Habs Prospects 2019-20

[Tankdriver]

Jun 28, 2020 9:56:23 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Jun 27, 2020 18:32:33 GMT -5 GNick99 said:

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's going to be an interesting expansion draft. Vegas did exceptionally well with shrewd trades and side deals. I think Fleury would not qualify at needed to be protected. The better question is who will be?

[folatre]

Unfortunately, Fleury is expansion draft eligible. I like him. He skates well and plays a physical game.

Bergevin will need to be careful next summer. We know he loves Weber, Petry, and Chiarot; but those three being the three you protect does not necessarily make good sense if your roster is still struggling to qualify for the playoffs let alone contend for the Cup.

It irritates me that Molson and Bergevin insist with the song and dance that they don't believe in windows because approaching the expansion draft strategically (and for that matter approaching the player contract expiring strategically too) depends on knowing what "lane" you are driving in. For me organizations that refuse to pick a lane are likelier to make suboptimal decisions.

[GNick99]

Jun 28, 2020 15:03:46 GMT -5 folatre said:

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?

He has NHL potential for sure. I see #4 potential. Size, skating and shot is there. Offensive instincts limit him though. The play in and camp in fall will prove a lot on his future in Montreal.

[folatre]

I do not doubt that he has NHL potential. And I think your summary of his characteristics is accurate. My doubts about him are exclusively related to the fact that he has lost a lot of his developmental runway.

I think Juulsen will get a contract for 2020-21 unless there is some unexpected setback this summer. But once a kid is five years out from his draft year, it is basically 'prove it' time and the aura of being a high pick does not count for much.

[NWTHabsFan]

Some insights into the tough offseason training at Frolunda.

[NWTHabsFan]

This writer watches a lot of Habs prospects, and has a very high view of Struble. A very comprehensive scouting report. There is always lots of projection going on when it comes to predicting what kind of pro player a young kid can become. However, Struble did have a good first season in the NCAA despite losing time to injury, and has already added more structure and depth to his game from when he was drafted. This season will be key to see how he develops further with a potentially bigger role on his team (assuming there is NCAA hockey this season).

[BadCompany]

Calling Boston_Habs...

[NWTHabsFan]

Harris and Struble will be playing some hockey next season. Good news for them.

[Willie Dog]

Big 10 is planning to shutdown football... is hockey next? Is so what happens to Cole Caufield?

awinninghabit.com/2020/08/10/montreal-canadiens-big-ten-conference-news-cole-caufield/

[NWTHabsFan]

Aug 11, 2020 16:48:08 GMT -5 Willie Dog said:

Big 10 is planning to shutdown football... is hockey next? Is so what happens to Cole Caufield?

awinninghabit.com/2020/08/10/montreal-canadiens-big-ten-conference-news-cole-caufield/

I have seen some comments that the Big Ten could still play hockey starting later in the season, as hockey is considered a winter sport rather than a fall sport. Still up in the air though until the conference makes it official one way or another.

If they were to cancel, he likely has two options to consider. He could decommit and play for SSM who have his CHL rights or sign his ELC and play in Laval.

[folatre]

I imagine whatever the Big Ten decides about basketball will apply to hockey as well.

I thought I read somewhere that Caufield was not all that enamored with being a student, so it might not be a terrible idea to look elsewhere. If that were to occur, I would prefer he plays in Laval. For a kid who will be 20 in January, I am not sure what value popping goals through OHL goalies would serve.

[NWTHabsFan]

Good grief.

[folatre]

Wow, that is not good news. This is a big season for Olofsson and staying healthy is a major variable.

If he keeps them, I really hope that Bergevin uses two of the second round picks on home run swings. The prospect pool is plenty stable now in terms of depth. This organization needs rompe esquema creative types and/or lamp lighters, not more De la Roses, Vejdemos, and Olofssons.

[jkr]

I don't check in here very often and I saw the last 2 posts. What's going on?

[NWTHabsFan]

Aug 21, 2020 13:27:54 GMT -5 jkr said:

I don't check in here very often and I saw the last 2 posts. What's going on?

Olofsson (the young forward) suffered a concussion in training. He is sidelined for preseason games that start now as he goes through the protocols. He missed the WJC and half of last season due to injury, so we are hoping for an injury free season this year as he was playing good hockey up to December when he was hurt the first time.

[NWTHabsFan]

Ikonen still not cleared for contact. If there is a prospect that needs a healthy and productive season, it is Joni.

[GNick99]

Aug 21, 2020 21:35:29 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Ikonen still not cleared for contact. If there is a prospect that needs a healthy and productive season, it is Joni.

Both him and Olofsson with concussions. Poehling coming back from one also.

[NWTHabsFan]

Boy, can Norlinder skate. Preseason action as he gets ready to make his SHL debut with his new team.

[seventeen]

He may have the highest ceiling of our defensive prospects. He's shown good hands as well, so hopefully he rounds out the rest of his game and comes to NA.

[Andrew]

For what it's worth someone at Reddit had some great things to say about Norlinder a few weeks back. Take with a grain of salt, cause it's the internet (for all we know MB made this post) but it seems legit (from Sweden and watches a ton of SHL games).

www.reddit.com/r/Habs/comments/i210in/ive_never_watch_habs_play_in_my_life_nor_were/

[BadCompany]

Modo's 30 year hockey journalist called Norlinder "a future Norris trophy winner", long-time NHLer Tobias Enstrom, Norlinder's partner last year, said "he has everything" and Norlinder's coach said "he made Enstrom better".

Those that like him, like him a lot.

As an aside, that quote came from an Athletic article written by Joe Smith, who is the beat writer for the Tampa Bay Lightning. So Hagglund wasn't pandering to a journalist's fan base when he said that.

[seventeen]

He's my hope for that elite D-man we need, but it will be another year before he comes over. There's that nasty timeline again.

[Willie Dog]

Aug 24, 2020 23:24:16 GMT -5 seventeen said:

He's my hope for that elite D-man we need, but it will be another year before he comes over. There's that nasty timeline again.

I wish we had a Markov to teach him....

[BadCompany]

Norlinder with a hat-trick in a pre-season game today.

I'm sure NWTHabs will be along shortly with the gifs!

[NWTHabsFan]

Aug 27, 2020 16:09:36 GMT -5 BadCompany said:

Norlinder with a hat-trick in a pre-season game today.

I'm sure NWTHabs will be along shortly with the gifs!

Why the heck not. #6 in red. It is only preseason!

[seventeen]

There didn’t appear to be much intensity in that game, but at least he hit the net 3 times. Nice trailer and shot on that 3rd goal.

[NWTHabsFan]

Jack Han is a fan of Norlinder. Interesting insight into his interview with the Leafs leading up to the draft. He was on their radar.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

[NWTHabsFan]

Aug 29, 2020 0:44:10 GMT -5 seventeen said:

There didn’t appear to be much intensity in that game, but at least he hit the net 3 times. Nice trailer and shot on that 3rd goal.

Yeah, early preseason games.

I sure hope both Olofsson and Ikonen are cleared to play soon so there are some other prospects to watch other than just Norlinder. I really like Norlinder, but he is all Habs fans have to watch right now. His every move/shift will be over-analyzed!! In other words...nothing new.

[NWTHabsFan]

Aug 30, 2020 11:40:27 GMT -5 Disgruntled70sHab said:

It will be interesting to see if this impacts any of our NCAA top prospects like Caufield, Harris and Struble. Northeastern already has announced a scaled back season. Still lots up in the air. The CHL rights for those three are SSM, Val D’Or and Blainville.