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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 1, 2020 20:39:21 GMT -5
More CC facts.
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Post by BadCompany on Mar 2, 2020 8:39:31 GMT -5
Caufield had a good year, a very good year even, but I like Bergevin’s suggestion that he stay in school. His very good year was not a dominant year (at least not statistically) and like Bergevin said there are still things he can work on. Not a slight, just the truth. It would be better, in my humble opinion, for him to do so outside of the “why haven’t they called him up??” spotlight that will be shining in Laval.
I’m not an NCAA hockey historian, but nonetheless I thought I would throw some historical numbers out there, to perhaps muddy the waters a little more with regards to Caufields stats. Some other, completely random NCAA players, and their freshman seasons:
* Cole Caufield: 19g, 36pts
* Kyle Connor (also playing for Wisconsin): 35g, 71pts
* Jack Eichel: 26g, 71pts
* Brock Boeser: 27g, 60pts
* Johnny Gaudreau: 21g, 44pts. He went back to college for two more years, culminating in a 36g, 80pts season in his third year.
* Jonathan Toews: 22g, 39pts.
* Brady Tkachuk: 8g, 31pts
Now this isn’t meant to denigrate Caufield as a prospect; the last two guys on that list seemed to have done pretty well for themselves, and as noted it seems like it was a pretty down year for the Big 10 in general, and Wisconsin in particular. Heck, even in the entire NCAA the leading point getter only had 52pts (Jack Dugan), and the highest goal scorer finished with 27 (John Leonard). So not a great year in the NCAA.
My ever-accurate YouTube scouting has been more impressed with him of late. He’s making plays instead of just finishing them, and I watched a clip of him splitting the defense the other day, only to hit the cross-bar on a wicked snapshot. Now he’ll never be able to do that in the NHL, but it was nonetheless something other than a bang-in-the-rebound play. So there is that. YouTube says he's evolving.
So I say let him go back to college, hopefully put together a really dominant (and not just very good) season, redeem himself at the WJC, and step right into the NHL two years from now. That would be my plan.
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Post by folatre on Mar 2, 2020 9:00:24 GMT -5
BC, you make a number of good points. I agree that Caufield should play another season at Wisconsin.
My concern is that this organization, rather than distinguishing itself in development and solid roster construction, specializes in selling hope. There is no sense is pressuring a kid to help these vets accomplish something (making the playoffs) that they cannot accomplish on their own. Moreover, Montreal needs to subtract two or three sub six foot forwards before they add another to the lineup.
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Post by franko on Mar 2, 2020 11:27:23 GMT -5
I watched a clip of him splitting the defense the other day, only to hit the cross-bar on a wicked snapshot. Now he’ll never be able to do that in the NHL sure he will. Habs are famous for hitting the crossbar when the goalie is down-and-out, or the crest when they have an open corner. ya I know, sour grapes . . . it's been that kind of a season. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 2, 2020 13:03:18 GMT -5
They need to let Caufield come back to Wisconsin and dominate the season. His freshman season was a good start, but the Habs do need to stop rushing their prospects in over their heads. Develop them.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 4, 2020 13:36:56 GMT -5
Some good news concerning Norlinder. He returned to action today after suffering a concussion and being out since January 22nd. He was also recognized for winning the award as the top junior player in the Allsvenskan (Swedish second league).
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Mar 4, 2020 14:26:56 GMT -5
* Cole Caufield: 19g, 36pts * Kyle Connor (also playing for Wisconsin): 35g, 71pts * Jack Eichel: 26g, 71pts * Brock Boeser: 27g, 60pts * Johnny Gaudreau: 21g, 44pts. He went back to college for two more years, culminating in a 36g, 80pts season in his third year. * Jonathan Toews: 22g, 39pts. * Brady Tkachuk: 8g, 31pts Very impressive list ... I'd extend that plan to Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Ryan Poehling ... Kotkaniemi admits that he's learning "the little things" in Laval and I think he's starting to understand what it takes to be pro in the NHL ... I'm thinking we might see a different player in training camp ... I can't give you an honest assessment of Poehling because I haven't read enough on him ... what little I have read is that, while he's not putting up big numbers in the AHL, his attitude is good and he's working hard to get back to the show ... leaving Cole Caufield in the NCAA won't hurt him at all ... promoting him next year won't make the Habs a contender and, besides, it didn't hurt any of the players you cited ... Cheers. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 5, 2020 7:06:53 GMT -5
Norlinder returned to action in style. Won a big award and then scored a goal and added an assist.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 5, 2020 7:14:21 GMT -5
Khisamutdinov played in the second game of the KHL playoffs after sitting out game one. His team is down 2-0 in their tough series against highly ranked Kazan. He played over 10 minutes. I expect his season will be over soon, as Kazan is second only to CSKA in the KHL playoffs right now. I wonder what the Habs do with him in the offseason, if anything.
CSKA is up 2-0 in their first round series. Romanov, who has played an average of 13 minutes this season, has seen his ice time drop to 9 minutes in game one and only 3 minutes in game 2 of the playoffs. The same thing happened last year, although he did miss one entire round due to injury, so the coach did ease him back. I am sure he sees NA as a chance for more ice time.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 7, 2020 23:12:48 GMT -5
Ohio State swept Wisconsin, so that is the end of the season for Caufield and Gorniak.
Northeastern and Harris in tough next weekend against UMass. I expect they will be done next weekend.
I expect Caufield will stay put and Harris will join Laval for the end of the season, leaving the NCAA.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 7, 2020 23:14:16 GMT -5
Pitlick with a snipe.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 8, 2020 16:10:22 GMT -5
Not a lot of ice time.
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Post by seventeen on Mar 8, 2020 21:28:51 GMT -5
KK's injury is diagnosed as a spleen injury. From what I read on Google, a bruised spleen can take up to 2 weeks to heal, while if surgery is required, we're talking 4-6 weeks.
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Post by folatre on Mar 8, 2020 21:54:59 GMT -5
KK's injury is diagnosed as a spleen injury. From what I read on Google, a bruised spleen can take up to 2 weeks to heal, while if surgery is required, we're talking 4-6 weeks. I feel bad for the kid. The injuries have really piled up this season. I seriously doubt the Rocket make the playoffs unless they get all hands on deck (Evans, Vejdemo, Ouellet, Hudon) very soon. I know that Montreal is short of players but maybe they could get Markov in there to reach 1000 games and sign John Scott and Laraque. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 10, 2020 15:28:17 GMT -5
Norlinder's team is battling in the finals between the top two Allsvenskan teams for a chance to take on the bottom team in the SHL for a spot in the SHL next season. It is a two tiered approach, so they need to win this best of five series first.
Norlinder has scored the tying goal in the third period of today's first game. It is going to OT. Will update the winner later.
EDIT: Modo win it in OT. Up 1-0 in the best of five series. Norlinder played over 36 minutes (most on his team).
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Post by folatre on Mar 11, 2020 21:21:30 GMT -5
I am not sure how much luck Bergevin will have in talking Caufield into staying at Wisconsin. Turcotte just signed with the Kings, leaving the Badgers program after only one season.
At least Granato does not have to worry about Jack Gorniak turning pro.
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Post by Willie Dog on Mar 12, 2020 6:47:40 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 14, 2020 1:58:40 GMT -5
I am not sure how much luck Bergevin will have in talking Caufield into staying at Wisconsin. Turcotte just signed with the Kings, leaving the Badgers program after only one season. At least Granato does not have to worry about Jack Gorniak turning pro. Now Miller with the Rags. Not convinced Granato and his assistants are getting it done there. Their team was bad. Something did not work. As much as I hope he stays another season to get stronger, better, etc, you have to wonder if another crappy season is good for his development. |
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Post by folatre on Mar 14, 2020 11:16:20 GMT -5
Wisconsin is in a rugged conference and the more successful teams there tend to rely on 21 and 22 year old guys to lead the way and play major on ice roles. Perhaps Granato was depending too much on 18 and 19 year old kids. The Badgers goalie play and team defense was significantly worse than the other teams in the conference. Maybe it is related to coaching.
I would agree that there is not much point in staying if his heart is not in it there and his relationship with Granato is not good. But wherever he is (Laval or Montreal as well), there is always the chance that he will have to try to work on his overall game in a non-winning environment.
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Post by Willie Dog on Mar 14, 2020 14:11:26 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 14, 2020 15:40:33 GMT -5
I just read that. It is very good news. He will benefit from stronger competition in the SHL and Frölunda is a good club. |
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Post by Willie Dog on Mar 14, 2020 16:56:58 GMT -5
I just read that. It is very good news. He will benefit from stronger competition in the SHL and Frölunda is a good club. Playing for one of the best coaches in Europe will be very good for him. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 15, 2020 8:57:48 GMT -5
This should all but seal Norlinder’s move to Frölunda. Will await official announcement.
As Willie mentioned, working with Roger Ronnberg will be a good move.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Mar 17, 2020 16:01:47 GMT -5
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Post by folatre on Mar 17, 2020 16:20:03 GMT -5
Hopefully the kid feels good about the decision.
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Post by Willie Dog on Mar 18, 2020 7:18:43 GMT -5
I'm pleased... I don't want him anywhere near CJ because CC might get tired 50 games in and get put with scrubs.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 18, 2020 7:34:57 GMT -5
The key is Granato’s ability to help him improve in the key areas (that did not happen enough this past season or this story would have a different ending) and for Wisconsin to be half arsed competitive. With the loss of Turcotte and Miller, the Badgers are down some top end talent.
While I did not like how the previous Team USA coach limited CC’s usage at the WJC, that will be a big barometer of how close he is to take the next step. He really needs to dominate that tourney next holiday season.
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Post by BadCompany on Mar 18, 2020 8:14:36 GMT -5
I'm good with the decision. From what I saw he didn't look dominant, and I would prefer he be dominant before taking the next step. When you compare his numbers to guys like Kyle Connor or Johnny Gaudreau it's not even close. Sure, numbers don't tell the whole story, weaker team, different division, etcetera, etcetera... but Gaudreau had 80 points in his third NCAA season. 80!! With 36 goals. That's how you dominate. And he then stepped into the NHL and scored 24 goals and 64 points as a rookie. So clearly the strategy worked.
I'm not saying Caufield has to spend three years in college - though if he's only very good good next year, and still not dominant I wouldn't be opposed to it - but another year won't hurt him, I don't think. While it's true that Wisconsin may not be a strong team in a way that could also be a blessing in disguise. Again, YouTube scouting, but it seemed to me Caufield was opportunistic, and not necessarily a creator. Don't get me wrong, it takes a special, underrated skill to always be at the right place, at the right time ("he's so lucky!" they always say), and I'm not saying he has to become a play-maker, but nonetheless if Caufield becomes The Man on his team maybe he'll be pushed to be more involved in ways he didn't feel like he had to, what with other first round picks on the team. First round picks who are more noted for being more two-way than he is.
"Why should I back-check like a mad-man? Turcotte has got this, he's so much better at the defense thing. The smart thing to do would be to just hang out here looking for a quick-strike pass from him once he recovers the puck! And why should I battle in that corner?? Have you seen the size of Miller?? He's 6'4!! It would be smarter on my part to let him win the battle and then have an outlet (me) to make a pass to."
I'm just saying that maybe as the main guy, as opposed to one-of-the-main-guys, he'll be pushed in ways he has probably never been pushed in before. That can only help, right?
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Post by seventeen on Mar 18, 2020 12:51:20 GMT -5
Let's hope Granato can provide the right kind of coaching and help his development. The Habs are not good at that, and really rely on outsiders to do the job. Granato was not especially successful last year despite having some pretty good talent at his disposal. That's not encouraging, but I agree that another year in college will be better than any other option available right now.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 22, 2020 9:40:37 GMT -5
Good for Fonstad, considering he started the season with a different team.
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