Three full AHL seasons is usually a mark that someone can't do anything in the NHL (see Maxwell, Ben) even Detroit doesn't keep their guys down that long.
For Leblanc we'd probably see a full season in the AHL, One year mostly in the AHL with injury callups and then a year split between AHL and NHL like Weber, White, Pacioretty and Desharnais this year as the expected development curve.
I'm hoping for the best but my expectations are quite limited when it comes to Leblanc... I'd say 10g, 15a. Not sure why but I'm just not confident he will develop into more than an average third line centre/winger at the NHL level.
Three full years in the AHL, please. It's time to develop the prospects properly. Subban was an exception to the rule, but as far as the rest are concerned, they need to pay their dues in Hamilton first.
I desagree, kids are working extremmely hard to improve their game in the AHL, when they get the call to play some games with the big team thats a nice reward for all their work and a sign they are headed in the right direction..
He could be very surprising, we all know he doesn't play a finesse game but neither does the likes of Patch and Eller. I excpect a smaller Eller out of him, so a 50ish points season would be very satisfying. Excpect more something along the 40-45points mark though.
I desagree, kids are working extremmely hard to improve their game in the AHL, when they get the call to play some games with the big team thats a nice reward for all their work and a sign they are headed in the right direction..
I never said that 3 full seasons in the AHL meant no chance at getting a few games in with the big club. All I was saying is that he should spend the majority of it in Hamilton, a la Plekanec.
Leblanc is no 100 point superstar. He is a good two-way player, that can excel at playing on a second line and put up decent points, or play a solid shut-down role on the third line. He's already had to overcome injuries and his development counts on how well he can play after that.
Currently, there is no rush. Let him develop properly, and we could have a very good player in Leblanc.
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"CS is one of my favorite people on this entire site." - ColePens
My prediction for L.Leblanc: 30-35pts (maybe 40pts) for 2011-2012.
1st year should just be for getting used to the AHL...and hopefully he will be very healthy and stay healthy for most of the season (or avoid serious injuries).
2nd line center minutes...with some well-deserved PP time...
Also...give him some winger minutes just in case...maybe he can be a solid center/winger...
2nd year in AHL (2012-2013): 45pts-50pts (or 50-60pts+)
I expect more in his 2nd AHL year.
His first year in AHL should be all about gradually getting used to the AHL and its size, his defensive game, gaining muscle/weight without losing any speed...
NHL 2012-2013: a few games during mid-season and maybe will stay with the Habs towards the end of the season (depending on how healthy our Habs are and of course...on his development/progression).
NHL 2013-2014: I expect Leblanc to start the season as a...Hab. Or at worst he will join the Habs after 30-40 AHL games.
NHL...3rd line center? 2nd line winger? 3rd line center to start and may promoted in the future as #2 center. We shall see...
In the future, I expect a top two of Eller and Leblanc unless one of these years we pick a franchise centre and somehow land a top 3 to 5 pick in the entry draft.
Louis Leblanc = Patrick SharpIn the future, I expect a top two of Eller and Leblanc unless one of these years we pick a franchise centre and somehow land a top 3 to 5 pick in the entry draft.
Wow, that would be a nice player. How did you come up with this comparison?
Also if this is a good comparison, we are years away from seing Leblanc.
Wow, that would be a nice player. How did you come up with this comparison?
Also if this is a good comparison, we are years away from seing Leblanc.
- They are both the same size
- They are both good in all three zones
- They can both play a gritty game and grind on the wings if needed
- They were both underrated coming out of Juniors and into the draft
- They are both versatile and can play any (forward) position when needed
Personally, I think Leblanc is a lot like Sharp and a poor man's Mike Richards if and when fully developed.
- They are both the same size
- They are both good in all three zones
- They can both play a gritty game and grind on the wings if needed
- They were both underrated coming out of Juniors and into the draft
- They are both versatile and can play any (forward) position when needed
Personally, I think Leblanc is a lot like Sharp and a poor man's Mike Richards if and when fully developed.
Leblanc wasn't really underrated going into the draft though.
But since his draft year, he could be somewhat underrated. His lack of production could indeed be because he's just not as good as some people thought, but it could also be a mic of changing teams, leagues, injuries and all that stuff. If it's the case, he could indeed become a Patrick Sharp kind of player...
Sharp wasn't supposed to become that good...but he just got better and better in each and every year. Like I said earlier, having Clement Jodoin will be great for Leblanc...and Jodoin should be there for a few years so it's nice.
40pts in the AHL this year....maybe a few games with the Habs, should a catastrophic string of injuries hit the team. He's behind a lot of guys for a call-up, but he does have the ability to be inserted into the top 6. The other guys in that mold would be be Palushaj and Avtsin, I guess.
As for the Plekanec 3 years in Hamilton thing....One of those years was the lockout, so it's not the same situation.
40pts in the AHL this year....maybe a few games with the Habs, should a catastrophic string of injuries hit the team. He's behind a lot of guys for a call-up, but he does have the ability to be inserted into the top 6. The other guys in that mold would be be Palushaj and Avtsin, I guess.
As for the Plekanec 3 years in Hamilton thing....One of those years was the lockout, so it's not the same situation.
Yes that's true, but don't tell me that the one extra year didn't help Plekanec's development at all.
I really want to know where Leblanc will be next year (AHL?), and what you expect of him at that level. Discuss and thank you
I expect a bit of a slow start given that he will probably miss camp and possibly the start of the season. I think by the last 20 games of the season he should be at a 0.7-0.8 PPGM level but with the injury and adjustment he may only get 35-40 points over 60-65 games.
I expect a bit of a slow start given that he will probably miss camp and possibly the start of the season. I think by the last 20 games of the season he should be at a 0.7-0.8 PPGM level but with the injury and adjustment he may only get 35-40 points over 60-65 games.
I don't know about that. It would seem to depend on his
recovery time, if he can be ready for the start of camp. Does
anyone have any recent info on how that recovery is going ??
And please, no comments about not rushing the kid.
