Laval Rocket / Trois-Rivières Lions 2022-23

[NWTHabsFan]

Time for a new season’s thread as they are already signing guys for next year.

A two year AHL deal for Gignac. Another QC player they are bringing back.

[NWTHabsFan]

Ryan Francis was a 5th round pick of the Flames in 2020 but they let his rights expire in June by not signing him to an ELC. He was one of the more dynamic forwards for the Saint John Sea Dogs at the Memorial Cup and was part of their championship run. The NS native is undersized at 5’9” but can add some nice offensive depth to the Rocket. Nice signing for an AHL deal.

[NWTHabsFan]

The Rocket PBP guy approves of this signing. One year AHL deal for the 27 year old Halifax native who is reportedly quite the pest out there. Adds a bit of jam since Pezzetta has to clear waivers to play in Laval.

[NWTHabsFan]

More guys locked up for Laval next season. All two way NHL deals like they were on previously. Belzile was a pending UFA and the other two were RFAs who had been qualified.

[drkcloud]

Laurent Dauphin signs a 2way deal with the Coyotes

Xavier Ouellet signs a 2way deal with the Penguins

[NWTHabsFan]

Tobie Bison off to LA

Habs fill a veteran void with a two way deal with Madison Bowey 27 years RHD

[NWTHabsFan]

[NWTHabsFan]

Lots of Laval depth today.

[NWTHabsFan]

See ya.

[NWTHabsFan]

Loads of turnover for Laval from last year into next. In addition to all these noted moves and re-signings, there are a huge bunch of prospects on their ELC that will either be playing in Laval or Montreal, or a bit of both.

Incoming prospects include: Slafkovsky, Guhle, Barron, Xhekaj, Myšák, Norlinder, Harris, Heineman, Simoneau, and possibly Davidson (he might play his overage season in Seattle or get signed for Laval). And they also brought Leskinen back, so we shall see where he plays.

When you also consider Ylönen, RHP, Primeau, next year’s edition will be much more prospect (and good ones!) heavy. A nice change from overloading the team with tweeners and AHL vets. And Farrell, Mailloux, Roy, Kidney, Dichow, Struble should lead the charge of the incoming class a year from now. Much more prospect fun in Laval awaits.

[NWTHabsFan]

A report about two of the newest Rocket and how they are both excited about this new opportunity.

[NWTHabsFan]

Trios-Rivières get a goalie back in this duo of deals, and perhaps two with Vrbetic pulling a bit of a surprise move and turning pro right away (Habs hold his NHL rights until next June).

[NWTHabsFan]

Laval bring back another veteran who played well for them last year.

Will he be the next captain too?

[NWTHabsFan]

Poulin was very good last year. Seem like quite a few goalies under contract now!

Price, Allen, Montembeault, Primeau, Poulin, Desrosiers, Vrbetic for the three teams.

[NWTHabsFan]

24 RHD who is decently mobile and comes from the Tampa system. Adds depth for Laval at a position lacking depth throughout the system.

[NWTHabsFan]

Laval signing bonanza continues today. A 27 year old former Flames first rounder who has played the last few seasons in Europe. Good sized right winger/centre.

[seventeen]

We're going to have to start hoping for injuries to ensure our kids get enough playing time.

[NWTHabsFan]

Jul 19, 2022 13:16:26 GMT -5 seventeen said:

We're going to have to start hoping for injuries to ensure our kids get enough playing time.

That is the elephant in the room for me. Houle really likes to ride his vets, and the team brought back a fair number of vets. I get the need to have some local guys on the team, but you need to strike a balance and give the young prospects enough good ice time to hone their craft and develop. It will be interesting to see how this is managed. As it stands now, there is little room outside of a few D spots in Montreal for young guys, and in Laval there are a ton of guys fighting for those good spots. Guys starting their pro careers need to get their reps in. Hopefully this will be the case, but there are some warning signs for sure.

[folatre]

Paquette signed with Minsk in the KHL. I know a 29 year old guy like him has not banked enough money to retire, but yikes playing in that league and in that city seems rather horrible.

For sure, the Rocket's roster is jam-packed up front. I would imagine Mesar is going back to Europe.

[NWTHabsFan]

While the Habs let his NHL rights expire on August 15, I guess the parties were still interested in getting some deal done. He joins Laval for the season, adding some centre depth to the minor ranks.

[Habit]

Aug 30, 2022 11:04:34 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

While the Habs let his NHL rights expire on August 15, I guess the parties were still interested in getting some deal done. He joins Laval for the season, adding some centre depth to the minor ranks.

Interesting. Keep him close but not using a NHL contact space to do so. Smart GM'ing!!!

[folatre]

I was not expecting Stapley to stick with the organization at the conclusion of his NCAA eligibility. But apparently management sees some qualities worth further exploring with a no-risk AHL contract.

The sheer quantity of forwards vying to get in the lineup on a regular basis for the Rocket likely means that a kid like Stapley could see a lot of ice time in Trois-Rivieres this season.

[Habit]

Aug 30, 2022 21:53:09 GMT -5 folatre said:

... means that a kid like Stapley could see a lot of ice time in Trois-Rivieres this season.

I believe the "One Way AHL Contract" means he cannot go to the ECHL.

[NWTHabsFan]

Aug 31, 2022 6:14:39 GMT -5 Habit said:

Aug 30, 2022 21:53:09 GMT -5 folatre said:

... means that a kid like Stapley could see a lot of ice time in Trois-Rivieres this season.

I believe the "One Way AHL Contract" means he cannot go to the ECHL.

He can be sent to 3R, but he will be paid his full AHL salary. He is not under NHL contract, as anyone under an NHL contract (other than their ELC) can refuse to be sent to the ECHL.

[NWTHabsFan]

Aug 30, 2022 21:53:09 GMT -5 folatre said:

I was not expecting Stapley to stick with the organization at the conclusion of his NCAA eligibility. But apparently management sees some qualities worth further exploring with a no-risk AHL contract.

The sheer quantity of forwards vying to get in the lineup on a regular basis for the Rocket likely means that a kid like Stapley could see a lot of ice time in Trois-Rivieres this season.

It is a crowded house at forward. It starts with the domino effect of having 16 NHL contracted forwards with the Habs (at this current moment). Now, we probably will see Byron on the LTIR to start, but that is 16 without Slafkovsky and the two Rocket forwards who should be normally getting a good look at camp: Ylönen and RHP. Will HuGo move anyone before opening night? We shall see if there are any takers as there are lots of teams tight to or over the cap already.

Last year was devastating with injuries across the organization, so depth in all positions is good to get through a long season. We also expect to see a number of forwards on expiring contracts moved out at the trade deadline.

I expect the lineups of both the Habs and Rocket to be very fluid this season as a result of all that. Heck, they can still change between now and opening night given HuGo’s track record of being very active.

At least to start, it does hurt the development opportunities of young forwards who may see their NHL roster spot or AHL “prime” ice time blocked a bit by guys/vets who don’t expect to feature in the future of the club. Again, I see that changing over the season. The opposite is true on D, as the total lack of quality NHL defenders means a bunch of young defensive prospects could see a very active rotation with others up and down between Montreal and Laval. It could be quite a carousel ride for a number of them.

[seventeen]

Hughes may have to move a guy for less than 'our' perceived value. The moves so far have been,
a) move out debilitating contracts, or shift them to LTIR
b) continue to acquire picks by using CAP space obtained from LTIR

In the process we have obtained 2 forwards, Dadanov and Monahan, who have been productive in the past, but had contract anchors to their previous teams. This has overloaded the forward pool but mainly at wing. The centres, as it stands today, are Suzuki, Dvorak, Evans, Dach and Monahan, though Monahan is uncertain due to his injury and his speed. He may end up on wing. Which brings us to the overloaded position.

RW (usually) - Gallagher, Anderson, Armia, Caufield
LW - Drouin, Pitlick, Byron, Dadanov, Hoffman.

Coming up quickly in rear view mirror - RHP, Slafkovsky, Ylonen, Pezzetta

Into this mix, throw in the impresssion (mine at least) that management would not object to finishing low again this year, before seriously starting the climb back up the standings as other prospects develop and join the team.

My guess is that we will see at least a couple of veteran players (Anderson, Gallagher, Armia, Byron) leave the team, depending on health and the available offers. Anderson has a lot of value and completes both points 1 and 2 above. Gallagher also would be an attractive acquisition for a contending team if his shooting is back to form, but the return would be minimal because of the contract. Trading him would improve the CAP situation, so something may be lost in that transaction. Armia would be given away: Byron too, but his contract is less of an issue as it ends this year, but he may be on LTIR the entire year.

Dvorak is likely to stay. If used properly (not as a shut down guy), he can score and can fill the 2C role adequately (for now). If Monahan proves healthy, he's another guy who will be tossed into the equation. I have no idea how that will work out as both he and Dvorak are much the same player to me. Monahan is a more consistent scorer, but he's also had better teammates during his career.

If HuGo are serious about development kids, though, opportunities have to be made available for them. Gallagher's contract is a problem, for sure. Thanks Marc. Of the kids, Slafkovsky and Ylonen may push some vets at camp. If they are even close, Ylonen has to be given a chance. Slaf's development is a question for a different thread.

Hard to see Ylonen back in Laval, but that may be the only option. Slafkovsky, I'm inclined to send him back to Europe. The last thing I want is some AHL thug trying to make his mark by injuring the #1 draft pick.

[NWTHabsFan]

Training camp starts on the ice today. They did off ice medicals yesterday. So far, there are the guys sent down from Habs camp, some guys from the ECHL 3R Lions, and some tryouts.

[frozone]

Oct 3, 2022 9:47:42 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Training camp starts on the ice today. They did off ice medicals yesterday. So far, there are the guys sent down from Habs camp, some guys from the ECHL 3R Lions, and some tryouts.

I could have sworn that I saw John Parker-Jones playing forward during rookie camp but he's listed here as a defenseman. Now I see on hockeydb he's listed as a D, and on Eliteprospects he's a RW/D. Not many players have that versatility.

[Willie Dog]

Oct 3, 2022 14:40:53 GMT -5 frozone said:

Oct 3, 2022 9:47:42 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Training camp starts on the ice today. They did off ice medicals yesterday. So far, there are the guys sent down from Habs camp, some guys from the ECHL 3R Lions, and some tryouts.

I could have sworn that I saw John Parker-Jones playing forward during rookie camp but he's listed here as a defenseman. Now I see on hockeydb he's listed as a D, and on Eliteprospects he's a RW/D. Not many players have that versatility.

You did, I saw him playing forward... that some versatility... I assume he would play right D

[NWTHabsFan]

Oct 3, 2022 14:40:53 GMT -5 frozone said:

I could have sworn that I saw John Parker-Jones playing forward during rookie camp but he's listed here as a defenseman. Now I see on hockeydb he's listed as a D, and on Eliteprospects he's a RW/D. Not many players have that versatility.

Yup, he played forward at rookie camp and RHD at training camp and again at Rocket camp. He is a monster too.