|
|
Post by Cranky on Jul 27, 2023 19:27:36 GMT -5
Frankly, if you aren't Crosby or McDavid, you shouldn't be in the NHL in the year after being drafted. I always want to put a player into the next level he can handle. Hutson can dance all he wants in college hockey but he's proven nothing until he hits, actually gets hit and his space taken away at least in the AHL. |
|
|
|
Post by Willie Dog on Jul 27, 2023 20:25:37 GMT -5
Just because an 18 year old from Europe could go to the AHL doesn't mean he should... If he was in the OHL and he had to go back to the OHL everyone would he fine with it... So why wouldn't going back to Europe and playing against men be beneficial to him... It's what should have been done with Slaf in hindsight The men in Europe and the man in the AHL have different...hair styles. This is about learning to cope with tougher, harder hitting, faster league. NHL redux. Defending agaisnt 66" 70 kg ice dancers is not the same as getting Tkachucked in the corner. He's got the physical tools, he needs to sharpen their uses. I agree but he's 18... I would like to let him finish growing a bit before putting him in the AHL... |
|
|
|
Post by PTH on Jul 27, 2023 21:07:47 GMT -5
Frankly, if you aren't Crosby or McDavid, you shouldn't be in the NHL in the year after being drafted. I always want to put a player into the next level he can handle. Hutson can dance all he wants in college hockey but he's proven nothing until he hits, actually gets hit and his space taken away at least in the AHL. nope. I want a player to dominate at his level before moving on, and I want kids to get a year or two building up musculature before they are facing NHL behemoths every night. |
|
|
|
Post by Skilly on Jul 28, 2023 12:41:39 GMT -5
I always want to put a player into the next level he can handle. Hutson can dance all he wants in college hockey but he's proven nothing until he hits, actually gets hit and his space taken away at least in the AHL. nope. I want a player to dominate at his level before moving on, and I want kids to get a year or two building up musculature before they are facing NHL behemoths every night. Define dominate There are 800 NHL players in the league. In any given year there are about 50-100 rookies. They all can’t dominate As an example, let’s look at Kirby Dach Barely a PPG player in the WHL. In his last year, he got over a PPG, but he finished 30th in the league in scoring. Is that dominating? Conversely, there are a plethora of names that finished ahead of him that never saw the inside of an NHL rink So should we send Dach to the AHL until he dominates? I’m genuinely curious because I hear many posters use that “send him down and let him dominate” argument. Makes no sense to me. Send him down to develop? Sure. I’m on board. But this dominate argument is never elaborated on, and of course, there is the other side of the coin - what if he doesn’t dominate, but is just good. What do we do then? |
|
|
|
Post by seventeen on Jul 28, 2023 13:30:06 GMT -5
Have him play another year in Switzerland. It'll give him a chance to improve his skills and take on a larger role with the team, and perhaps even to use and improve leadership behaviours. The Swiss top league is at least comparable in quality to the AHL. He won't be adjusting to the ice size, of course, or the style of play in North America, but let's limit the challenges in any give year. After next season's Swiss playoffs, there will probably still be time to join either the Habs or Laval...depending on his progress. I'd like to see him here after next season, though, for better further adjustments and development.
|
|
|
|
Post by seventeen on Jul 28, 2023 13:38:09 GMT -5
I’m genuinely curious because I hear many posters use that “send him down and let him dominate” argument. Makes no sense to me. Send him down to develop? Sure. I’m on board. But this dominate argument is never elaborated on, and of course, there is the other side of the coin - what if he doesn’t dominate, but is just good. What do we do then? I think that phrase is more likely meant to be "send him down until he shows that he's above the level of that league and would dominate if you left him there for several years". Of course, you're not going to keep a kid down in the AHL until he's top 5 in scoring or whatever. Most forwards, if they approach .9 ppg, are on their way to the NHL. As an example, Cole Perfetti started off last season on the Manitoba Moose, put up 15 points in 17 games, was called up and scored 30 in 51 games for the Jets. I get your point. You can't wait until the player actually dominates a league, or we'll hurt his development. Then there are guys like McDavid and Berard. |
|
|
|
Post by Cranky on Jul 28, 2023 14:14:39 GMT -5
Dominate schnaminate....
Playing in the AHL is about working on weaknesses and getting use to time and space taken away.
The AHL is the real stepping stone to the NHL in a number of conditions needed to make it there. Speed, quickness, toughness, style of play, developing all the tools for an NHL career.
Sorry but i dont see ANY other league that's comparible. Players who can't make it in the AHL go to Euro leagues, no one ever heard of a Euro leaguer say that they can't make it in the Swiss league so they went to the AHL.
It as simple as...if Reinbacher is not good enough to play in the AHL and needs the Swiss league to "develop", he's pretty far away from the NHL and he should have never been picked at top 5. Particularly if you left Leonard and Michkov on the board to pick him.
|
|
|
|
Post by Willie Dog on Jul 28, 2023 16:27:41 GMT -5
Dominate schnaminate.... Playing in the AHL is about working on weaknesses and getting use to time and space taken away. The AHL is the real stepping stone to the NHL in a number of conditions needed to make it there. Speed, quickness, toughness, style of play, developing all the tools for an NHL career. Sorry but i dont see ANY other league that's comparible. Players who can't make it in the AHL go to Euro leagues, no one ever heard of a Euro leaguer say that they can't make it in the Swiss league so they went to the AHL. It as simple as...if Reinbacher is not good enough to play in the AHL and needs the Swiss league to "develop", he's pretty far away from the NHL and he should have never been picked at top 5. Particularly if you left Leonard and Michkov on the board to pick him. Michov won't be in the NHL for another 3 years and Leonard is at Boston College for at least 2 years, most likely 3, so if you're going to compare Rienbacher to them, then give him 3 years to get to the NHL. |
|
|
|
Post by Cranky on Jul 28, 2023 23:36:36 GMT -5
Dominate schnaminate.... Playing in the AHL is about working on weaknesses and getting use to time and space taken away. The AHL is the real stepping stone to the NHL in a number of conditions needed to make it there. Speed, quickness, toughness, style of play, developing all the tools for an NHL career. Sorry but i dont see ANY other league that's comparible. Players who can't make it in the AHL go to Euro leagues, no one ever heard of a Euro leaguer say that they can't make it in the Swiss league so they went to the AHL. It as simple as...if Reinbacher is not good enough to play in the AHL and needs the Swiss league to "develop", he's pretty far away from the NHL and he should have never been picked at top 5. Particularly if you left Leonard and Michkov on the board to pick him. Michov won't be in the NHL for another 3 years and Leonard is at Boston College for at least 2 years, most likely 3, so if you're going to compare Rienbacher to them, then give him 3 years to get to the NHL. Vast difference between commitments/contracts to other organizations and making excuses that the 5th OL can't play in the AHL. Let's face it, if Rein can't handle AHL then he's a long way from our top 4. After all, isn't it part of the management PR that he has already "played against men". Reality is only a few months away... |
|
|
|
Post by franko on Jul 29, 2023 0:43:25 GMT -5
Reality is only a few months away... Yup. Haven't gotten to the preseason or even to training camp and we're starting to complain about who knows what might or might not happen. Man do we need to come out of the gate decently and stay decent this year. |
|
|
|
Post by Willie Dog on Jul 29, 2023 8:57:38 GMT -5
Michov won't be in the NHL for another 3 years and Leonard is at Boston College for at least 2 years, most likely 3, so if you're going to compare Rienbacher to them, then give him 3 years to get to the NHL. Vast difference between commitments/contracts to other organizations and making excuses that the 5th OL can't play in the AHL. Let's face it, if Rein can't handle AHL then he's a long way from our top 4. After all, isn't it part of the management PR that he has already "played against men". Reality is only a few months away... Your criticizing him for not being in the AHL and who knows how he would do in the AHL but management wants home to go back and play in Kloten... I'm not sure about Houle but I know the previous AHL coaches weren't that interested in developing players, they were interested in winning, now you can do both but if you give vets ice time over kids, how do they get better? Another year in Europe won't hurt him or us... and he wants to finish his schooling, he has 1 more year. |
|
|
|
Post by folatre on Jul 29, 2023 11:23:22 GMT -5
I have no problem with Reinbacher staying in Switzerland this season. But on the subject of whether he could perform well in the AHL, I sure as heck hope so. Jirik and Nemec were both very strong last season in the A.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cranky on Jul 29, 2023 14:09:25 GMT -5
Your criticizing him for not being in the AHL and who knows how he would do in the AHL but management wants home to go back and play in Kloten... I'm not sure about Houle but I know the previous AHL coaches weren't that interested in developing players, they were interested in winning, now you can do both but if you give vets ice time over kids, how do they get better? Another year in Europe won't hurt him or us... and he wants to finish his schooling, he has 1 more year. I'm tired if hearing excuses from management and fans. "If only he stayed in Unicorn Land he would develop properly". Players like Kotkaneimi were never going to develop "better" into the fantasy of management or fans if they stayed in a third rate league. Nor was Slaf. AHL is the development league of the NHL. Period. I have no problem putting top picks there to polish their game. I have a problem with excuses that top prospects need diaper changes in third rate leagues because they are "not ready" for the AHL. BTW...this argument goes back from the inception of HabsRus between BC and I. Way back we had a thread going into a million pages over a prospect, but in reality it was about development. Around 2002 it prompted me to go to Hamilton and scout our players first hand. |
|
|
|
Post by PTH on Jul 29, 2023 14:27:02 GMT -5
nope. I want a player to dominate at his level before moving on, and I want kids to get a year or two building up musculature before they are facing NHL behemoths every night. Define dominate There are 800 NHL players in the league. In any given year there are about 50-100 rookies. They all can’t dominate As an example, let’s look at Kirby Dach Barely a PPG player in the WHL. In his last year, he got over a PPG, but he finished 30th in the league in scoring. Is that dominating? Conversely, there are a plethora of names that finished ahead of him that never saw the inside of an NHL rink So should we send Dach to the AHL until he dominates? I’m genuinely curious because I hear many posters use that “send him down and let him dominate” argument. Makes no sense to me. Send him down to develop? Sure. I’m on board. But this dominate argument is never elaborated on, and of course, there is the other side of the coin - what if he doesn’t dominate, but is just good. What do we do then? I want to see kids dominate at their current level before moving up, so this isn't about rookies dominating once they reach the NHL. It's about giving them every chance to develop fully at the level they are at. I think it's even more important for D, since they have more complicated reads to develop, and they can't do that in the NHL. I want them to take risks, learn their limits, develop confidence in the offensive side of their game when games aren't being analyzed shift by shift by fans, reporters, bloggers and opposing teams' scouts. Komisarek would be a case of a guy who could have used more seasoning, the guy had some offense in him, but we brought him up too soon, and he could get by with size and mobility, but instead of being a top-4 guy who could play on the 2nd PP (like a guy like Quintal could, or a guy like Souray, who could've been ok on a 2nd PP even without Markov to feed him), we never got that offense out of Komi. Not surewhat the point of a Dach comparison is.... he was clearly rushed and injuries make his development decidedly unusual. We could go back to a guy like Lehkonen, who had more offense than we saw in him, in part because of coaching/usage, but I wonder if an extra year before the NHL (maybe at the AHL level?) might have allowed us to squeeze more offense out of him. Then again, he was ready for the NHL and this isn't just about developing max potential, but Reinbacher needs at least one year to develop further away from the limelight. There's also plain old age in this - the kids drafted are 17 or 18, and it's a massive step to the NHL, and they need to grow into their bodies, add muscle and endurance, and it's hard to do this playing 90+ games (including pre-season) a year. A guy like Nugent-Hopkins had a lot of injuries in his early seasons, and a lot of informed speculation was that this was because as an 18 year old in a mens league, it took its toll on him. I wonder if the same phenomenon didn't happen to Latendresse. Also, maturity-wise, I think these kids deserve a year to grow into their newfound fame and fortune, and just do some growing up away from the limelight. When we look at guys who didn't make it long-term, there are a fair number who were rushed to the NHL and just personality-wise, it took its toll before they had the maturity to handle things. A guy like Galchenyuk, had he stayed an extra full season of Junior, and maybe a 20-game stretch in the AHL to show he could dominate the pro game, might have turned out very differently. Serge Savard used to say that every kid should come up through the AHL... to see that he wanted to avoid ending up stuck there, riding buses. This might not apply to top picks, but it's still something to keep in mind. Finally, the Athletic had a piece a while back about how 18-21 year olds might make the league, but very few dominate... it's a men's league, not a developmental league. |
|
|
|
Post by Skilly on Jul 29, 2023 18:21:29 GMT -5
Define dominate There are 800 NHL players in the league. In any given year there are about 50-100 rookies. They all can’t dominate As an example, let’s look at Kirby Dach Barely a PPG player in the WHL. In his last year, he got over a PPG, but he finished 30th in the league in scoring. Is that dominating? Conversely, there are a plethora of names that finished ahead of him that never saw the inside of an NHL rink So should we send Dach to the AHL until he dominates? I’m genuinely curious because I hear many posters use that “send him down and let him dominate” argument. Makes no sense to me. Send him down to develop? Sure. I’m on board. But this dominate argument is never elaborated on, and of course, there is the other side of the coin - what if he doesn’t dominate, but is just good. What do we do then? I want to see kids dominate at their current level before moving up, so this isn't about rookies dominating once they reach the NHL. It's about giving them every chance to develop fully at the level they are at. I think it's even more important for D, since they have more complicated reads to develop, and they can't do that in the NHL. I want them to take risks, learn their limits, develop confidence in the offensive side of their game when games aren't being analyzed shift by shift by fans, reporters, bloggers and opposing teams' scouts. Komisarek would be a case of a guy who could have used more seasoning, the guy had some offense in him, but we brought him up too soon, and he could get by with size and mobility, but instead of being a top-4 guy who could play on the 2nd PP (like a guy like Quintal could, or a guy like Souray, who could've been ok on a 2nd PP even without Markov to feed him), we never got that offense out of Komi. Not surewhat the point of a Dach comparison is.... he was clearly rushed and injuries make his development decidedly unusual. We could go back to a guy like Lehkonen, who had more offense than we saw in him, in part because of coaching/usage, but I wonder if an extra year before the NHL (maybe at the AHL level?) might have allowed us to squeeze more offense out of him. Then again, he was ready for the NHL and this isn't just about developing max potential, but Reinbacher needs at least one year to develop further away from the limelight. There's also plain old age in this - the kids drafted are 17 or 18, and it's a massive step to the NHL, and they need to grow into their bodies, add muscle and endurance, and it's hard to do this playing 90+ games (including pre-season) a year. A guy like Nugent-Hopkins had a lot of injuries in his early seasons, and a lot of informed speculation was that this was because as an 18 year old in a mens league, it took its toll on him. I wonder if the same phenomenon didn't happen to Latendresse. Also, maturity-wise, I think these kids deserve a year to grow into their newfound fame and fortune, and just do some growing up away from the limelight. When we look at guys who didn't make it long-term, there are a fair number who were rushed to the NHL and just personality-wise, it took its toll before they had the maturity to handle things. A guy like Galchenyuk, had he stayed an extra full season of Junior, and maybe a 20-game stretch in the AHL to show he could dominate the pro game, might have turned out very differently. Serge Savard used to say that every kid should come up through the AHL... to see that he wanted to avoid ending up stuck there, riding buses. This might not apply to top picks, but it's still something to keep in mind. Finally, the Athletic had a piece a while back about how 18-21 year olds might make the league, but very few dominate... it's a men's league, not a developmental league. This is my point. You say dominate, but what you really mean is don't bring him up too early, don't put pressure on them For instance, let's say Slafkovsky went to Finland. Got 17 points. Do we then put him in the AHL? I mean he didn't dominate Finland. Then what if he plays 40 games in the AHL and only gets 20 points? We let him rot in the A? This was the mantra of the 1990s for this team. It was almost mandatory for prospects to go to the AHL for 2 years and they never dominated. But what everyone means is, send him down, let him work on his skills, let him show some flashes in short stints and then let's bring him up ... that's not dominating. Dominating is being clearly one of the best players in that league. We've never had that from a prospect and likely never will for a long time. |
|
|
|
Post by PTH on Jul 29, 2023 19:58:23 GMT -5
... Dominating is being clearly one of the best players in that league... Well, that's your definition. Mine is being one of the best players at his position on his team. |
|
|
|
Post by Cranky on Jul 30, 2023 0:37:20 GMT -5
Komisarek didn't know how to play defence, never mind unlocked potential.
I scouted him 4 times in Hamilton and he was a willing and clueless grizzly bear. Opposing forwards either beat him one on one like a mule or fished him like a toddler.
He was the classic case of an enormous body dominating in junior through shear strength, but when he met his physical equals, he had very little vision or other talents.
In offense, he crossed the line, fired off a semi worthless wrister and stayed high because he knew he would get in trouble. Proof in that he had 14 goals in 551 NHL games.
If Komi didn't play with Markov, he wouldn't make it past the AHL.
So no, Komi wouldn't benefit from another century to develop his game because he was simply a huge man with very little talent. The mistakes he made in the AHL were still there a decade later playing for the Laffs.
Another point...what the hell was the Habs scouts thinking? Did they actually watch him play or were they just mesmerized by size?
|
|
|
|
Post by seventeen on Jul 30, 2023 1:26:10 GMT -5
A factor that often isn't considered when we're talking players and their ages is the change in the NHL itself. It is a much more structured league than in the past. Systems and set plays are more stringent and there is a lot more for any rookie to deal with. I have had the impression that fewer 18 year olds and 19 year olds than ever are actually in the league as they need to develop before they hit the floor requirement to keep coaches happy. If you aren't on a team like the Habs last year who didn't give a hoot about winning, allowing rookies to make mistakes, miss assignments etc, your chances of playing under the age of 20 are minimal.
Regarding Komi above, he is an excellent example of a guy who didn't process the game quickly enough. He was a decent enough skater, was big, but if he wasn't paired with a "get out of jail free" partner like Markov to whom he could just hand off the puck, chaos reigned.
|
|
|
|
Post by Willie Dog on Jul 30, 2023 6:51:15 GMT -5
Your criticizing him for not being in the AHL and who knows how he would do in the AHL but management wants home to go back and play in Kloten... I'm not sure about Houle but I know the previous AHL coaches weren't that interested in developing players, they were interested in winning, now you can do both but if you give vets ice time over kids, how do they get better? Another year in Europe won't hurt him or us... and he wants to finish his schooling, he has 1 more year. I'm tired if hearing excuses from management and fans. "If only he stayed in Unicorn Land he would develop properly". Players like Kotkaneimi were never going to develop "better" into the fantasy of management or fans if they stayed in a third rate league. Nor was Slaf. AHL is the development league of the NHL. Period. I have no problem putting top picks there to polish their game. I have a problem with excuses that top prospects need diaper changes in third rate leagues because they are "not ready" for the AHL. BTW...this argument goes back from the inception of HabsRus between BC and I. Way back we had a thread going into a million pages over a prospect, but in reality it was about development. Around 2002 it prompted me to go to Hamilton and scout our players first hand. And who was that prospect? Did his name start with a 'D' and end in a 'yment'... lol |
|
|
|
Post by Skilly on Jul 30, 2023 10:03:25 GMT -5
... Dominating is being clearly one of the best players in that league... Well, that's your definition. Mine is being one of the best players at his position on his team. Then people should stop saying “dominate in the AHL / lower leagues” and just say “show he is one of the best prospects on the team at the lower levels” … there is a vast difference between the two |
|
|
|
Post by folatre on Jul 30, 2023 10:27:32 GMT -5
Was it not the case the Komisarek literally did not learn to skate until he was 11 years old and did not begin playing hockey until he was 13? I am not saying that was the exclusive source of all of his future deficiencies as a pro hockey player, but perhaps it had something to do with it.
Part of development is maturing physically and mentally without excessive pressure.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cranky on Jul 30, 2023 13:55:32 GMT -5
Was it not the case the Komisarek literally did not learn to skate until he was 11 years old and did not begin playing hockey until he was 13? I am not saying that was the exclusive source of all of his future deficiencies as a pro hockey player, but perhaps it had something to do with it. Part of development is maturing physically and mentally without excessive pressure. I know about the 11 but not sure about the 13. By the time Komi learned to play hockey, those of us who are born into the hockey religion had already broken a small forest of sticks, lost plenty of skin playing street hockey and grew cushions on our faces and butts from falling on our skates. Something hilarious...we were watching the draft and when he went on the podium and a saw a full face, my wife turned to me and asked...if i cheated on her. He looked like a bigger version of me at that age. You can imagine how much interest i had in him after that. Including being a right shot and playing right defense. But...he ain't no child of mine when he got beaten on the outside and the guy lived to talk about it...or getting fished to play TiddleWinks in the wrong corner instead of a quick wake up elbow and back to position. He neither processed the game quickly nor had the "instincts" hard coded by playing the game from early childhood. Our scouts saw size with skating and either ignored or thought he could be taught how to play. The REAL failure was our scouts. |
|
|
|
Post by Cranky on Jul 30, 2023 14:07:05 GMT -5
And who was that prospect? Did his name start with a 'D' and end in a 'yment'... lol I plead innocence...and all communication are through my lawyer. I've always argued that you push prospects to develop. Not to the point where they are overwhelmed like throwing them directly into the NHL, but certainly higher then were they are already comfortable. Unless they got big holes in their game OR in physical maturity. See Hutson. See Struble. |
|
|
|
Post by Skilly on Aug 17, 2023 17:28:09 GMT -5
Close  Guhle - Reinbacher Hutson - Harris Xhekaj - Engstrom Spares - Barron, Struble, Trudeau The first two pairs are more top pair 1A and top pair 1B. I think both could be very good and the 3rd pair will be much better than the typical 3rd pair. I might go as far as to say we won't have a 3rd pair except in name only. I'm definitely sticking my neck out in saying Mailloux will never make the Habs, but what the heck, go big or go home. And I got Engstrom, Struble, and Trudeau never playing for the Habs. (Unless injuries occur) I may as well add Norlinder to the list. I never thought he would play anyway. Reading he is going back to Europe and Laval is not being considered as an option. Don't see Montreal resigning him. |
|
|
|
Post by folatre on Aug 17, 2023 18:17:18 GMT -5
Yeah, in the NHL Norlinder would have a hard time defending and staying off the IR. So you heard he is not coming back to North America this fall? I sort of expected he would stick it out one more season.
Kids like Engstrom and Struble are still on the development track, so for me it is early and ultimately time will say. Also, one cannot dismiss the possibility that one or two young blueliners who already broke into the league with the Habs could get traded next summer or the following season as management continues to define roster needs and refine the roster they believe can push for the playoffs in 2024-25 and hopefully play into the contention conversation in 2025-beyond.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cranky on Aug 17, 2023 18:53:27 GMT -5
When he put up 19 points in 67 games in the AHL as a 22 year old, the writing is on the wall.
I wonder why he was picked. I was looking at his junior career and nothing said "future NHLer top 6". WJ U20? Some Euro coach gut feeling? Could of been lactose intolerance...
|
|
|
|
Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Aug 17, 2023 20:38:38 GMT -5
Well, that's your definition. Mine is being one of the best players at his position on his team. Then people should stop saying “dominate in the AHL / lower leagues” and just say “show he is one of the best prospects on the team at the lower levels” … there is a vast difference between the two I agree it’s not about dominating. It’s not about stats. It’s about practice and improvement. Games are not won on the rink as much as they are won in practice and training. Get lots of minutes in skating and shooting and checking and in situations. As a kid I played shinny. Today kids practice accepting passes, shooting from all angles, edges and strategy. Coaching, corrections and repetitions are important. When the skills are developed they can be applied and adapted to new situations. Many of these techniques are learned with better opportunities at lower levels. |
|
|
|
Post by Skilly on Aug 18, 2023 12:29:53 GMT -5
Yeah, in the NHL Norlinder would have a hard time defending and staying off the IR. So you heard he is not coming back to North America this fall? I sort of expected he would stick it out one more season. Kids like Engstrom and Struble are still on the development track, so for me it is early and ultimately time will say. Also, one cannot dismiss the possibility that one or two young blueliners who already broke into the league with the Habs could get traded next summer or the following season as management continues to define roster needs and refine the roster they believe can push for the playoffs in 2024-25 and hopefully play into the contention conversation in 2025-beyond. I read somewhere he has already played a pre-season game with a European team (Sweden??). The thought is he is staying in Europe now I only mention it because I remember him being mentioned in many threads alongside other defensive prospects. As I always say, they all can't lace them up with the big team, and odds are 90% of them won't. |
|
|
|
Post by Cranky on Aug 19, 2023 1:37:44 GMT -5
I'm noticing how tough this league is. Battles in front of the net, board battles, hard hits, can't skate two feet without someone taking away time and space. This is where you go to learn the NHL game.
I heard that this is a seriously tough league were many players lose their careers through horrible toe stubs and ingrown toe nails. In fact, three players were hospitalized after vigorous congratulatory butt slaps. One is in a coma attempting a Triple Axle and accidentally hitting the ref.
To prove how tough and relatable to NHL standards, two players from the entire team of 2022 were good enough to be drafted. TWO. Sorry, now three.
I know beer league teams that had more former draft picks.
Sorry, I'm not buying Hughes bullpucks....
|
|
|
|
Post by seventeen on Aug 19, 2023 12:57:51 GMT -5
Yeah, in the NHL Norlinder would have a hard time defending and staying off the IR. So you heard he is not coming back to North America this fall? I sort of expected he would stick it out one more season. Kids like Engstrom and Struble are still on the development track, so for me it is early and ultimately time will say. Also, one cannot dismiss the possibility that one or two young blueliners who already broke into the league with the Habs could get traded next summer or the following season as management continues to define roster needs and refine the roster they believe can push for the playoffs in 2024-25 and hopefully play into the contention conversation in 2025-beyond. I read somewhere he has already played a pre-season game with a European team (Sweden??). The thought is he is staying in Europe now I only mention it because I remember him being mentioned in many threads alongside other defensive prospects. As I always say, they all can't lace them up with the big team, and odds are 90% of them won't. This is eexactly why we can't count on the 8 or so well considered prospects making it to the NHL. I thought Norlinder had a real chance at one point. Puck moving dman who scored some impressive goals. But you get to a smaller ice surface and strengths change. Not having as much space or time might make a ton of difference to some players. I usually look at about 50% of prospects making it to the NHL and far fewer making an impact. This is a pretty good group we have, though. (There I go again, getting sucked in). |
|
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/6F6VF25GCFF2HFJCOITRJSGNPE.jpg)
