2022-2023 Laval Rocket

[montreal]

Let's be clear, Houle is way better than Sly.

However, he also has the weird treatment of some prospects and weird line combinations.

I'd be fine with him coming back, but I hope Hughes is keeping his eyes and ears open for a new coach that fits the philosophy of the management group better.

I agree 100%.

He treated Ylonen, RHP great, you couldn't ask for much more but others like Norlinder, Caufield made no sense. unless the plan was for Norlinder to learn better D by playing the PK but even then why take him off the PP?

So far I still trust Hughes/Gorton to make the right choices since they know more about what's going on there. If they decide to replace Houle then great, if not then they better be right cause there's no more room for f***ing around with development, which imo they have been a playing it a little too fast and loose for my tastes but in the end the only thing that matters is that they end up being right.

 

[Adam Michaels]

No Belzile and Stephens down the middle killed them.

Hopefully, they can find some decent centers for next season.

I can see them bring Stephens and Belzile back. Stephens is an RFA with arb rights. The question will be if they choose to keep Belzile as a 12-13F in Montreal or send him to Laval (camp would obviously dictate that).

Unless traded, Kidney will be there. They will still have Mysak. They also have some guys who can play center, as well as the wing (Gignac, Simoneau, Richard & Condotta).

 

[Runner77]

I can see them bring Stephens and Belzile back. Stephens is an RFA with arb rights. The question will be if they choose to keep Belzile as a 12-13F in Montreal or send him to Laval (camp would obviously dictate that).

Unless traded, Kidney will be there. They will still have Mysak. They also have some guys who can play center, as well as the wing (Gignac, Simoneau, Richard & Condotta).

Mesar too can play center — I’m assuming he’s Laval-bound next season.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

I'd like a coach with more of a modern mindset in Laval, especially with how many prospects are going to turn pro in the next 2 years. It doesn't need to be a young wiz kid coming from a junior league per se but having a good up and comer coach in the system would be a plus as well.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Let's be clear, Houle is way better than Sly.

However, he also has the weird treatment of some prospects and weird line combinations.

I'd be fine with him coming back, but I hope Hughes is keeping his eyes and ears open for a new coach that fits the philosophy of the management group better.

With JF Houle having 1 more year left, I imagine they would keep an eye out for any of those coaches.

I think what worked in Houle's favor this year probably had less to do with what he did with the Rocket and more to do with whoever the Habs called up were able to step in the line-up and not only fit in, but actually produce and be effective players.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Mesar too can play center — I’m assuming he’s Laval-bound next season.

Yes, you're right. And I'd be surprised if he is sent back to Junior. For me, he's in the pros next year (whether in Montreal or Laval).

_____________________________________

End of season pressers today.

 

[habsprospects]

Stephens is an RFA with arb rights.

I don't think he is, he only played 72 NHL games in his career, so he would be Group 6 UFA

 

[Treb]

I don't think he is, he only played 72 NHL games in his career, so he would be Group 6 UFA

CapFriendly says he is RFA with arbritation rights. Could it be the prorating from the Covid years?

EDIT: https://media.nhl.com/site/asset/public/ext/2020-21/2020-21TransitionRulesCriticalDates.pdf
Pro-ration shall be applied in the following manner:
i) If the Player was a Roster Freeze Player as defined in the 2020 MOU:
1) Player with 3 seasons under NHL SPC (including 2020-21): ((82+70+56)/246)*(28 or 80 as the case may be)
2) Player with 4 seasons under NHL SPC (including 2020-21): ((82+82+70+56)/328)*(28 or 80 as the case may be)
3) Player with 5 or more seasons under NHL SPC (including 2020-21) shall follow the same pattern in this section.

ii) If the Player was not a Roster Freeze Player as defined in the 2020 MOU:
1) Player with 3 seasons under NHL SPC (including 2020-21): ((82+82+56)/246)*(28 or 80 as the case may be)
2) Player with 4 seasons under NHL SPC (including 2020-21): ((82+82+82+56)/328)*(28 or 80 as the case may be)
3) Player with 5 or more seasons under NHL SPC (including 2020-21) shall follow the same pattern in this section. 11 NHL GP threshold for 18/19 year olds for 2020-21 prorated by a factor of [56/82].

 

[DAChampion]

Will Houle be back?

 

[Treb]

Will Houle be back?

Still has a year of contract. Hard to justify firing him with an ECF and 1st round performance unless the replacement is a bona fide grade S coach.

Easier to replace him after his contract runs out in 2024.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Will Houle be back?

He's getting the same kind of praise as Marty

 

[Hins77]

For the first time sine a long time ago, our coachs in Laval made a good job. RHP took another level on his game. Trudeau was playing a lot and been a reliable Dman at only 19 years old. simoneau had a great season too… I mean, if we compare the farm club in montreal vs team around the league. I think the management made a good job. Many players under 23 years old were playing significant role. That what I want to see. I don’t know why Houle and the staff would be fired. They were able to win also playing youngers players. Thats what we want for the farm club

 

[montreal]

For the first time sine a long time ago, our coachs in Laval made a good job. RHP took another level on his game. Trudeau was playing a lot and been a reliable Dman at only 19 years old. simoneau had a great season too… I mean, if we compare the farm club in montreal vs team around the league. I think the management made a good job. Many players under 23 years old were playing significant role. That what I want to see. I don’t know why Houle and the staff would be fired. They were able to win also playing youngers players. Thats what we want for the farm club

Trudeau was 20 all season long but for some 5 days or so. He was far from reliable, the offense though was a nice surprise but his defensive game was very inconsistent.

RHP and Ylonen were treated as well as you can treat a prospect I'd say, there should be zero complaint about how they were handled other then minor gripes perhaps.

As was stated, with some prospects he did great with and others he had some very odd choices. In the end who cares what we think should happen, only what Hughes/Gorton think and we'll see what happens.

The team was impressive this year offensively, but just flat out terrible defensively and the goaltending was shaky much of the time. What Laval really needs is a Joel Bouchard to coach the blueliners and give that blueline more structure, though a lot of it has to do with the roster they were given, as it was often ECHLers having to step in due to injuries/call ups as I highly doubt the Habs plan was for 5 D prospects to be playing in the NHL this year at the same time (before the injury bug went into overdrive)

On the other hand you have to at least be concerned with the blueline making the same mistakes all season long. Norlinder and Trudeau did show a good bit of progress though, so I would be 100% on board if Houle is back in Laval next year and if he's not then I am 100% on board with that as well and just hope they make the right calls.

 

[montreal]

Will Houle be back?

he's under contract so I could see him getting another season to prove to management that they should re-sign him or Hughes/Gorton look to replace him this summer with their guy since Houle was an MB hire.

 

[Treb]

He's getting the same kind of praise as Marty

Tell that to Mysak.

 

[jrom]

Tell that to Mysak.

Not saying Mysak was handled well but he was injured during his Memorial cup run and decided to go back to WJC despite Hab’s recommandation (to all their players) that they rest and prepare for next season.

Hopefully he can fully heal up and be back in force for next season. He was a good defensive C for Hamilton and great at faceoffs.

 

[habsprospects]

CapFriendly says he is RFA with arbritation rights. Could it be the prorating from the Covid years?

EDIT: https://media.nhl.com/site/asset/public/ext/2020-21/2020-21TransitionRulesCriticalDates.pdf
Pro-ration shall be applied in the following manner:
i) If the Player was a Roster Freeze Player as defined in the 2020 MOU:
1) Player with 3 seasons under NHL SPC (including 2020-21): ((82+70+56)/246)*(28 or 80 as the case may be)
2) Player with 4 seasons under NHL SPC (including 2020-21): ((82+82+70+56)/328)*(28 or 80 as the case may be)
3) Player with 5 or more seasons under NHL SPC (including 2020-21) shall follow the same pattern in this section.

ii) If the Player was not a Roster Freeze Player as defined in the 2020 MOU:
1) Player with 3 seasons under NHL SPC (including 2020-21): ((82+82+56)/246)*(28 or 80 as the case may be)
2) Player with 4 seasons under NHL SPC (including 2020-21): ((82+82+82+56)/328)*(28 or 80 as the case may be)
3) Player with 5 or more seasons under NHL SPC (including 2020-21) shall follow the same pattern in this section. 11 NHL GP threshold for 18/19 year olds for 2020-21 prorated by a factor of [56/82].

I was not aware there was a pro-ration for Group 6 UFA status. If I calculated right, Stephens' pro-ration games would be 73.8 so 73/74 games, he would still be 1-2 games short of having been RFA.

We'll have to see when the FA list is out.

 

[Adam Michaels]

I don't think he is, he only played 72 NHL games in his career, so he would be Group 6 UFA

CapFriendly has Stephens as an RFA with arb rights. Richard is Group 6 UFA.

 

[jrom]

 

[habsprospects]

CapFriendly says he is RFA with arbritation rights. Could it be the prorating from the Covid years?

EDIT: https://media.nhl.com/site/asset/public/ext/2020-21/2020-21TransitionRulesCriticalDates.pdf
Pro-ration shall be applied in the following manner:
i) If the Player was a Roster Freeze Player as defined in the 2020 MOU:
1) Player with 3 seasons under NHL SPC (including 2020-21): ((82+70+56)/246)*(28 or 80 as the case may be)
2) Player with 4 seasons under NHL SPC (including 2020-21): ((82+82+70+56)/328)*(28 or 80 as the case may be)
3) Player with 5 or more seasons under NHL SPC (including 2020-21) shall follow the same pattern in this section.

ii) If the Player was not a Roster Freeze Player as defined in the 2020 MOU:
1) Player with 3 seasons under NHL SPC (including 2020-21): ((82+82+56)/246)*(28 or 80 as the case may be)
2) Player with 4 seasons under NHL SPC (including 2020-21): ((82+82+82+56)/328)*(28 or 80 as the case may be)
3) Player with 5 or more seasons under NHL SPC (including 2020-21) shall follow the same pattern in this section. 11 NHL GP threshold for 18/19 year olds for 2020-21 prorated by a factor of [56/82].

CapFriendly has Stephens as an RFA with arb rights. Richard is Group 6 UFA.

I forgot to include playoffs games, so he is at 79 NHL games, with the pro-ration number, that makes him RFA.

 

[Number 57]

The one thing I did not get from Houle was his usage of defensemen. Like at some point they had Bowey and Allard in the stands but where playing Dello and Galipeau. How is Allard a scratch in Laval but is being called up to play in the NHL? That makes no sense.

 

[Addik04]

The one thing I did not get from Houle was his usage of defensemen. Like at some point they had Bowey and Allard in the stands but where playing Dello and Galipeau. How is Allard a scratch in Laval but is being called up to play in the NHL? That makes no sense.

He was called up for the same reason as Teasdale and Condotta.

And did you watch the games? I did, but for less than 5-10 games. I cannot tell you that it was right or wrong to scratch both of them.

If you only look up to their names and their draft slot, well, I agree, but Bowey was pretty meh when I watched him and they already had Schueneman, Trudeau, Norlinder that was playing all the games who were "offensive" dman. Then, you want Trudeau, Norlinder and Struble to play more than Bowey or Allard... And Bowey has been injured a few times.

Thats what I am thinking right now.

I dont think Schueneman and Bowey will be back.

 

[Number 57]

He was called up for the same reason as Teasdale and Condotta.

And did you watch the games? I did, but for less than 5-10 games. I cannot tell you that it was right or wrong to scratch both of them.

If you only look up to their names and their draft slot, well, I agree, but Bowey was pretty meh when I watched him and they already had Schueneman, Trudeau, Norlinder that was playing all the games who were "offensive" dman. Then, you want Trudeau, Norlinder and Struble to play more than Bowey or Allard... And Bowey has been injured a few times.

Thats what I am thinking right now.

I dont think Schueneman and Bowey will be back.

Hopefully most of the these vets and AHL contracts are not back, I understand we had a lot of injuries but at some point you gotta trust the kids and having 11 defensemen that can play is not good, our prospects need to dress every night.

The younger guys (Norlinder, Struble, Trudeau, Tourigny and obviously Mailloux) should be your main 5 next season with maybe one veteran (Beaudin?) that acts as your #1 and can be called up to Montreal in case. You could also add Chris Wideman if he goes through waivers.

The depth should come from Trois-Rivières, you need to develop these kids not dress players who have no upside whatsoever.

 

[Addik04]

Hopefully most of the these vets and AHL contracts are not back, I understand we had a lot of injuries but at some point you gotta trust the kids and having 11 defensemen that can play is not good, our prospects need to dress every night.

The younger guys (Norlinder, Struble, Trudeau, Tourigny and obviously Mailloux) should be your main 5 next season with maybe one veteran (Beaudin?) that acts as your #1 and can be called up to Montreal in case. You could also add Chris Wideman if he goes through waivers.

The depth should come from Trois-Rivières, you need to develop these kids not dress players who have no upside whatsoever.

I agree with you for the most part. They should bring back Dello probably and 1 or 2 other dman that would be there as good veteran. I could see Chris Wideman there. I think you need 8 dman AHL caliber. One of them should be the main player in TR and you call him up when it is the time. A guy like Galipeau is perfect, but it has been a few years already, not sure he would be willing for another year like that.

Not a fan of Norlinder. I dont think he has another step and I dont know why, but I have a feeling he will be thrown in a trade.

That should be very young.

Trudeau - Wideman
Struble - Mailloux
XXX - Tourigny
Dello

 

[HABitual Fan]

I agree with you for the most part. They should bring back Dello probably and 1 or 2 other dman that would be there as good veteran. I could see Chris Wideman there. I think you need 8 dman AHL caliber. One of them should be the main player in TR and you call him up when it is the time. A guy like Galipeau is perfect, but it has been a few years already, not sure he would be willing for another year like that.

Not a fan of Norlinder. I dont think he has another step and I dont know why, but I have a feeling he will be thrown in a trade.

That should be very young.

Trudeau - Wideman
Struble - Mailloux
XXX - Tourigny
Dello

Tourigny should start in TR opening a spot for an AHL veteran defenseman, he'll get his chance when injuries and call ups hit.