2022-2023 Laval Rocket

[jrom]

I don't follow Laval closely enough but curious why the team didn't re-sign three local veteran guys at the end of 2021-22:

Lauren Dauphin (27) put up good numbers during his 3 seasons with Laval and has continues to put up solid numbers with the Tuscon Roadrunners (AHL)

He stated he wanted to sign elsewhere to have a better shot at playing in the NHL.

Jean Sebastien Dea (29) had one solid year in Laval and is playing well with the Tuscon Roadrunners as well.

I think he made weird comments “should be more Franco on the Habs”, his wife bashed Covid measures on social media and he also wanted a better shot at NHL.

Xavier Ouellet (29) had 4 seasons with Laval and was our captain. His numbers in Wilkes-Barre (AHL) also look good but he must have missed time to injury.

A bit like Dea, I think both parties felt it was time to move on + incoming logjam on D.

Did management choose to go in a different direction and favor ice time for younger players. Was there some type of falling out? Does the AHL limit number of veterans on a team - thought I saw a rule on that at some point.

There are restrictions on AHL veterans (short version: max 5 players with 300 pro games)

Was there concern of the Habs hitting their 50 contract limit and other players were prioritized?

They offered some players an ECHL/AHL only contract (to save NHL contracts) but I think that’s why some of the vets moved on (in order to be eligible for a callup). Brandon Gignac is on an AHL only contract I think.

It's interesting that some solid depth guys who all have NHL experience and ties to Quebec (not sure about Ouellet) would choose to leave. Would be nice to have the depth now with so many injuries and hopes of qualifying for the AHL playoffs.

Anyways - maybe one of you who follow the Rocket have more insight.

 

[Wateredgarden]

Could Kidney, Roy and Farrell join the Rocket if they make the playoffs? With Richard and RHP, it could really change the outlook of Laval offence.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Could Kidney, Roy and Farrell join the Rocket if they make the playoffs? With Richard and RHP, it could really change the outlook of Laval offence.

Kidney and Roy definitely can as they did last year.
Farrell likely won't as they'll sign his ELC to start this year, making him eligible to play in the NHL but ineligible in the AHL.
Heineman could come over and join.
Tourigny as well.
Tuch could follow the Struble path (AHL contract and an ELC starting next year).
Mailloux could, he would need to be cleared by the AHL, though.

 

[Wateredgarden]

Kidney and Roy definitely can as they did last year.
Farrell likely won't as they'll sign his ELC to start this year, making him eligible to play in the NHL but ineligible in the AHL.
Heineman could come over and join.
Tourigny as well.
Tuch could follow the Struble path (AHL contract and an ELC starting next year).
Mailloux could, he would need to be cleared by the AHL, though.

I guess Farrell would be in the same spot that Baron is, needed to be under contract and healthy at the TDL to be eligible?

 

[WeThreeKings]

I guess Farrell would be in the same spot that Baron is, needed to be under contract and healthy at the TDL to be eligible?

They can do what they did with Struble and sign him to an AHL contract and his ELC which starts next year. However, that means Farrell can't play NHL games.

I'd expect the brass and Farrell himself want NHL games, to burn a year of his ELC (incentive to sign here and not go back to the NCAA for his final year and can use the loophole), which means he wouldn't be eligible for the AHL.

 

[Steve Shutt]

I'd like to see Farrell follow the Struble path and finish the year in the AHL. Would be great experience if Laval makes the playoffs. I see no reason to rush him this year.

 

[Steve Shutt]

Do any of our CHL prospect play for teams that won't qualify for the playoffs? Would be nice to see some reinforcements for Laval's playoff drive

Looks like the CHL playoff start dates are as follows:
QMJHL = March 25th
OHL = March 29th
WHL = March 31st

AHL playoffs start after April 17th

 

[WeThreeKings]

I'd like to see Farrell follow the Struble path and finish the year in the AHL. Would be great experience if Laval makes the playoffs. I see no reason to rush him this year.

He may not want to sign unless he burns a year of his ELC.. and if he/the staff think he's a NHLer, they're going to want to see him against NHL teams this year.

It's not super unlike the Harris situation last year only he would have been a free agent where that doesn't happen until next year for Farrell.

 

[Steve Shutt]

He may not want to sign unless he burns a year of his ELC.. and if he/the staff think he's a NHLer, they're going to want to see him against NHL teams this year.

It's not super unlike the Harris situation last year only he would have been a free agent where that doesn't happen until next year for Farrell.

Agree that the player and his agent will most likely want to start his ELC right away.
Not sure if he has the leverage to force our hand
But my preference would be Laval to ease him in. Not sure if these 5-9 and 4-8 games are best for his development. But like you said - will really depend on what our staff and scouts think is best

 

[WeThreeKings]

Agree that the player and his agent will most likely want to start his ELC right away.
Not sure if he has the leverage to force our hand
But my preference would be Laval to ease him in. Not sure if these 5-9 and 4-8 games are best for his development. But like you said - will really depend on what our staff and scouts think is best

He'll get a chance to play in the top 6 and get PP time in the NHL. I don't think you risk the confidence if they are getting blown out because he's just getting exposed and it will be a good barometer for him to see how he translates against NHLers and what will really be important for him to improve over the Summer.

He definitely has leverage, he can go back, get a Harvard degree and sign anywhere he wants next year.

 

[Gustave]

I know the article is in French, but I’ll give the gist of it; JF Houle is not the coach you want if you hope to develop kids.

In the Struble article, he mentions that now is not the time to try things. He’s just not into playing kids who commit mistakes. I know about the playoffs race, but if you won’t play Struble why even have him there?

Houle is perfect for a team like the Chicago Wolves that constantly goes with vets. He won’t be the coach for next season when there will be plenty of CHL prospects coming in. I guess for this season it’s ok since we don’t have plenty of 20 years olds but that’s the last season it will be so, considering the plethora of picks we’ve had in the last three years.

Jayden Struble chez le Rocket | « On n’a pas le temps de faire des essais »

 

[Agalloch]

I know the article is in French, but I’ll give the gist of it; JF Houle is not the coach you want if you hope to develop kids.

In the Struble article, he mentions that now is not the time to try things. He’s just not into playing kids who commit mistakes. I know about the playoffs race, but if you won’t play Struble why even have him there?

Houle is perfect for a team like the Chicago Wolves that constantly goes with vets. He won’t be the coach for next season when there will be plenty of CHL prospects coming in. I guess for this season it’s ok since we don’t have plenty of 20 years olds but that’s the last season it will be so, considering the plethora of picks we’ve had in the last three years.

Jayden Struble chez le Rocket | « On n’a pas le temps de faire des essais »

I think really agree. Laval should make the playoffs. It's important for development. We should do anything to make it.

 

[Adam Michaels]

To play Devil's advocate for JF Houle:

- it's not like he plays vets over prospects. You don't see you young guys healthy scratched for the benefit of a vet. Aside from Mysak, you also see prospects play in key roles. Although Mysak is used on the PK.

- the Laval players that have been called up don't look out of place when they're with the Habs. And they also participate in the production. That means that even if it doesn't seem that way, he prepares the Rocket players for the big club.

- in Struble's case, he can say what he wants. I highly doubt Hughes will let him sit out. He will tell him to play Struble.

He will also tell him to play Heineman when he comes over.

 

[Wateredgarden]

I know the article is in French, but I’ll give the gist of it; JF Houle is not the coach you want if you hope to develop kids.

In the Struble article, he mentions that now is not the time to try things. He’s just not into playing kids who commit mistakes. I know about the playoffs race, but if you won’t play Struble why even have him there?

Houle is perfect for a team like the Chicago Wolves that constantly goes with vets. He won’t be the coach for next season when there will be plenty of CHL prospects coming in. I guess for this season it’s ok since we don’t have plenty of 20 years olds but that’s the last season it will be so, considering the plethora of picks we’ve had in the last three years.

Jayden Struble chez le Rocket | « On n’a pas le temps de faire des essais »

JF Houle is doing a fantastic job, look at Justin Barron, RHP and Ylonen. You can also add Trudeau development and Beaudin. Tbh honest almost no prospects came out of the AHL in the last decade. I have full confidence in him. Not playing Struble this weekend is pretty banal.

 

[morhilane]

JF Houle is doing a fantastic job, look at Justin Barron, RHP and Ylonen. You can also add Trudeau development and Beaudin. Tbh honest almost no prospects came out of the AHL in the last decade. I have full confidence in him. Not playing Struble this weekend is pretty banal.

Houle isn't responsible for the development anymore, it's Nicholas's team who handle it now. His team even ran the Rocket practices earlier in the seasons (might still be the case I haven't kept up with it). They also send prospects videos with comments during the season and no just at the pro level (Kidney and Roy mentioned it).

Houle basically just decided the line-up, game plan and makes in-game adjustments.

 

[Adam Michaels]

 

[Adam Michaels]

Houle isn't responsible for the development anymore, it's Nicholas's team who handle it now. His team even ran the Rocket practices earlier in the seasons (might still be the case I haven't kept up with it). They also send prospects videos with comments during the season and no just at the pro level (Kidney and Roy mentioned it).

Houle basically just decided the line-up, game plan and makes in-game adjustments.

I don't think it's fair to remove any credit from JF Houle and give it all to Adam Nicholas. JF Houle definitely has a hand in the players' development. He's the one who gives them the reps during games. He puts them in positions and roles on the team that help in their development.

It's not Nicholas who told Houle to put Trudeau on the top pair and first wave of the PP. It's not Nicholas who tells Houle to put Simoneau on the top line and on the PP. It's not Nicholas who tells Houle to put Mysak on the PK.

Nicholas is doing amazing work for the organization, in Montreal, in Laval, and with the prospects. But JF Houle has a hand in these players' development.

 

[morhilane]

I don't think it's fair to remove any credit from JF Houle and give it all to Adam Nicholas. JF Houle definitely has a hand in the players' development. He's the one who gives them the reps during games. He puts them in positions and roles on the team that help in their development.

It's not Nicholas who told Houle to put Trudeau on the top pair and first wave of the PP. It's not Nicholas who tells Houle to put Simoneau on the top line and on the PP. It's not Nicholas who tells Houle to put Mysak on the PK.

Nicholas is doing amazing work for the organization, in Montreal, in Laval, and with the prospects. But JF Houle has a hand in these players' development.

JF Houle modus-operandis as always been to go with his vets to win. If he's not doing that this year, it's because he's been told to not do that.

For example, the players development plans probably include TOI into specific situations, so Houle has to follow that.

I personally think only giving one game to Joshua Roy in last year playoffs annoyed the brass and he got a little talk too.

 

[Adam Michaels]

JF Houle modus-operandis as always been to go with his vets to win. If he's not doing that this year, it's because he's been told to not do that.

For example, the players development plans probably include TOI into specific situations, so Houle has to follow that.

I personally think only giving one game to Joshua Roy in last year playoffs annoyed the brass and he got a little talk too.

Last year, they didn't have as many prospects in Laval. And despite that, RHP and Ylonen were on the top line and were on the PP1. He preferred them over vets.

People have this weird notion that JF Houle prefers vets over prospects when there are a lot of examples of the opposite. This isn't to say he's the best coach for the job. But this vets-over-prospects narrative is false.

As for Roy, I highly doubt he got any kind of talking to. Because Laval was winning and Primeau was the star of the show. He didn't get a talking to for not playing Kidney either. They both joined when Laval was already in the ECF. In what world would any management team tell the coach to play a prospect who joins the team in the Conference Final?

 

[morhilane]

Last year, they didn't have as many prospects in Laval. And despite that, RHP and Ylonen were on the top line and were on the PP1. He preferred them over vets.

People have this weird notion that JF Houle prefers vets over prospects when there are a lot of examples of the opposite. This isn't to say he's the best coach for the job. But this vets-over-prospects narrative is false.

As for Roy, I highly doubt he got any kind of talking to. Because Laval was winning and Primeau was the star of the show. He didn't get a talking to for not playing Kidney either. They both joined when Laval was already in the ECF. In what world would any management team tell the coach to play a prospect who joins the team in the Conference Final?

RHP/Ylonen finished their 1st AHL season under Bouchard on the top line. Houle actually didn't start them there in their 2nd season, they ended up on the top line after injuries opened spots. And same thing this year, Richard never left the 1st line unless he wasn't available and Richard last season produced less than RHP/Ylonen did (he's having a great season this year thought).

Houle didn't want to play Roy in the playoff last year, he gave the exact same speech he just did with Struble (which was a lot more understandable since he was joining during the PO).

 

[Adam Michaels]

RHP/Ylonen finished their 1st AHL season under Bouchard on the top line. Houle actually didn't start them there in their 2nd season, they ended up on the top line after injuries opened spots. And same thing this year, Richard never left the 1st line unless he wasn't available and Richard last season produced less than RHP/Ylonen did (he's having a great season this year thought).

Houle didn't want to play Roy in the playoff last year, he gave the exact same speech he just did with Struble (which was a lot more understandable since he was joining during the PO).

You're very wrong about not starting RHP or Ylonen on the top line. Do you know what the top line was in Game 1 last year (JF Houle's first game as coach?

RHP - Poehling - Ylonen. And let me add that everyone was healthy and no one was called up.

Fairbrother was 2LD. Vejdemo was 3C and the team's top defensive center and Pez was his winger.

In RHP's and Ylonen's cases. They played a year with Bouchard. They played a year and a half with Houle that included a deep playoff run. Houle has more of a hand in their development than Bouchard did. And Bouchard deserves a part of the credit. But somehow, it becomes a big no-no to give credit to Houle.

Again, I repeat, Roy joined the team when they were in the Eastern Conference Final. He didn't join them with about a dozen games left in the regular season like Struble (who will play, btw). He joined them in the third round of the playoffs.

 

[PavelBrendl]

Was at the game on Saturday. What a great atmosphere and arena. There’s not a bad seat in the house. Team played great as well. Primeau was excellent and Bourque’s assist on the Yaremko goal was a beauty 1-handed pass while holding off a defender. Don’t know anything about Dubé but he was a buzzsaw. Guy was everywhere. Well worth the price of admission!

 

[SlafySZN]

 

[PavelBrendl]

Got tickets to the game on April 10th. Will be great to see Struble and Heineman. Hopefully they’re able to bring in a few more high-end prospects for the end of the season.

 

[SwiftyHab]

so assuming today's the day we see Struble AND Heineman get in a game?