Habs Prospects 2021-22

[NWTHabsFan]

QMJHL

Riley Kidney - Acadie-Bathurst Titan
William Trudeau - Charlottetown Islanders
Joshua Roy - Sherbrooke Phoenix
Xavier Simoneau - Charlottetown Islanders

OHL

Jan Myšák - Hamilton Bulldogs
Logan Mailloux - London Knights
Daniil Sobolev - Windsor Spitfires
Joe Vrbetic - North Bay Battalion
Arber Xhekaj - Hamilton Bulldogs

WHL

Kaiden Guhle - Edmonton Oil Kings

NCAA

Jordan Harris - Northeastern University
Jayden Struble - Northeastern University
Jack Gorniak - University of Wisconsin
Brett Stapley - Denver University
Luke Tuch - Boston University
Blake Biondi - University of Minnesota-Duluth
Sean Farrell - Harvard University
Jakub Dobeš - Ohio State University
Rhett Pitlick - University of Minnesota
Ty Smilanic - Quinnipiac University

USHL

Jack Smith - Sioux Falls Stampede

Finland

Oliver Kapanen - KalPa

Sweden

Jacob Olofsson - Björklöven
Frederick Dichow - Kristianstads
Mattias Norlinder - Frölunda
Emil Heineman - Leksands

Russia

Alexander Gordin - HC Sochi
Dmitri Kostenko - Spartak Moscow

[NWTHabsFan]

A little head to head prospect action today in the battle of the numbers 11. Luke Tuch (USA) vs Oliver Kapanen (Finland) at the World Junior Summer Showcase.

Kapanen played yesterday versus Sweden, but was held without a point. But, he got drafted, so it was a good day overall for him.

[NWTHabsFan]

#11 in blue.

[NWTHabsFan]

Luke Tuch gets one back for the USA.

[NWTHabsFan]

They moved Tuch to the third line for today’s game against Sweden, but he still managed to get two assists in a 4-1 win. WJ Summer Showcase.

[NWTHabsFan]

Tuch vs Kapanen again today. Tuch back on the top line and Kapanen move up to 2C.

Kapanen with the tip, he also assisted on their first goal from Tuomaala.

[NWTHabsFan]

Kapanen and Tuch go head to head again today. Both are playing really well for their respective teams and doing a lot to help solidify a spot on their WJC teams. Time will tell of course.

Speaking of the WJC, I would hazard a guess that the following four are likely going to be selected:

Guhle - CAN
Myšák - CZE
Kapanen - FIN
Tuch - USA

And I would add one guy who has a chance as well:

Kostenko - RUS

I always love watching the WJC (and may get to some live games this year!), but it is always even more fun when the Habs have prospects playing.

[NWTHabsFan]

An interview between TVA and Harris confirms that he is committed to signing with the Habs once his collegiate career is done. He is just more committed to finishing up what he started with Northeastern. He was named captain, they will defend their Beanpot title after it being cancelled last year, he will try to win a national championship after missing the playoffs last season, and Northeastern has been chosen to represent the USA at the World University Games this season. Lots of good reasons to finish up, including him working on some more details in his game.

[NWTHabsFan]

Frölunda is playing their first pre season game today. And their first goal is scored by Mattias Norlinder with a big blast on the PP.

[NWTHabsFan]

Second PP goal for Norlinder definitely not a bomb lol.

Rogle won the game 4-3 in OT though.

[NWTHabsFan]

Myšák named to the Czech U20 team for a four nations tourney at the end of August. Hopefully both Kapanen and Kostenko are named to their respective teams as well.

[folatre]

Cool, I am sure he will be an important cog for the Czechs. I wonder if, as in the past, Mysak will play centre while on international duty? It is certainly not a bad thing if he does, though honestly I see him more as an attacking winger with sneaky speed, quick hands, and good timing in close.

Thanks for sharing, NW.

[seventeen]

Aug 10, 2021 13:00:19 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Second PP goal for Norlinder definitely not a bomb lol.

Rogle won the game 4-3 in OT though.

Habs coaching staff would be having conniptions. A defenceman on the other team's goal line! What if they broke out?

You can see that Norlinder thinks offensively.

[NWTHabsFan]

Aug 10, 2021 20:16:51 GMT -5 seventeen said:

Aug 10, 2021 13:00:19 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Second PP goal for Norlinder definitely not a bomb lol.

Rogle won the game 4-3 in OT though.

Habs coaching staff would be having conniptions. A defenceman on the other team's goal line! What if they broke out?

You can see that Norlinder thinks offensively.

How about this play then? He really activates and shows his offensive awareness and skating ability. The Four Clydesdales cannot do that lol.

[Cranky]

Norlinder is 180 pounds soaking wet. Not Mete size but still way too small for our system. If he has Mete level of skating and very real offensive abilities, meaning he can actually shoot the puck past peewee velocity, then I can see him paired with one of the Mountains and be successful.

I'm really waiting for Guhle and some of our bigger prospects to take big steps. Other then Guhle, they are not mountains, but they are NHL size.

[NWTHabsFan]

Aug 11, 2021 16:15:40 GMT -5 Cranky said:

Norlinder is 180 pounds soaking wet. Not Mete size but still way too small for our system. If he has Mete level of skating and very real offensive abilities, meaning he can actually shoot the puck past peewee velocity, then I can see him paired with one of the Mountains and be successful.

I'm really waiting for Guhle and some of our bigger prospects to take big steps. Other then Guhle, they are not mountains, but they are NHL size.

In an interview with Patrik Bexell of EOTP earlier this week, he mentioned he has been working out in the off-season and is up to 192 now. He still is undersized for the NHL but at least he is thickening up. His game will be his mobility, but totally agree he will need to be strong enough to handle NHL forwards.

[NWTHabsFan]

Kostenko is one of 10 defenders that was named to the roster of the Russian team that will travel to the U20 Four Nations tournament in CZE later this month.

en.fhr.ru/news/item/81981/

He has been playing with Spartak Moscow’s VHL team, Khimik, for the first few pre season games this year as all three levels of Russian hockey (KHL, VHL, and MHL) have already started training camps and pre season play. Alexander Gordin has graduated up to the VHL as well as he played in SKA Neva’s first pre season game earlier this week.

Pre season is underway for Norlinder and Olofsson as well, with KalPa (Kapanen) having their first game today.

[NWTHabsFan]

Patrik from EOTP met up with Myšák and posted this piece. There is a link to a nice 19 minute podcast of the interview. The young man is very well spoken and focused.

[folatre]

Aug 11, 2021 16:15:40 GMT -5 Cranky said:

Norlinder is 180 pounds soaking wet. Not Mete size but still way too small for our system. If he has Mete level of skating and very real offensive abilities, meaning he can actually shoot the puck past peewee velocity, then I can see him paired with one of the Mountains and be successful.

I'm really waiting for Guhle and some of our bigger prospects to take big steps. Other then Guhle, they are not mountains, but they are NHL size.

I would be quite surprised if Norlinder makes the team. But hopefully in 2022-23 he can break in on a pairing with a big physical partner.

Struble is not a mountain (maybe slightly taller than Romanov) but he is extremely physical. Obviously it is not even close to clear if he will ever be a NHL d-man, but in the event that Struble makes it he will definitely not be the type of d-man forwards are going to toss around in the crease.

[seventeen]

He has some Markov similarities. A touch shorter but about the same weight. Has a bit more speed but thinks transition immediately, just like Andrei. Markov was 21 when his first season with the Habs started.

[NWTHabsFan]

Kostenko received his first taste of KHL action in the pre season today. Nice to see them giving him at least a look with the big club. He was on the third (of four) pairings. #81 KOCTEHKO

[NWTHabsFan]

Aug 13, 2021 14:29:13 GMT -5 folatre said:

I would be quite surprised if Norlinder makes the team. But hopefully in 2022-23 he can break in on a pairing with a big physical partner.

Struble is not a mountain (maybe slightly taller than Romanov) but he is extremely physical. Obviously it is not even close to clear if he will ever be a NHL d-man, but in the event that Struble makes it he will definitely not be the type of d-man forwards are going to toss around in the crease.

Struble is built like a tank for sure. He missed some time last year with injuries and that may have cost him a WJC spot. Regardless, he and Harris should see tons of ice time with Northeastern this season. I like how his composure has improved since he started in the NCAA. He tends to chase guys less and get out of position, but he sure does not shy away from the big hit and is not scared to engage in the offensive zone. By contrast, Harris plays a very heady IQ game. Should be a fun year for those two.

[NWTHabsFan]

Gordin played in the MHL today, getting two goals in a 4-3 SKA-1946 win. #52 in blue.

[NWTHabsFan]

Some Oliver Kapanen news. He did play a pre season game with KalPa (Liiga - the top men’s league) this week, getting action on the top line wing. He was held pointless and missed his shootout shot (as did his teammates).

The recently turned 18 year old (Habs 2nd youngest prospect) has also officially been named to Finland’s U20 Four Nations tourney roster for play in CZE later this month. He joins Myšák and Kostenko at the event.

[NWTHabsFan]

Farrell adds to his trophy case. Top junior player in the USA last season. Let’s see how he does at Harvard in the fall.

[NWTHabsFan]

Norlinder had his fingers on both goals to tie the game up at 2-2 after regulation. A secondary assist with under 5 to play, and the primary assist with 17 seconds left in regulation.

Frölunda won 3-2 in the shootout.

[seventeen]

Good stick work on the first one (from our limited angle), but fairly simple primary assist on the second. Someone had to make the pass, but the goal scorer made that goal with patience and waiting for a screen.

[jkr]

Aug 10, 2021 18:03:09 GMT -5 folatre said:

Cool, I am sure he will be an important cog for the Czechs. I wonder if, as in the past, Mysak will play centre while on international duty? It is certainly not a bad thing if he does, though honestly I see him more as an attacking winger with sneaky speed, quick hands, and good timing in close.

Thanks for sharing, NW.

I don't know how you guys do it - I mean how do you acquire such an in depth knowledge of players at this level? How do you get to see players from Europe, for example?

[NWTHabsFan]

Gordin played another game today in the MHL (junior league) despite his VHL team taking part in a five team mini tourney. He scored the only SKA-1946 goal in a 2-1 loss. All games still in the pre season still, so we shall see where he plays once the regular season starts.

[Willie Dog]

Aug 18, 2021 19:29:42 GMT -5 jkr said:

Aug 10, 2021 18:03:09 GMT -5 folatre said:

Cool, I am sure he will be an important cog for the Czechs. I wonder if, as in the past, Mysak will play centre while on international duty? It is certainly not a bad thing if he does, though honestly I see him more as an attacking winger with sneaky speed, quick hands, and good timing in close.

Thanks for sharing, NW.

I don't know how you guys do it - I mean how do you acquire such an in depth knowledge of players at this level? How do you get to see players from Europe, for example?

lol... They ignore their wife and kids

Seriously though I applaud the work that is done on this board, lots of research goes into the information posted here. Getting info on pro players is one thing but getting stuff on prospects is something a bit more challenging. I'm sure google translate is used sometimes to understand what gets written overseas about our prospects as well.