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

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– 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...

Don't Call Us, We'll Call You The Other Players The Canadiens Have Parted Ways With

Kovalev, Komisarek and Higgins gone. Tanguay and Koivu, probably not coming back. And the supporting cast of Brisebois, Bouillon, Dandenault, Lang and Kostopoulos also unlikely to return.

This is what you knew. But it didn't end there. There are also plenty of players that never stepped on the ice for the Montreal Canadiens – ones we thought and hoped might have a chance – that have been quietly loosed behind all the fanfare.

After a quick look at this year's development camp invitees and a quick crosscheck with last year's list, I identify 5 names that the Canadiens have likely bid adieu and one other that may be on his way soon.

1. Ryan McDonagh

We all know what happened to Ryan. While some media instantly jumped to the conclusion that Ryan must have been slowing in his development, Timmins has now come and corrected that view. Trevor was actually very complimentary about the Badger player, but stated the obvious for those who missed it:

"What people don't seem to understand is that in order to get something you have to give something. Obviously [McDonagh]'s the piece of the puzzle that was needed."

2. Thomas Beauregard

I have to admit, I was hot on Beauregard as late as last autumn (proof here). While he is not gone for certain, he is an unsigned free agent of the Hamilton Bulldogs. And, I think it is notable that he is not invited to this camp.

The Canadiens were probably right to take a chance on the prolific little winger in 2007 after his 124-point campaign in the QMJHL. And they were surely pleased with his progression after last season – one that ended with a championship in Cincinnati and 9 playoff goals. But in the never-ending whirlpool that is AHL hockey, players must be evaluated quickly to stick with or make room for prospects coming through. In Thomas' case, it seems the Canadiens have seen enough to know he may not ever be NHL material. It is a shame for him, but he'd be well-advised to stick with it.


3. Philippe Paquet

Who? Well exactly. He's been on the lists for ages now (drafted in 2005). But last September, I reckoned he was the very last man on the depth chart for the Habs on D. Since that time, it's fair to say that several even younger players have leapfrogged him, while he sits steadfastly last in line.

Like Beauregard, he's not officially off the cards for Montreal. But no invite, advancing age and the fact that he's done his 4 years at University mean it's likely the end of the road. It is a shame when you imagine what the 6'3" defender from Quebec City could have meant to the Canadiens. However, one can't force a player to develop as his high school coaches (and NHL scouts) envisioned. He provides a cautionary tale about how leaving player development to various US university staffs across the continent, while it sounds sensible, is quite a gamble.


4. JP Testwuide

JP was invited to last year's rookie camp as a try-out. Originally from George Gillett's hometown of Vail (tough life), teammate of Brock Trotter (and Paul Stastny) and a brother on the team, he still has loads of reasons to be here.

But the Habs did not have to issue an awkward goodbye to the young defenceman as he signed away that privilege by joining the Houston Aeros last spring.

In my opinion, he did the right thing, since, as a repeat try-out, on a team with depth at his position and no other, probably would have to have done more than double his penalty minutes in college to crack this camp. His brother Mike, a bigger, younger and more positionally-in-demand player, will have to keep the Vail fires strong all on his own this year.

5. Alexandre Monahan

Every year the Canadiens have a combine ahead of the general NHL combine to get a sneaky look at the talent in their own backyard. It's a good idea that has borne some fruit, but none has yet ripened into an NHL player or even a tradeable asset.

Alexandre Monahan followed this very avenue to his NHL window. After a strong 38-goal 2007-08 with Victoriaville he got a well-deserved invitation to development camp 2008. Although his 2008-09 campaign wasn't poor, it seems that it didn't merit a call back from the Habs. Perhaps not surprising given this review from last season:

"Alexandre Monahan is an average skater and didn't really stand-out in the crowd which is something a try-out player has to do."

Again, it's a shame that Monahan didn't crack the nut, but in not doing so, he has in effect left a place for the next generation to have a go. In fact, if you're keeping track, there are more QMJHL try-outs this year than last. Erik Boisvert is back for a second shot and it seems Philippe Lefebvre has taken Monahan's place.


6. Nicklas Torp

The final omission from this year's development camp was pesky Swedish defenceman Niklas Torp. It is unclear what the situation is with Torp, and it may be that his explanation is innocent enough – didn't want to travel.

As a prospect, Torp probably still figures in the Canadiens wider plans. He certainly still appears on the relevant websites. To me, he is interesting since he distinguishes himself from our other defensive prospects (especially now that Valentenko is gone for good) with reviews like this:

"As a player, he stands out with his physical and aggressive play. He has good timing in his hits and loves to deliver a good check when given the opportunity. He plays somewhat dirty at times and agitates the opposing players frequently.

To me, that puts him firmly in the running for a future 5th/6th defenceman role, something that perhaps Weber, Carle or Subban would be wasted at, or that others may hopefully be too good and well paid to place there.


Apart from those 6 who made one camp but not the next, there are others. Some prospects fade into the ether (Heino-Lindberg). Others flee North America (Yannick Lehoux). And we may yet say good bye to others we know, since Hamilton's ranks have not be set for the season and free agents remain there as well – Aubin, Denis, Latendresse (O), Flinn, Kemp, Steve Gainey and Loic Lacasse.

As this camp grows and grows, there will inevitably be more players to say goodbye to year on year. While it is regrettable that we had to part, one can only say that many of them will still look back and have the memory that most of you and I don't have – that of donning the Montreal Canadiens sweater for real. Not something to sneeze at.


Those that are there

I specifically focused on the players that wouldn't be at camp this year because I was looking to fill a little niche. For one thing, I am not going to camp nor able to watch on TV so will have little to offer over those that are. Also, I've been writing about big club issues while others have treated the stories of players to be at camp thoroughly enough already.

Incidentally, if you want to read more about the development camp and the players that the Canadiens are still developing, a nice place to start is Robert L's excellent compilation of links on every player there. As for progress at the camp, scrimmage results and other minutiae (I can't believe it never occurred to me to take time off work to attend) all the normal media channels, including some of the blogs I list in the right hand column.

At a glance, the players that look quite interesting to me on the list are the two Swedes (Johansson and Engqvist), the Quebec goalie with the 22-5-0 record (Gabriel Girard) and the American tryouts Hunter Bishop and Ryan O'Byrne 2.0 (Brandon Nash).