Actually, dominating at one level would not be bad for him.
The guy has not followed the usual path to say the least...
In a US high school at 17-18
At the University (College) at 18-19
In the Q at 19-20...
3 different systems with 3 diffrent coaches with 3 sets of teamates in 3 different regions. Mind buggling. Do you know another player that had follow this path ?
not sure what to think about this trade. Other than he will most likely play in Hamilton. Can't see him playing as an overager as others have said.
Might be a result of his injury. Maybe they want to ease him in. Could be they know he won't be back until close to mid season. After a lengthy injury like that it might be good for him to ease back into the game playing Q players instead of being crushed by AHLers.
What ever is best for his game, let's be honest he didn't dominate in the Q, if he is going to go to Hamilton and not play much just a learning season he is probably better staying in the Q and having a chance to play in the Memorial Cup
i think it would be a good thing (though not likely) if he goes back to the Q, the kid is far from strong enough ("6,0"-185lbs) to play against men and played the 2010/2011 season with a bad shoulder, having a free pass for the mem.cup on a strong team is never a bad thing either.
not sure what to think about this trade. Other than he will most likely play in Hamilton. Can't see him playing as an overager as others have said.
I can help you there, don't think about it since it's a meaningless move.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PinchedNerve
From what I saw of him last year, another year in the Q won't hurt.
Don't see why they would send him back to the Q, he led his team in scoring (ppg average) while dealing with injuries, time for him to move up.
Quote:
Originally Posted by habsrock76
Any word on the progression of his shoulder, is he projected to start the year? The last I heard was that he was to miss the start of the season.
He has been on the ice, last I heard he is doing well with his recovery and could be ready for the start of the season.
Quote:
Originally Posted by larrypacman8167
i think it would be a good thing (though not likely) if he goes back to the Q, the kid is far from strong enough ("6,0"-185lbs) to play against men and played the 2010/2011 season with a bad shoulder, having a free pass for the mem.cup on a strong team is never a bad thing either.
He looks like he needs to add weight and strength but somehow he goes in corners against bigger players yet often seems to come away with the puck. In the NCAA where he was playing against kids much older and bigger it didn't seem to give him any problems. I'm not sure playing in the Q as a 20 year old against 16-20 year olds would be a good thing, imo I'd much rather see him more challenged going up against bigger, older, faster, stronger players in the AHL then being back in the Q.
He looks like he needs to add weight and strength but somehow he goes in corners against bigger players yet often seems to come away with the puck. In the NCAA where he was playing against kids much older and bigger it didn't seem to give him any problems. I'm not sure playing in the Q as a 20 year old against 16-20 year olds would be a good thing, imo I'd much rather see him more challenged going up against bigger, older, faster, stronger players in the AHL then being back in the Q.
the strength thing i was saying didn't have anything to do with the fact that he can or can't win battles it's just that he's recovering from a pretty bad injury and i don't want him to get crunched by huge AHL players................ and i think there is actually nothing wrong with dominating a league and getting physically stonger before turning pro
He looks like he needs to add weight and strength but somehow he goes in corners against bigger players yet often seems to come away with the puck. In the NCAA where he was playing against kids much older and bigger it didn't seem to give him any problems. I'm not sure playing in the Q as a 20 year old against 16-20 year olds would be a good thing, imo I'd much rather see him more challenged going up against bigger, older, faster, stronger players in the AHL then being back in the Q.
Why do you think it will hurt his development to play in the Memorial Cup instead on a depleted AHL roster?
He is projected as more of a strong two way player than an offensive beast at the moment. Playing against younger weaker competition might give him the opportunity to hone some of that untapped offensive potential. Playing against tougher competition in the AHL will force him to focus more on his defensive play imo and I'd like to see him have a chance at developing more offensive upside.
I think he has a greater chance of developing those skills in the Q. I also think the competition of playing in the Memorial Cup will be good for him. Its good to have players who are use to winning. Its helped Carey Price & Josh Gorges.
Winning championships helps players develop. Look at the 2006-07 Bulldogs and how many players from that team have graduated to the NHL
Mikhail Grabovski
Andrei Kostitsyn
Matt D'Agostini
Kyle Chipchura
Maxim Lapierre
Ryan O'Byrne
Jaroslav Halak
Carey Price
I don't see how playing in the Memorial Cup will be bad for him. Can you explain your reasoning please.
I don't see how playing in the Memorial Cup will be bad for him. Can you explain your reasoning please.
Montreal already explained his reasoning: Leblanc will become better by playing against better competition.
The "he will be able to develop skills against weaker opponents" make sense for pure projects. Tinordi is a great example. Nobody see him as an offense force in the pro, but it is still a good idea for him to develop some offensive skills in the CHL and log some PP time, because there's no way he's going to have any when he turn pro. But Leblanc isn't some kind of long term project, he's a player who has already developed the fundamental of his offensive game. The next step for him is to test those fundamental against better players.
It's like any game really. Say chess. What's the best way to get better at chess? Playing against your little brother who sucks, or playing against good players? If you know nothing about the game, then sure, it's better for you to face someone of similar skill level. But aside from that, you want to test yourself against good competition. The sweet spot is to find someone who is better than you, but that you can still beat if you play well. That's how you get better at practically everything.
