How'bout dem Habs?!
Feb 22, 2002 8:58:28 GMT -5
Post by Cranky on Feb 22, 2002 8:58:28 GMT -5
Habs board talking about Hab's, now there is an idea!
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Pat Hickey, Calgary Fisherman Daily.
Hainsey, Hossa are plums of recent draft crops
February 19, 2002 <br>
Finish your fantasy season on a roll!
With the NHL in recess for the Olympics, here's a look at promising players in the Canadiens organization.
After years of disappointing drafts, the Canadians appear to have struck pay dirt in recent years and have a number of prospects ready to make the jump to the National Hockey League.
The hottest prospect is defenseman Ron Hainsey, who was a first-round pick in 2000 from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. Hainsey is enjoying a fine rookie season with AHL Quebec, where he had seven goals and 17 assists in his first 40 games and was plus-10. He has good size at 6-3, 200 pounds, and has increased his strength since he was drafted.
The Canadiens recalled Hainsey earlier in the season but he didn't dress. Management decided to return him to the minors, where he would get a chance to play more and see action as a penalty killer and on the power play. Four of his seven goals came with the man advantage.
Hainsey is regarded as an offensive defenseman, and the team plans to make room for him next season.
The Canadiens' other first-round choice in 2000 was forward Marcel Hossa, and Hossa already has had a taste of NHL life. The younger brother of Senators star Marian Hossa, Marcel was recalled in January and scored goals in each of his first two games. But an injury slowed him, and he was returned to Quebec after playing four games with Montreal.
Hossa also has good size at 6-2, 207 pounds. He reminds most observers of his older brother. He is strong on his skates, sees the ice well and is an opportunistic offensive threat who buries his chances.
Hossa may get another opportunity with the Canadiens at season's end, and he definitely will be given an opportunity to make the club next season.
Defenseman Martti Jarventie is more of a long shot to make the NHL -- although he didn't look out of place in the one game he played early in the season.
Jarventie, who was a fourth-round pick in 2001, is a veteran of the Finnish league. His age (25) and his size (5-11, 195 pounds) are both strikes against him. He is primarily viewed as an offensive defenseman and has six goals and 11 assists in 43 games in Quebec. However, he has struggled defensively and is minus-7.
CAN'T-MISS PROSPECT
The Canadiens have a lot of depth on defense, but management approached recent drafts with the theory that you can't have too many good defensemen.
The 2001 draft produced what the Canadiens hope will be a dominant NHL defenseman -- University of Michigan star Mike Komisarek, who is from Long Island, New York. Komisarek was the seventh overall pick in the first round.
Komisarek's size is the first thing scouts notice -- he's 6-4, 225 pounds. The Canadiens were most impressed with his mobility, his offensive skills and a mean streak that is likely to be more of an asset in the NHL than in the college ranks, where fighting is a no-no.
Komisarek made the CCHA all-rookie team as a freshman and helped the Wolverines reach the NCAA finals. This season, he has nine goals and 13 assists in his first 27 games with the Wolverines. He missed a couple of games to represent the United States in the world junior championships.
GM Rejean Houle scouted him the Czech Republic and said that he was pleased with Komisarek's development.
The big question is how soon Komisarek will find himself in a Canadiens uniform. After he was drafted, he said he was having a good time in university, where he is majoring in communications. He put his academic pursuits to good use during the world junior championships, producing a daily diary for the Michigan athletic department web site.
The Canadiens hope that Komisarek will follow the same route as Hainsey and leave school after his sophomore season. They may have to offer him an immediate chance to play in the NHL rather than a stint in the minors.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Speaking of defense, the Canadiens should have Patrice Brisebois back in the lineup when the regular season resumes next week. Brisebois has been out since Jan. 17 with a broken foot. He expects to be on the ice when the team returns from the Olympic break on Thursday. If Brisebois is healthy, Patrick Traverse or Francis Bouillon will head to Quebec.
Forward Benoit Gratton, who has been out with a sprained ankle, may also return this week. Defenseman Sheldon Souray (wrist surgery) and winger Donald Audette (torn forearm tendons) are both more than a month away from a return.
--------------------------------------------------
Pat Hickey, Calgary Fisherman Daily.
Hainsey, Hossa are plums of recent draft crops
February 19, 2002 <br>
Finish your fantasy season on a roll!
With the NHL in recess for the Olympics, here's a look at promising players in the Canadiens organization.
After years of disappointing drafts, the Canadians appear to have struck pay dirt in recent years and have a number of prospects ready to make the jump to the National Hockey League.
The hottest prospect is defenseman Ron Hainsey, who was a first-round pick in 2000 from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. Hainsey is enjoying a fine rookie season with AHL Quebec, where he had seven goals and 17 assists in his first 40 games and was plus-10. He has good size at 6-3, 200 pounds, and has increased his strength since he was drafted.
The Canadiens recalled Hainsey earlier in the season but he didn't dress. Management decided to return him to the minors, where he would get a chance to play more and see action as a penalty killer and on the power play. Four of his seven goals came with the man advantage.
Hainsey is regarded as an offensive defenseman, and the team plans to make room for him next season.
The Canadiens' other first-round choice in 2000 was forward Marcel Hossa, and Hossa already has had a taste of NHL life. The younger brother of Senators star Marian Hossa, Marcel was recalled in January and scored goals in each of his first two games. But an injury slowed him, and he was returned to Quebec after playing four games with Montreal.
Hossa also has good size at 6-2, 207 pounds. He reminds most observers of his older brother. He is strong on his skates, sees the ice well and is an opportunistic offensive threat who buries his chances.
Hossa may get another opportunity with the Canadiens at season's end, and he definitely will be given an opportunity to make the club next season.
Defenseman Martti Jarventie is more of a long shot to make the NHL -- although he didn't look out of place in the one game he played early in the season.
Jarventie, who was a fourth-round pick in 2001, is a veteran of the Finnish league. His age (25) and his size (5-11, 195 pounds) are both strikes against him. He is primarily viewed as an offensive defenseman and has six goals and 11 assists in 43 games in Quebec. However, he has struggled defensively and is minus-7.
CAN'T-MISS PROSPECT
The Canadiens have a lot of depth on defense, but management approached recent drafts with the theory that you can't have too many good defensemen.
The 2001 draft produced what the Canadiens hope will be a dominant NHL defenseman -- University of Michigan star Mike Komisarek, who is from Long Island, New York. Komisarek was the seventh overall pick in the first round.
Komisarek's size is the first thing scouts notice -- he's 6-4, 225 pounds. The Canadiens were most impressed with his mobility, his offensive skills and a mean streak that is likely to be more of an asset in the NHL than in the college ranks, where fighting is a no-no.
Komisarek made the CCHA all-rookie team as a freshman and helped the Wolverines reach the NCAA finals. This season, he has nine goals and 13 assists in his first 27 games with the Wolverines. He missed a couple of games to represent the United States in the world junior championships.
GM Rejean Houle scouted him the Czech Republic and said that he was pleased with Komisarek's development.
The big question is how soon Komisarek will find himself in a Canadiens uniform. After he was drafted, he said he was having a good time in university, where he is majoring in communications. He put his academic pursuits to good use during the world junior championships, producing a daily diary for the Michigan athletic department web site.
The Canadiens hope that Komisarek will follow the same route as Hainsey and leave school after his sophomore season. They may have to offer him an immediate chance to play in the NHL rather than a stint in the minors.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Speaking of defense, the Canadiens should have Patrice Brisebois back in the lineup when the regular season resumes next week. Brisebois has been out since Jan. 17 with a broken foot. He expects to be on the ice when the team returns from the Olympic break on Thursday. If Brisebois is healthy, Patrick Traverse or Francis Bouillon will head to Quebec.
Forward Benoit Gratton, who has been out with a sprained ankle, may also return this week. Defenseman Sheldon Souray (wrist surgery) and winger Donald Audette (torn forearm tendons) are both more than a month away from a return.
Peace offering for RantBoy.....