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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on May 22, 2007 7:05:55 GMT -5
Not the entire article but a pretty good read: Canadiens AHL prospects season review
Written by Jason Menard on 05/21/2007
Last season, the doors of Copps Coliseum were revolving so fast the players’ heads were spinning and many ended up not knowing whether they were coming or going. This year, a more stable base of players had a telling impact on the Hamilton Bulldogs fortunes – and the team went from the outhouse to the penthouse in just one season.
With largely the same cast of characters, the Bulldogs finished 12th of 14 teams last year in the AHL’s Western Conference behind a 35-41-0-4 record. This season, the club finished a respectable sixth in the conference, with a 43-28-3-6 record. And if that turnaround wasn’t enough, the club has gone on a tear in the AHL playoffs, currently owning a 2-0 series lead in the Western Conference finals against the Chicago Wolves, with the series headed home.
And while this mercurial rise to the top of the charts may seem dramatic, it’s all built upon the stable foundation that was set a few years back by the NHL management regime, including the Montreal Canadiens’ director of player recruitment and development Trevor Timmins.
“This is what we’ve tried to establish over the years with ventures like our development camp,” Timmins explained. “From day one, a lot of these guys have been together, playing on the rookie teams, and they’ve been able to grow up together. They’ve been teammates throughout their professional lives and that helps them to develop a chemistry at every level they play at.” (This last paragraph reminds me of a thread here on the board)The rest of the story.Some late mussings: Interesting comments on Halak. He was in the ECHL only last year and is now in the NHL. Reminds me of Ryder's development, though Ryder took a tad longer to get to the show. Still, both have to work their butts off to make it that far in that short a time. Danis is definitely the odd man out right now. Chipchara is a born leader and has already spent a lot of time with Price, who also continues to impress. Anyone think Chipchara might be with the parent club soon? Ryan O'Byrne is described as a rock on the blueline. Wonder how Gainey will work him into the lineup when there's already Dandenault, Bouillon and Côté? Matt D’Agostini has had an impact on the club as well. Timmins goes on to say that the club struggled with him out of the lineup and excelled with him in it. Interesting. Cheers. |
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Post by seventeen on May 22, 2007 18:54:34 GMT -5
Ryan O'Byrne is described as a rock on the blueline. Wonder how Gainey will work him into the lineup when there's already Dandenault, Bouillon and Côté? Yep, that must keep Gainey up at nights...that and two scoops of all-bran. I'm already pencilling in O'Byrne and Chipchura. Even at the risk of losing Skilly's everlasting friendship. Those rookies...who needs 'em? |
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Post by Skilly on May 23, 2007 5:59:56 GMT -5
Ryan O'Byrne is described as a rock on the blueline. Wonder how Gainey will work him into the lineup when there's already Dandenault, Bouillon and Côté? Yep, that must keep Gainey up at nights...that and two scoops of all-bran. I'm already pencilling in O'Byrne and Chipchura. Even at the risk of losing Skilly's everlasting friendship. Those rookies...who needs 'em? I don't mind rookies .... but we will go through growing pains if we have too many. My beef is that they all can't make the team, so why don't we use them to get what we need ... *cough* D-fence *cough*. If O'Byrne forces the trade of Bouillon, you'll have a friend for life, my friend ...  |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on May 23, 2007 18:19:52 GMT -5
Skilly, let the growing pains begin. Seventeen, O'Byrne is mentioned once again. Northeast: Habs' AHL kids strut stuff in Calder Cup playoffs
James Murphy | NHL.com correspondent May 23, 2007, 12:30 PM EDT
Montreal Canadiens fans longing to see playoff hockey live, may want to hop on the Hamilton Bulldogs website (www.hamiltonbulldogs.com), right away and order tickets. The Canadiens’ AHL affiliate is on a magical playoff run right now and enters tonight’s Western Conference Final Game 3 with a 2-0 lead on the Chicago Wolves. While fans will get to enjoy a playoff hockey atmosphere they were deprived of in Montreal, they will also get a glimpse of the organization’s future, which if this spring is any indication, could be arriving in the fall.
Forwards Maxim Lapierre and Andrei Kostitsyn, as well as goaltender Jaroslav Halak came up from Hamilton this past season and made an impact, but Bulldogs coach Don Lever is convinced that the future is even brighter.
“I could see a number of the kids I have here going into camp and pushing the veterans and even making the team," Lever said. "If they continue to progress, they’ll be called up during the season, but I wouldn’t be surprised if some of them aren’t here at all.”
Lever pointed to the similar development and success of Lapierre, Kostitsyn and Halak.
“You see what they did in their time here and when it was their time, they were called up,” Lever said. “I’m seeing the same thing now with some other players.”
Five players who have demonstrated they are on similar paths, maybe even shorter paths to the NHL, are goaltender Carey Price and forwards Corey Locke, Kyle Chipchura, Duncan Milroy and Mikhail Grabovski. All four had sensational seasons and have continued to play well in the playoffs, while Price has simply come in and performed above the high expectations surrounding him after his sensational performance at the World Junior Championships back in December.
“Here’s a kid who had pretty much zero experience at this level, took over the starting role in the playoffs, and hasn’t looked back,” Lever said of Price who is 9-4 with a 2.37 goals-against average and .922 save percentage.
“Considering that he basically played only junior before the playoffs, you have to be pretty impressed with the job he’s done.”
What’s impressed Lever most about Price has been his calm demeanor on and off the ice.
“I tell you, this kid is one calm, cool cucumber,” Lever said. “His mental toughness immediately earned the respect of his teammates and he’s been a calming presence back there.”
When Price arrived in Hamilton, Lever took a realistic approach and figured this would be the beginning of at least a year of seasoning at the AHL level for the much-heralded netminder. But his performance thus far has him wondering if Price will be back next fall?
“Let’s just say, and this is no knock on them, but if I’m Jaro (Halak) or (Cristobal) Huet, I’d be ready for a real challenge in training camp,” Lever said.
Price has also benefited from the team in front of him, one that has no shortage of firepower. Milroy, who led the team in scoring this season with 58 points, and Corey Locke, who finished second in scoring with 55 points, have continued to shine in the playoffs. Locke leads the team in playoff scoring with 14 points, while Milroy has eight points heading into tonight’s Game 3 at Copps Coliseum.
“His work ethic has been really unbelievable in the playoffs and that’s what we’ve noticed most,” Lever said of Locke. “We didn’t see that as much in the regular season, which is common with junior players coming up for their first season. But now that he’s doing all the little things, he’ll be even better.”
Milroy may have led the team in scoring, but his best attribute according to Lever is that aforementioned work ethic and is ability to be a two-way player.
"I could see a number of the kids I have here going into camp and pushing the veterans and even making the team,"
“Duncan may not be scoring as much in the playoffs, but he’s a good defensive player too and he’s been contributing that way,” Lever said.
Lever is confident that Milroy and his linemates, Grabovski and Matt D’Agostini, will breakout soon but is already happy with what they’ve brought so far in the playoffs.
“That line brings a great combination of skill and hard work and we’re just waiting for them to take off,” he said. "Grabovski is such a good passer and D’Agostini; I don’t think enough people know about this kid. He’s been a great all-around player and really stepped up for us.”
Another player that has caught Lever’s eye and could very well be ready to take it to the next level next season is Chipchura, the Canadiens’ first round pick in 2004. Chipchura had 39 points in the regular season and is the second leading scorer on the team during the playoffs with nine.
“He was huge in Game 1 of this series and has made big strides this season,” Lever said. “I really think this kid is coming into his own here. He’s grown a lot on and off the ice.”
On defense, Lever pointed out the play of Ryan O’Byrne.
“This is a big, mobile kid, who when he hits, you feel it and remember it,” he said of the 6-foot-5, 228-pounder.
Following the end of the Canadiens' season, General Manager Bob Gainey said he was looking forward to watching the team’s AHL prospects play in the Calder Cup playoffs and felt it was a good chance for them to learn how to play under pressure. Well, it appears that Gainey has gotten what he wished for.
Lever also has enjoyed watching these players, but he also looks forward to and believes they will be doing the same thing in the NHL quite possibly in the 2007-08 season.
“Seeing these kids mature and get that competitive edge has been great,” Lever said. “I think everyone in the Montreal organization and the fans have to be excited about the prospects we have here and in the system.”The link |
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Post by franko on May 23, 2007 18:28:50 GMT -5
What did Lever do all of a sudden? I remember calls for his head on a silver platter earlier in the seaon, yet he has the team 2 Ws away from the baby Cup.
And to mention Locke? Where did that come from? Is he finally playing scared -- so much so that HFLA and I will have our hopes for the guy pan out, or is it just a flash-in-the-pan?
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on May 23, 2007 21:16:23 GMT -5
What did Lever do all of a sudden? I remember calls for his head on a silver platter earlier in the seaon, yet he has the team 2 Ws away from the baby Cup. And to mention Locke? Where did that come from? Is he finally playing scared -- so much so that HFLA and I will have our hopes for the guy pan out, or is it just a flash-in-the-pan? There seems to be a lot of hype surrounding the Bulldogs this year, Franko. Locke is coming around nicely and being an ex-67 doesn't hurt him in my books I must admit. Another name that jumps out at me is D'Agostini. He's developing into a very well-rounded player, which is what Gainey likes. Very good future for sure. Cheers. |
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Post by habmeister on May 24, 2007 2:31:32 GMT -5
you never heard me calling for lever's head, do a search, you won't find it. why? because i have faith that mr. bob gainey would not put an idiot in charge of coaching our prospects in their last step before the show.
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Post by franko on May 24, 2007 6:11:57 GMT -5
What did Lever do all of a sudden? I remember calls for his head on a silver platter earlier in the seaon, yet he has the team 2 Ws away from the baby Cup. And to mention Locke? Where did that come from? Is he finally playing scared -- so much so that HFLA and I will have our hopes for the guy pan out, or is it just a flash-in-the-pan? There seems to be a lot of hype surrounding the Bulldogs this year, Franko. Locke is coming around nicely and being an ex-67 doesn't hurt him in my books I must admit. Another name that jumps out at me is D'Agostini. He's developing into a very well-rounded player, which is what Gainey likes. Very good future for sure. Cheers. Locke with 1-1 last night. Here I was thinking he was disappearing off the face of the hockey planet. He was a gamer all the way through Junior and I was glad the Habs picked him up, even if he is small. He plays with heart. He was quiet to begin with but looks to have found his stride. Still not sure if he can make it up to the bigs but I'd like to see him get a shot. Looking at the others on the depth chart not sure that he will -- but he is definitely an asset to use somehow. Bob -- if you aren't going to give him a chance with the Habs, make use of him in a trade. Someone will take a flyer on him if you don't. |
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Post by Skilly on May 24, 2007 6:20:12 GMT -5
Good to see the kids doing well ...
IMO, it is almost essential for Price, Chipchura, and O'Byrne to be in the NHL next year. I think that will be the only way we can sign a forward and a defense and still be under the cap.
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Post by Gogie on May 24, 2007 10:41:48 GMT -5
What did Lever do all of a sudden? I remember calls for his head on a silver platter earlier in the seaon, yet he has the team 2 Ws away from the baby Cup. And to mention Locke? Where did that come from? Is he finally playing scared -- so much so that HFLA and I will have our hopes for the guy pan out, or is it just a flash-in-the-pan? I don't think it's so much a question of what has Lever done lately, it's more a case of the players buying into his system 100%. The Dogs have been winning despite the fact that their first line has been pretty invisible (from an offensive standpoint) most games thus far in the playoffs. What has been really impressive about Hamilton's play is their team work and defense. They are playing an outstanding defensive game, as evidenced by their ability to shut down the dominant offensive team in the league this year. Every player is coming back and working hard in their own end. The hard work pays off and, as in the second period last night, ends up frustrating the opposition to the point where they end up taking a lot of undisciplined penalties. Lapierre and Stortini have been doing a great job of rabble rousing but still maintaining their discipline. They've done a lot of hitting and needling but have managed to pull back before they've gone too far. Last night they had Andre Deveaux (the Wolve's "enforcer") going nuts, but never let him sucker them into stupid penalties. And what more can I say about Price? His positioning is exceptional, causing him to make difficult saves look easy. He's still a little rough around the edges, but overall he's been outstanding. His puck handling skill has added another dimension to the Bulldogs' arsenal. |
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Post by franko on May 24, 2007 12:36:43 GMT -5
Wow! I don't think it's so much a question of what has Lever done lately, it's more a case of the players buying into his system 100%. The Dogs have been winning despite the fact that their first line has been pretty invisible (from an offensive standpoint) most games thus far in the playoffs. What has been really impressive about Hamilton's play is their team work and defense. They are playing an outstanding defensive game, as evidenced by their ability to shut down the dominant offensive team in the league this year. Every player is coming back and working hard in their own end. The hard work pays off and, as in the second period last night, ends up frustrating the opposition to the point where they end up taking a lot of undisciplined penalties. What jumps out: players buying into his system 100%
winning despite the fact that their first line has been pretty invisible
team work
defense
playing an outstanding defensive game
shut down the dominant offensive team in the league
Every player is coming back and working hard in their own endCan we move this whole group of players up? Maybe the so-called vets could learn a lesson. |
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