Prospects

Louis Leblanc gets assist in first game with Junior de Montréal

Last night was Louis Leblanc’s debut with the Junior de Montréal in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. I know that this isn’t real big news. But make no mistake, all eyes will be on Leblanc as he plays with the Junior de Montréal this season.

Many people have both wondered how he’d fit, or how he’d perform in the QMJHL…. lot’s of what ifs…. etc.

But now we’ll get to see how his skill level and hockey smarts measure up against his peers in the “Q”. Also how he adjusts to the much longer season as opposed to the US College system.
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Sportsnet reporting that Jarred Tinordi will play for OHL’s London Knights

According to Sportsnet Jarred Tinordi, the Habs 22nd overall pick in the 2010 NHL draft will be playing for the London Knights in the OHL. They report an official announcement should come within days.

Although there is currently some debate on which road is better suited for a young player’s development, Major Junior vs NCAA, I believe having Tinordi in a situation where he plays many more games will only be good for his development.

I was happy to hear about Louis Leblanc playing in the “Q”… which means I’ll likely skip out to watch him play. I’m equally happy to hear that Jarred will be playing in the OHL under Dale Hunter. Will be easier for some of us to catch a glimpse of him and keep track of his developmental years.

I’m quite pleased at this announcement. Should be noted that Dale Hunter played with Jarred’s father and has been a family friend for years. So Tinordi will have familiarity with his new coach.

EDIT:
Check out the Sportsnet article here

Montreal Canadiens sign Alexander Avtsin to 3 year deal

Canadiens GM Pierre Gauthier announced the signing of prospect Alexander Avstin to a 3 year deal.

I’ve been anxious to see much more of Avtsin since he was drafted. The 19 year old just finished this year’s development camp last week.

The scouting reports said this guy had an physical game and lot’s of offensive skill. There was talk of Alexander possibly playing with the Juniors de Montréal or Hamilton. Now it’s official that we’ll see him in North America.

I would guess that Avtsin will spend the season in Hamilton. I’m sure we’ll see a glimpse of him at camp!!

Check out the official release:
http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=534383

Montreal Canadiens 22nd overall pick Jarred Tinordi interview with Sportnet

On Friday the Montreal Canadiens had traded up from 27th to 22nd with the Phoenix Coyotes to acquire Jarred Tinordi in the first round of the 2010 NHL draft.

If you don’t know much about Tinordi here’s the Gazette’s write up on him.

And here’s a short video interview with Jarred on draft day courtesy of Sportsnet.

Game day with PK!

P.K. Subban has been recalled from the Hamilton Bulldogs for this all important game 6 in the first round of the 2010 NHL playoffs.

Habs face elimination tonight against Ovechkin’s Washington Capitals. The game is in Montreal.

The Bell Center will likely exploded with energy. Habs weren’t really expected to win the Capitals but in the course of this series they’ve shown some good things against the Caps… and that the Caps can certainly be beaten.

P.K. Subban has become a fan favorite without barely scratching the ice in Montreal. He’s a great young prospect who’s had an incredible year in Hamilton. Always enthusiastic and upbeat P.K. will certainly bring lot’s of energy in the lineup. I expect that the crowd will show him some love tonight…. think we’ll hear some “PK” chants? I do.

Subban has 18 goals and 35 assists in 77 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs this year. He’s got great skating and puck moving skills and can play a physical game.

In my opinion, the Canadiens have nothing to loose in bringing him up being that they’re down 3 games to 2 and had a sub par performance by MA Bergeron in the last game. Although I don’t think Subban will be the savior for the series I think this is a great opportunity for him to get a taste of the pressure cooker in a Montreal Canadien’s playoff game… facing elimination.

Here’s the official press release!

Alexander Avtsin wants to play in Montreal – My Comments

According to this article on RDS’s website, Alexander Avtsin would like to hop over the pond and make the Canadiens roster as early as next season.

I think it’s great if a young player shows that the desire and if he shows the skill to do it…. then even better.

But the road ahead for Avtsin will likely not be that smooth unless he manages to knock the socks off of many in the organization.

Personally I believe that Avtsin coming to play in North America next season is a great idea. But as to the route he takes when he gets here, that may depend.

I think there’s something here for him to gain from. If it’s with the Junior de Montréal who current hold his rights in “the Q” or if he was able to jump to Hamilton…. there’s some experience for him here that would help him make the jump to the NHL in a couple of years (hypothetically).
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Cedrick Desjardins is the AHL’s Goaltender of the Month for December 2009

I wrote a little piece on PK Subban being named to the AHL all-star squad and how much confidence that might give him moving into the second half of the season… well, one of his team mates has also been playing some amazing hockey in Hamilton.

Cedrick Desjardins has been lights out this year.

In 21 games this year he’s got a Goal’s against average of 1.66 and a save percentage of .932. In the month of december Desjardins went 8-0-0 (8 wins, no losses!), he had a goals against average of 1.16 and a save percentage of .949.

Just a few years back we saw Halak playing some strong hockey in Hamilton with the Bulldogs and now Canadiens fans should be happy that there’s another prospect making a strong show.

His strong play in Hamilton might be another factor in making it a little bit easier to move a goaltender in Montreal. He would be a possibility as backup.

PK Subban is an All-Star

At the start of the year, coming out of camp we saw a few young guys leave an impression. One of those guys is young defenseman PK Subban.

Many voiced their desire to see Subban play in Montreal. Especially after all the early season injuries to both Andrei Markov and Ryan O’Byrne. I could certainly relate with the enthusiasm around PK and the desire to see him play in Montreal. A really strong skater with a good hard shot and a player who seems to examplify the very word enthusiasm, he would have certainly looked good in the eyes of many as a call up.

I was certainly tempted by the possibilities myself.

One of the debates around the prospects was to give them time in the minors so they can play at the pro level and not throw them in the fire that it can be in Montreal.

So PK has played half a season in Hamilton and by all accounts he’s really playing well.

PK Subban was recently named to the AHL all-star game.

This is probably the best case scenario if you’re Bob Gainey… and many Habs fans.

Subban has gone down, worked hard under a great coach in Guy Boucher and is performing at a high level. He currently leads the Hamilton Bulldogs defensemen with 20 points.

And what a confidence booster for him this will be going into the second half of the Bulldogs season!

PK is one of the AHL’s stars and this experience will certainly be in his favor as he continues to play this season in Hamilton and then comes into next year’s camp.

Congrats PK!

Yannick Weber called up again

With the recent injury to Roman Hamrlik last night the Montreal Canadiens called up Yannick Weber. Hopefully the Habs management have made all the proper contacts so that the whole “playing an in-eligible” player thing won’t happen again.

I’m sure they did.

Last time Weber was called up we didn’t get to see him in action and he was sent back to Hamilton. This time around he’ll most certainly see a bit of ice.

Here’s the official release from the Montreal Canadiens website.

http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=510236

Habs call up Yannick Weber
Thursday, 17.12.2009 / 12:00 PM / moves
PRESS RELEASE

MONTREAL — The Montreal Canadiens announced that defenseman Yannick Weber has been called up from the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs. Weber will join the Canadiens today in Montreal for tonight’s game against the Minnesota Wild.

The 5’11’’, 193 lbs defenseman played three games with the Canadiens earlier this season. He was held pointless with one shot on goal, while averaging 14:50 minutes of ice time per game.

Weber recorded six points (1-5-6) in 24 games with the Bulldogs this season. He added 62 shots on goal and 24 penalty minutes, with a +4 plus/minus differential.

Louis Leblanc cut from this year’s world juniors

Montreal’s 18th overall pick in last year’s draft, Louis Leblanc, has been cut from team Canada’s World Junior roster.

So far this year, Leblanc has 3 goals and 6 assists in 9 games (1 point per game) to go along with 22 penalty minutes. (Check his hockeydb.com stat sheet)

I’d hoped to see Leblanc play in this year’s tournament but it won’t happen. If Louis continues to progress I’m sure he’ll have a strong chance to make next year’s team.