Habs’ Prospects 2024-25

[NWTHabsFan]

In addition to these three high profile prospects, a few others played and contributed to their teams in preseason play today in Europe.

Koivu had an assist playing on Turku’s 4th line (he is still with the Liiga team in camp). And the second last pick of June’s draft, defender Bergqvist, popped in a goal to go with two assists in his J20 league preseason game.

[NWTHabsFan]

An obscure observation about one of the Habs’ recent late picks, Makar Khanin. He played his 19 year old season with Dynamo St Petersburg from the VHL. However, he was not dressed for their first 4 games this preseason. Yesterday, he actually played his first preseason game, but for the Dynamo Moscow KHL club against his previous Dynamo St Petersburg VHL team. He was on the third line, so he is getting a looksie for a promotion. We shall see in early September if he sticks or is sent back to the VHL.

[NWTHabsFan]

A nice piece on Logan Sawyer, with quotes from his old coach in Brooks and future coach at Providence. What shocked me was the Brooks GM/Coach saying he had half a dozen visits (or chats) with the Habs representatives over the season. They were actively pursuing him and doing some serious homework.

[NWTHabsFan]

Kunlun beat Russia U23 7-1 today, but Demidov was still noticeable in the loss. Three clips:

And amazing rush and set up, that Russian Armia Jr popped right into the goalie’s chest.

A secondary assist on U23’s only goal.

OT goal. They played OT despite the final score as practice for the KHL teams to play in that setting.

[NWTHabsFan]

Konyushkov with the great feed and primary assist on a goal today (what was the goalie doing at the end?). Torpedo lost 5-4 in preseason action.

[NWTHabsFan]

Reinbacher heard I was posting tons of Demidov highlights, and said “hold my beer”.

Austria won 2-1 against Slovenia in an Olympic qualifying friendly. Austrian goals were from Reinbacher and Vinzenz Rohrer. Good showing from the Habs’ prospects.

[Cranky]

It's now only months before we know how good Reins offense is.

Everybody and their hamsters see Hutson and Rein together. Great but Rein needs that offensive dimension to make Hutson more effective.

The exact same thing applies to Mailman and Guhle. Hutson/Mail can't break into the zone and pass laterally to thin air. Guhle/Rein have to give them that option or half their break ins are going to be wasted.

[seventeen]

I have no qualms at all about Reinbacher's offense. He may not get 50 points a year, but that breakout (notice the speed...the backchecker wasn't catching him) with the early pass, then not stopping at the blueline (a la Therrien) and bee-lining for the net are good offensive instincts. That key goal last year where Laval was cycling, Reinbacher took a pass, faked a shot, moved around his checker and zipped in a goal was also really good.

It kills me that if someone has a special skill, he gets immediately labeled as only 'that guy'. Caufield is a great goal scorer so he immediately becomes just a one dimensional goal scorer. Guhle and Reinbacher have good defensive skills, so they are shutdown guys and nothing else. Xhekaj is a good fighter, so he can't do anything else. Many players, especially talented ones, can be good in more than one area.

[NWTHabsFan]

That play is exactly how MSL wants his defense to play, what I call “smart activation”. It requires skating, skill and lots of hockey IQ. Once Reinbacher starts the give and go off the turnover, he sees the potential odd man rush so he immediately kicks in the afterburners. By the blue line, he sees it is clearly an odd man rush heading into the O zone, so he goes all in. Lots of quick, in the moment, decision making there in full speed.

[NWTHabsFan]

Konyushkov with the PP snipe today.

SKA roster announcement is tomorrow morning.

[Willie Dog]

Demidov OT goal... turn off your volume the music is brutal... his goal is at the end of the vid

[Willie Dog]

Some pretty interesting words from Arber about Flo...

https://instagram.com/reel/C_DhVqtpIH5

[Cranky]

Little X is going to suprise us. The brother rivalry alone is going to raise both their games and then add that they have no problem backing up their Hanson brother routine...

Drop the mudderrudder puck already...

[Willie Dog]

I can see Flo replacing Evans as the 4th line C, Beck/Newhook as the 3C(after Demidov comes over)

25/26 roster

Cc-suze-slaf
Laine-Dach-Demidov
Newhook-Beck-bgal
Pezz-Flo-Anderson

[folatre]

How many frickin' goals were scored in that Kunlun v Russia U23 game? I lost count; it seemed crazy. Maybe it was the music contributing to my sense of discombobulation.

Based on what the Sheriff told Bissonnette and Whitney, and now Knuckles, his little brother plays hockey pissed off. A lot of guys in Eastern Conference are going to take careful shifts when those big boys are on the ice.

Back in my university days as an economics major, I remember in one course reading a chapter in a book by PJ O'Rourke that was about post-Iron Curtain Albania. It sounded like a chaotic, toughazz environment -- bandits, blood feuds, stagflation, families toting their AK-47s to get their kids to and from school safely. So if Papa Xhekaj grew up in that era, it is no wonder that he is a tough hombre who passed down some handy life lessons to his boys.

[Willie Dog]

Aug 25, 2024 19:39:54 GMT -5 folatre said:

How many frickin' goals were scored in that Kunlun v Russia U23 game? I lost count; it seemed crazy. Maybe it was the music contributing to my sense of discombobulation.

Based on what the Sheriff told Bissonnette and Whitney, and now Knuckles, his little brother plays hockey pissed off. A lot of guys in Eastern Conference are going to take careful shifts when those big boys are on the ice.

Back in my university days as an economics major, I remember in one course reading a chapter in a book by PJ O'Rourke that was about post-Iron Curtain Albania. It sounded like a chaotic, toughazz environment -- bandits, blood feuds, stagflation, families toting their AK-47s to get their kids to and from school safely. So if Papa Xhekaj grew up in that era, it is no wonder that he is a tough hombre who passed down some handy life lessons to his boys.

Papa Xhekaj worked at National Steel car in a Hamilton and a jack broke and he was hit in the stomach area and ruptured vital organs, was off work for 2 years iirc... he's a tough guy for sure

[NWTHabsFan]

Demidov and Russia U23 beat AK Bars today 4-2 in regulation. They played OT and the shootout just for kicks and practice.

His assist on the GWG, with Lazutin getting the tip in front.

A nice deke and move to the net in OT that was stopped by the goalie.

And the slick shootout goal and celebratory smile!

[NWTHabsFan]

Even when he is not generating points out there, he still has many very effective shifts that make things happen and create chances. This is against KHL opposition too.

[NWTHabsFan]

This thread is a gem full of highlights of Michael Hage showing off his skills. He has a heckuva shot, some nice deception in his toe drags/dangles, and is great in transition. He has improved his defensive game and I expect playing at Michigan under a great program will help even more. And he does need to add strength, again the NCAA hockey program commits a lot of off ice time during the week to gym work. A big advantage of a “weekend” hockey league.

[Willie Dog]

Aug 26, 2024 11:06:33 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

This thread is a gem full of highlights of Michael Hage showing off his skills. He has a heckuva shot, some nice deception in his toe drags/dangles, and is great in transition. He has improved his defensive game and I expect playing at Michigan under a great program will help even more. And he does need to add strength, again the NCAA hockey program commits a lot of off ice time during the week to gym work. A big advantage of a “weekend” hockey league.

Great vids bud, thanks for posting

[seventeen]

Yup, Merci, NWT.

[NWTHabsFan]

Kapanen with the GWG goal today in preseason action in Sweden.

[NWTHabsFan]

Demidov ties it early in the third against his future club team. Sweet play.

[NWTHabsFan]

Reinbacher with the assist on the only Austrian goal in a tight 2-1 loss to Slovakia in an Olympic qualifier. He almost tied it in the last minute of play. Rohrer played on the fourth line and went without a point. #4 in white

[NWTHabsFan]

Good for Eriksson. If I find a clip, I will post it.

[NWTHabsFan]

And the shootout winner.

[Willie Dog]

Aug 29, 2024 14:36:57 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

And the shootout winner.

Can't wait for this kid to come over

[seventeen]

Soft, soft hands. Rotenberg has confirmed Demidov will start the season with SKA for their first game Sept 5th.

[NWTHabsFan]

The official roster unveiling today. Now what remains to be seen is how he is deployed.

[NWTHabsFan]

Kapanen with a goal and an assist in a 3-2 preseason loss to Modo. At some point soon, he should be packing his bags and heading to Montreal. #89 in red