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Post by folatre on Feb 9, 2020 17:29:27 GMT -5
Kinkaid just cannot seem to pull things together. As the weeks pass by, I have a harder time understanding why he continues to get starts in Laval or for that matter why the organization does not simply cut him loose.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 9, 2020 21:00:09 GMT -5
Kinkaid just cannot seem to pull things together. As the weeks pass by, I have a harder time understanding why he continues to get starts in Laval or for that matter why the organization does not simply cut him loose. Fully agree. Just play Primeau and McNiven as backup. It is costing them key games. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 9, 2020 21:04:59 GMT -5
Fleury with a nice goal today. KK has an assist, and now has 7 in 4 games. The rest of the game was a mess, especially the short handed goal to make it 4-1.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 15, 2020 2:29:57 GMT -5
Another game, another loss. Tailspin. They have enough talent to make the playoffs, but goaltending has been inconsistent. Now they don’t score enough. Defence is sloppy.
Makes you wonder.
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Post by BadCompany on Feb 17, 2020 8:02:34 GMT -5
With perhaps the most talented AHL team the organization has seen in the last 15 years and their playoff lives on the line the Rocket just went winless on a five game road trip, and are 1-6-3 in their last 10 games. With a lineup that Sylvain Lefevbre could only dream of having the team is 23rd in the AHL.
Remind me again what Joel Bouchard is supposed to be good at? Aside from a demonstrable talent for yelling at people and a flashy red practice helmet what does he bring to the organization?
I was skeptical of the Bouchard hiring, because despite all the ravings about how great he is (i.e., his initials don't start with SL) he really doesn't have much of a track record of success. No championships, and no history of coaching star players. In fact, a cursory look through his junior teams show very little, if any, players have actually made the NHL after coming under his mentor-ship. I was willing to give him a break after last season because he really didn't have much to work with, and through 3/4's of this season you could argue that injuries and call-ups had depleted his team. Of course you could also argue that every other AHL has to deal with that too, but I digress. But now? One win in the last ten games, with a relatively healthy and whole lineup? A star-studded one to boot?
Yesterday Bouchard benched two very good AHL lifers, in Riley Barber and Phil Varone. These two were supposed to provide the veteran leadership and AHL scoring that would insulate the kids. Barber is second in team scoring (and first in PPG). Varone, before coming to Laval, had 28 points in 22 AHL games last year (before spending most of the season with the Flyers), and 70 points in 74 AHL games the season before. Without those two in the lineup the Rocket lost 3-0. If the messages was sent, it wasn't received. And now Bouchard has two (more) ticked off veterans to deal with. So now his ability to deal with real pros, as opposed to junior-aged kids, is now also in question.
Time is running out on the Rocket season. If I am not mistaken, they are four points out of a playoff spot, but the Marlies, currently in that spot, have three games in hand. Do you give Bouchard until the end of the year to turn the ship around? Or do you cut the cord now, and send Dominique Ducharme down to coach the team? Ducharme has an actual record of coaching top prospects, a stellar record even, with a Memorial Cup championship and gold and silver medals at the World Juniors.
This is an extremely delicate time for the organization, with loads of top prospects at the AHL level already and more coming. It's not hyperbole to state that the future of the franchise runs through whoever is coaching the Rocket over the next few years. Is Bouchard that guy?
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Post by Tankdriver on Feb 17, 2020 8:13:41 GMT -5
With perhaps the most talented AHL team the organization has seen in the last 15 years and their playoff lives on the line the Rocket just went winless on a five game road trip, and are 1-6-3 in their last 10 games. With a lineup that Sylvain Lefevbre could only dream of having the team is 23rd in the AHL. Remind me again what Joel Bouchard is supposed to be good at? Aside from a demonstrable talent for yelling at people and a flashy red practice helmet what does he bring to the organization? I was skeptical of the Bouchard hiring, because despite all the ravings about how great he is (i.e., his initials don't start with SL) he really doesn't have much of a track record of success. No championships, and no history of coaching star players. In fact, a cursory look through his junior teams show very little, if any, players have actually made the NHL after coming under his mentor-ship. I was willing to give him a break after last season because he really didn't have much to work with, and through 3/4's of this season you could argue that injuries and call-ups had depleted his team. Of course you could also argue that every other AHL has to deal with that too, but I digress. But now? One win in the last ten games, with a relatively healthy and whole lineup? A star-studded one to boot? Yesterday Bouchard benched two very good AHL lifers, in Riley Barber and Phil Varone. These two were supposed to provide the veteran leadership and AHL scoring that would insulate the kids. Barber is second in team scoring (and first in PPG). Varone, before coming to Laval, had 28 points in 22 AHL games last year (before spending most of the season with the Flyers), and 70 points in 74 AHL games the season before. Without those two in the lineup the Rocket lost 3-0. If the messages was sent, it wasn't received. And now Bouchard has two (more) ticked off veterans to deal with. So now his ability to deal with real pros, as opposed to junior-aged kids, is now also in question. Time is running out on the Rocket season. If I am not mistaken, they are four points out of a playoff spot, but the Marlies, currently in that spot, have three games in hand. Do you give Bouchard until the end of the year to turn the ship around? Or do you cut the cord now, and send Dominique Ducharme down to coach the team? Ducharme has an actual record of coaching top prospects, a stellar record even, with a Memorial Cup championship and gold and silver medals at the World Juniors. This is an extremely delicate time for the organization, with loads of top prospects at the AHL level already and more coming. It's not hyperbole to state that the future of the franchise runs through whoever is coaching the Rocket over the next few years. Is Bouchard that guy? If they kept Lefevbre on for what feels like an enternity, you can bet your last dollar, Bouchard isn't going anywhere unless he quits. |
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Post by BadCompany on Feb 17, 2020 8:33:34 GMT -5
If they kept Lefevbre on for what feels like an enternity, you can bet your last dollar, Bouchard isn't going anywhere unless he quits. Or maybe Lefebvre wasn’t that bad a coach. Heresy, I know, but have a look at the rosters he was coaching, and tell me what he was supposed to do with that? www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=3077Compare any of those with Bouchard’s current roster and tell me which is better. Maybe it’s just growing pains. Maybe the team needs time to gel. Maybe the Rocket play a completely different system than the Canadiens (which would be a major problem in and of itself). But time is running out. The Rocket need to start winning, and they need to start winning now. I don't want to panic after 10 games, but I've watched a few of them (one in person), and they don't look very good. The argument was always "injuries and callups" - like no other AHL team had to deal with injuries and callups - but now that excuse doesn't fly. They need to start winning. This team, as it currently stands, is not only a playoff team, but a threat to win the Calder Championship. There is no reason for them to be this bad. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 19, 2020 15:56:15 GMT -5
Juulsen hopped on the ice to skate with fellow injured guy, Pelletier, today after the main practice. If nothing else...at least it is a Juulsen sighting on the ice!
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 19, 2020 16:26:27 GMT -5
If they kept Lefevbre on for what feels like an enternity, you can bet your last dollar, Bouchard isn't going anywhere unless he quits. Or maybe Lefebvre wasn’t that bad a coach. Heresy, I know, but have a look at the rosters he was coaching, and tell me what he was supposed to do with that? www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=3077Compare any of those with Bouchard’s current roster and tell me which is better. Maybe it’s just growing pains. Maybe the team needs time to gel. Maybe the Rocket play a completely different system than the Canadiens (which would be a major problem in and of itself). But time is running out. The Rocket need to start winning, and they need to start winning now. I don't want to panic after 10 games, but I've watched a few of them (one in person), and they don't look very good. The argument was always "injuries and callups" - like no other AHL team had to deal with injuries and callups - but now that excuse doesn't fly. They need to start winning. This team, as it currently stands, is not only a playoff team, but a threat to win the Calder Championship. There is no reason for them to be this bad. Some questions emerging about Bouchard from hard core Habs watchers/bloggers. For me, Bouchard may be a case of two stories. He seems to have helped young guys like Fleury (he had him for a year last season) and Evans/Vejdemo make the jump and make their NHL debuts this season. He helped Mete get his game back when he was sent down. But on the other hand, his schtick just not seem to do anything to get proven AHL/NHL vets to perform at their perennial levels (Peca, Varone, Barber, etc.). There seems to be a big divide in that regards. In the end, all AHL teams are going to be a mix of young prospects, tweeners, and AHL vets. You need to be able to get them all motivated and performing as a team. |
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Post by seventeen on Feb 19, 2020 18:33:01 GMT -5
If they kept Lefevbre on for what feels like an enternity, you can bet your last dollar, Bouchard isn't going anywhere unless he quits. Or maybe Lefebvre wasn’t that bad a coach. Heresy, I know, but have a look at the rosters he was coaching, and tell me what he was supposed to do with that? www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=3077Compare any of those with Bouchard’s current roster and tell me which is better. Maybe it’s just growing pains. Maybe the team needs time to gel. Maybe the Rocket play a completely different system than the Canadiens (which would be a major problem in and of itself). But time is running out. The Rocket need to start winning, and they need to start winning now. I don't want to panic after 10 games, but I've watched a few of them (one in person), and they don't look very good. The argument was always "injuries and callups" - like no other AHL team had to deal with injuries and callups - but now that excuse doesn't fly. They need to start winning. This team, as it currently stands, is not only a playoff team, but a threat to win the Calder Championship. There is no reason for them to be this bad. It's my opinion (really....who else would be typing this?) that coaching can have a bigger impact at lower levels than in the NHL. There is more opportunity for a coach who can motivate his players and install a good system, to have an impact where players make more mistakes and don't have as good a set of basic skills as an NHL player does. Systems and psychology making up for individual shortcomings. For example. Look up Jon Cooper and check out two years of his tenure in Norfolk. www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=120858In 2011/12, Norfolk won the Calder cup. Their roster included Cory Conacher, Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat, and Radko Gudas. Some good talent. Then look at the previous year, where the team just made the playoffs and lost in the first round. The roster is a who's who of no names. Gudas was there and Barberio, but most of the names are forgettable. But they made the playoffs. That's what a good coach can do. I refuse to believe Sylvain Lefebvre has any coaching ability. His whole resume is a litany of losers. If you showed him a championship cup, he'd probably think it was a weird helmet. The common denominator is Bergevin and his judgment (or skewed hiring practices toward buddies) that is the problem. Bouchard should have been an improvement. Hell, how can you not improve on missing the playoffs 5 of 6 years as Lefebvre did (and that one year, the AHL conveniently changed the format, because if it had been the same as the year before, Lefebvre would have missed that one too). It is certainly frustrating to have your farm team with such poor results. How do they learn how to win? Get playoff experience? |
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Post by folatre on Feb 19, 2020 22:05:32 GMT -5
The Rocket blows a third period lead and suffers a shootout loss tonight against the Moose. Kinkaid continues to get starts down the stretch. When they miss the playoffs and look at all of the game reps they gave him instead of a kid like McNiven, it should embarrass the organization.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 20, 2020 12:19:30 GMT -5
More Juulsen news...
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Post by seventeen on Feb 20, 2020 13:32:12 GMT -5
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Post by jkr on Feb 20, 2020 13:54:39 GMT -5
Barber & Varone are the guys Bouchard scratched last week, right?
Seems extreme to trade them so quickly after that. Were they that bad an influence?
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 20, 2020 14:05:03 GMT -5
Barber & Varone are the guys Bouchard scratched last week, right? Seems extreme to trade them so quickly after that. Were they that bad an influence? Those were the same guys. Bouchard had them back along with fellow vet Peca last night on the fourth line and the trio did not manage a point at all against the Moose (last place in their division). Bouchard has also been complaining in the media for a while about some vets who have not bought into what he has been trying to get the team to do in Laval. I guess we know who he has been talking about. The guys they get back are younger, are both pending RFAs, and can likely slip under the AHL veteran limits (I will check this), so I guess there is some rationale for the moves. I am guessing that there is ton of pressure on Bouchard and Bergevin to have Laval make the playoffs this year. We shall see how much these guys actually help the team, or if they even give these guys qualifying offers this summer. This may just be a short term move to try and move up the standings with guys with better "attitude". I had to look back at Blandasi, as I do remember his name from his draft year. He did score 52 goals and 112 points in his last OHL season, and has put up okay numbers in the minor pro, and has 31 points in 101 NHL games. Hopefully, Laval gets some more goals out of him than Varone... |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 20, 2020 14:08:44 GMT -5
The kids were on display last night in the losing effort. Evans and Fleury had goals and KK had a pair of assists. Evans also picked up an assist.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 20, 2020 14:49:43 GMT -5
So the two newbies do not count as AHL veterans, so the Rocket can play all of their vets every night now if they so chose to do so.
And here is the elephant in Bouchard's room...can he work with veterans? Rather critical in the AHL if you are going to surround your kids with a winning attitude and take advantage of veteran mentorship.
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Post by jkr on Feb 20, 2020 15:17:59 GMT -5
Anybody else concerned that after 8 games Kotkaniemi has 9 assists but no goals yet?
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Post by folatre on Feb 21, 2020 22:20:49 GMT -5
Nice to see Primeau shut the door tonight against Manitoba. It is still an uphill fight but at least the boys pulled together and won a game that they should win. Evans seemed to be in the middle of everything.
The game tomorrow against the Marlies is crucial if Laval wants to stay in pursuit. Will Bouchard play the kid in back to back games or give the must win start to Kinkaid?
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Post by seventeen on Feb 22, 2020 1:58:39 GMT -5
They won't have to cover for Alzner. Habs have recalled him.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 22, 2020 10:06:37 GMT -5
Anybody else concerned that after 8 games Kotkaniemi has 9 assists but no goals yet? Maybe a little, but he is playing with Hudon who is the team’s top sniper. They have some nice chemistry going. They connected again last night for Hudon’s 26th of the season. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 22, 2020 10:07:35 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 22, 2020 20:53:22 GMT -5
Laval 2 Marlies 1
Preems with the second straight win. Whoot!
Goals by Alain and Veilleux.
Must win games, this weekend. Ding ding.
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Post by folatre on Feb 22, 2020 21:01:35 GMT -5
Primeau was the man, again. I did not watch the game, but it appears McNiven was the backup tonight. Has this organization finally come to the rational conclusion that handing starts to Kinkaid is a waste?
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 23, 2020 9:24:48 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 23, 2020 9:26:49 GMT -5
Primeau was the man, again. I did not watch the game, but it appears McNiven was the backup tonight. Has this organization finally come to the rational conclusion that handing starts to Kinkaid is a waste? If they want to make the playoffs, we can only hope. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 23, 2020 9:28:30 GMT -5
Man, Laval has been hard hit with injuries. Blandisi did not finish his first game with the Rocket, before leaving the game. Hopefully he is back as he is the more talented of the two guys they just traded for. Also, their D is getting pretty thin.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 25, 2020 15:58:58 GMT -5
Juulsen took part in full practice, but is not making the road trip with the team. He and Pelletier stayed in Laval to continue their recovery. Jevpalovs, Leskinen and Cox are all travelling with the team, but are not yet cleared to play.
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Post by folatre on Feb 27, 2020 18:14:57 GMT -5
Good team win last night against the Sens. Primeau is showing not only his talent but some genuine mental toughness in delivering three straight wins with his mates' backs against the wall.
What happened to Javpalovs? I thought I heard his name in the game last night. They could definitely use Leskinen. Who knows what Juulsen can offer after such a lengthy absence, though it sure would encouraging if he is medically cleared to play hockey again.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 28, 2020 10:37:42 GMT -5
Good team win last night against the Sens. Primeau is showing not only his talent but some genuine mental toughness in delivering three straight wins with his mates' backs against the wall. What happened to Javpalovs? I thought I heard his name in the game last night. They could definitely use Leskinen. Who knows what Juulsen can offer after such a lengthy absence, though it sure would encouraging if he is medically cleared to play hockey again. Primeau three straight starts...only three goals allowed. Jevpalovs had missed the previous two weeks due to injury, but did return to action for that game. Good thing too as he had two goals!! |
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