Agreed. However, you do have to admit he's a good complimentary player or at least has the makings of one. I think playing in 5 leagues in 4 years with 5 dif coaches and 5 different systems and managing to be a good player shows his level of intelligence and ability to adapt.
I think we can be excited about a player without thinking he's a saviour or a star.
I thought Leblanc would be a top 9 complimentary player with the ability to play some time in the top 6 ala Higgins, but I think his high hockey IQ is good enough for him to top out as a top 6 winger.
I really didnt expect him to be this good so quickly. His Hockey sense and confidence is absolutely ri-di-cu-lous for a guy with 18 NHL games under his belt.
Perfect work ethic – the guy is not a high maintenance player (à la Cammalleri) and he plays both ends of the ice with high tempo/intensity. His compete level is similar to Cole, Desharnais, Eller and Plekanec.
In fact, when asked "What did impress you the most during your first pro camp?", Leblanc's answer was (something like): "The way Plekanec plays all the parts of a hockey game with intensity".
I remember a "contributor" (I don't remember his name but his avatar was him looking from the press box) in here who wrote that we drafted him because of the "French" media pressure...
PS physically, he is not ready
Last edited by Kjell Dahlin: 02-07-2012 at 10:20 PM.
I scoffed at this at first because of how Higgins ended his time with the Habs but the more I think about it I can see this too. I think Leblanc may be a bit more craftier with the puck and perhaps not as fast but he does remind me of the young Higgins that was one of my favourite Habs at one point.
I scoffed at this at first because of how Higgins ended his time with the Habs but the more I think about it I can see this too. I think Leblanc may be a bit more craftier with the puck and perhaps not as fast but he does remind me of the young Higgins that was one of my favourite Habs at one point.
I scoffed at this at first because of how Higgins ended his time with the Habs but the more I think about it I can see this too. I think Leblanc may be a bit more craftier with the puck and perhaps not as fast but he does remind me of the young Higgins that was one of my favourite Habs at one point.
Higgins had/has cement hands and he never showed the same compete level of Leblanc imo.
Perfect work ethic – the guy is not a high maintenance player (à la Cammalleri) and he plays both ends of the ice with high tempo/intensity. His compete level is similar to Cole, Desharnais, Eller and Plekanec.
In fact, when asked "What did impress you the most during your first pro camp?", Leblanc's answer was (something like): "The way Plekanec plays all the parts of a hockey game with intensity".
I remember a "contributor" (I don't remember his name but his avatar was him looking from the press box) in here who wrote that we drafted him because of the "French" media pressure...
PS physically, he is not ready
Not that I disagree, but is Ribeiro physically ready yet? Guy looks light as a feather.
I think Leblanc has shown more offensively than Eller in all his first year. Plus, he's younger than Eller.
For them saying he's not physically ready... NugentHopkins neither and he's still very good in the nhl.
Leblanc is ready for nhl duty.
"... For them saying he's not physically ready... NugentHopkins neither and he's still very good in the nhl..."
Ribeiro, NugentHopkins... sorry: I am a HUGE fan but I don't see it!
Leblanc is a talented blue collar. With his style of play, he needs to add 10 pounds of muscle. Heck... Eller did it last season so I fully expect Leblanc to beef up a little this coming summer!
LL looks good for a kid who wouldn't have been yo-yo'd if we hadn't sucked so brutally or been wiped out with injuries.
Everyone says it but again, you love this guy's compete level, with the skills and body to match. Sure needs more weight but already has very good strength on the puck, & great awareness of how the play is developing.
Long way to go but really nice season he's putting together.
wtf? no way. Higgins was one of our most intense and consistent player.
Louis' desire to succeed and planned career (yes the kid is a planner, talk to his agent) is far ahead of what Higgins' desire ever was. Higgins had more desire to close our bars in Hamilton, than play hockey some nights. Not Leblanc MO at all.
