Struble signed to ELC

[NWTHabsFan]

A two year deal that starts next season, so he does not burn a year for the remainder of this year. The Habs can still sign him to an AHK deal to play in Laval for the rest of the season. Nice to see this but of business done.

[PTH]

I have to wonder what's the motivator for him to sign if he's not burning a year off his ELC contract this year.

Oh well. I'm glad he's signed. I do find it ironic that he's buddies with Harris yet those two are the two who are most likely going to end up competing for the same roster slot, assuming Xhekaj and Guhle have the other two pretty much locked up, with very different styles that fill two needs already.

[Willie Dog]

Hopefully Struble or Harris can play the right side

[NWTHabsFan]

Mar 15, 2023 9:52:37 GMT -5 Willie Dog said:

Hopefully Struble or Harris can play the right side

Harris much more than Struble.

[NWTHabsFan]

At least he has a good old D number in Laval.

[Willie Dog]

Nice to start to see a glut of quality D prospects, I think they'll focus on wingers more this draft

[Boston_Habs]

Struble is a mystery. I saw him play live a couple years ago along with Jordan Harris, and I actually thought Struble had the better upside of the two. A much bulkier player, played with an edge and liked to carry the puck. Seemed to have some PK Subban in him. I saw him again this year and there just hasn't been much in the way of progress. Seems like one of those guys who has a lot of the tools you love (size, skating, edgy) but can't really translate that into success. Maybe just doesn't anticipate or process the game well. I expected him to be way more impactful for a 2nd round draft pick playing in his 4th year at Northeastern.

Good signing and all, maybe the coaching staff can figure him out but I wouldn't count on it.

[seventeen]

Mar 17, 2023 16:31:49 GMT -5 Boston_Habs said:

Struble is a mystery. I saw him play live a couple years ago along with Jordan Harris, and I actually thought Struble had the better upside of the two. A much bulkier player, played with an edge and liked to carry the puck. Seemed to have some PK Subban in him. I saw him again this year and there just hasn't been much in the way of progress. Seems like one of those guys who has a lot of the tools you love (size, skating, edgy) but can't really translate that into success. Maybe just doesn't anticipate or process the game well. I expected him to be way more impactful for a 2nd round draft pick playing in his 4th year at Northeastern.

Good signing and all, maybe the coaching staff can figure him out but I wouldn't count on it.

Agree. His production, if he was progressing properly, should have been better. He went from .48 ppg in his freshman year to .67 in an injured second year of 18 games. That was a good improvement IMO. His juniour year, though, he dropped to .42 and it got worse this year at .39. Yet the Habs signed him. The eye test must be saying something different. To his credit, his +/- numbers improved a lot, but that could be a function of the overall team.

[Willie Dog]

Mar 18, 2023 13:59:29 GMT -5 seventeen said:

Mar 17, 2023 16:31:49 GMT -5 Boston_Habs said:

Struble is a mystery. I saw him play live a couple years ago along with Jordan Harris, and I actually thought Struble had the better upside of the two. A much bulkier player, played with an edge and liked to carry the puck. Seemed to have some PK Subban in him. I saw him again this year and there just hasn't been much in the way of progress. Seems like one of those guys who has a lot of the tools you love (size, skating, edgy) but can't really translate that into success. Maybe just doesn't anticipate or process the game well. I expected him to be way more impactful for a 2nd round draft pick playing in his 4th year at Northeastern.

Good signing and all, maybe the coaching staff can figure him out but I wouldn't count on it.

Agree. His production, if he was progressing properly, should have been better. He went from .48 ppg in his freshman year to .67 in an injured second year of 18 games. That was a good improvement IMO. His juniour year, though, he dropped to .42 and it got worse this year at .39. Yet the Habs signed him. The eye test must be saying something different. To his credit, his +/- numbers improved a lot, but that could be a function of the overall team.

Or he became a more well rounded player?

[seventeen]

Could be that too. I haven't seen him play nearly enough to give a reasoned opinion.

[Willie Dog]

Mar 20, 2023 14:21:43 GMT -5 seventeen said:

Could be that too. I haven't seen him play nearly enough to give a reasoned opinion.

Neither have but I hope he was worth the wait