Eric Chouinard signs with Philly

[Vees]

It seems that Eric Chouinard has signed again with the Flyers. I didn't follow the draft that year, but of course in retrospect, it hurts we didn''t take Gagne.

For you keen observers, why did we take Eric over Simon, and what has been the flaw(s) in Chouinard's game? It's curious that the Flyers have taken him back - does he still have much potential?

CHeers

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

MOVEMENTS & INJURIES

29-Dec-04 Released by the Red Bulls Salzburg (Aus).
14-Oct-04 NHL lockout: Signed with the Red Bulls Salzburg (Aus).
01-Aug-04 Contract bought out by the Minnesota Wild.
17-Dec-03 Recalled from Philadelphia (AHL).
17-Dec-03 Acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers.
16-Dec-03 Assigned to Philadelphia (AHL) for conditioning.
24-Nov-03 Recalled from Philadelphia (AHL).
23-Nov-03 Assigned to Philadelphia (AHL) for conditioning.
10-Jun-03 Re-signed by the Philadelphia Flyers to a two-year contract.

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TRANSACTIONS

17-Dec-03 Philadelphia Flyers traded Eric Chouinard to the Minnesota Wild for a 5th round selection in 2004.
29-Jan-03 Montreal Canadiens traded Eric Chouinard to the Philadelphia Flyers for a 2nd round selection (Maxim Lapierre) in 2003.
27-Jun-98 Drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1st round (16th overall) in 1998

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CAREER POTENTIAL: Reserve forward.

- www.forecaster.ca/thestar/hockey/player.cgi?1618

[Doc Holliday]

Chouinard had the ideal size and skill, great hands, a precise and powerful shot and we drafted him in the years when we were desperatly looking for a power forward. He seemed to have the making of one... Chewy was lacking a bit in the footspeed department (which can be worked on) but a lot it seems in the desire department (which can't be worked on). Gagne was undersize and rumored to be a soft player. We didn't pick him with the number 16 pick but before puting the donkey hat on Houle for that, we need to remember that Lacroix and his keen eye for talent, skiped Gagne not once, but 3 times after we picked Chewy. L.A. and Buffallo also chose to ignore Gagne.

[jkr]

We seem to get hung up on Gagne ( I know I do) but a look at the first round shows that Montreal could also have chosen Robyn Regehr, Jiri Fischer or Scott Gomez in the first round.

Just to show you what a crap shoot the draft is, Brad Richards went #64. However, the Habs did get Andrei Markov at 162 and Mike Ryder at 216.

Draft order for '98 below:

www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/nhl1998e.html

[Vees]

jkr said:

We seem to get hung up on Gagne ( I know I do) but a look at the first round shows that Montreal could also have chosen Robyn Regehr, Jiri Fischer or Scott Gomez in the first round.

Just to show you what a crap shoot the draft is, Brad Richards went #64. However, the Habs did get Andrei Markov at 162 and Mike Ryder at 216.

Draft order for '98 below:

www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/nhl1998e.html

Thanks for the link. That actually turns out to be a good draft for the Habs.

It's natural to seek out the French Canadian star for the Habs (a la the recurrent Lecavier talk), but for my money, you gotta add more Atlantic lads! Ryder in the 8th - good pick up.

There's a lot of Canadiens fans down here in the Hab-Not Provinces (Crosby, sigh), so maybe an unholy Quebec-Atlantic Alliance will deliver us to the promised land.

CHeers

[clear observer]

docholliday said:

Chouinard had the ideal size and skill, great hands, a precise and powerful shot and we drafted him in the years when we were desperatly looking for a power forward. He seemed to have the making of one... Chewy was lacking a bit in the footspeed department (which can be worked on) but a lot it seems in the desire department (which can't be worked on). Gagne was undersize and rumored to be a soft player. We didn't pick him with the number 16 pick but before puting the donkey hat on Houle for that, we need to remember that Lacroix and his keen eye for talent, skiped Gagne not once, but 3 times after we picked Chewy. L.A. and Buffallo also chose to ignore Gagne.

Good genetics, as well...his dad was a 60-goal scorer for the (Atlanta) Flames.

At the time, I too was satisfied with this pic.

Ah well.

CO

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

admin said:

docholliday said:

Chouinard had the ideal size and skill, great hands, a precise and powerful shot and we drafted him in the years when we were desperatly looking for a power forward. He seemed to have the making of one... Chewy was lacking a bit in the footspeed department (which can be worked on) but a lot it seems in the desire department (which can't be worked on). Gagne was undersize and rumored to be a soft player. We didn't pick him with the number 16 pick but before puting the donkey hat on Houle for that, we need to remember that Lacroix and his keen eye for talent, skiped Gagne not once, but 3 times after we picked Chewy. L.A. and Buffallo also chose to ignore Gagne.

Good genetics, as well...his dad was a 60-goal scorer for the (Atlanta) Flames.

At the time, I too was satisfied with this pic.

Ah well.

CO

Those of us who are honest admit that at the time we thought it was a good pick. It's easy to have 20/20 hindsight.

[BadCompany]

admin said:

Good genetics, as well...his dad was a 60-goal scorer for the (Atlanta) Flames.

At the time, I too was satisfied with this pic.

Ah well.

CO

Not me! I wanted Christian Backman!

( I'm not sure what that says about my scouting abilities)

Chouinard did okay in his time with Philly, and Bobby Clarke had nothing but good things to say about him. And we all know Bobby Clarke ain’t all that shy about bashing players if he don’t like them. I STILL think Chouinard can make it as an NHLer (if Dagenais can make it…), but his confidence has no doubt been totally destroyed. If he can build that back up, I see no reason why he can’t crack the NHL.

I may still win that Coke yet…

[jkr]

docholliday said:

Chouinard had the ideal size and skill, great hands, a precise and powerful shot and we drafted him in the years when we were desperatly looking for a power forward. He seemed to have the making of one... Chewy was lacking a bit in the footspeed department (which can be worked on) but a lot it seems in the desire department (which can't be worked on).

You hit the nail on the head when you mentioned desire.

I saw him on TV several times and in person only once. That was an elimination game for the Citadelles in Hamilton and it was the subject of my very first post here.

Despite the fact that Quebec had to win to stay alive, Chouinard was practically invisible. He was out hustled by teammates like Ward, Hossa and yes, even Hainsey. That impression of Chouinard has stayed with me ever since.