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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 11, 2021 19:36:41 GMT -5
Audio from Bouchard’s presser. And links in the main article to the other days.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 12, 2021 15:37:42 GMT -5
Game Day. Only 338 days in between Rocket games. It is on RDS for those that have it.
Some pre game tidbits. Too bad about Guhle, as I was hoping to see him tonight debuting against men. Sounds like he should be back soon though.
Missing their top forward. Not the ideal kickoff to the season. Bouchard did mention that neither injury is serious.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 12, 2021 16:07:42 GMT -5
EOTP did three Rocket season previews to get folks up to speed on the team: one each for forwards, defence and goaltending.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 12, 2021 17:35:51 GMT -5
Tonight’s starting lineup.
Special note. Teasdale’s first pro game in his second year of his ELC. His last competitive game was his Memorial Cup run in May 2019.
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Post by Cranky on Feb 12, 2021 18:59:06 GMT -5
I'm looking at that lineup and not seeing imminent help. At least "impacting" help that can slide in the line-up. Fleury, Ouellet and Brook aren't going to make Mete sweat. Perry is not losing any sleep from Weal and Poehling stealing his lunch money. The rest....ouch. I'm hoping that Guhle pulls a Romanov and looks comfortable whacking elderly NHL man and given his type of game play, meaning defense first, maybe, just maybe he can give no-hands Mete a run for his meager lunch money. It's not like he has to go over the shoulders of a giant.....  |
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Post by Tankdriver on Feb 12, 2021 23:34:05 GMT -5
I'm hoping Brook can take that next step. NWT, what happened. It seems he plateaus since being all defenceman team in world juniors.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 13, 2021 9:35:09 GMT -5
A big 5-1 win last night. That Blandisi, Teasdale, Ylönen line was the bomb last night. Blandisi has high praise for Ylönen’s first NA pro game and his vision and skills.
Back at it at 1:00pm ET today.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 13, 2021 9:45:40 GMT -5
I'm hoping Brook can take that next step. NWT, what happened. It seems he plateaus since being all defenceman team in world juniors. Great question. I have always been really high on Brook as a prospect, so seeing him struggle was a bit of a surprise. He actually had a very good first Habs camp after his WJC year, and was one of the last cuts. He went down to the AHL and his game struggled. Part of his success in the past has come from his mobility and ability to jump into the play. He found the adjustment to playing against bigger and tougher competition a bit harder than expected. He did show quite good progress in the second half of the season last year. He was given lots more responsibility and held his own. Bouchard has some good things to say about his progress. He also used his time off to really work hard in the gym. He is stronger which will help him on the defensive side of the game against bigger opponents. That was always an area that he could improve upon. He would be a prospect to watch this year and see how close he is now to making the NHL down the road. He seems to be trending up from that plateau. We shall see. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 13, 2021 9:56:14 GMT -5
Game highlights from last night.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 13, 2021 18:10:06 GMT -5
Another day, another 5-1 win over Belleville Sens.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 13, 2021 18:14:34 GMT -5
I'm hoping Brook can take that next step. NWT, what happened. It seems he plateaus since being all defenceman team in world juniors. A bit of an update after the opening weekend. I think he still has a way to go. He was quite inconsistent and I noticed him struggling a number of times. By contrast, Fleury is ready. He is playing really well right now. So is Vejdemo. They both could step in if injuries open up spots and not look out of place. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 13, 2021 18:20:56 GMT -5
Today’s game highlights. They do not do justice to how nice Fleury’s pass was on Vejdemo’s goal. So I posted that goal separately.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 16, 2021 12:08:44 GMT -5
Game Day. Game 3 of 4 against the Baby Sens tonight at 7:00pm ET. RDS.
Bouchard will continue to tinker with the lineup to get more of his 35 guys some game action. He said he was focusing last weekend on giving his vets the games in reward and recognition for how well they played down the stretch before the shut down. They were battling back towards a playoff spot and playing well. He now has to insert some of the young guys and give Frolik some much needed hockey games.
Mysak and Khisamutdinov will make their debut. Poehling will be back after missing game two with a minor injury. Frolik will play. That means young guys like Ylönen, Teasdale and Harvey-Pinard who played both games might still be in tonight.
Guhle is still awaiting the green light. Bouchard was very adamant that he would play once he is cleared to do so. The one puzzle I have is why Hillis has not yet managed to get in the queue for a game. Hopefully he plays on Friday.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 20, 2021 0:32:00 GMT -5
More changes to the lineup to share the ice time with a big roster. Very solid win. Note the three stars. Fully deserving. All young guys, including two Laval rookies. The other is a second year guy that most on another nameless site have written off. Okay.
Hey Joël. Play Hillis already.
3 out of 4 from the Sens. Moose are in town next week to start a new four game series.
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Post by folatre on Feb 20, 2021 8:00:44 GMT -5
That is a very positive series to start the season. Obviously Belleville is not nearly as good as last season since Ottawa's rebuild has required some kids to graduate to the big club. But the Rocket look deep and competitive.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 20, 2021 10:22:43 GMT -5
Highlights from last night’s win.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 22, 2021 12:31:10 GMT -5
Four games in the books against Belleville. A new opponent tonight as Laval host the Moose for the first of a four game set.
Guhle, Hillis and Demchenko make their AHL debuts tonight. It will be the first pro games for Hillis and Guhle. Demchenko has KHL experience as a starter.
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Post by Cranky on Feb 22, 2021 18:31:04 GMT -5
I'm looking forward to seeing what Guhle will do. He's the next "great hope" and something to look forward to.
Maybe....
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 23, 2021 9:48:27 GMT -5
I'm looking forward to seeing what Guhle will do. He's the next "great hope" and something to look forward to. Maybe.... He played his first AHL game last night and I must say he looked pretty comfortable for a teenager who had been nursing a small injury and had only one recent practice coming into the game. He delivered a few nice hits, his gap control was good, he was quick on pucks and positionally sound. He will have to report to PA shortly when they start their camp as they now have a start date in March, but the Rocket play three more games this week alone so hopefully he can get more games in against men before going back to juniors. Bouchard speaks so very highly of Guhle in his press conferences. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 23, 2021 10:10:35 GMT -5
A tough 3-2 OT loss last night against the Moose. The Rocket deserved a better fate, but these things happen. A hot goalie, an own goal (what a beauty shot by Ylönen though....just in the wrong net), a late penalty that lead to the eventual OT PP winner, and many missed chances to pop a few more in and take control of the game.
It is an unique season for the Rocket, so their results have been very good so far based on the constantly changing roster every night. Bouchard has 33 players and he has been rotating guys in and out every game. In normal years, with a roster of 23 or so, he would play his best lineup and build chemistry as the season progressed. Here, while some guys have been playing together a bit, most lines mix it up depending on which new guys are in to make their debut and which vets sit. He also has three goalies. With Demchenko playing last night, he has now been able to give them each at least one start (and Primeau three) in the team’s first five games.
Guhle did not look like a teenager playing in his first pro game last night. A nice solid debut for the big kid. He did not look lost with the pace of the game, which you would expect from such a young defender. Fairbrother played his second consecutive game and has looked really good as well. He has not played in a long time as he had an injury to end last season, but he has shaken off the rust and looks very solid defending, and pretty comfortable when he handles the puck and jumps into the play. He will be back to Everett soon enough for their camp, building on some good showings in Laval.
I will post some reviews shortly on what I have seen from the other young guys making their North American pro debuts: Ylönen, Harvey-Pinard, Teasdale, Khisamutdinov, Hillis, and Mysak. And I will also comment on what I have liked out of potential call ups like Vejdemo, Poehling, and Weal (yup, you read that right).
Here are the highlights from last night. Their next game is tomorrow against the Moose (and also Friday and Saturday afternoon).
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 24, 2021 17:46:16 GMT -5
Lindgren gets the start tonight. It has been a while since he has played, so a much needed start for him. Interestingly he will be the Rocket’s 4th goalie in juniors st six games. Time for the boys to go bag a Moose tonight.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Feb 24, 2021 19:42:12 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 24, 2021 20:39:35 GMT -5
Wow.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 24, 2021 21:09:59 GMT -5
Ylönen gets his first AHL goal. A great curl and drag and a sweet snipe. Nice play by Vejdemo to back up the defender and be a bit of a screen.
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Post by Cranky on Feb 25, 2021 1:46:57 GMT -5
There is something terribly wrong with Guhle.
The kid is NASTY. Just want to donate doses of pain.
Wait...did I know his mother?
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 25, 2021 10:21:02 GMT -5
There is something terribly wrong with Guhle. The kid is NASTY. Just want to donate doses of pain. Wait...did I know his mother? I don’t want to get your hopes up any more on this kid, because it is so early...but he already looks so comfortable at the AHL level. He can play against men and process the game at that higher pace. At least in the first two games he has played. Last night, I found he was even more engaged in jumping into the play in the O zone. His skating enables him to do that so much better than most big guys. While defending, he closes the gap quickly, he takes guys out on occasion, and his mobility means he can retrieve pucks fast. He is comfortable in board and net front battles, and Bouchard was using him on the PK. A rather impressive debut for a young defender so far. I think I may have underestimated his upside. A lot will depend on how well he is able to handle the puck in the offensive zone to be a dual threat, and how his first pass and transition to controlled zone exits develop. He and Leskinen were a very solid pair last night. And on young defenders awaiting return to juniors, Fairbrother was good again last night. He can play at this level already too. He stepped up for some nice hits, played solid defensively, but I have been quite impressed with his poise with the puck on offence. His lateral ability, overall skating, and puck skills allow him to move around to get shots on net rather than just standing still and shooting into legs. He is going a long way to earning his ELC. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 25, 2021 10:32:34 GMT -5
Another disappointing loss to the Moose, 4-2. The Manitoba goalie Berdin picked up where he left off and was the first star again. Some lack of discipline hurt the Rocket, as two poor penalties to Ylönen and Braddock both turned into third period PP goals that were the difference in the game. By contrast, Laval had zero PP opportunities in the game.
Ylönen scored his first AHL goal (at least his first on the opponent net), and looked good again. He is a very good skater, has a nice shot, and has really good vision with some nice dishes to his linemates while in motion. I like to see that he can make good decisions in motion and quickly. He still has things to work on, but I have been quite impressed with how well he has adjusted to the NA game already.
If this is a bit of a throw away season for Lindgren, it was a bit odd to see them give him a game when they are already juggling keeping three goalies busy. It was his first action since March 2020.
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Post by Cranky on Feb 25, 2021 13:37:17 GMT -5
There is something terribly wrong with Guhle. The kid is NASTY. Just want to donate doses of pain. Wait...did I know his mother? I don’t want to get your hopes up any more on this kid, because it is so early...but he already looks so comfortable at the AHL level. He can play against men and process the game at that higher pace. At least in the first two games he has played. Last night, I found he was even more engaged in jumping into the play in the O zone. His skating enables him to do that so much better than most big guys. While defending, he closes the gap quickly, he takes guys out on occasion, and his mobility means he can retrieve pucks fast. He is comfortable in board and net front battles, and Bouchard was using him on the PK. A rather impressive debut for a young defender so far. I think I may have underestimated his upside. A lot will depend on how well he is able to handle the puck in the offensive zone to be a dual threat, and how his first pass and transition to controlled zone exits develop. He and Leskinen were a very solid pair last night. And on young defenders awaiting return to juniors, Fairbrother was good again last night. He can play at this level already too. He stepped up for some nice hits, played solid defensively, but I have been quite impressed with his poise with the puck on offence. His lateral ability, overall skating, and puck skills allow him to move around to get shots on net rather than just standing still and shooting into legs. He is going a long way to earning his ELC. Get my hopes up higher? I peg him as a sure top 6, likely top 4 amd outside chance of top 2. By 25. He can skate like Petry. Hits like Weber and loves doing it. Shot that is either north of 100 or close to it. Attitude is cooperative and a winner. What he needs to do is sign and play in the AHL right this minute. My go-to philosophy is to always move them up and challange them. The only thing i would concentrate is on his offensive game. That will be the difference between 1D and everything else. He's got the tools in spades to be that. |
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Post by seventeen on Feb 25, 2021 16:44:17 GMT -5
He can skate like Petry. Hits like Weber and loves doing it. Shot that is either north of 100 or close to it. Attitude is cooperative and a winner. What he needs to do is sign and play in the AHL right this minute. My go-to philosophy is to always move them up and challange them. He's not old enough. When the WHL season starts up again, he has to go back to Everett. It's part of the NHL/CHL agreement. If he was born 3 weeks earlier, he could be with Laval next season, but as it is he's a WHL guy for the next season and a half unless he makes the big team. |
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Post by Cranky on Feb 25, 2021 17:07:00 GMT -5
He can skate like Petry. Hits like Weber and loves doing it. Shot that is either north of 100 or close to it. Attitude is cooperative and a winner. What he needs to do is sign and play in the AHL right this minute. My go-to philosophy is to always move them up and challange them. He's not old enough. When the WHL season starts up again, he has to go back to Everett. It's part of the NHL/CHL agreement. If he was born 3 weeks earlier, he could be with Laval next season, but as it is he's a WHL guy for the next season and a half unless he makes the big team. Sadly, Guhle has an enormous challenge in Chiarot and Edmy. Not only does he have their size, but also be as tough and nasty like them, which is out of his capabilities. He has to be able to outskate them and out offense them too. I mean, how can he put his near/over 100mph shot compared to Chairot and Edmy? Those two canonating drives routinely hit the boards 5 times a night. Those two are enormous challenges for Guhle. Like really enormous. Like as enormous as me spelling enormous. |
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