Laval Rocket: 2023-24 Laval Rocket Thread

[Tyson]

I don’t think you guys watch a lot of Rocket games, the key will be AHL or AHL/NHL type of contracts but some of the names you want to just let go

-Bourque is the team captain
-Stephens / Maillet: need to keep at least 1
- McKay is the team tough(est) guy / goon
- Légaré should be AHL only but he can skate, fight, PK
- Cederqvist bye
- Simoneau “doesn’t bring much” is one of Laval’s best players

I get that we need to make place for new players but you need to keep some vets to show the way even if they don’t have NHL upside

Well said. You can't ice nothing but prospects in one of the toughest professional leagues in the world. Solid AHL vets including a solid vet goalie are crucial.

 

[BaseballCoach]

I don’t think you guys watch a lot of Rocket games, the key will be AHL or AHL/NHL type of contracts but some of the names you want to just let go

-Bourque is the team captain
-Stephens / Maillet: need to keep at least 1
- McKay is the team tough(est) guy / goon
- Légaré should be AHL only but he can skate, fight, PK
- Cederqvist bye
- Simoneau “doesn’t bring much” is one of Laval’s best players

I get that we need to make place for new players but you need to keep some vets to show the way even if they don’t have NHL upside

Bourque may be team "captain" i.e. leader, but at least he doesn't have a 6 year contract. He's done. He'll be 34 in September.

Stephens can be the vet we add back if he is willing.

They wanna keep Légaré and/or Mackay, then they need to drop or demote lesser NHL prospects such as Mysak. Meanwhile Davidson is plenty solid in terms of toughness, while Xhekaj replaces Mackay and Légaré combined.

Simoneau has no NHL upside. RHP has his hands full sticking in the NHL. No room for a Simoneau.

If Kapanen came, he would be like a vet pro, and if he doesn't, we can sign or extend another one. Also Heineman might make the NHL and free another spot.

 

[BaseballCoach]

Well said. You can't ice nothing but prospects in one of the toughest professional leagues in the world. Solid AHL vets including a solid vet goalie are crucial.

Sign Kaskisuo to an AHL deal.

Vets with pro experience:
Kaskisuo
Paquette-Bisson
Stephens or equivalent
Condotta
Andersson
Kapanen or AHL vet

 

[habbubba]

Logan keeps on going and having an impressive rookie season. Going under the radar possibly is Tobie Bisson, late bloomer having a very impressive season. Tied for 11th in the plus minus category.
Davidson and Kidney having good games is encouraging to see, they have a lot of talent and with more TOI are showing it.

 

[Victoire HuGo]

Obviously D isn't a problem but is Bisson more deserving of a contract than Schuneman was? Should he get a look?

 

[dcyhabs]

Obviously D isn't a problem but is Bisson more deserving of a contract than Schuneman was? Should he get a look?

The habs aren’t as desperate for D as when they signed Schuneman. He wouldn’t have played NHL games for most teams. Most AHL vets have hit their peak, but Bisson may surprise.

Simoneau and RHP both looked promising at times. RHP is having a tough year, and Simoneau doesn’t seem to have NHL upside, especially not with an already small team.

 

[BaseballCoach]

The habs aren’t as desperate for D as when they signed Schuneman. He wouldn’t have played NHL games for most teams. Most AHL vets have hit their peak, but Bisson may surprise.

Simoneau and RHP both looked promising at times. RHP is having a tough year, and Simoneau doesn’t seem to have NHL upside, especially not with an already small team.

Give Bisson a two-year AHL deal with good money by AHL standards

 

[Ezpz]

I don’t think you guys watch a lot of Rocket games, the key will be AHL or AHL/NHL type of contracts but some of the names you want to just let go

-Bourque is the team captain
-Stephens / Maillet: need to keep at least 1
- McKay is the team tough(est) guy / goon
- Légaré should be AHL only but he can skate, fight, PK
- Cederqvist bye
- Simoneau “doesn’t bring much” is one of Laval’s best players

I get that we need to make place for new players but you need to keep some vets to show the way even if they don’t have NHL upside

So your idea is only drop the non-Franco players and keep every hometown guy?

Half those guys shouldn't be signed though.

Bourque is the captain but he's not even good for the AHL anymore. He's more likely to retire than be back. His career was a lot longer than it should have been. Legare is a dime a dozen player I wouldn't expect to be qualified, his type of player don't get extended on NHL contracts after their ELC.

Simoneau is still under contract next year and progressing perfectly fine. The rest of your list though, only McKay will be brought back because it'll be an inexpensive AHL/ECHL two way deal.

I would expect completely new AHL leading scorer type vets.

Stephens and Maillet will both try for another team that will give them NHL minutes, or go to Europe for more money.

AHL vets don't sit in the same town for 4-5 years, they shop around.

Two years is usually the limit without guaranteeing NHL time and Stephens has already been in town that long.

Look at Richard, Abbandonato, Dube, Martel, Dea, Belzile, Veilleux, Dauphin, etc. They all leveraged hometown support to get bigger role than they could got elsewhere and jumped as soon as they built their value and/or realized they couldn't make the Habs. Belzile stayed as long as we kept giving him NHL time, when it was clear he couldn't get a one-way contract he left. He previously couldn't even get a consistent AHL top six role before us. Many of these guys were even playing in the ECHL the year before we signed them.

It's not a bad thing but we're literally developing hometown talent to go play for other AHL teams and Europe. Ironically, few of the hometown guys are able to repeat the success elsewhere. One could suspect it's because they're not earning their ice time here and are getting it for other reasons, but one may also suspect it's because they play harder at home.

It seems like a good cost-saving measure though, we find decent AHL talent but got sent to the ECHL Quebecois, sign them, and give them top six minutes as vets, and then we let them go when they can command 700k+.

Anyways, most of those guys don't need to be back. The AHL is one place where rosters aren't supposed to be consistent. It's not a great situation to have guys who are content playing in the AHL for 700k around your prospects you are trying to build an NHLer out of.



I will spoil it for you by exposing management secrets, we are going to sign hometown Gabriel Chicoine as a vet who's destroying the ECHL as a dman but hasn't gotten an AHL chance yet. He's outperforming Tourigny and won't expect an ELC.

We will possibly offer Brett Stapley or Cam Hillis an AHL/ECHL deal because we love giving second chances to former guys who do well at lower levels.

We will sign one Quebecois talent playing in Europe looking for a "last crack" at North America; bonus points for dmen and guys with previous ECHL experience like Charles-Eduoard D'Astous.

Comtois will be given a chance now that he's cleared from the rape thing and is doing well for Chicago, the non-affiliated AHL team.

We'll also sign one broken down guy to replace Bourque as former NHL with decent money contract, local fanbase, and NHL experience: Cedric Paquette.

Finally, we will sign someone playing for Kloten who can help familiarize Reinbacher with the city, but they don't have any locals so the option is: Nathan Beaulieu, who will have no other offers with how bad and injury riddled his season has been. His contract will prevent him from seeing his dad for the duration of the season.

If we are unable to find one or two of these criteria, we will sign the first AHL leading scorer that will answer the phone to replace that criteria.

 

[red devil]

 

[morhilane]

Well deserved!

And that means we will have a wholesome video about him getting his new contract.

 

[Price is Wright]

We will sign one Quebecois talent playing in Europe looking for a "last crack" at North America; bonus points for dmen and guys with previous ECHL experience like Charles-Eduoard D'Astous.

Do the Sharks still have the rights to Jérémy Roy? I know there was a push to get Canadian players out of Russia last year and he ended up returning to Vityaz. 26 years old. Right handed. I don't know if he's up or not. Probably has one more year but he's a guy to keep an eye on.

 

[Ezpz]

Do the Sharks still have the rights to Jérémy Roy? I know there was a push to get Canadian players out of Russia last year and he ended up returning to Vityaz. 26 years old. Right handed. I don't know if he's up or not. Probably has one more year but he's a guy to keep an eye on.

I also narrowed down to him but wasn't sure. Guys under 27 who are drafted I ignored.

 

[Treb]

There's not much space for vets next year. If Gignac sticks on the 4th line (bolded already have contracts for next year and underlined are likely to get one):

Heineman - UFA1 - Roy
Simoneau - UFA2 - Farrell
Kidney - Beck - Mesar
Davidson - Mysak - Condotta
Tuch, Biondi, Guindon, McKay, Pitlick

Hutson - UFA3
Bisson - Mailloux
Trudeau - Reinbacher
Nurmi - Galipeau

Dobes
Kaskisuo or some other AHL vet goalie (or UDFA)

UFA1/2: Try getting Richard back or vets like Jankowski, Goncalves, Cameron Hughes or Tynan. There's also a chance they put Kidney/Beck/Mysak/Davidson/Condotta at 2C which would allow more playing times for the new signed guys Tuch/Biondi/Guindon/Pitlick/UDFA.

UFA3: Jeremy Roy still has a contract for next year. I'd be looking at guys like McKeown or Emberson because our guys are more on the offensive side. I also wish they'd bring Laaouan back and give him a real shot. Or maybe Engstrom come to NA early.

If they expect one of Heineman/Roy/Farrell to make it full time next year, you could stack it up by signing a vet like Grimaldi, McCormick, Lind or Snively.

@Ezpz I don't think Chicoine or Beaulieu would fit what Laval will probably need in a vet D with the prospects there. D'astous would be a better choice if his defensive game kept developing in Finland. Could replace Bisson in the line-up.

Paquette has a contract for next year in the KHL. I'd go with Comtois if he wants to instead of the vets I named to replace Heineman/Roy/Farrell or if Kidney/Beck/Mysak/Davidson/Condotta get 2C.

If we go with some ECHL forward, I'd go Matthew Boucher way before Hillis and Stapley.

 

[Don D]

Joseph Wall was a "wall" yesterday in the 4-1 (last goal an empty netter) victory over the Rocket. Hope he does not play today for the Marlies!!!

 

[Fatbiggie]

What a dissapointing weekend for the team, 2 full house and we don’t show up . Most likely won’t make the playoffs

 

[Don D]

Laval crumbling. The KK honeymoon is over. Arber (and Roy) would of helped Laval make the playoffs and the prospects (from Mailloux to Farrell to Heineman to Kidney to Davidson) would have been better for it. Unfortunately, neither the Habs nor Rocket will benefit.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Another game another 1 goal.
Gave up 5.

Team is built like shit.

 

[Number 57]

There's not much space for vets next year. If Gignac sticks on the 4th line (bolded already have contracts for next year and underlined are likely to get one):

Heineman - UFA1 - Roy
Simoneau - UFA2 - Farrell
Kidney - Beck - Mesar
Davidson - Mysak - Condotta
Tuch, Biondi, Guindon, McKay, Pitlick

Hutson - UFA3
Bisson - Mailloux
Trudeau - Reinbacher
Nurmi - Galipeau

Dobes
Kaskisuo or some other AHL vet goalie (or UDFA)

UFA1/2: Try getting Richard back or vets like Jankowski, Goncalves, Cameron Hughes or Tynan. There's also a chance they put Kidney/Beck/Mysak/Davidson/Condotta at 2C which would allow more playing times for the new signed guys Tuch/Biondi/Guindon/Pitlick/UDFA.

UFA3: Jeremy Roy still has a contract for next year. I'd be looking at guys like McKeown or Emberson because our guys are more on the offensive side. I also wish they'd bring Laaouan back and give him a real shot. Or maybe Engstrom come to NA early.

If they expect one of Heineman/Roy/Farrell to make it full time next year, you could stack it up by signing a vet like Grimaldi, McCormick, Lind or Snively.

@Ezpz I don't think Chicoine or Beaulieu would fit what Laval will probably need in a vet D with the prospects there. D'astous would be a better choice if his defensive game kept developing in Finland. Could replace Bisson in the line-up.

Paquette has a contract for next year in the KHL. I'd go with Comtois if he wants to instead of the vets I named to replace Heineman/Roy/Farrell or if Kidney/Beck/Mysak/Davidson/Condotta get 2C.

If we go with some ECHL forward, I'd go Matthew Boucher way before Hillis and Stapley.

Good post. I think Roy is likely to be in the NHL. I'd go:

Farrell - Gignac - Heineman
Simoneau - Maillet - Mesar
Condotta - Beck - Mysak
F.Xhekaj - Kidney - Davidson
Tuch, Guindon

Hutson - Reinbacher
Trudeau - Mailloux
Engstrom - Tourigny
Bisson

Dobes - Kaskisuo

Definitely be on the market for an additional veteran up front and a top-4 defenseman since Hutson/Reinbacher/Mailloux will likely get games in Montreal next year, so you do need depth.

 

[Treb]

Good post. I think Roy is likely to be in the NHL. I'd go:

Farrell - Gignac - Heineman
Simoneau - Maillet - Mesar
Condotta - Beck - Mysak
F.Xhekaj - Kidney - Davidson
Tuch, Guindon

Hutson - Reinbacher
Trudeau - Mailloux
Engstrom - Tourigny
Bisson

Dobes - Kaskisuo

Definitely be on the market for an additional veteran up front and a top-4 defenseman since Hutson/Reinbacher/Mailloux will likely get games in Montreal next year, so you do need depth.

I think Little Xhekaj plays next year in the OHL as this is his only his second year (and it's not like he destroyed the league).

 

[BaseballCoach]

I think Little Xhekaj plays next year in the OHL as this is his only his second year (and it's not like he destroyed the league).

OHLers don't often play over-age unless they can't make their AHL squad.

 

[Treb]

OHLers don't often play over-age unless they can't make their AHL squad.

Arber played his overage year.

It would only be his third OHL year, it's not like the classic CHL player playing a 4/5th year.

Also, while he's been playing great and the progression is very interesting, he's not even a PPG player.

With the potential influx of rookies next year (Biondi, Beck, Tuch, Guindon, Kapanen, Gordin and Pitlick plus any UDFA) plus Kidney and Davidson being 2nd year players still looking to establish themselves, we can afford to have him marinate another year.

 

[BaseballCoach]

Arber played his overage year.

It would only be his third OHL year, it's not like the classic CHL player playing a 4/5th year.

Also, while he's been playing great and the progression is very interesting, he's not even a PPG player.

With the potential influx of rookies next year (Biondi, Beck, Tuch, Guindon, Kapanen, Gordin and Pitlick plus any UDFA) plus Kidney and Davidson being 2nd year players still looking to establish themselves, we can afford to have him marinate another year.

Biondi? Gordin? Pitlick? None of them are promising enough to not let Florian try out in camp to beat them out. He may even beat out Guindon.

Florian is physically dominating the OHL now. Unless he can't make Laval, he should not play OHL. Arber got his chance but was not good enpugh for Laval his 20 yo season.

 

[Ezpz]

Arber played his overage year.

It would only be his third OHL year, it's not like the classic CHL player playing a 4/5th year.

Also, while he's been playing great and the progression is very interesting, he's not even a PPG player.

With the potential influx of rookies next year (Biondi, Beck, Tuch, Guindon, Kapanen, Gordin and Pitlick plus any UDFA) plus Kidney and Davidson being 2nd year players still looking to establish themselves, we can afford to have him marinate another year.

Do you think Gordin or Biondi even get invites, let alone contracts? I don't even count them in our system at this point.

D+4 and Gordin can't even crack a significantly weaker KHL. 20th in the VHL and 63rd in points per game isn't great. Go back ten years and exactly zero VHL top 100 scorers have played in the NHL except Kuzmenko. Kuzmenko is the only NHLer who spent more than a few games there after being 20 years old, more because he was signed to a top 3 team than because he wasn't good enough for the KHL.

Biondi half a point per game in the NCAA, also in his D+4. Those are more immediate retirement numbers than continue as a pro numbers.

Guindon also is TR bound if he is invited at all. I won't crap on Pitlick but I wouldn't offer him a contract either. D+5 producing what you'd expect from a sophomore.

We should save some space for Jack Smith and Ty Smilianic. Maybe we can bring Scherbak and Reway back. Time for Bozon to come back.

I guess our D will be too crowded as we sign Tourigny, Kostenko, Sobolev, Mittelstadt and Nurmi... (Egg on my face when we inevitably actually sign 1-2 of these guys).

I think Laval is more likely to lose forwards since we'll likely try to graduate some kids next October. I would guess Roy and one of Heinemen/Farrell are in Montreal to start the year. Beck and Mesar are the only locks to come in. I would assume Tuch and Kapanen will, but wouldn't bet on both. Kapanen can stay an extra year in FInland and Tuch might just sign in Buffalo or only come here if we give him a fourth line role.

I think Florian has a much higher chance to start in the AHL than Arber did. His game doesn't need "big minutes" to develop in the same way as a dman would. He's also already having the breakout Arber did in his overage season now at 19. He's a few points from outscoring Arber's entire junior career in this season. The only excuse I really could see are Brantford are quite young and will be a good team next year.

 

[Treb]

Do you think Gordin or Biondi even get invites, let alone contracts? I don't even count them in our system at this point.

D+4 and Gordin can't even crack a significantly weaker KHL. 20th in the VHL and 63rd in points per game isn't great. Go back ten years and exactly zero VHL top 100 scorers have played in the NHL except Kuzmenko. Kuzmenko is the only NHLer who spent more than a few games there after being 20 years old, more because he was signed to a top 3 team than because he wasn't good enough for the KHL.

Biondi half a point per game in the NCAA, also in his D+4. Those are more immediate retirement numbers than continue as a pro numbers.

Guindon also is TR bound if he is invited at all. I won't crap on Pitlick but I wouldn't offer him a contract either. D+5 producing what you'd expect from a sophomore.

We should save some space for Jack Smith and Ty Smilianic. Maybe we can bring Scherbak and Reway back. Time for Bozon to come back.

I guess our D will be too crowded as we sign Tourigny, Kostenko, Sobolev, Mittelstadt and Nurmi... (Egg on my face when we inevitably actually sign 1-2 of these guys).

I think Laval is more likely to lose forwards since we'll likely try to graduate some kids next October. I would guess Roy and one of Heinemen/Farrell are in Montreal to start the year. Beck and Mesar are the only locks to come in. I would assume Tuch and Kapanen will, but wouldn't bet on both. Kapanen can stay an extra year in FInland and Tuch might just sign in Buffalo or only come here if we give him a fourth line role.

I think Florian has a much higher chance to start in the AHL than Arber did. His game doesn't need "big minutes" to develop in the same way as a dman would. He's also already having the breakout Arber did in his overage season now at 19. He's a few points from outscoring Arber's entire junior career in this season. The only excuse I really could see are Brantford are quite young and will be a good team next year.

If you read earlier in the thread (which you did since you liked said post), I have a post with a potential roster in it. You will see that Beck and Mesar are the only rookies in the starting lineup. Tuch, Guindon and the others are extras or in the ECHL.

In that roster, I have 2 vets spot to replace Maillet/Andersson. Then I assumed only one of Gignac/Roy/Heineman/Farrell would make the NHL but said if the plan is to have 2, then get another vet (or vet-like player).

There is not a lot of space in the AHL and I fear he might do a Tinordi and play the tough guy instead of developing to try to stay in a pretty full lineup.

Considering this is also his first OHL year as a C, another one could be beneficial. It would also give him more time to acclimate himself to his growth spurt of the last few years instead of throwing him directly at 30 years old AHLer.

 

[Adam Michaels]