else, I'm sure scouts talk shop, so if you're constantly hanging out in some cold, backwater arena, with the same hockey guys, you've probably had a conversation or two with the them. Doesn't mean you divulge that your thinking of drafting some kid (wouldn't be the scout's call anyways), but I'm sure you can get a sense of which players other teams are looking at, just by their presence. More so if "higher-ups" start showing up at these backwater arenas late in the season. How many other players from Krasnaya Armiya Moskva would warrant a look-see from an NHL Director of Scouting, for example? Or even a GM or two? If you see those guys you can bet your bottom dollar they're interested too. If you like a player, and he's high on your ranking, then take him where your ranking says to take him. You'd hate to miss out on a player just because you got too cute with your draft board. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 12, 2018 10:37:11 GMT -5
I think that in today's scouting world you have to assume that if you see something in someone, other teams see it as well. We're not the only teams scouting after all, particularly in this day and age of "build through the draft". Plus, like everybody else, I'm sure scouts talk shop, so if you're constantly hanging out in some cold, backwater arena, with the same hockey guys, you've probably had a conversation or two with the them. Doesn't mean you divulge that your thinking of drafting some kid (wouldn't be the scout's call anyways), but I'm sure you can get a sense of which players other teams are looking at, just by their presence. More so if "higher-ups" start showing up at these backwater arenas late in the season. How many other players from Krasnaya Armiya Moskva would warrant a look-see from an NHL Director of Scouting, for example? Or even a GM or two? If you see those guys you can bet your bottom dollar they're interested too. If you like a player, and he's high on your ranking, then take him where your ranking says to take him. You'd hate to miss out on a player just because you got too cute with your draft board. All true. There is quite a bit of gambling and luck to drafting too. You may know that teams are high on players, but just how high will never be known. With four second round picks, do you risk it passing a few times if you really like a guy (they invited him to the European combine after all, so they were quite serious about him) or do you pounce with one of those picks before you potentially lose him? You often hear TT generally reference guys who slipped in between the Habs picks and how much they had hoped to get him. I am sure other teams feel the same about some of our picks. It is only natural. A GM has to believe in his scouts projections of a player to feel that they were high enough on the Habs draft board to warrant that pick. In the end, it really does not matter where he is drafted, it is whether he can continue to develop into a better player in the next number of years. He is off to a promising start. Hope he can keep it up as it is a tough grind for an 18 year old in a top notch mens league while also doing some university studies too. Ambitious kid. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 12, 2018 18:05:26 GMT -5
Not only does freshman Jordan Harris make his NCAA debut tonight, but he is pencilled in on the first pairing. He will be playing in front of fellow prospect Cayden Primeau.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 12, 2018 22:27:18 GMT -5
Brook with a goal and assist tonight. The guy is a machine so far this season. Video below.
McShane 1g
Primeau win and 24 saves
Harris 1a (first NCAA point in his first game)
Gorniak 1a (first NCAA point in his first game)
Poehling 1a
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 13, 2018 8:45:05 GMT -5
Interesting to see how impactful Brook has been to Moose Jaw’s offence so far. Those are really heady numbers for a defenceman. Sending a strong early message to Team Canada.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 13, 2018 21:25:24 GMT -5
Lots of prospects in action tonight, but want to highlight the great NCAA debut by 18 year old 3rd rounder, Jordan Harris. The mobile LHD got his first assist last night, and followed up with his first NCAA goal and an assist tonight. His goal ended up being the GWG. Primeau got the win and shutout.
Edit: our mystery 7th rounder from this draft was not to be outdone 1g 2g for Stapley
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 14, 2018 1:06:04 GMT -5
Other folks who picked up points tonight:
Olofsson 1a
Teasdale 1a
Suzuki 1a
Hillis 1a
Brook 1a
Stapley 1g 2a (19 year old 7th rounder from BCHL has huge game in his second NCAA game. All firsts for the forward)
Harris 1g 1a
Poehling 2a
Primeau 25 saves shutout (first of the season)
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 15, 2018 10:12:25 GMT -5
Romanov named KHL rookie of the week.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 17, 2018 14:47:20 GMT -5
A few of our prospects will be suiting up for their respective CHL leagues when the Canada/Russia series is played next month from November 5-15:
QMJHL: Joel Teasdale
OHL: Nick Suzuki, Cam Hillis
WHL: Josh Brook, Scott Walford
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 18, 2018 9:38:04 GMT -5
Suzuki with 2g 1a last night. He is #37 in white in these highlights. That first goal is a laser of a shot.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Oct 19, 2018 21:19:11 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 20, 2018 1:16:15 GMT -5
Suzuki had a four point night. 2g 2 a.
Bring on the WJC!!
#37 in red.
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Post by frozone on Oct 20, 2018 11:21:51 GMT -5
Thanks for the clips NWT. Poehling apparently had a really good game and if his teammates would have been able to finish, he would have walked away with a few more points on the night. Case in point: Poehling with the subtle shoulder shake... really fooled the Dman  . |
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Post by blny on Oct 20, 2018 11:27:22 GMT -5
I like the way Nick does a really effective job of disguising whether he's shooting or passing. The motions are very similar and hard to guess correctly. Combine that with a strong wrist shot, and it's clear to see why he has as much success as he does. One assist in that clip also shows him playing well in his own end.
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Post by seventeen on Oct 21, 2018 13:20:27 GMT -5
Interesting how time can change opinions. Reality checks are helpful. The Habs were given really good marks for their 2018 draft. Early into their seasons, let's look at the picks and how they're doing
Kotka - Great....awesome pick, IMO
Ylonen - Good pick iMO, but has 3 goals and no assists in 13 games in the SM Liga....not very good numbers
Romanov - Hard to say. PUndits indicate he's playing well and because he's not considered an offensive force perhaps one can forgive his 1 assist in 19 games. Maybe.
Olofsson - Has 4 assists in 8 games and went through an injury. Looking ok
Cam Hillis - 66th pick, 1 goal 3 assists in 11 games. Not looking good.
Jordan Harris - 1-2-3 in 4 games. Good for an 18 year old defenseman in his first year in the NCAA
Allen McShane - 3-5-8 in 9 games. Ok, but same pace as last year when he should be improving
Jack Gorniak - One assist in 4 games. tough to say as its his first year in the NCAA playing on an historically decent team.
Cole Fonstad - 5-7-12 in 13 games. Decent numbers but same pace as last year.
Samuel Houde - 5-6-11 in 12 games. One of the few guys improving on last years ppg pace, but still not over 1 ppg. One of the better improvements, though.
Brett Stapely - 1-2-3 in 4 games for the U of Denver. That's a good start for a freshman in a strong program.
It's early days, of course, and some of these guys may be slow starters. If I had to grade it right now, it would be a C-. Kotkaniemi is a super choice, and should be at #3 overall. The next 3 are all playing in leagues where youngsters aren't placed in good positions to succeed, so I still have hope for them. I'm particularly disappointed in Hillis and McShane, though we're getting into territory where the odds are low that they'll make the NHL.
And how about Nick Suzuki? He's playing well and scoring well at 7-9-16 in 10 games. That's a 1.6 ppg pace which compares to last year's 1.56. Marginally better. It's not disappointing though. He's really too good for the OHL and should be in Laval where they need scoring badly. I think he's progressing well.
But that 2018 draft looks quite different 4 weeks into most seasons, huh?
NWT, provide some balance here so my glass half empty side doesn't take over (I was pleased with our draft after a few days of consideration this summer, but projections and anticipation mean nothing. Show me the money).
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Post by folatre on Oct 21, 2018 19:21:57 GMT -5
Interesting to track the season following the draft. It is unusual for 18 year old to play in the KHL, so even if Romanov is only playing about 8-9 minutes a night it still seems like something of a victory that he made the team. Offensive numbers are generally pretty modest in SM Liga and SEL so that plus being kids less likely to draw plum game situation assignments, my attitude is wait and see with Ylonen and Olofsson. I agree that those guys in Junior need to pick it up if they want to generate positive career momentum.
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Post by seventeen on Oct 21, 2018 19:45:05 GMT -5
the Euro leagues are indeed notoriously tough on youngsters. Lehkonen had some health issues in his first season in the SEL as a 19 year old (Mono, I believe), and generated 8-8-16 n 47 games. He doubled that the following year so patience for guys like Romanov, Ylonen and Olofsson is definitely warranted. They're the 2nd round picks, so have the most potential.
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Post by Skilly on Oct 22, 2018 10:37:59 GMT -5
Romanov named KHL rookie of the week. What is that "2" ? ... it can only be Games Played, hits, or blocked shots. I'm assuming the top "1" is either points or assists |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 22, 2018 19:28:03 GMT -5
Romanov named KHL rookie of the week. What is that "2" ? ... it can only be Games Played, hits, or blocked shots. I'm assuming the top "1" is either points or assists Blocked shots I believe. The second word is blocked. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 23, 2018 16:30:31 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 25, 2018 7:42:38 GMT -5
We could see Romanov in the upcoming CAN-RUS super series. Sounds good to me!
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 25, 2018 7:48:17 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 25, 2018 7:54:05 GMT -5
A little head to head action in the Dub last night. Fonstad’s Raiders topped Brook’s Warriors 4-2, and Fonstad had two helpers while Brook had one.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 25, 2018 20:26:33 GMT -5
Jacob Olofsson scored his first SHL goal today, to go with his 4 assists. He now has 5 points in his first 9 SHL games as an 18 year old.
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Post by seventeen on Oct 25, 2018 20:47:55 GMT -5
Jacob Olofsson scored his first SHL goal today, to go with his 4 assists. He now has 5 points in his first 9 SHL games as an 18 year old. That's picking it up. He's better than his production so far. I think he's going to be a good solid player, as will Ylonen. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 26, 2018 7:36:11 GMT -5
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Post by BadCompany on Oct 26, 2018 7:54:22 GMT -5
IF Kotkaniemi pans out, and IF Max Domi continues to improve as a top 2 center, then I think Suzuki gets moved to the wing. He's already splitting time there, and he seems to be the most natural goal-scorer/shooter of them all. What's he averaging? Five and a half shots per game? Yeah, it's only junior, but to me anyways that suggests his first instinct is to shoot. Which might make him a natural compliment to guys like Kotkaniemi and/or Domi, 2-3 years down the line. Then you have Danault and Poehling fighting it out for the third line spot, and suddenly you look pretty darn good... |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 26, 2018 16:57:01 GMT -5
Ylonen finds the scoresheet again. He had a 1g 1a game. The goal was a mid-air baseball shot into the empty net. #72 in light blue.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 26, 2018 22:31:22 GMT -5
Cam Hillis has been playing hard, but has struggled to put up points so far. His three assist night tonight will hopefully help him start to get more time on the scoresheet.
Suzuki had a goal tonight, the GWG in fact. Teasdale also popped one in.
Primeau on the good side of a 4-1 win tonight.
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