Henry Stejskal is the top pairing, good for Stejskal to go from a healthy scratch at times to being on the top pairing since injuries have hit the D hard but it's good to see him getting more ice time.
DeSimone and Slaney both looked good so far. I noticed Berger was getting time on the PK again, while Avtsin continues to frustrate. Lawson in net.
On the injury front, Callahan is not out for the season, he could be back in 7 to 10 days which is huge if the Dogs can get through these 4 games starting tonight as they are against 2 of the top teams in the AHL. Fortier could be back in a week or two, Masse could be back in 2 weeks. Getting one of them would really help especially if Desharnais is out for a little.
I heard that the Habs sent Jacques Martin to watch Steve Quailer in the final game of the season. So perhaps he will be joining Hamilton at some point this month or next
Was at the game last night; honestly wasn't impressed by anyone. I know half the team is missing, but there is no one down there who I see playing for the Habs eventually.
Most skilled player was obviously Avtsin, he did a few nice plays but he plays stupid hockey, blind passes all the time that are intercepted, doesn't who any real desire.... At some point he got roughed up behind the net for at least 20 seconds, then as he was skating away the Marlies player kept cross checking him, face washing him, and Avtsin barely answered... same thing happened during an upcoming shift, and still no answer. Also, he does not fight back after he misses a play/pass.
Schultz was simply invisible for most of the game... DeSimone got a few chances, but that's it.
Team is really missing naturally skilled players, they played a good team game but there is no ability to take puck possession and change it to a good scoring chance. Just missing that skill.
Also really down on Avtsin, no improvement from him. He's got skills but doesnt put it together. All the tools, no tool box.
Team is really missing naturally skilled players, they played a good team game but there is no ability to take puck possession and change it to a good scoring chance. Just missing that skill.
Also really down on Avtsin, no improvement from him. He's got skills but doesnt put it together. All the tools, no tool box.
Good summary, I went to both games and Saturday's was about the same. Can't create scoring chances, 1 for 15 on the PP, puts tremendous pressure on the defense which you can argue only has 2 legitimate AHLers playing right now. As for Avstin couldn't agree more, on Saturday guys like DeSimone, Nattinen, even Slaney, seemed to be getting more ice time. Not sure if Gauthier wanted to see certain people but he sure has digressed.
Good summary, I went to both games and Saturday's was about the same. Can't create scoring chances, 1 for 15 on the PP, puts tremendous pressure on the defense which you can argue only has 2 legitimate AHLers playing right now. As for Avstin couldn't agree more, on Saturday guys like DeSimone, Nattinen, even Slaney, seemed to be getting more ice time. Not sure if Gauthier wanted to see certain people but he sure has digressed.
Henry Malka was one D pairing. I thought Malka played a solid game. Schultz got one on the PP when he threw the puck cross crease and it hit the defensemen and went it. Berger also played a solid game and has shown improvement the last few weeks vs his play early in the season before the injuries hit.
Does anybody have any idea what the potential lines could be next year? I guess it depends on a few things including if Kristo is signed this summer or if he stays one last year in the NCAA and if Leblanc or Geoffrion start the year with the habs or not.
One thing is for sure, if they sign Kristo, and Leblanc and Geoffrion start the year in the AHL, they'll have a young but exciting team.
There will be good competition for spots at training camp.
Leblanc
Geoffrion
Kristo
Gallagher
Bournival
Holland
Quailer (maybe)
Engqvist
Palushaj (Does he need to be re-signed?)
Dumont
Nattinen
Schultz
Avtsin (What's his situation? He hasn't improved very much it seems..)
Fortier (Maybe)
Conboy (Maybe)
Does anybody have any idea what the potential lines could be next year? I guess it depends on a few things including if Kristo is signed this summer or if he stays one last year in the NCAA and if Leblanc or Geoffrion start the year with the habs or not.
One thing is for sure, if they sign Kristo, and Leblanc and Geoffrion start the year in the AHL, they'll have a young but exciting team.
There will be good competition for spots at training camp.
Leblanc
Geoffrion
Kristo
Gallagher
Bournival
Holland
Quailer (maybe)
Engqvist
Palushaj (Does he need to be re-signed?)
Dumont
Nattinen
Schultz
Avtsin (What's his situation? He hasn't improved very much it seems..)
Fortier (Maybe)
Conboy (Maybe)
The defence will look solid!
Beaulieu
Tinordi
Ellis
Pateryn
Henry
St Denis
It will be interesting. Of the forwards I'm not sure if Palushaj isn't getting his try out now. Not sure how he's doing with the Habs? He's an RFA he may not be around. You haven't included Enqvist and Masse. Both could be veteran help to a very young team. You are right about Avstin, he has gone backwards. They should cut him loose and free up a position for a prospect. I hope both Fortier and Conboy are back. As for the D you also need to include Nash. Will be interesting to see how he comes back after missing the season. IMO we need both Freddie and Henry to provide some experience to a very young defensive group. Also, depending what happens with the Habs we may not have Tinordi or Beaulieu for the full season.
It will be interesting. Of the forwards I'm not sure if Palushaj isn't getting his try out now. Not sure how he's doing with the Habs? He's an RFA he may not be around. You haven't included Enqvist and Masse. Both could be veteran help to a very young team. You are right about Avstin, he has gone backwards. They should cut him loose and free up a position for a prospect. I hope both Fortier and Conboy are back. As for the D you also need to include Nash. Will be interesting to see how he comes back after missing the season. IMO we need both Freddie and Henry to provide some experience to a very young defensive group. Also, depending what happens with the Habs we may not have Tinordi or Beaulieu for the full season.
It will be interesting to see what direction the Habs go in. I'd love to have Engqvist back assuming he clears waivers and wants to return, I suspect both Masse and Fortier will be back. Hopefully Nash can shake the rust off, one things for sure the D should be the strong point but goaltending could be an issue again.
It will be interesting to see what direction the Habs go in. I'd love to have Engqvist back assuming he clears waivers and wants to return, I suspect both Masse and Fortier will be back. Hopefully Nash can shake the rust off, one things for sure the D should be the strong point but goaltending could be an issue again.
I guess it's not actually a Good Thing that the Habs don't have a bona fide goaltending prospect who could get blocked by a veteran AHL stud goalie... but... given that's the case, at least it's a good argument for signing a veteran AHL stud goalie as our #3 and Hamilton starter, once again.
Not sure it's totally fair to Lawson to say he hasn't quite worked out... rough year for him and the team, and his numbers still are pretty decent... but I'm not sure he has lived up to the Sanford/MacIntyre standard either. In any event, there are always a bunch of these guys around and the Habs will hopefully be looking at one yet again.
As well as signing/drafting some hopefully-bona-fide goalie prospects to start building that organizational depth up again.
I guess it's not actually a Good Thing that the Habs don't have a bona fide goaltending prospect who could get blocked by a veteran AHL stud goalie... but... given that's the case, at least it's a good argument for signing a veteran AHL stud goalie as our #3 and Hamilton starter, once again.
Not sure it's totally fair to Lawson to say he hasn't quite worked out... rough year for him and the team, and his numbers still are pretty decent... but I'm not sure he has lived up to the Sanford/MacIntyre standard either. In any event, there are always a bunch of these guys around and the Habs will hopefully be looking at one yet again.
As well as signing/drafting some hopefully-bona-fide goalie prospects to start building that organizational depth up again.
It's not totally fair to Lawson to asy he hasn't quite worked out, as most nights he's been good for the Dogs but he has also had his fair share of rough ones and is clearly not on the same level as Sanford (who I said was the best goalie the Habs have had in Hamilton) or MacIntyre. I don't know what the plan is, as I'm not a fan of Mayer at all and we haven't seen what Delmas can do (he's got SO's in 3 of his last 4 games, I really really wish they would give him a look since the season is all but over)
There are a few NCAA goalies that look good, so we'll see if it's addressed this off season.
It's not totally fair to Lawson to asy he hasn't quite worked out, as most nights he's been good for the Dogs but he has also had his fair share of rough ones and is clearly not on the same level as Sanford (who I said was the best goalie the Habs have had in Hamilton) or MacIntyre. I don't know what the plan is, as I'm not a fan of Mayer at all and we haven't seen what Delmas can do (he's got SO's in 3 of his last 4 games, I really really wish they would give him a look since the season is all but over)
There are a few NCAA goalies that look good, so we'll see if it's addressed this off season.
May not be able to give Delmas a look as he's not on the clear day roster. One of the two Hamilton Goalies would need to be called up or hurt for him to play. As long as they are available he cant dress.
