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Post by GNick99 on Apr 21, 2020 7:01:11 GMT -5
I work for a Swedish company, and from what I gather there is just less of a need to flatten the curve in Sweden. Their health care system is top notch and can handle a sharp spike. Sucks for Laval this Covid. Team was just started to gel. Joel had them playing like he wanted. I think a strong playoff run could been in the works. Which I am a fan of. I like farm teams having deep playoff runs. Players seem to mature quicker and become better players if successful playoffs in minors |
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Post by franko on Apr 21, 2020 8:08:37 GMT -5
I work for a Swedish company, and from what I gather there is just less of a need to flatten the curve in Sweden. Their health care system is top notch and can handle a sharp spike. plus: they are less social than we are in North America, and they listen to recommendations of health officers (its the health care community doing the PSAs, not the Prime Minster daily) -- and they don't need bylaw officers roaming the parks because of that. |
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Post by frozone on Apr 21, 2020 8:51:57 GMT -5
I work for a Swedish company, and from what I gather there is just less of a need to flatten the curve in Sweden. Their health care system is top notch and can handle a sharp spike. Sucks for Laval this Covid. Team was just started to gel. Joel had them playing like he wanted. I think a strong playoff run could been in the works. Which I am a fan of. I like farm teams having deep playoff runs. Players seem to mature quicker and become better players if successful playoffs in minors Yes, you're right about that. I'll admit that I've been a bit skeptical of Bouchard over the past while. There's been good signs and some less encouraging signs. I remember rolling my eyes a little whenever Bouchard groaned about the disgruntled vets upsetting the team vibe. Alas, it looks like he was right on this one. Good to know that he really did have his finger on the pulse and knew what the team needed. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 26, 2020 9:57:38 GMT -5
A piece on Norlinder from Habs EOTP.
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Post by GNick99 on Apr 28, 2020 18:20:50 GMT -5
A piece on Norlinder from Habs EOTP. Do you think Norlinder will make it? |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on May 2, 2020 10:02:26 GMT -5
Although this may seem like a slam dunk to most based on his great goal scoring numbers, he actually had some good competition with other freshies like Turcotte (drafted ahead of him) and Dylan Holloway (2021 draft). I still wonder why Donato was not able to do more with that lineup. A story for another time, perhaps.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on May 2, 2020 10:11:14 GMT -5
Captain Cam cleaned up with a number of team awards.
And apparently he makes a mean beef Wellington lol. If this hockey gig does not work out, look for a new Food Network show “Cooking with Cam”.
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Post by folatre on May 3, 2020 18:53:01 GMT -5
Thanks for the updates, NW. I think that Hillis will be able to hold his own the AHL from day one. Now I am not at all sure that he is going to carve out a 400 or 500 game NHL career, but he looks like a forward without any major holes in his overall game.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on May 11, 2020 19:03:37 GMT -5
Add Big10 conference freshman of the year to Cole’s awards this season.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jun 17, 2020 7:30:48 GMT -5
The SHL has announced its 20-21 regular season schedule. Remember that SWE kept “open” during the pandemic, so no shocker that they are gearing up for a new season. Olofsson and Norlinder (with his fancy new SHL team) will see action on September 19th.
In addition, those two and Finnish prospect Ikonen (with his fancy new Liiga team Ilves which is a good upgrade for him) will all see Champions League action starting on the weekend of October 6/7 and a second game on the following weekend. I know one of TSN or Sportsnet (I cannot recall which) showed some Champions League games last season. A huge year for Ikonen as he has to stay healthy and have a productive season if he hopes to earn an ELC. So much lost development time to injury. The kid has skill, so I am holding out hope.
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Post by folatre on Jun 17, 2020 14:35:10 GMT -5
Yes, it is interesting that Sweden is focused on restarting before normal flu season kicks in along with a potential second wave of Covid.
Hopefully all these guys put together good seasons. I must admit that my optimism is more or less reserved for Norlinder.
Olofsson has size and looks like a solid defensive centre, but he did not look creative or offensively gifted at the 2019 World Juniors.
I honestly cannot recall much about what Ikonen was like on video. Good stickhandler and good shot, though small with a lot of East-West to his game, and tends to hold the puck way too long when he crosses the blue line.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jun 17, 2020 15:36:05 GMT -5
No surprises here, but both Caufield and Struble invited the the US U20 Summer Showcase. Hopefully Struble is healthy and plays this year as he was injured a year ago. A big year for him, including his last shot at a WJC spot (assuming it is held). I know TSN has shown the Summer Showcase games in the past, but not sure if Euro teams will be able to come over to NA and play this summer. So much up in the air this year still.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jun 17, 2020 15:44:15 GMT -5
Yes, it is interesting that Sweden is focused on restarting before normal flu season kicks in along with a potential second wave of Covid. Hopefully all these guys put together good seasons. I must admit that my optimism is more or less reserved for Norlinder. Olofsson has size and looks like a solid defensive centre, but he did not look creative or offensively gifted at the 2019 World Juniors. I honestly cannot recall much about what Ikonen was like on video. Good stickhandler and good shot, though small with a lot of East-West to his game, and tends to hold the puck way too long when he crosses the blue line. Norlinder is the best chance of the three for sure. Olofsson had started to gain some offensive confidence when he was injured just before the WJC in December. A real bad break, as I expected a much better WJC out of him as a result. We will never know. His SHL coach has been working with him. This is a big year for him to show he can also put up some consistent numbers. Ikonen is much as you describe him. Although, he did come back at the end of the 2018-19 season after that injury and looked much stronger and shiftier on the boards, which was a good improvement for him. The fluke training injury last summer really ruined an entire year. I think he has the skill to make it as a long shot, but can he stay healthy and play a key role on a new and better team? The really bad part about this season is the Euro kids will be into full regular season mode before any thoughts of development or rookie camps are even considered. It would have been good for the Habs to have seen those kids in Montreal at least once this summer...but we know that is almost and impossibility right now. |
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Post by folatre on Jun 17, 2020 17:12:34 GMT -5
Your last point there is really good one, NW. I had not even thought much about that.
So next May is the end of Ikonen's rights belonging to the Habs? And therefore Olofsson's rights remain intact until the spring of 2022?
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jun 25, 2020 14:54:29 GMT -5
Your last point there is really good one, NW. I had not even thought much about that. So next May is the end of Ikonen's rights belonging to the Habs? And therefore Olofsson's rights remain intact until the spring of 2022? Ikonen by June 1, 2021. Olofsson by June 1, 2022. Norlinder by June 1, 2023. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jun 25, 2020 14:55:23 GMT -5
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Post by folatre on Jun 25, 2020 17:03:21 GMT -5
Thanks, NW. Ikonen may have his work cut out for him because with a restocked prospect pool it seems the new norm for Montreal is that a couple decent prospects each year may get caught up in a numbers crunch.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jun 26, 2020 9:48:38 GMT -5
Thanks, NW. Ikonen may have his work cut out for him because with a restocked prospect pool it seems the new norm for Montreal is that a couple decent prospects each year may get caught up in a numbers crunch. Indeed. But if healthy, IMO he is a better prospect with higher upside than any of McShane, Fonstad or Houde. However, those will not be the guys he is in competition with for contracts next summer. Decisions have to be made on Ikonen, Fairbrother, RHP and LaGuerrier. Likely players who could also see ELCs early include Harris, Caufield and even Olofsson. That is a lot of guys in the possible mix. For comparison sake, they handed out five new ELCs this year: Ylonen, Romanov, Hillis, Khisamutdinov, and Demchenko. They only have a few obvious deals that should not be renewed next year, so it will be tight for ELCs and some tough decisions await. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jun 26, 2020 11:50:59 GMT -5
A decent profile of Pitlick. Definitely an interesting prospect for a fifth rounder. Speed to burn; he just needs to be able to process the game at the same pace. I had plans to watch more of his USHL games this past year, but only caught one game: the bronze medal game of the WJAC. He was dropped down the lineup a bit due to the star studded draft eligible kids like Brisson, Colangelo, Farrell, Fontaine, Rolston, Laferriere, etc., but you could see his wheels and tenacious playing style.
Interesting kid to watch and see how he does at U of Minnesota. He did play this past season on two very weak USHL teams.
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Jun 27, 2020 14:21:37 GMT -5
A decent profile of Pitlick. Definitely an interesting prospect for a fifth rounder. Speed to burn; he just needs to be able to process the game at the same pace. I had plans to watch more of his USHL games this past year, but only caught one game: the bronze medal game of the WJAC. He was dropped down the lineup a bit due to the star studded draft eligible kids like Brisson, Colangelo, Farrell, Fontaine, Rolston, Laferriere, etc., but you could see his wheels and tenacious playing style. Interesting kid to watch and see how he does at U of Minnesota. He did play this past season on two very weak USHL teams. Every year we get excited about our prospects. Tinordi, O"Byrne, Fischer, Beaulieu will become the defensemen that will provide size and skill. Chipchura, Latendresse, Kostitsyn, Galchenyuk, Sherbak and McCarron fell into our laps to become superstars. Poehling will score four goals a game and make us forget LeClair, Pacioretty and Richer. Caufield, all 5'4" of him, will return the Rocket Richard trophy to it's rightful place. Surprise pick KK will improve every year, now the prospect du jour is Suzuki. The reality is somewhat less than advertised. Molson tells us that the five year plan is on track despite missing the playoffs, the worst year in Hab's history and eight game losing streaks are inflicted on us impeding our progress and not an indication of incompetence. Attitude and injuries replace the "No Excuses" sign. If the fans don't send a clear message to Geoffry boy he will need to be hit with a two by four to see the problems he created. We are now excited, not by our team, not by our record, not by our players or prospects, but by the false hope of balls falling into our lap as if one draft pick can make us a Stanley Cup contender. Not sure if I hit a new low or if the team did? |
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Post by folatre on Jun 27, 2020 16:38:04 GMT -5
I really like Pitlick. With his speed and NHL bloodlines, I was surprised that he was there in the 5th round. NW, what in your view makes him different than, say, Will Bitten?
LA, I agree with the cautious note you strike. I see Montreal's prospect pool as notable for its depth rather than can't miss difference makers. Honestly, I kind of view Ottawa's much talked about prospect pool the same way.
Molson's hockey logic is confusing. He claims to be a fervent believer in the draft and development model of organizational success. But he leaves the execution of the plan in the hands of a year nine GM with a poor track record in areas of drafting and developing.
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Post by GNick99 on Jun 27, 2020 18:32:33 GMT -5
What do you think Juulsen's future? I remember good size, shot and wheels. But no offensive vision at all. Injuries have cut him down no doubt. Is his NHL career in doubt? I seen #4 caliber before. Probably cut back to bottom pairing caliber.
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Post by seventeen on Jun 27, 2020 18:47:17 GMT -5
I think he can be a second pairing dman. The Habs development for all players, but especially defensemen, focuses on defense. I suspect Claude has a dozen pair of pants in his office to change into, after seeing a dman venture into the offensive zone. (That's only half of what Therrien had while PK was on the team). In his draft year, Noah had 52 points playing for a very defensive minded coach. He won't get you 60 points a year, but 40 is not out of the question to me. I keep likening him to Jeff Petry and his development, assuming the facial injury has healed fully, could easily follow that of Petry.
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Post by GNick99 on Jun 28, 2020 8:48:59 GMT -5
I think he can be a second pairing dman. The Habs development for all players, but especially defensemen, focuses on defense. I suspect Claude has a dozen pair of pants in his office to change into, after seeing a dman venture into the offensive zone. (That's only half of what Therrien had while PK was on the team). In his draft year, Noah had 52 points playing for a very defensive minded coach. He won't get you 60 points a year, but 40 is not out of the question to me. I keep likening him to Jeff Petry and his development, assuming the facial injury has healed fully, could easily follow that of Petry. like to see Juulsen have a good camp/season next year. But many who lose that much time during crucial development years never get it back. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jun 28, 2020 9:47:49 GMT -5
I really like Pitlick. With his speed and NHL bloodlines, I was surprised that he was there in the 5th round. NW, what in your view makes him different than, say, Will Bitten? The answer is his development path. If he plateaus and does not really advance his ability to process the game at a higher speed, then he likely fades out like Bitten. This seems to common with a lot of kids drafted out of high school hockey. They don’t have the same structure to their game due to being so much better than their peers. They also tend to keep the puck on their stick and not use their teammates for the same reason. Plays will often die if they pass off to less talented linemates. He ended up just under a point per game guy on two weak USHL teams this past season. That is decent progress for stepping his game up a notch into a much tougher league. The same will happen in the NCAA next season. He is going to a good program with good coaches. It is a good league for quick players to develop more structure, and to play against older and stronger players. And the Habs can opt to keep him there four seasons. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jun 28, 2020 9:56:23 GMT -5
What do you think Juulsen's future? I remember good size, shot and wheels. But no offensive vision at all. Injuries have cut him down no doubt. Is his NHL career in doubt? I seen #4 caliber before. Probably cut back to bottom pairing caliber. He is one of my most intriguing story lines to watch. Can he rebound back after such a lot of lost time? He came back and played just one game before the AHL season was halted, but he played well. He has also been working out hard since then. I expect he gets a very good shot as the bottom pairing RHD this camp and the play-in series if he looks ready. He also has to clear waivers next season, so he really needs to show he can play or they could lose him if they send him down. And if he really is ready to jump back in next season and plays well, then he likely becomes a prime target for the Seattle expansion draft along with a guy like Fleury due to the limits of who the team can protect. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Jun 28, 2020 10:04:13 GMT -5
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Post by seventeen on Jun 28, 2020 13:59:31 GMT -5
What do you think Juulsen's future? I remember good size, shot and wheels. But no offensive vision at all. Injuries have cut him down no doubt. Is his NHL career in doubt? I seen #4 caliber before. Probably cut back to bottom pairing caliber. He is one of my most intriguing story lines to watch. Can he rebound back after such a lot of lost time? He came back and played just one game before the AHL season was halted, but he played well. He has also been working out hard since then. I expect he gets a very good shot as the bottom pairing RHD this camp and the play-in series if he looks ready. He also has to clear waivers next season, so he really needs to show he can play or they could lose him if they send him down. And if he really is ready to jump back in next season and plays well, then he likely becomes a prime target for the Seattle expansion draft along with a guy like Fleury due to the limits of who the team can protect. That expansion topic was covered in an Athletic article. It is a quandary, but more easily resolved if 1) the kids develop, 2) Weber is left unprotectd and c) Chiarot is left unprotected. It may still be an issue if Juulsen, Fleury and Mete are all worth protecting. You have to protect Petry if he's re-signed. |
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Post by seventeen on Jun 28, 2020 14:00:35 GMT -5
One of my favourite prospects. |
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Post by folatre on Jun 28, 2020 15:03:46 GMT -5
I am concerned about the significant development time Juulsen lost. A 23 year-old d-man with only 47 games in the AHL and 44 in the NHL is way behind in terms of game reps.
Juulsen is in a tough spot. No doubt he is desperate to battle in camp next month and try to prove that he can make up for lost time. However, the kid does not have a contract for next year and if he suffers any kind of a setback, where does that leave him?
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