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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 12, 2022 17:16:33 GMT -5
Biondi still leads his team in goals and points. Not bad for a second year player, second youngest forward on the team, playing on the third line and on the 2nd PP unit.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 12, 2022 17:17:20 GMT -5
Mailloux seems to be injury prone (so far). He got clocked in a fight this last time. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 12, 2022 18:07:15 GMT -5
In a battle of prospects, Acadie-Bathurst prevail over Charlottetown 2-1. Habs prospects in on all three goals. Trudeau with an assist, Kidney with two including the primary on the GWG. Simoneau who is injured missed the game.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 13, 2022 10:00:17 GMT -5
Lots of NCAA action last night.
Tuch and BU lost, so they are out of the Hockey East tourney. Pitlick, Stapley, Biondi, Harris and Struble all advance. Struble had an assist in the win, his 7th point in his last six games. Getting hot at the right time. Biondi added an assist in UMD’s win. Farrell had an assist but Harvard lost in 2OT. Their series is tied at one apiece. It will come down to the next game to decide who moves on, Harvard or RPI.
Guhle had an assist, his 100th point, in yet another soul Kings win
Sobolev scored his second of the season.
Joshua Roy added a goal and an assist.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 13, 2022 12:33:09 GMT -5
Kostenko with an assist in Khimik’s 7-1 win today. They are up 2-0 in their VHL quarter final series.
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Post by Andrew on Mar 13, 2022 14:51:00 GMT -5
Oh, and 82 points in 42 games so far. Bonkers for an 18 year old fifth round pick (yes he was the first overall QMJHL draft pick two years prior). Why did Roy's stock fall so much in that time? Should we be hyped about this kid as a potential first line player, or are there concerns that his game won't translate well to the pro level? |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 13, 2022 15:29:01 GMT -5
Oh, and 82 points in 42 games so far. Bonkers for an 18 year old fifth round pick (yes he was the first overall QMJHL draft pick two years prior). Why did Roy's stock fall so much in that time? Should we be hyped about this kid as a potential first line player, or are there concerns that his game won't translate well to the pro level? His conditioning was poor while he was with Saint John (the whole team did not take off ice training and eating seriously) so he was performing poorly there and asked for a trade. He got serious about his training and nutrition and lost 25 pounds and his conditioning is way better. He was the first overal pick in the QMJHL draft two years prior, so he might have originally though he could coast on talent alone. As a result of his poor conditioning early on and his trade request, there were some scouts that thought he had an attitude issue. He dropped like a rock in the draft last summer, likely very undeservingly so. And there were concerns about his skating. It is not explosive by any means, but he is very young (a month away from being a 2022 draft pick) and lacked a bit of strength. When combined with poor conditioning, his skating was a flag for scouts. |
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Post by seventeen on Mar 13, 2022 15:30:09 GMT -5
Mailloux seems to be injury prone (so far). He got clocked in a fight this last time. That can't be. Don Cherry is adamant that no one ever got hurt in a fight. |
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Post by seventeen on Mar 13, 2022 15:33:32 GMT -5
Why did Roy's stock fall so much in that time? Should we be hyped about this kid as a potential first line player, or are there concerns that his game won't translate well to the pro level? His conditioning was poor while he was with Saint John (the whole team did not take off ice training and eating seriously) so he was performing poorly there and asked for a trade. He got serious about his training and nutrition and lost 25 pounds and his conditioning is way better. He was the first overal pick in the QMJHL draft two years prior, so he might have originally though he could coast on talent alone. As a result of his poor conditioning early on and his trade request, there were some scouts that thought he had an attitude issue. He dropped like a rock in the draft last summer, likely very undeservingly so. And there were concerns about his skating. It is not explosive by any means, but he is very young (a month away from being a 2022 draft pick) and lacked a bit of strength. When combined with poor conditioning, his skating was a flag for scouts. Well worth taking a flyer with a 5th round pick. He must have really had a bad rep to fall that far. And perhaps it was deserved. If so, there was clearly an eye opening moment that changed his outlook, but after that bad season. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 13, 2022 18:30:16 GMT -5
Harvard beat RPI today 3-1 to take their series 2-1. They move on. Farrell with an assist today.
Vrbetic with 40 saves and a first star in a 7-2 North Bay win today.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 14, 2022 8:22:42 GMT -5
Xhekaj and the Bulldogs play an outdoor game tonight at 7:00pm ET free on CHL tv. You need to register for a free account to watch the free view. Myšák is still hurt from all accounts.
The game is a follow up to the NHL Heritage Classic venue before they tear the site down.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 15, 2022 14:40:56 GMT -5
KaChing Jakub. Congrats!
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 15, 2022 15:25:46 GMT -5
A piece on Roy.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 16, 2022 16:27:31 GMT -5
Last night while three of his fellow Q Habs prospects were being hosted at the Bell Centre, Riley Kidney was busy scoring a goal and adding an assist in Bathurst’s 8-2 big win.
In Europe today, Kostenko had a PP assist in a 4-2 loss. Khimik still leads their quarter final series 2-1. That is five points in seven VHL playoff games this season and over 20 minutes average TOI.
Olofsson had an assist as Björklöven won 4-2.
Dichow was on the good end of a big 8-2 win today. More on his regular season below as he gears up for playoffs.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 16, 2022 21:48:55 GMT -5
Joshua done good, again. Only goal. They won it 2-1 in a shootout.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 16, 2022 22:54:56 GMT -5
I am going to post stuff of Smilanic here as he is now part of the expanding prospect pool.
A really good write up from the Hockey News.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 17, 2022 0:19:02 GMT -5
Here are Smilanic’s highlights from this season. He is #96 for Quinnipiac.
I went back and checked my 2020 draft list that I posted in that thread here. I had him as a possibility for one of our three second round picks (Berg traded the later one), and commented that injuries hurt his draft stock and that he even played with a cast for a while. I managed to get some viewings in. I also had Heineman on that list for second round too, but not Myšák or Tuch (nor anyone else they picked after the first round lol).
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 17, 2022 18:40:27 GMT -5
Heineman finally returned from injury today. No points in a 4-2 loss.
Kidney popped another goal.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 18, 2022 11:51:26 GMT -5
A big weekend for NCAA hockey as conference playoffs wrap up and the final 16 for NCAA Tournament play will be announced on Sunday night. Four players and their teams will make the tourney even if these lose this weekend, as their records and rankings are too high to slip out of the top 16: Pitlick (Minnesota), Stapley (Denver), Biondi (UMD), and recently acquired Smilanic (Quinnipiac). Also in action tonight in single elimination conference play are Harris/Struble (Northeastern) and Farrell (Harvard). Dobeš (Ohio State) are done, but are hoping for the right combo of results to sneak in with one of the last 16 spots.
The Harris and Struble watch is on as a loss tonight could bump NE out of a NCAA spot, and end their season. Then all eyes will be on to see if Hughes is able to sign one or both (he has mentioned that signing Struble this year is also a possibility and thus forgo his senior year). He even specifically mentioned his hope to be able to sign Harris in his presser yesterday. The chances of not losing a drafted asset for nothing has drastically improved with the additions of Gorton, Hughes and St. Louis for all the obvious “connection” reasons.
In case you are wondering about what prospects will be joining the pro ranks next season, here are the obvious ones already signed:
Guhle
Myšák
Xhejak
Norlinder
And the Habs have to make decisions by the summer on:
Olofsson (June 1)
Harris (August 15)
Stapley (August 15)
Gorniak (August 15)
They also have to find a home for Simoneau as they have his rights until June 1, 2023 but he will finish his overager season in the Q and they likely will sign him to a two way AHL deal like they did with RHP and he can then play in Laval or 3R and see if he warrants an ELC by the following summer.
They can also chose to sign other Euro/NCAA prospects “early” before their rights expire, but I am not convinced there is one that warrants that other than possibly Struble.
The whole Russian Iron Curtain 2.0 scenario does make you wonder how they plan on managing their two prospects, Gordin and Kostenko, currently playing in Russia. Both of their current contracts with KHL teams expire on April 30, 2022. So we will see where they play after that.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 18, 2022 12:45:13 GMT -5
Some more Smilanic highlights for those who have not seen him play. He is #96 in mustard or whatever that colour is. He is very fast and shifty with great edges. His great shot was on display as he scored his 13th of the season last weekend. He does look skinny and will need to add weight and strength before going up against the pros. The other concerns are his defensive play and his decision making (thus he projects as a winger more so than a centre). A legit grade B prospect that at least has some potential.
When you look at the two prospects that Horton have added (and maybe three if you consider a young waiver pickup like Pitlick who has yet to establish himself as a full time NHLer), you definitely see a style of player and play: fast, skilled, good shots. The far too longstanding #safeisdeath style may slowly be fading away under Horton and Marty. Way more fun to watch as a fan. I have been waiting for this kind of modern, progressive shift for a while, as no doubt so have many/most others.
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Post by seventeen on Mar 18, 2022 15:50:31 GMT -5
The Harris and Struble watch is on as a loss tonight could bump NE out of a NCAA spot, and end their season. Then all eyes will be on to see if Hughes is able to sign one or both (he has mentioned that signing Struble this year is also a possibility and thus forgo his senior year). He even specifically mentioned his hope to be able to sign Harris in his presser yesterday. The chances of not losing a drafted asset for nothing has drastically improved with the additions of Gorton, Hughes and St. Louis for all the obvious “connection” reasons. In case you are wondering about what prospects will be joining the pro ranks next season, here are the obvious ones already signed: Guhle Myšák Xhejak Norlinder There are good reasons for moving out some veteran defensemen now as compared to later. Chiarot was a slam dunk decision with an expiring contract and Kulak is in the same boat, but is younger and may stick around. Petry, if not by Monday, then surely by the summer. His family issues play into this. Edmundson I would tend to keep around. You have to have some veteran stability on the back end. Romanov, I think, is past the "can we trust him?" stage. He and Edmundson would be a core pair if not pairing. ONe on each of the top 2 pairs, along with Savard will help the integration of the kids. We have to find space for Harris and Norlinder for sure. Guhle and Struble (likely Guhle) will round out the top 6. That's a very young group overall, but neither Harris nor Norlinder are slack jawed rookies. Norlinder has been in a men's league for 3 years and Harris is 22 and mature as well. It will be wise to give Struble, Xhekaj and any others time in Laval to get used to the pro game and the quicker pace. Schuneman or Wideman can provide depth on the big club. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 18, 2022 16:15:57 GMT -5
Kapanen with an assist on the GWG earlier today playing with KalPa U20 team in their playoffs.
Harris with a nice primary assist on the one timer goal.
Edit: UConn beat NE 4-1. Harris with their only goal. They wait until Sunday to see if they maintain their top 16 spot.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 18, 2022 16:56:15 GMT -5
Biondi opens the scoring against Denver (Stapley).
Edit: UMD adds an ENG. 2/0 win. Biondi with GWG. Atta boy!
Quinnipiac won 3-1 to head to the ECAC final. Smilanic with three shots, but no points.
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Post by Cranky on Mar 18, 2022 19:03:59 GMT -5
Anybody with news on how Guhle is doing?
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 18, 2022 19:18:47 GMT -5
Anybody with news on how Guhle is doing? Injured right now. Missed last game. He was playing very well up to that point. Watched a lot of him live lately, and he is doing well. |
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Post by Cranky on Mar 18, 2022 19:29:48 GMT -5
Anybody with news on how Guhle is doing? Injured right now. Missed last game. He was playing very well up to that point. Watched a lot of him live lately, and he is doing well. Two issues from the last time I watched him in the World juniors.... 1. He thinks that every play should end with a hit. 2. Unimpressed with his offensive hockey smarts. Plain vanilla get in, take a shot... Is he showing a LOT more common sense in picking his hits and is he improving on his offensive smarts? |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 19, 2022 1:12:27 GMT -5
Farrell with a goal and two assists as Harvard moves onto the ECAC finals against Quinnipiac and Smilanic.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 19, 2022 10:16:45 GMT -5
NCAA conference championship day. Winners get an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament (16 teams). UMD (Biondi), Quinnipiac (Smilanic), Minnesota (Pitlick), and Denver (Stapley) are going to make it based on their strong rankings already. Northeastern (Harris/Struble) and Ohio State (Dobeš) wait to hear their names announced tomorrow. See second tweet below as to what needs to happen for those two teams to get their spot. Harvard (Farrell) will get in if they win today against a very strong Quinnipiac team.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 19, 2022 16:45:26 GMT -5
Kapanen with a goal in his junior team’s 4-3 OT loss today.
Norlinder without a point.
Otto Leskinen is back in the Liiga and had two assists.
Heineman did not play for Leksands today. I have not seen any reason why. Injured again?
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 19, 2022 22:15:05 GMT -5
Farrell with two assists, including on the GWG in OT as Harvard upset Quinnipiac to win ECAC. They advance to the NCAA tournament. Smilanic missed the game. Some undisclosed injury?
Northeastern will make it now. Ohio State (Dobeš) are done. Smilanic, Biondi, Stapley Pitlick, Harris, Struble and Farrell will all be in action next weekend at the Regionals.
Over in the Q, Roy had two goals and an assist and was the second star in a big 7-2 Sherbrooke win tonight.
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