Top 20 Prospects

[montreal]

www.habsworld.net/article.php?id=1057



The Montreal Canadiens continue to boast an impressive group of prospects despite the loss of recent graduated prospects like Tomas Plekanec, Chris Higgins, and Garth Murray who likely will remain in the NHL for good. Guys like Alexander Perezhogin, Andrei Kostitsyn, Yann Danis, Jonathan Ferland, J-P Cote, and Maxim Lapierre should all continue to see NHL time at some point this year or next depending on different variables with Perezhogin and Cote currently in the NHL as well as others may not be considered prospects for much longer.



With the struggles....

[montreal]

I also wrote this at HF,


If you look at the prospects by position,

Goalies
Price is the future or so the team is betting. I've been keeping a close eye on him and I can't say I've really been wowed but I can see why he was taken so high. He has struggled at times this year, so his inconsistent play is a concern to me but the good thing is that he is seeing a ton of shots and getting a ton of ice time and that will likely continue next year for him.

Danis is the man imo but the reason why I chose to move him under Price (which I don't agree with when talking about their play) But Danis will be 25 this summer, so his upside is likely not much higher, whereas Price is still so young and his upside at this point is very high. Danis to me is going to be a very good goalie since his positional play is as good as any goalie I can think of. The problem is that he can be beat up high but I like his glove hand. I have been a big fan of Danis since he was at Brown and wrote in an article that we should sign him. So clearly I think very highly of him.

Halak takes over Heino's spot. It hurts me to do so cause I am also a big fan of Heino-Lindberg but the fact that he's only played in 8 games all season has me concerned about his progression/development. Not saying it has effected him cause he's got good numbers while playing for a great team but I haven't seen him play in the SEL. Halak makes the jump due to his play in Long Beach, where he's putting up great numbers and if not for some injuries early on, imo he would have been an All Star. He's taken over the starters job in LB, and should be in Hamilton next year.

Heino before this season I had over Halak but not by too much. At the developement camp I felt Heino showed more skills then Halak but Halak has been in North America for the past 2 seasons now and has done well over here. Either way both goalies are very close in terms of upside/potentail imo, it will be interesting to see what happens with them.

Michaud I have never been a big fan of but there's still hope for him and he's been solid in LB this year from the sounds of it.

Lacasse I really don't know what to make of but at this point I'd be surprised if he's even offered a contract this summer.


Defense
For me I can't say enough about how impressive O'Byrne has been this year. Right behind him is Emelin and some would flip them which I wouldn't complain about. O'Byrne is so freaking big and skates better then just about any D prospect we have plus he's got speed. He's learning to use his heavy shot from the point and runs the PP and PK.

Emelin is having a great year so he's right up there with O'Byrne. I still think he needs work in his own end and cutting down on the minors. Still I could see his upside being higher then O'Byrne's but Ryan I see much much more and he's just been so impressive for the improvement in his play. I think both guys will see time in the NHL.

Korpikari still gets little attention but he's a guy that won't wow you with flashy moves. Don't know what the plans are for him but I hope they bring him over, he's big, strong, skates well, moves the puck well and can play physical.

Benoit I am not sold on but can see that we are lacking offensive defensemen and he clearly is effective on the PP. With some added strength and improved play in his own end who knows what will happen.

Paquet I have only seen once so it's really hard to get a good feel for him but I will see him later this month and have to say I was impressed with the physical aspects of his size,skating,speed and his ability to move the puck. He's already big with a solid frame and at 18 will likely add to it. Hard to say what his upside is and he's years away but I think he's got decent upside although I need to see a lot more of him.

Korneev could be our most skilled D prospect but he's not having a great year and I have big doubts we ever see him. We'll know for sure this summer, same with Linhart.

Gleed I like but don't know where he fits in the system. He's smart, big, strong, solid in his own end and will play physical. He is now being paired with O'Byrne on the #1 PK unit and they are a force blocking shots, clearing the crease, etc...

Dulac I put with Lacasse in that I don't know if he will even get signed at this point.


Forwards
For me it's a toss up with Kostitsyn and Perezhogin. Perezhogin is older and more proven but Kostitsyn really impressed me of late and his frame is more suited for the NHL. I consider Kostitsyn to be slightly ahead but that's mostly cause he's played really well and Perezhogin hasn't. Both are highly skilled and imo it's a 1A-1B type of thing were you can put either on top.

Perezhogin I fully expect to get it going at some point.

Chipchura I had to move up cause I love the way he plays the game. There's still concerns about his offensive upside but I also wouldn't say his upside is limited to just a 3rd or 4th liner cause I don't really know at this point. He's lost almost a year of development and for me the real test will be in Hamilton. I must say I did not like the pick then but I am sold on it now and have high hopes for him as he reminds me a bit of Higgins in that both players won't hurt you when they are on the ice, smart, hard working players.

Latendresse I am a big fan of and while I have concerns that he's not scoring more, I also know that scoring in juniors especially the Q is overrated. His skating and foot speed have improved and that's enough for me to consider him one of our top prospects. I have high hopes for him, even if it takes a few years for him to get there.

Grabovsky I likely have seen more then most around here. I must say it's a treat to watch him. I would guess that he is our fastest prospect, but he can hit top gear in no time. He's small and lacks strength but he's got offensive skills, works hard, good vision and hands. Hope he's brought over soon then later.

Lapierre I just love the way he plays. I am a bit surprised with the offensive production he's had as I didn't think he would be doing as well as he is. NHL for sure.

Locke I dropped a bit cause he's not progressing as I had hoped. Still I won't count him out but he's got to do more then just put up points.

Ferland what's not to like, plays hard, works hard and has decent hands.

Siarhei Kostitsyn I moved up the rankings cause he's really been impressive. He works hard, skates well, good speed, good vision, but love how he goes into traffic.

Mikus I am having a hard time with. I know that scouting firms were high on him at the draft but I've only seen him play once at the U-18's and wasn't overly impressed. His showing at the wjc's was poor at best but it's good that he's playing in an elite league at 18. It's really hard for me to rank him at this point.

Aubin I think I am shortchanging cause he's likely having the best year of any Hab prospect. Mr. Consistency has done nothing but put points on the board night in and night out. I was not a big fan of the pick cause there's parts of his game that remind me of Urquhart's but he's more physical then Cory will likely ever be and what a year he's having. The test will come in Hamilton, hope to see him there next year.

D'Agostini is also having a big year and I find his game to be impressive in that he plays a smart all round game. Like his speed but know that he needs to get stronger.

Wyman I have just outside the top 20 but he plays a power game which we will need. He's only 19 but is already big and strong, likely to get bigger and stronger. The question is his upside offensively which at this time I can't really say. He's having a solid year and next year should be a big one for him as an upperclassmen.

Francis Lemieux I have really been impressed with. Works hard, really good speed and decent hands. Not strong enough but he's a good depth guy for Hamilton.

Lambert I am disappointed in but he does have good physical tools like skating/speed/size/shot and what a shot he has. It's great when he comes to play but disappointing when he just sticks to the outside. His future is tied in with his heart and how bad he wants it. At this point I have my doubts and getting benched is not a good way to go.

Stewart is a guy that I feel is underrated. Also love the way he plays but the question is more about his offensive upside. I think he will play in the NHL one day as a 4th line energy guy but he's still got a ways to go if he's to get there.

Milroy has been a disappointment this year but he has been solid in his own end just needs to get more involved physically and doesn't.

Urquhart is still at the bottom but from what I hear his play has improved and he should get a spot with Hamilton next year, so there's still hope although not much imo.

[BadCompany]

Great stuff Dan!

I’ve had high hopes for O’Byrne from the second they drafted him (Redline, as you know, had him as their “sleeper” pick that year). I love adding defensemen to the system, and when they’re big AND mobile, I get all gooey inside. Question for you; I haven’t seen O’Byrne play this year, but I did see him in the past, and he reminded me a lot of Komisarek. He was big and mobile and physical, but never seemed to like handling the puck. Even on the powerplay, he was the shooter, and if no shot was available, would get rid of it as soon as possible. So my question is, this year is he more comfortable with the puck? Does he take a look when he gets it in his own zone, or does he dump it off as quickly as possible? Is he rushing with the puck at all, or handling it at the other team’s blueline, on the power-play? Looking to make a pass, as opposed to making sure he isn’t caught with it?

Thanks!

[montreal]

badcompany said:

Great stuff Dan!

I’ve had high hopes for O’Byrne from the second they drafted him (Redline, as you know, had him as their “sleeper” pick that year). I love adding defensemen to the system, and when they’re big AND mobile, I get all gooey inside. Question for you; I haven’t seen O’Byrne play this year, but I did see him in the past, and he reminded me a lot of Komisarek. He was big and mobile and physical, but never seemed to like handling the puck. Even on the powerplay, he was the shooter, and if no shot was available, would get rid of it as soon as possible. So my question is, this year is he more comfortable with the puck? Does he take a look when he gets it in his own zone, or does he dump it off as quickly as possible? Is he rushing with the puck at all, or handling it at the other team’s blueline, on the power-play? Looking to make a pass, as opposed to making sure he isn’t caught with it?

Thanks!

He's rushing the puck more, handling it more and passing more on the PP but it also seems like they have a set play with Moulson getting the puck to O'Byrne on the point on the PP for the big shot. He's got a cannon of a shot and I often see them trying to set it up, and it works. 4 of his 5 goals are on the PP.

Cornell has a huge weekend series against Colgate, who they are trailing for the ECAC title. Should be an interesting matchup, I think I get to see both games so I'll keep an eye on his passing game.

[HabbaDasher]

Great read and nice work Dan.
It'll be nice to see these kids develop.
Looking forward to the next installment.

[NWTHabsFan]

Glad to see you still doing Top Twenty lists, Dan. I always value your opinion on prospects and it good to have those offline chats on these guys every now and then. Keep the keys a pounding, as it is good reading!!

Here is a link to an interesting top 10 list from FoxSports. They seem to have combined prospects and those who likely are considered "graudated" to a number of us more season veteran prospect watchers. They also pick up on our lack of D amongst the prospects...guess that one isn't as hard to break as the Davinci Code.

msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/5312028

[montreal]

nwthabsfan said:

Glad to see you still doing Top Twenty lists, Dan. I always value your opinion on prospects and it good to have those offline chats on these guys every now and then. Keep the keys a pounding, as it is good reading!!

Here is a link to an interesting top 10 list from FoxSports. They seem to have combined prospects and those who likely are considered "graudated" to a number of us more season veteran prospect watchers. They also pick up on our lack of D amongst the prospects...guess that one isn't as hard to break as the Davinci Code.

msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/5312028

Thanks Don, on a side note the guy that wrote that article is a total ass hole. I don't know if anyone can recall a few years back when hockeysfuture came out with a magazine, well he was the one behind it. Ripped a lot of people off. I got a copy of what might be the only issue they published. I got it for free since I did all the writing for the Habs section, only to find out there never really was a mag coming, they just did one or two issues and took off with a lot of peoples money.