Steve Yzerman is a man after Bertrand Raymond's heart. How else to describe a GM who retains a core of French Canadian superstars to build on with Simon Gagne and the biggest coaching star to come out of the province in a decade?
The Lightning play the Habs tonight in the arena RDS would be happy enough to hand over to them this very evening. I don't think I'll be among those fawning over the Yzermen, but we still need a preview, right?
Key match-ups
Boucher and Martin
It's possible that everybody has already forgotten that they wanted an experienced NHL coach. As Guy Boucher takes to the NHL bench for the second game of his career, it seems the fear that he might be the one who got away is now trumping all those years of growing coaches to no avail. Martin will be in tough tonight, though. Not only is Boucher riding in on a wave of good feeling, he is also a crafty coach, and one that can call Steven Stamkos' name.
St. Louis and Cammalleri
Two very good scorers, Two very effective offensive players. But Mike Cammalleri's deficiencies are known because he plays every other night on Quebec TV sets. The grass is greener with St. Louis, since he doesn't. Within the game, both players are now the ones who make their offenses tick. Cammalleri is the Canadiens most dangerous finisher and St. Louis the generator for the Stamkos powerhouse.
Hedman and Hamrlik
Two well known Lightning top 2 draft picks. Two touted big-framed juniors. Not that the Canadiens could have had Hedman. He remains an object of admiration. Hamrlik will also be in focus as he returns tonight. Both should be anchoring the defensive end for the respective teams. Hamrlik will look to find early 2009-10 form, but will be an improvement over Picard with a mediocre performance. Hedman will be battling age and experience to tie together a mostly offensive minded blueline.
Price and GF
Carey Price is in a delicate place. This season he has a win and a loss taken from games where his team scored timely goals and didn't. In order for his belief in winning to return, the conquer of the idea that the team must decide (i.e., score 3 times) must be banished. Last year against Tampa, Price played 3 times. Twice he played well, once pretty well and he came out with one win, the Lightning got points in every game. As demons go, the Lightning games represent them very well. performing well against another team with straight shooting stars and giving his team a chance to win will be s big step.
Momentum
Little at all. The Lightning have only played once. The Canadiens twice. Neither team has played since Saturday. I don't know how the NHL schedule is made, but this seems a strangely long layoff given both teams have to be somewhere else within a night or two. Maybe there were Icecapades to accommodate? The media momentum is also split. The Boucher phenomenon is fueling the Lightning, while a single win has been enough to light the Habs fire.
Lightning the Habs covet
Steven Stamkos
Big, fast, scorer. When Stu Cowan wrote on the draft, this is the kind of player he was no doubt lamenting. But players like this are hard to come by without losing for a season. He'll be as hard to pry from the Lightning as Lecavalier ever was.
Simon Gagne
A few years ago, I'd have written St. Louis. Gagne is 5 years his younger, though and is just as reliable as a scoring threat. One of the biggest Quebecois stars of the past decade really should have been on the Habs radar when they did their reshake.
Habs the Lightning covet
PK Subban
Guy Boucher owes a lot to PK Subban. An NHL job for a start. PK is the dynamic skating defenceman that every team wants. But teams dressing Randy Jones and Brett Clark just scream it a little louder.
Tomas Plekanec
Last season the Lightning dressed Lecavalier and 50-goal Steven Stamkos at centre. A pretty good one-two punch. Last year the Lightning missed the playoffs by a clear margin. Tomas Plekanec is that rare centre who can swing between offense and defence with ease and in the team-building blueprint, he's a valuable piece to teams who can't stop shedding goals.
Ready-made excuses
Neither team will want to lose, but both can afford to for the moment. i don't think that will have stopped them getting their excuses all lined up:
If Montreal lose:
- Markov is injured
- Guy Boucher is a genius
- The Lightning were better rested
- The Lightning channeled the energy of their home province
If Tampa lose:
- Not in the rhythm of the season
- Boucher is a rookie coach
- Players are still learning system
- It's all written in Yzerman's plan
Impact of this result
I say that both can afford to lose. Of course they can, it's game 2 and 3 for the respective teams. That doesn't mean there won't be an impact.
For Tampa, I think a loss will be quickly swept away. They play Philly tomorrow and only ten fans will have watched it happen anyway (if you don't count their support in our province).
Auld will start the next game and may start to put a credible challenge in on Price. Martin will carry the loss until he faces Boucher again. Hamrlik and Spacek will be panned. And all the good feeling will be turned to bad.
Showing posts with label Boucher. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Boucher. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Canadiens Search For Scoring:
Call Up Veteran Darche
Yesterday all the media outlets announced, then confirmed that McGill alum Mathieu Darche had been called up by the big club ahead of the contest against St. Louis. It turns out the two people who voted for Darche in the survey are the winners. D'Agostini who received one vote (probably from himself) will be the loser...
It's a move that reflects the need to do something, anything, to get the other half of the team interested in this fight for points. It's a simple move that could do just that.
Proud day for McGill Redmen hockey
This promotion is a proud day for McGill Redmen hockey, and indeed as a former non-hockey playing sportsman for all Redmen. Already having the distinct honour of being the 10th McGill alum to make the NHL, Mathieu Darche will be now be the third graduate of one of Montreal's other historic institutions to play for its most historic institution.
The first players from McGill to don the Bleu, Blanc, Rouge were Jack McGill and Nels Crutchfield (Hockey Legends story) in the 1934-35 season. The last McGill Redman to play was McGill as he finished up in Montreal in 1937.
But the McGill links go further than that. Ken Dryden went to McGill University in 1973-74 (in the midst of his NHL career) to finish his law degree. He didn't play for the Redmen, though I'm sure they wouldn't have turned him down.
Before you scoff too hard at me lauding McGill, consider for a second the significance of that Redmen team. Started in 1877, it was the world's first, and now oldest, organized hockey team. The team from 1877 played in and won the very first organized hockey game to ever take place in the Victoria Skating rink (now a car rental business). Thought their NHL numbers look thin on the ground (especially recently) Redmen have also won the Stanley Cup 35 times, and that's not including coaches like Mike Babcock. And some NHL trophies owe their names to some Redmen alums too: Art Ross, Lester Patrick.
The Habs decided they would tap the local resource last spring when they snagged rising coaching star Guy Boucher from the Q. Boucher then reached back to McGill to recruit his associate and last year's Redmen coach Matin Raymond. they both in turn probably had a say in bringing in Darche. The trifecta of Redmen have done something in Hamilton, as the shaky team that we saw on the ice last season with Lever at the reins is now second in the AHL and vying for the goals against lead with defencemen we all thought were offense only and goalies we had written off as hopeless.
If the Habs can tap just a little piece of the Hamilton/McGill magic (maybe Darche knows of a system?) then reporters may soon be dreaming up playoff scenarios once again.
Just what he was signed for
I liked this signing all the way. In the summer, noting how Darche was signed before many homegrown players, I suspected the Martin Raymond hand at work. I think my initial feelings on the signing have been confirmed with his play so far in Hamilton:
Darche here for scoring, but not on second line
People around the team have been a bit excited about the mini slump endured by Plekanec and Cammalleri on the first/second line. While this has been an important factor in our recent difficulties, it's not the only problem.
As Tobalev noted in the previous game reports, and the Incredible Zero award acknowledged, tertiary scoring going as dry as the Mauritanian desert is just as big, if not a more troubling problem. Between "I try, so don't get at me" Pacioretty and "I was once a media darling" Lapierre, I think it's fair to say we expected more. I think Darche may just be the medicine to a) put Pacioretty where he belongs and b) wake Lapierre up from whatever he is currently doing.
Veteran reporters with more grudges than energy for reporting have already dismissed Darche off-hand as a career minor leaguer. While it is certainly true, what perhaps hasn't been considered is that he's been a pretty darn good minor leaguer, and one whose career was perhaps hampered by being developed by the most inept organization in recent NHL memory (the Doug MacLean Blue Jackets). Now, I wouldn't go as far to say that he would be a star today. However, one must question the eye for talent of that organization whose lone NHL survivor 9 years after joining Syracuse in 2000 was given a mere 34 games over 3 years in the NHL – this at a time when Patrick Traverse could have been a difference maker for the team.
The belief in Darche as a scorer is part borne from seeing him play and part borne from seeing him lead 5 of his 9 AHL teams in goalscoring. It's also got a bit to do with the fact he's the G/game leader in Hamilton right now. Here's the basic low-down on the player from hockeydb. Highlights to note include 73 games played with the Lightning two seasons ago (his first sustained chance in the NHL) and all the 30+ goal seasons in the AHL.
I believe that the second line could benefit from having Darche, but may just catch a few good games with Bergeron while waiting for Sergei. Anyway, even if I'm wrong about Darche and he doesn't score a single goal – nothing is lost. He merely then adds his name to the lengthening list of players providing that unique set of statistics.
It's a move that reflects the need to do something, anything, to get the other half of the team interested in this fight for points. It's a simple move that could do just that.
Proud day for McGill Redmen hockey
This promotion is a proud day for McGill Redmen hockey, and indeed as a former non-hockey playing sportsman for all Redmen. Already having the distinct honour of being the 10th McGill alum to make the NHL, Mathieu Darche will be now be the third graduate of one of Montreal's other historic institutions to play for its most historic institution.
The first players from McGill to don the Bleu, Blanc, Rouge were Jack McGill and Nels Crutchfield (Hockey Legends story) in the 1934-35 season. The last McGill Redman to play was McGill as he finished up in Montreal in 1937.
But the McGill links go further than that. Ken Dryden went to McGill University in 1973-74 (in the midst of his NHL career) to finish his law degree. He didn't play for the Redmen, though I'm sure they wouldn't have turned him down.
Before you scoff too hard at me lauding McGill, consider for a second the significance of that Redmen team. Started in 1877, it was the world's first, and now oldest, organized hockey team. The team from 1877 played in and won the very first organized hockey game to ever take place in the Victoria Skating rink (now a car rental business). Thought their NHL numbers look thin on the ground (especially recently) Redmen have also won the Stanley Cup 35 times, and that's not including coaches like Mike Babcock. And some NHL trophies owe their names to some Redmen alums too: Art Ross, Lester Patrick.
The Habs decided they would tap the local resource last spring when they snagged rising coaching star Guy Boucher from the Q. Boucher then reached back to McGill to recruit his associate and last year's Redmen coach Matin Raymond. they both in turn probably had a say in bringing in Darche. The trifecta of Redmen have done something in Hamilton, as the shaky team that we saw on the ice last season with Lever at the reins is now second in the AHL and vying for the goals against lead with defencemen we all thought were offense only and goalies we had written off as hopeless.
If the Habs can tap just a little piece of the Hamilton/McGill magic (maybe Darche knows of a system?) then reporters may soon be dreaming up playoff scenarios once again.
Just what he was signed for
I liked this signing all the way. In the summer, noting how Darche was signed before many homegrown players, I suspected the Martin Raymond hand at work. I think my initial feelings on the signing have been confirmed with his play so far in Hamilton:
The Canadiens signed Mathieu on July 2nd, before they even put pen to paper with any of their own RFAs. In what may well be an AHL only signing, I think the Canadiens have picked up a nice piece here. And, if injuries do happen and you stare down the left wing depth chart and start to realise there isn't one, then it will be a relief to have Darche in the pocket for a call-up. After all, he has played over 100 NHL games, with one 73-game season 2 years ago. The timing of the move shows me Gainey was targeting Darche and was worried that other teams might also be interested.As most suspected, this was indeed a depth signing – one to ensure depth in Hamilton as well. But with injuries coming and solutions (at least ones the organization is willing to test) are running out. Darche was always the insurance against this, and the Habs are cashing it in now.
Darche here for scoring, but not on second line
People around the team have been a bit excited about the mini slump endured by Plekanec and Cammalleri on the first/second line. While this has been an important factor in our recent difficulties, it's not the only problem.
As Tobalev noted in the previous game reports, and the Incredible Zero award acknowledged, tertiary scoring going as dry as the Mauritanian desert is just as big, if not a more troubling problem. Between "I try, so don't get at me" Pacioretty and "I was once a media darling" Lapierre, I think it's fair to say we expected more. I think Darche may just be the medicine to a) put Pacioretty where he belongs and b) wake Lapierre up from whatever he is currently doing.
Veteran reporters with more grudges than energy for reporting have already dismissed Darche off-hand as a career minor leaguer. While it is certainly true, what perhaps hasn't been considered is that he's been a pretty darn good minor leaguer, and one whose career was perhaps hampered by being developed by the most inept organization in recent NHL memory (the Doug MacLean Blue Jackets). Now, I wouldn't go as far to say that he would be a star today. However, one must question the eye for talent of that organization whose lone NHL survivor 9 years after joining Syracuse in 2000 was given a mere 34 games over 3 years in the NHL – this at a time when Patrick Traverse could have been a difference maker for the team.
The belief in Darche as a scorer is part borne from seeing him play and part borne from seeing him lead 5 of his 9 AHL teams in goalscoring. It's also got a bit to do with the fact he's the G/game leader in Hamilton right now. Here's the basic low-down on the player from hockeydb. Highlights to note include 73 games played with the Lightning two seasons ago (his first sustained chance in the NHL) and all the 30+ goal seasons in the AHL.
I believe that the second line could benefit from having Darche, but may just catch a few good games with Bergeron while waiting for Sergei. Anyway, even if I'm wrong about Darche and he doesn't score a single goal – nothing is lost. He merely then adds his name to the lengthening list of players providing that unique set of statistics.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Habs Goalie Threatens Bower's Record
No this isn't an article on Carey Price, nor plea to trade Halak.
Merely to inform you all of something that has probably been completely overlooked by most fans.
Last night, the Hamilton Bulldogs won a thrilling contest in which they scored 5 goals, and won by a large margin. However after the final buzzer, coach Guy Boucher had a sour taste in his mouth. He had just been informed that the goal his team allowed was one that prevented Cedrick Desjardins from breaking a record that had stood for more than 52 years, a record of Johnny Bower's:
The streak that Desjardins did lay down was a mere 212 minutes and 37 seconds (or 3.5 games in the end). His bumbling teammates were too focused on their own selfish targets for goals for and allowed a breakdown to happen – for shame.
Anyway, in the midst of all this streaking, Desjardins has also managed to vault himself into the second ranking in the entire AHL for GAA and third for S%. And what numbers too, 1.57 and 0.940 respectively.
It bodes well for either the Habs goaltending depth, or the Habs defenders knowing what they need to do to make a goalie look good in the real show. Especially if you consider that Sanfor, who has played in the teams other 16 games is clocking 2.14 and 0.921 himself.
My thoughts do go out to the people who actually watch this league, though, as 14 goalies saving more then 92% of shots and 3 saving more than 94% doesn't say too much for the quality of shooters, nor bode well for the quality of the spectacle...
Merely to inform you all of something that has probably been completely overlooked by most fans.
Last night, the Hamilton Bulldogs won a thrilling contest in which they scored 5 goals, and won by a large margin. However after the final buzzer, coach Guy Boucher had a sour taste in his mouth. He had just been informed that the goal his team allowed was one that prevented Cedrick Desjardins from breaking a record that had stood for more than 52 years, a record of Johnny Bower's:
“Since 1957! Now I’m really ticked,” said Bulldogs coach Guy Boucher when he was told how close his goaltender was to a record that had stood for more than 50 years.
The streak that Desjardins did lay down was a mere 212 minutes and 37 seconds (or 3.5 games in the end). His bumbling teammates were too focused on their own selfish targets for goals for and allowed a breakdown to happen – for shame.
Anyway, in the midst of all this streaking, Desjardins has also managed to vault himself into the second ranking in the entire AHL for GAA and third for S%. And what numbers too, 1.57 and 0.940 respectively.
It bodes well for either the Habs goaltending depth, or the Habs defenders knowing what they need to do to make a goalie look good in the real show. Especially if you consider that Sanfor, who has played in the teams other 16 games is clocking 2.14 and 0.921 himself.
My thoughts do go out to the people who actually watch this league, though, as 14 goalies saving more then 92% of shots and 3 saving more than 94% doesn't say too much for the quality of shooters, nor bode well for the quality of the spectacle...
Monday, November 30, 2009
Top 100 Habs By Decade:
8. 1919-1929
In recognition of the Canadiens Centennial next Friday, we at Lions in Winter have been doing what we like best – making lists. As a precursor to publishing the definitive LIW top 100, we will be counting down the decades from least successful to most successful and naming our LIW top 10 players for the ten-year span. You should expect a few each day for the next few days.
Though this celebration has inevitably lost some steam due to relentless marketing and pre-game ceremonies for all of living memory, it would be a shame to let it pass unnoticed just because Mr. Gillett wanted to cash in before he cashed out.
It's quite difficult to put each decade into a numbered box (well except for this last one). It seems there have always been loads of positives over each ten year period, and more often than not Stanley Cup finals and victories.
The 1920s are no exception. They started in 1919 from a position of strength, after all they had been poised to possibly win the Stanley Cup before the influenza outbreak led to the cancellation of the competition that year. But the Canadiens of the day didn't use that success as a springboard, but rather spent the next four or five seasons just being better than weaklings Hamilton. A Cup came in the middle of the decade, but it was not until another poor finish in 1926 that a true rebound occurred.
Again, we have 10 players here from our top 100 voting that have been allocated to the 1920s because a) they best represent that era, and b) it best represents their overall exploits.
[Note: Each player only appears in one decade's top 10 – sorry Brisebois fans]
10. Art Gagne (Not ranked in top 100, Profile)
A decent foil for the dynamic duo that was Joliat-Morenz.
9. Harry Cameron (Not ranked in top 100, Profile)
A classy defenceman into the Hall of Fame. The original Bobby Orr, the first Gordie Howe hat-trick and general innovator. Who cares that he only played 16 games for the Canadiens, he behaved like Bobby Orr while he was here...
8. Amos Arbour (Not ranked in top 100, Profile)
A sometime Hab, who had a big hand in Cup #1 and a stunning goalscoring start to the 1920s.
7. Louis Berlinquette (Not ranked in top 100, Profile)
From supporting cast to important offensive cog in the early 1920s machine.
6. Billy Couture (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
A pioneer in the art of intimidation. Habs defence was built with some degree of intimidation at that time, and after Joe Hall passed away, Couture was the provider. Also captained the team in his final season.
5. Albert "Battleship" Leduc (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
Smallish big-hitting defenceman. Replacing Sprague Cleghorn as the anchor at the back end, Leduc learned lots in the 1920s and took the Canadiens to their most successful stint to date in the late decade and early 1930s.
4. Billy Boucher (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
One of Morenz's earlier wingers and a fixture of the 1920s Habs gamesheets and scoresheets.
3. Odie Cleghorn (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
A hold-over star from the first decade. His greatest offensive achievements may have been in the 1918-19 playoffs, but his influence and scoring was pivotal in the 1923-24 season that ended in the Habs' second Cup.
2. Herb Gardiner (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
The first Canadiens player to win the Hart trophy, the first defenceman to win the Hart trophy.
1. Sprague Cleghorn (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
Captain and impetus for the Canadiens second Cup victory. His 1921-22 season was another marvel for a defenceman, and epitmoised his influence on the way the team played during his tenure.
* Awards: H = Hart trophy; HOF = Hall of Fame; SC = Stanley Cup.
Though this celebration has inevitably lost some steam due to relentless marketing and pre-game ceremonies for all of living memory, it would be a shame to let it pass unnoticed just because Mr. Gillett wanted to cash in before he cashed out.
1919-1929
It's quite difficult to put each decade into a numbered box (well except for this last one). It seems there have always been loads of positives over each ten year period, and more often than not Stanley Cup finals and victories.
The 1920s are no exception. They started in 1919 from a position of strength, after all they had been poised to possibly win the Stanley Cup before the influenza outbreak led to the cancellation of the competition that year. But the Canadiens of the day didn't use that success as a springboard, but rather spent the next four or five seasons just being better than weaklings Hamilton. A Cup came in the middle of the decade, but it was not until another poor finish in 1926 that a true rebound occurred.
Again, we have 10 players here from our top 100 voting that have been allocated to the 1920s because a) they best represent that era, and b) it best represents their overall exploits.
[Note: Each player only appears in one decade's top 10 – sorry Brisebois fans]
10. Art Gagne (Not ranked in top 100, Profile)
| Years(s) | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | Awards* | |
| Habs career (Regular season) | 1926-29 | 132 | 41 | 16 | 57 | 149 | |
| Decade best (Regular season) | 1927-28 | 44 | 20 | 10 | 30 | 75 | |
| Habs career (Playoffs) | 1927-29 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 16 | |
| Decade best (Playoffs) | 1927-28 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
A decent foil for the dynamic duo that was Joliat-Morenz.
9. Harry Cameron (Not ranked in top 100, Profile)
| Years(s) | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | Awards* | |
| Habs career (Regular season) | 1919-20 | 16 | 12 | 5 | 17 | 36 | HOF |
| Decade best (Regular season) | 1919-20 | 16 | 12 | 5 | 17 | 36 | |
| Habs career (Playoffs) | N/A | ||||||
| Decade best (Playoffs) | N/A |
A classy defenceman into the Hall of Fame. The original Bobby Orr, the first Gordie Howe hat-trick and general innovator. Who cares that he only played 16 games for the Canadiens, he behaved like Bobby Orr while he was here...
8. Amos Arbour (Not ranked in top 100, Profile)
| Years(s) | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | Awards* | |
| Habs career (Regular season) | 1915-21 | 66 | 41 | 8 | 49 | 59 | |
| Decade best (Regular season) | 1919-20 | 22 | 21 | 5 | 26 | 13 | |
| Habs career (Playoffs) | 1916-21 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 11 | SC |
| Decade best (Playoffs) | N/A |
A sometime Hab, who had a big hand in Cup #1 and a stunning goalscoring start to the 1920s.
7. Louis Berlinquette (Not ranked in top 100, Profile)
| Years(s) | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | Awards* | |
| Habs career (Regular season) | 1911-23 | 235 | 61 | 47 | 108 | 194 | |
| Decade best (Regular season) | 1921-22 | 24 | 13 | 5 | 18 | 10 | |
| Habs career (Playoffs) | 1914-23 | 17 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 17 | SC |
| Decade best (Playoffs) | 1922-23 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
From supporting cast to important offensive cog in the early 1920s machine.
6. Billy Couture (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
| Years(s) | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | Awards* | |
| Habs career (Regular season) | 1916-26 | 198 | 24 | 16 | 40 | 357 | |
| Decade best (Regular season) | 1925-26 | 33 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 95 | |
| Habs career (Playoffs) | 1917-25 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 81 | SC |
| Decade best (Playoffs) | 1923-24 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | SC |
A pioneer in the art of intimidation. Habs defence was built with some degree of intimidation at that time, and after Joe Hall passed away, Couture was the provider. Also captained the team in his final season.
5. Albert "Battleship" Leduc (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
| Years(s) | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | Awards* | |
| Habs career (Regular season) | 1925-35 | 341 | 56 | 32 | 88 | 574 | |
| Decade best (Regular season) | 1925-26 | 32 | 10 | 3 | 13 | 62 | |
| Habs career (Playoffs) | 1927-33 | 28 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 32 | 2 SC |
| Decade best (Playoffs) | 1928-29 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
Smallish big-hitting defenceman. Replacing Sprague Cleghorn as the anchor at the back end, Leduc learned lots in the 1920s and took the Canadiens to their most successful stint to date in the late decade and early 1930s.
4. Billy Boucher (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
| Years(s) | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | Awards* | |
| Habs career (Regular season) | 1921-27 | 156 | 86 | 36 | 122 | 339 | |
| Decade best (Regular season) | 1922-23 | 24 | 24 | 7 | 31 | 55 | |
| Habs career (Playoffs) | 1923-25 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 15 | SC |
| Decade best (Playoffs) | 1923-24 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 9 | SC |
One of Morenz's earlier wingers and a fixture of the 1920s Habs gamesheets and scoresheets.
3. Odie Cleghorn (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
| Years(s) | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | Awards* | |
| Habs career (Regular season) | 1918-25 | 159 | 93 | 33 | 126 | 134 | |
| Decade best (Regular season) | 1919-20 | 21 | 20 | 4 | 24 | 30 | |
| Habs career (Playoffs) | 1919-25 | 11 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 5 | SC |
| Decade best (Playoffs) | 1924-25 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
A hold-over star from the first decade. His greatest offensive achievements may have been in the 1918-19 playoffs, but his influence and scoring was pivotal in the 1923-24 season that ended in the Habs' second Cup.
2. Herb Gardiner (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
| Years(s) | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | Awards* | |
| Habs career (Regular season) | 1926-29 | 95 | 10 | 9 | 19 | 52 | H, HOF |
| Decade best (Regular season) | 1926-27 | 44 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 26 | H |
| Habs career (Playoffs) | 1927-29 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 16 | |
| Decade best (Playoffs) | 1927-28 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
The first Canadiens player to win the Hart trophy, the first defenceman to win the Hart trophy.
1. Sprague Cleghorn (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
| Years(s) | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | Awards* | |
| Habs career (Regular season) | 1921-25 | 98 | 42 | 31 | 73 | 248 | HOF |
| Decade best (Regular season) | 1921-22 | 24 | 17 | 9 | 26 | 80 | |
| Habs career (Playoffs) | 1923-25 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 9 | SC |
| Decade best (Playoffs) | 1924-25 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
Captain and impetus for the Canadiens second Cup victory. His 1921-22 season was another marvel for a defenceman, and epitmoised his influence on the way the team played during his tenure.
* Awards: H = Hart trophy; HOF = Hall of Fame; SC = Stanley Cup.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Same Name, Different Approach
You can call your son Guy, but you can't make him a communicator.
Pat Hickey gives us a taste of how Guy Boucher operates differs, and in a different snippet how different he is in his approach to Guy Carbonneau (on Johansson):
Sensing?
Sensing and then communicating?
I thought shy players were there to be either a) mocked, or b) ignored for 8 months...
Pat Hickey gives us a taste of how Guy Boucher operates differs, and in a different snippet how different he is in his approach to Guy Carbonneau (on Johansson):
"I sensed that he was a little shy when the camp opened," said Guy Boucher, the Hamilton Bulldogs head coach who has been overseeing the camp. "I asked the assistants to talk to him and he's responded well."
Sensing?
Sensing and then communicating?
I thought shy players were there to be either a) mocked, or b) ignored for 8 months...
Friday, September 04, 2009
Philippe Lefebvre's Big Habs Break
The Montreal Canadiens announced the invitees for their rookie camp yesterday.
The list is a who's who of draft picks from the last few seasons, with the critical exclusion of US college players like Louis Leblanc, Kristo, Quailer and Fischer. But there were some interesting names in the mix as well.
Gabriel Dumont remains on the list. Although he is injured and will not play in games, one can only assume that he will be invited to the initiation events, meetings and such. It's good to see he seems to have made it stick.
Petteri Simila appears to be coming, which is interesting considering he'll be the only European-based player to make the trip. I suppose that shows just how dire the Canadiens depth at the position of goaltender is – presumably, this represents a bit of a fast-tracking for the gargantuan Finn.
Joe Stejskal is coming, which means he isn't a college player any longer. The lack of an asterisk tells me he isn't signed by the Canadiens or Bulldogs yet, so this represents a good chance for him to carve out a place. A late pick, with little fanfare, he seems to have a combination of skills that if pieced together right could produce an NHL defenceman in the future. Nothing to get too excited about, but if you remember the Alex Henry call-up, then you'll know why I'm even mentioning this depth guy.
Finally, of interest are a couple of local guys essentially getting a tryout to show what they can do. Frederick St. Denis is a defensive prospect getting on in years and parked behind a bumper crop at his position. His inclusion is as a Hamilton hopeful rather than a Habs player. Philippe Lefebvre is on a formal tryout at the tender age of 18. Undrafted, he still represents a real development opportunity for the organization.
Philippe Lefebvre
The scouting report on Lefebvre...
... is not the most flattering I have ever read, nor does it scream sign him up. But in Phil's case, I don't really feel it matters too much. You see Lefebvre has stumbled onto this critical opportunity at exactly the right time in his career and in the cycle of the Canadiens development. The way I see it, he has three very important things going in his favour this September:
1) He was born in Quebec. He played in Quebec. Born in Trois Rivieres, to be precise, he played his early hockey there. In 2007, he put up timely numbers to place him in the sights of QMJHL drafters. Ranked 6th going into the draft (Leblanc was ranked 2nd), he ended up as the 2nd overall choice only behind NHL first-rounder Simon Despres.
His pedigree as a Quebec-born player is all there. He has come up as a star from midget, got noticed at the age of 16 for the Q draft and has since made good progress in the QMJHL. His only hiccough is falling behind his more talented peers to go undrafted at the NHL levels – which was a surprise to some.
2) He played for Guy Boucher. Perhaps not all of you know the success story that was the Drummondville Voltigeurs this past season. But the team, together with coach Guy Boucher managed a monumental turnaround to go from last to setting the pace and winning the championship in style.
Guy Boucher has since moved on in his career, bu only as far as Hamilton. He looks like a coaching prospect for the future Canadiens teams.
So, playing for Guy Boucher then proves to be a major tick on your hockey CV if you hope to make the Canadiens. Guy must surely have the rosiest memories of his year in Drummondville and will likely have some affinity for the players who helped vault him to the next tier. Indeed, the Canadiens already have a Voltigeurs presence – signing Dany Masse and then pursuing both Gabriel Dumont and Phil Lefebvre after Guy came on board. It's to be presumed that Lefebvre is held in some esteem by Boucher as he is the only repeat try-out (sans contract) from the development camp to this one.
3) He plays on the wing. More than anything, Lefebvre's position stands out as a massive asset. The Canadiens rookie camp list alone shows an embarrassing lack of talent on the wings. To go with 9 centres, there are a mere 7 wingers in all. One is the injured Dumont, one is probable washout JT Wyman and two others show little promise of offering more than muscle in the future (Conboy and Neilson). To do the count that leaves us with Max Pacioretty, Brock Trotter and now the try-out Philippe Lefebvre. His opportunity based on that alone is immense.
But take for a minute the overall Canadiens depth chart into account as well. Wingers beyond the top three in the organization represent a red flag for the Habs (second only to insurance goaltending). The depth is so sketchy that Georges Laraque actually fits on the NHL reserve roster without dispute. The remaining number would barely be enough to scratch out a team in Hamilton, much less Cincinnati as well.
Of course, centres will play the wings – they'll have to. But even there, Lefebvre's opportunity looks open. It will be a matter of eclipsing Ryan White and Tom Pyatt to earn his AHL shot.
I can't remember a time where a try-out had such an open door as this. All that remains for Lefebvre to do is display what he is capable of – a bit of digging, a bit of opportunism and a few goals here and there. I wish him luck.
The other side of the coin
While I feel genuine excitement for the players that may grasp a contract from a try-out, as a serious Canadiens fan I have to question the wisdom in leaving holes like this right up to September.
While Gainey did a masterful thing in signing Mathieu Darche, it seems. For me it seems there may be room for one or two more AHL-willing, yet NHL-capable wingers to be added to the mix. Names that I browsed led me to few real standouts, but I could see an try-out offers for the main camp to Michel Ouellet (UFA, Van) or Ryan Bayda (UFA, Car) as sensible steps at this point.
The list is a who's who of draft picks from the last few seasons, with the critical exclusion of US college players like Louis Leblanc, Kristo, Quailer and Fischer. But there were some interesting names in the mix as well.
Gabriel Dumont remains on the list. Although he is injured and will not play in games, one can only assume that he will be invited to the initiation events, meetings and such. It's good to see he seems to have made it stick.
Petteri Simila appears to be coming, which is interesting considering he'll be the only European-based player to make the trip. I suppose that shows just how dire the Canadiens depth at the position of goaltender is – presumably, this represents a bit of a fast-tracking for the gargantuan Finn.
Joe Stejskal is coming, which means he isn't a college player any longer. The lack of an asterisk tells me he isn't signed by the Canadiens or Bulldogs yet, so this represents a good chance for him to carve out a place. A late pick, with little fanfare, he seems to have a combination of skills that if pieced together right could produce an NHL defenceman in the future. Nothing to get too excited about, but if you remember the Alex Henry call-up, then you'll know why I'm even mentioning this depth guy.
Finally, of interest are a couple of local guys essentially getting a tryout to show what they can do. Frederick St. Denis is a defensive prospect getting on in years and parked behind a bumper crop at his position. His inclusion is as a Hamilton hopeful rather than a Habs player. Philippe Lefebvre is on a formal tryout at the tender age of 18. Undrafted, he still represents a real development opportunity for the organization.
Philippe Lefebvre
The scouting report on Lefebvre...
With a knack for digging out loose pucks and sliding them home, Lefebvre's game would be more effective if he was able to fight for positioning among the bigger and stronger players in the league. At 5'11 and 186 pounds, he needs to get stronger and be more willing to go into traffic in order to improve his overall game.
... is not the most flattering I have ever read, nor does it scream sign him up. But in Phil's case, I don't really feel it matters too much. You see Lefebvre has stumbled onto this critical opportunity at exactly the right time in his career and in the cycle of the Canadiens development. The way I see it, he has three very important things going in his favour this September:
1) He was born in Quebec. He played in Quebec. Born in Trois Rivieres, to be precise, he played his early hockey there. In 2007, he put up timely numbers to place him in the sights of QMJHL drafters. Ranked 6th going into the draft (Leblanc was ranked 2nd), he ended up as the 2nd overall choice only behind NHL first-rounder Simon Despres.
His pedigree as a Quebec-born player is all there. He has come up as a star from midget, got noticed at the age of 16 for the Q draft and has since made good progress in the QMJHL. His only hiccough is falling behind his more talented peers to go undrafted at the NHL levels – which was a surprise to some.
2) He played for Guy Boucher. Perhaps not all of you know the success story that was the Drummondville Voltigeurs this past season. But the team, together with coach Guy Boucher managed a monumental turnaround to go from last to setting the pace and winning the championship in style.
Guy Boucher has since moved on in his career, bu only as far as Hamilton. He looks like a coaching prospect for the future Canadiens teams.
So, playing for Guy Boucher then proves to be a major tick on your hockey CV if you hope to make the Canadiens. Guy must surely have the rosiest memories of his year in Drummondville and will likely have some affinity for the players who helped vault him to the next tier. Indeed, the Canadiens already have a Voltigeurs presence – signing Dany Masse and then pursuing both Gabriel Dumont and Phil Lefebvre after Guy came on board. It's to be presumed that Lefebvre is held in some esteem by Boucher as he is the only repeat try-out (sans contract) from the development camp to this one.
3) He plays on the wing. More than anything, Lefebvre's position stands out as a massive asset. The Canadiens rookie camp list alone shows an embarrassing lack of talent on the wings. To go with 9 centres, there are a mere 7 wingers in all. One is the injured Dumont, one is probable washout JT Wyman and two others show little promise of offering more than muscle in the future (Conboy and Neilson). To do the count that leaves us with Max Pacioretty, Brock Trotter and now the try-out Philippe Lefebvre. His opportunity based on that alone is immense.
But take for a minute the overall Canadiens depth chart into account as well. Wingers beyond the top three in the organization represent a red flag for the Habs (second only to insurance goaltending). The depth is so sketchy that Georges Laraque actually fits on the NHL reserve roster without dispute. The remaining number would barely be enough to scratch out a team in Hamilton, much less Cincinnati as well.
Of course, centres will play the wings – they'll have to. But even there, Lefebvre's opportunity looks open. It will be a matter of eclipsing Ryan White and Tom Pyatt to earn his AHL shot.
I can't remember a time where a try-out had such an open door as this. All that remains for Lefebvre to do is display what he is capable of – a bit of digging, a bit of opportunism and a few goals here and there. I wish him luck.
The other side of the coin
While I feel genuine excitement for the players that may grasp a contract from a try-out, as a serious Canadiens fan I have to question the wisdom in leaving holes like this right up to September.
While Gainey did a masterful thing in signing Mathieu Darche, it seems. For me it seems there may be room for one or two more AHL-willing, yet NHL-capable wingers to be added to the mix. Names that I browsed led me to few real standouts, but I could see an try-out offers for the main camp to Michel Ouellet (UFA, Van) or Ryan Bayda (UFA, Car) as sensible steps at this point.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Canadiens Prospects and Newcomers
A few days ago, I compiled a bit of a list for you all of the players that we may never see again. From Yannick Lehoux to Alex Monahan, there will always be players who don't make the final step in their decades-long journey to the NHL. Of course, there's sympathy, but they must be proud to have even made it as far as they did and hopefully cherish the opportunity for even a single development camp if that's all they ever get.
Today, it's time for a change of gear. Time to focus on the players that the Canadiens do still have in the system. And, more interestingly, some that they have been adding.
Andreas Engqvist
By now you'll have all heard that the Canadiens have signed Andreas Engvist to a three-year deal starting this season. Reports of that are all over the web.
But unless you read Swedish, the most you can find out about this guys is that he is 6'0" tall, 200 lbs and scored a few SEL goals last year. There are videos highlighting his best moments (looking good), but we all know most players could put a highlight reel together.
I did a little more digging to come up with something extra for you all and this is what I found:
– Apparently the Canadiens have been after signing Engqvist for a while now (along with other clubs), but he's happy to sign here
–
– And the best from a very clued- in fan who saw the events in person:
"Clearly, I am way too happy to see big centermen on the ice ’cause he also impressed the hell out of me. Clearly needs to work on his foot speed. Probably amongst the big guys, the one that needs to improve the most on his overall speed, first steps and agility. But he is big, loves to implicate himself physically, loves to sit in front of the net, has some nice hands and a nice shot. I really don’t see how we will not sign him to a contract. Either it’s this year or next year, Habs NEED to make some kind of arrangements to get him here. He has a nice potential. Great size, great strength upper and lower, so beside his speed, I really don’t see how you cannot like this kid. Out of the Swedish kids, I mean today it’s no contest Engqvist way ahead of Johansson."
Development camp suite
If you are a masochist and like to watch skating drills that will tell you very little about how a player will react on the NHL ice in 5 years time, there's plenty to see on youtube. But if, like me you'd prefer not to listen to the man on the handycam, then I found a nice snippet from the CFCF evening news that's still available on their website. It doesn't give the all encompassing view that you'd have got going to the game in person, but it does give a glimpse of PK Subban in flight, some of Mac Bennett (though not enough to understand what they were on about) and Avtsyn.
The best summary I found was not from the mainstream media (though that CFCF report was a great recap), but from a fan. His whole piece of commentary can be found in English on Matthias Brunet's blog in the comments section (posted by stanley 25 at 09h51). That'll be for the most crazed among you – and I know you're out there.
Dany Masse
Dany Masse was the first free agent to get the ball rolling this year for Bob Gainey. Signed on the very eve of this season's playoffs, it was good to see Gainey scoop up a player that would have surely been given a shot somewhere else.
Looking at Dany Masse's statistics could be a bit deceiving, because although he did score 110 points with 40-odd goals in the QMJHL this year, he was a man among boys – something the 5'10" player may never e again.
But his signing was worthwhile for other reasons. For one thing, he was part of a championship team, which is always a good thing. And not just any championship team, but the team that turned last place into first with a 37-point turnaround. The lessons from that experience are surely valuable ones. For another thing, he was coached by Guy Boucher (new coach of the Bulldogs). As Dany was signed first, it may be that he already did all he needed to do with the Habs already by adding just that little extra incentive for the top junior coaching prospect in all of Canada to choose the Habs. Guy Boucher must like Masse, because, as Dany states in this interview before deciding whether to keep up with the QMJHL:
As a player, Dany is surely a big gamble. He was on the radar for NHL scouts as many as 3 years ago, but has gone undrafted in each subsequent draft. While his breakout season may be a turning point, it may simply be the exception to the rule. But as there is no harm (for the Canadiens big club, anyway) in giving this young man a chance, then I think it is certainly worth the gamble. Odds are he'll go the way of Thomas Beauregard, but if he's about to take off, then I'm glad we have his rights.
Mikael Johansson
The original Swedish free agent signing. This one happened back in May when we were all still licking our open wounds.
In many ways, he's probably the more interesting of the two new Swedes. Where Engqvist is bigger, based on the reports and the statistics he's not a top-line talent to get excited about. Johansson is the more skilled.
Mikael was also drafted – drafted by the Detroit Red Wings (which must mean something). Sure, he wasn't signed by them, but the line is that he hadn't progressed by the time contracts were being handed out. The difference now is that he has had his jump in form. Last season was the marked improvement where he doubled his goals and his points totals to find a place on scoring leaders. This season his goal totals suffered, but he was still posted the 12th most assists leaguewide (even though 28 doesn't look much).
Importantly, Johansson was also member of a championship team, as the team went through a 55-game schedule with 30 wins, 8 losses (3 in OT) and 17 ties. A most impressive season and massive improvement on the previous year.
According to his teammate on the Swedish champions Farjestad, he is skilled to the utmost degree. Fast skater, incredible hands and a catalogue of moves (you can hear all about Mikael about 2/3 of the way into this interview from SRC radio fromt he spring). According to our favourite fan at the camp, Johansson is overhyped. Apparently he looked pretty average in the scrimmage. While it may well be the case, one has to think that the Canadiens were still right to take a chance on a guy who could make the leap that Brunnstrom did last season (a player who may be labelled a bust by some, but who was probably a clip above Latendresse in scoring this season even as a rookie).
Mathieu Darche
The veritable old man in this piece, I wanted to give a nod to Mathieu Darche, my fellow Redman.
The Canadiens signed Mathieu on July 2nd, before they even put pen to paper with any of their own RFAs. In what may well be an AHL only signing, I think the Canadiens have picked up a nice piece here. And, if injuries do happen and you stare down the left wing depth chart and start to realise there isn't one, then it will be a relief to have Darche in the pocket for a call-up. After all, he has played over 100 NHL games, with one 73-game season 2 years ago. The timing of the move shows me Gainey was targeting Darche and was worried that other teams might also be interested.
I wouldn't look for him to be the star of the training camp in the fall. But the quietly effective player will be sure to keep some of the other aspiring Habs honest and at their best.
Gabriel Girard
As a final note, I wanted to mention Gabriel Girard one more time. I really think the Canadiens have a big problem in the goaltending depth column at the moment, particularly if Halak starts to make a fuss about getting traded. Nobody wants to see Cedrick Desjardins too much and after him is like staring into the abyss.
Girard did not have the best development camp (well scrimmage), but has some pedigree. His stats in Shawinigan this year were very, very impressive and he did outstanding work to press Drummondville to the very last (no small feat this year).
I hope that the next new signing I read about will be his...
Today, it's time for a change of gear. Time to focus on the players that the Canadiens do still have in the system. And, more interestingly, some that they have been adding.
Andreas Engqvist
By now you'll have all heard that the Canadiens have signed Andreas Engvist to a three-year deal starting this season. Reports of that are all over the web.
But unless you read Swedish, the most you can find out about this guys is that he is 6'0" tall, 200 lbs and scored a few SEL goals last year. There are videos highlighting his best moments (looking good), but we all know most players could put a highlight reel together.
I did a little more digging to come up with something extra for you all and this is what I found:
– Apparently the Canadiens have been after signing Engqvist for a while now (along with other clubs), but he's happy to sign here
–
– And the best from a very clued- in fan who saw the events in person:
"Clearly, I am way too happy to see big centermen on the ice ’cause he also impressed the hell out of me. Clearly needs to work on his foot speed. Probably amongst the big guys, the one that needs to improve the most on his overall speed, first steps and agility. But he is big, loves to implicate himself physically, loves to sit in front of the net, has some nice hands and a nice shot. I really don’t see how we will not sign him to a contract. Either it’s this year or next year, Habs NEED to make some kind of arrangements to get him here. He has a nice potential. Great size, great strength upper and lower, so beside his speed, I really don’t see how you cannot like this kid. Out of the Swedish kids, I mean today it’s no contest Engqvist way ahead of Johansson."
Development camp suite
If you are a masochist and like to watch skating drills that will tell you very little about how a player will react on the NHL ice in 5 years time, there's plenty to see on youtube. But if, like me you'd prefer not to listen to the man on the handycam, then I found a nice snippet from the CFCF evening news that's still available on their website. It doesn't give the all encompassing view that you'd have got going to the game in person, but it does give a glimpse of PK Subban in flight, some of Mac Bennett (though not enough to understand what they were on about) and Avtsyn.
The best summary I found was not from the mainstream media (though that CFCF report was a great recap), but from a fan. His whole piece of commentary can be found in English on Matthias Brunet's blog in the comments section (posted by stanley 25 at 09h51). That'll be for the most crazed among you – and I know you're out there.
Dany Masse
Dany Masse was the first free agent to get the ball rolling this year for Bob Gainey. Signed on the very eve of this season's playoffs, it was good to see Gainey scoop up a player that would have surely been given a shot somewhere else.
Looking at Dany Masse's statistics could be a bit deceiving, because although he did score 110 points with 40-odd goals in the QMJHL this year, he was a man among boys – something the 5'10" player may never e again.
But his signing was worthwhile for other reasons. For one thing, he was part of a championship team, which is always a good thing. And not just any championship team, but the team that turned last place into first with a 37-point turnaround. The lessons from that experience are surely valuable ones. For another thing, he was coached by Guy Boucher (new coach of the Bulldogs). As Dany was signed first, it may be that he already did all he needed to do with the Habs already by adding just that little extra incentive for the top junior coaching prospect in all of Canada to choose the Habs. Guy Boucher must like Masse, because, as Dany states in this interview before deciding whether to keep up with the QMJHL:
"He changed my mind," smiled Masse, who spent two seasons with the Titan scoring 55 goals and adding 80 assists in 139 regular season games. "I decided to go right away. I think it is the best decision I've ever made."
As a player, Dany is surely a big gamble. He was on the radar for NHL scouts as many as 3 years ago, but has gone undrafted in each subsequent draft. While his breakout season may be a turning point, it may simply be the exception to the rule. But as there is no harm (for the Canadiens big club, anyway) in giving this young man a chance, then I think it is certainly worth the gamble. Odds are he'll go the way of Thomas Beauregard, but if he's about to take off, then I'm glad we have his rights.
Mikael Johansson
The original Swedish free agent signing. This one happened back in May when we were all still licking our open wounds.
In many ways, he's probably the more interesting of the two new Swedes. Where Engqvist is bigger, based on the reports and the statistics he's not a top-line talent to get excited about. Johansson is the more skilled.
Mikael was also drafted – drafted by the Detroit Red Wings (which must mean something). Sure, he wasn't signed by them, but the line is that he hadn't progressed by the time contracts were being handed out. The difference now is that he has had his jump in form. Last season was the marked improvement where he doubled his goals and his points totals to find a place on scoring leaders. This season his goal totals suffered, but he was still posted the 12th most assists leaguewide (even though 28 doesn't look much).
Importantly, Johansson was also member of a championship team, as the team went through a 55-game schedule with 30 wins, 8 losses (3 in OT) and 17 ties. A most impressive season and massive improvement on the previous year.
According to his teammate on the Swedish champions Farjestad, he is skilled to the utmost degree. Fast skater, incredible hands and a catalogue of moves (you can hear all about Mikael about 2/3 of the way into this interview from SRC radio fromt he spring). According to our favourite fan at the camp, Johansson is overhyped. Apparently he looked pretty average in the scrimmage. While it may well be the case, one has to think that the Canadiens were still right to take a chance on a guy who could make the leap that Brunnstrom did last season (a player who may be labelled a bust by some, but who was probably a clip above Latendresse in scoring this season even as a rookie).
Mathieu Darche
The veritable old man in this piece, I wanted to give a nod to Mathieu Darche, my fellow Redman.
The Canadiens signed Mathieu on July 2nd, before they even put pen to paper with any of their own RFAs. In what may well be an AHL only signing, I think the Canadiens have picked up a nice piece here. And, if injuries do happen and you stare down the left wing depth chart and start to realise there isn't one, then it will be a relief to have Darche in the pocket for a call-up. After all, he has played over 100 NHL games, with one 73-game season 2 years ago. The timing of the move shows me Gainey was targeting Darche and was worried that other teams might also be interested.
I wouldn't look for him to be the star of the training camp in the fall. But the quietly effective player will be sure to keep some of the other aspiring Habs honest and at their best.
Gabriel Girard
As a final note, I wanted to mention Gabriel Girard one more time. I really think the Canadiens have a big problem in the goaltending depth column at the moment, particularly if Halak starts to make a fuss about getting traded. Nobody wants to see Cedrick Desjardins too much and after him is like staring into the abyss.
Girard did not have the best development camp (well scrimmage), but has some pedigree. His stats in Shawinigan this year were very, very impressive and he did outstanding work to press Drummondville to the very last (no small feat this year).
I hope that the next new signing I read about will be his...
Monday, June 29, 2009
Hamilton Has An Entraineur
IN what was the worst kept secret from the draft since RDS filmed Trevor Timmins' chicken scratches, Guy Boucher will apparently now be formally been announced as the coach of the Montreal Canadiens AHL affiliate.
This is good news.
You can read what I thought of Boucher more than a month ago here.
Guy will surely be coaching one of his former wards in Dany Masse next October in Hamilton. While it might not be long before a second of his Drummondville successes becomes a dog either – from the sounds of Gabriel Dumont, he's competitive enough already.
As I said, very good news.
This is good news.
You can read what I thought of Boucher more than a month ago here.
Guy will surely be coaching one of his former wards in Dany Masse next October in Hamilton. While it might not be long before a second of his Drummondville successes becomes a dog either – from the sounds of Gabriel Dumont, he's competitive enough already.
As I said, very good news.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Veering Towards Firewagon
Canadiens Targeting Voltigeurs PP Whiz Guy Boucher
Rumour has it that the Canadiens are studying the option of signing current Drummondville Voltigeurs coach, Guy Boucher, to the post of head coach in Hamilton.
This could present a very interesting follow-on strategy to Don Lever. Don was a forward as a player, but a defensive proponent as a coach. Guy, for his part seems to favour an offensive game plan, as his season in the QMJHL would attest. What makes Guy even more interesting is his education and his non-NHL background (courtesy of McGill):
He could be just the breath of fresh air the Canadiens and, indeed, the NHL need.
The Drummondville turnaround
Guy Boucher oversaw this remarkable turnaround with the Voltigeurs. To go from last to first is impressive enough. To go from utterly pathetic to first, as he and his team did, is another.
Some of the credit for the turnaround must go to the GM (who ditched an astounding 33 unproductive pieces in just over a year and also brought in a league leading scorer and a dynamic Russian defender). Some of the credit must also go to the players like Yannick Riendeau (126 pts) and Danny Masse (110 pts, and signed recently by the Habs) who added punch and speed to a team whose second scorer was a 37-point man the year before.
The remaining credit can go to the coach, though. The system he implemented with obvious success is described by Sportsnet:
Adjectives like strong and cohesive are just what one would hope for. If only the Canadiens could be described that way even half of the time.
Special teams make it interesting
It seems that Guy is a pretty creative guy. This is not someone who will drag out a line change every time something goes wrong.
He shocked the hockey world, apparently, with his deployment of PK Subban on the Canadian Junior team this past tournament by placing the big shot in the high slot. He used it again in Drummondville (Their PP was a rampaging 35.7% in the playoffs at the time that article was written). Reviews also rave about his PK – saying that he changes his penalty killing tactics (gasp) on the go to surprise his opponents.
This kind of experimentation is what led to dynasties in the past. Innovation and risk taking will be critical in getting a Cup to Montreal, as prospects don't tend to fall into the laps of teams unprepared to spend 5 years at the bottom.
Can he make the jump?
There is a big difference between winning in junior and at the NHL level, so I am glad this article deals with the possibility of Guy making the jump to the AHL first. The jump from AHL to NHL is still significant, but a coach has the advantage of already having coached some of the younger players before and to play in a league with much better defensive coverage.
I don't think there's any reason to believe that Guy couldn't jump from Q to AHL level. The question about a future in the NHL can be resolved then in Hamilton.
If the Canadiens want to have French Canadian coaches in the NHL, this is a step in the right direction. Developing and testing coaches at the lower echelon is as sensible for coaches as it is for players (and would have been for goalie prospects...).
I hope Guy does sign when the Memorial Cup wraps up. It would be a sign of good things to come.
This could present a very interesting follow-on strategy to Don Lever. Don was a forward as a player, but a defensive proponent as a coach. Guy, for his part seems to favour an offensive game plan, as his season in the QMJHL would attest. What makes Guy even more interesting is his education and his non-NHL background (courtesy of McGill):
Boucher, 37, possesses a master's degree in sports psychology from the Université de Montréal, plus arts and engineering degrees from McGill, where he played four seasons for the Redmen, from 1991 to 1995.
He could be just the breath of fresh air the Canadiens and, indeed, the NHL need.
The Drummondville turnaround
"The Voltigeurs held the league's worst record last season, finishing with just 14 wins and 33 points. Drummondville actually had a longer winning streak this season than 14 wins as they finished with the top record with 112 points, a league record 79-point turnaround."
Guy Boucher oversaw this remarkable turnaround with the Voltigeurs. To go from last to first is impressive enough. To go from utterly pathetic to first, as he and his team did, is another.
Some of the credit for the turnaround must go to the GM (who ditched an astounding 33 unproductive pieces in just over a year and also brought in a league leading scorer and a dynamic Russian defender). Some of the credit must also go to the players like Yannick Riendeau (126 pts) and Danny Masse (110 pts, and signed recently by the Habs) who added punch and speed to a team whose second scorer was a 37-point man the year before.
The remaining credit can go to the coach, though. The system he implemented with obvious success is described by Sportsnet:
"Drummondville plays a very strong puck pursuit game. The Voltigeurs are strong in pressuring the puck-carrier and eliminating his outlet lanes through strong positioning. They make it very hard to enter their zone and don't give up many second-chance opportunities in front of their goal. Their cohesive team play might just be the best in the CHL."
Adjectives like strong and cohesive are just what one would hope for. If only the Canadiens could be described that way even half of the time.
Special teams make it interesting
It seems that Guy is a pretty creative guy. This is not someone who will drag out a line change every time something goes wrong.
He shocked the hockey world, apparently, with his deployment of PK Subban on the Canadian Junior team this past tournament by placing the big shot in the high slot. He used it again in Drummondville (Their PP was a rampaging 35.7% in the playoffs at the time that article was written). Reviews also rave about his PK – saying that he changes his penalty killing tactics (gasp) on the go to surprise his opponents.
This kind of experimentation is what led to dynasties in the past. Innovation and risk taking will be critical in getting a Cup to Montreal, as prospects don't tend to fall into the laps of teams unprepared to spend 5 years at the bottom.
Can he make the jump?
There is a big difference between winning in junior and at the NHL level, so I am glad this article deals with the possibility of Guy making the jump to the AHL first. The jump from AHL to NHL is still significant, but a coach has the advantage of already having coached some of the younger players before and to play in a league with much better defensive coverage.
I don't think there's any reason to believe that Guy couldn't jump from Q to AHL level. The question about a future in the NHL can be resolved then in Hamilton.
If the Canadiens want to have French Canadian coaches in the NHL, this is a step in the right direction. Developing and testing coaches at the lower echelon is as sensible for coaches as it is for players (and would have been for goalie prospects...).
I hope Guy does sign when the Memorial Cup wraps up. It would be a sign of good things to come.
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