Laval Rocket: 2024-25 Laval Rocket Thread

[Whitesnake]

Whether the Rocket win this series or not, its been a hugely successful season for them on the development front.

Never said otherwise. Just saying that a rotation of goalies solely for development purposes shouldn't dominate the OTHER players also in need of development. Especially when the said player is still far away from the NHL anyway. At one point, a winning environment is needed for development. It was great without Fowler for the rest of the players. I would be great for the rest of the players if they go far in the playoffs as well. And it doesn't necessarily mean to sit Fowler for the rest of it either.

 

[Chainshot]

The Rocket are a fun team - good luck the rest of the way!

 

[Egresch]

Whether the Rocket win this series or not, its been a hugely successful season for them on the development front.

I just think they need to release few of those small players like ABB, RHP, Farrell, Gignac. I would like to get more icetime and responsibilities to our young guys who have higher NHL upside or have more size and grit in their game.

 

[Paradoxe]

I just think they need to release few of those small players like ABB, RHP, Farrell, Gignac. I would like to get more icetime and responsibilities to our young guys who have higher NHL upside or have more size and grit in their game.

Just let PV walk and take a coach that will take a chance with the young core!

 

[BaseballCoach]

I just think they need to release few of those small players like ABB, RHP, Farrell, Gignac. I would like to get more icetime and responsibilities to our young guys who have higher NHL upside or have more size and grit in their game.

Don't mix your bias toward larger players with good development practices.

The Habs have drafted players of various sizes, including smaller guys like Farrell, Mesar, Simoneau and Kidney and even Fowler and Beck to a degree, and must include all of them in their development plan.

Also, every AHL team has vets. Without vets around them, the young guys do not progress well or learn to compete better.

Not all the vets are "small" ABB, RHP and Gignac are, and we don't know if all three will be back.

But Dauphin, Condotta, Hayes, Jacobs, Hoefenmayer, Lindstrom and Arseneau are definitely not small. Some of them will be back, I'm sure.

 

[Egresch]

Don't mix your bias toward larger players with good development practices.

The Habs have drafted players of various sizes, including smaller guys like Farrell, Mesar, Simoneau and Kidney and even Fowler and Beck to a degree, and must include all of them in their development plan.

Also, every AHL team has vets. Without vets around them, the young guys do not progress well or learn to compete better.

Not all the vets are "small" ABB, RHP and Gignac are, and we don't know if all three will be back.

But Dauphin, Condotta, Hayes, Jacobs, Hoefenmayer, Lindstrom and Arseneau are definitely not small. Some of them will be back, I'm sure.

Of course, I understand importance of vets in AHL, but I guess guys like Beck, Xhekaj, Davidson, Tuch, Mesar... should get more responsibilities and ABB, RHP are currently standing in their way.

 

[Treb]

I just think they need to release few of those small players like ABB, RHP, Farrell, Gignac. I would like to get more icetime and responsibilities to our young guys who have higher NHL upside or have more size and grit in their game.

Just let PV walk and take a coach that will take a chance with the young core!

That's how you get a team that misses the playoffs

 

[Whitesnake]

Don't mix your bias toward larger players with good development practices.

The Habs have drafted players of various sizes, including smaller guys like Farrell, Mesar, Simoneau and Kidney and even Fowler and Beck to a degree, and must include all of them in their development plan.

Also, every AHL team has vets. Without vets around them, the young guys do not progress well or learn to compete better.

Not all the vets are "small" ABB, RHP and Gignac are, and we don't know if all three will be back.

But Dauphin, Condotta, Hayes, Jacobs, Hoefenmayer, Lindstrom and Arseneau are definitely not small. Some of them will be back, I'm sure.

I know that for me, it has nothing to do about size...but mostly about keeping the great AHL vets added to the real development possibilities for the NHL team. I've given up on Kidney. Given up on RHP. And frankly, while it's awesome that he elevated his game lately, I,ve given up on Roy to become a NHL'er. ABB is not a NHL'er either but could be a serviceable AHL'er. Thing is....those players like ABB and Cie...do not settle in the AHL. They try their chances in Europe. So....you will eventually lose them.

I did give up on Mesar already BUT it would be fun if we get rid of him to get some kind of value...and it's not Now that you send him away. Kid needs to be a permanent player next year in Laval. Hopefully he'll get his value up for a trade later on.

I TOTALLY agree with you though.....and it's the reason why I'd give a 10-year contract to a guy like Wotherspoon...my god do you need those types of players around your kids. We kept Dauphin, perfect. We need to do the same with Wotherspoon. And then, when those ABB, RHP and Cie goes to Europe, you go get those 30-year old vets who are done with Europe and want to finish their career in North America.

 

[Whitesnake]

Of course, I understand importance of vets in AHL, but I guess guys like Beck, Xhekaj, Davidson, Tuch, Mesar... should get more responsibilities and ABB, RHP are currently standing in their way.

While I wasn't a fan of Vincent, clearly I was wrong. And what that means is that if ABB is on Tuch's way, it means Tuck isn't good enough right now. Some coaches do love their vets so much, but when the organization motto is CLEAR on development, the only way the kids aren't playing as much solely lies on their readiness to do so.

Pretty sure the organization would LOVE to see Kidney on the top 6. Pretty sure everybody who has really seen Kidney play KNOW that he's lucky to not have been sent down to Trois-Rivières...

 

[BaseballCoach]

While I wasn't a fan of Vincent, clearly I was wrong. And what that means is that if ABB is on Tuch's way, it means Tuck isn't good enough right now. Some coaches do love their vets so much, but when the organization motto is CLEAR on development, the only way the kids aren't playing as much solely lies on their readiness to do so.

Pretty sure the organization would LOVE to see Kidney on the top 6. Pretty sure everybody who has really seen Kidney play KNOW that he's lucky to not have been sent down to Trois-Rivières...

Farrell is in Mesar's way, and Davidson is in Tuch's way.

 

[LaP]

Could not watch the game yesterday. So i read the forums this morning and all our prospects suck. Rainbacher sucks, Engstrom sucks, Mailloux sucks. Our GM sucks. It's the suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked. So i'm like ok Laval lost. But no they won go figure ...

 

[schwang26]

Just let PV walk and take a coach that will take a chance with the young core!

Oh man. Come on. Have you watched Laval at all this season? The draftees have played plenty.

 

[schwang26]

While I wasn't a fan of Vincent, clearly I was wrong. And what that means is that if ABB is on Tuch's way, it means Tuck isn't good enough right now. Some coaches do love their vets so much, but when the organization motto is CLEAR on development, the only way the kids aren't playing as much solely lies on their readiness to do so.

Pretty sure the organization would LOVE to see Kidney on the top 6. Pretty sure everybody who has really seen Kidney play KNOW that he's lucky to not have been sent down to Trois-Rivières...

Absolutely. You don’t put Tuch or Measar into a playoff game if they aren’t going to help you win. People bitching about “development “ at this stage are nuts. It’s the playoffs and guys deserve to be there and are getting rewarded. You might as well kiss most vets goodbye if you are going to play guys like Kidney or Mesar over them in the playoffs because they just won’t sign here. If the draftees deserve to play, they will.

I was questioning Tuch getting scratched but I can’t argue with a 5-0 win!

 

[Tyson]

While I wasn't a fan of Vincent, clearly I was wrong. And what that means is that if ABB is on Tuch's way, it means Tuck isn't good enough right now. Some coaches do love their vets so much, but when the organization motto is CLEAR on development, the only way the kids aren't playing as much solely lies on their readiness to do so.

Pretty sure the organization would LOVE to see Kidney on the top 6. Pretty sure everybody who has really seen Kidney play KNOW that he's lucky to not have been sent down to Trois-Rivières...

%

 

[Tyson]

Absolutely. You don’t put Tuch or Measar into a playoff game if they aren’t going to help you win. People bitching about “development “ at this stage are nuts. It’s the playoffs and guys deserve to be there and are getting rewarded. You might as well kiss most vets goodbye if you are going to play guys like Kidney or Mesar over them in the playoffs because they just won’t sign here. If the draftees deserve to play, they will.

I was questioning Tuch getting scratched but I can’t argue with a 5-0 win!

The best prospects have stepped up and the Vets have done an amazing job of leading these kids. At this stage of the season it's about winning. Fowler will not help Laval against Charlotte.

 

[Hins77]

Of course, I understand importance of vets in AHL, but I guess guys like Beck, Xhekaj, Davidson, Tuch, Mesar... should get more responsibilities and ABB, RHP are currently standing in their way.

I suggest that Vincent and the management already know wich one has an NHL career in them. At one point, 22 years old Kidney, 16 pts in 56 games won't become their best player and starting to produce against top team in playoff.

 

[Adam Michaels]

I just think they need to release few of those small players like ABB, RHP, Farrell, Gignac. I would like to get more icetime and responsibilities to our young guys who have higher NHL upside or have more size and grit in their game.

We'll see what they decide, but ABB was the team's top scorer and was actually 7th in scoring in the entire AHL. That's the kind of production you don't want to ignore because the guy is more on the smaller side.

Farrell was off to a rough start, but when he started going after the holidays, he was on fire. He's an RFA, but I'd be happy if he's back. Even if he ends up a career AHL'er, he's a real good one. He's small, but he's fast and elusive so he doesn't get pinched and hit.

Gignac and RHP, I'm good if they're not back. But in RHP's defense, he's very effective in the playoffs. Another guy whose size doesn't limit him (same thing as Simoneau).

Laval has a bunch of guys who are 6'+ and 200 lbs+ in their line-up. So they can afford to have some more of the smaller guys, particularly if they contribute to the production and the wins.

 

[Egresch]

Guys, calm down
Of course, I was not talking about this playoff run, you play your best players and try to win. The best prospects like Reinbacher, Mailloux, Engstrom are playing and geting valuable experience. I meant the off-season moves, let go guys lie ABB, RHP, Gignac and give more responsibilities to Davidson, Xhekaj...

 

[Adam Michaels]

Guys, calm down
Of course, I was not talking about this playoff run, you play your best players and try to win. The best prospects like Reinbacher, Mailloux, Engstrom are playing and geting valuable experience. I meant the off-season moves, let go guys lie ABB, RHP, Gignac and give more responsibilities to Davidson, Xhekaj...

But why do you want to get rid of ABB when he was among the top scorers in the AHL?

Also, Davidson and Xhekaj and them will earn their way to getting more responsibilities. Both Davidson and Xhekaj already play on the PP and the PK. Don't be fooled by them being on the 4th line, they are playing key roles to the team's success. In Florian's case, as a rookie, he wasn't handed these reponsibilities. He earned them as the season went on.

 

[Treb]

Guys, calm down
Of course, I was not talking about this playoff run, you play your best players and try to win. The best prospects like Reinbacher, Mailloux, Engstrom are playing and geting valuable experience. I meant the off-season moves, let go guys lie ABB, RHP, Gignac and give more responsibilities to Davidson, Xhekaj...

If they let ABB go, they have to go get another top vet to replace him. Not doing so would be a terrible move.

I expect at least one of RHP/Gignac to be back or replaced by a vet.

6 vets
F: ABB/replacement, Dauphin, Arseneau, Gignac/RHP/replacement

D: Wotherspoon/replacement, Lindstrom

 

[Whitesnake]

Guys, calm down
Of course, I was not talking about this playoff run, you play your best players and try to win. The best prospects like Reinbacher, Mailloux, Engstrom are playing and geting valuable experience. I meant the off-season moves, let go guys lie ABB, RHP, Gignac and give more responsibilities to Davidson, Xhekaj...

DON'T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN OKAYYYYYYY!!!!!! Just joking...lol.

I do know what you mean. But I just think that the kids right now you mention are still not ready to move on. Next year, they should be. 23 year old to for Davidson to play a bigger role is not too old. Florian is 20.

And yes, there will be some guys that will move on

• I would bet that ABB and Gignac are not coming back. At one point, these are the types of players that at their point in their career, want to try Europe.
• I might even bet that they won't qualify RHP.
• I still hope though that despite the numerous D's we have...to quality Trudeau, Hoefenmayer and Lindstrom. Unless....Hoefenmayer sees the D's in front of him and wants to move on somewhere else. And that Lindstrom wants to go back to Europe.
• Farrell, Simoneau and Trudeau, I expect them to be qualified. But Trudeau might also want to see what's out there for him elsewhere as well.
• Up front, wouldn't be surprised to see Laval trying to trade in minor deals Roy and Kidney.

so there will be movements. And there should be some vets coming in again. Maybe time to get Alex Belzile back to where he belongs.

 

[schwang26]

The best prospects have stepped up and the Vets have done an amazing job of leading these kids. At this stage of the season it's about winning. Fowler will not help Laval against Charlotte.

Ya, Fowler just needs to take everything in at this point. He’ll be the guy next season and probably one or 2 after that. Hopefully the team in front of him will be just as good.

 

[Paradoxe]

Oh man. Come on. Have you watched Laval at all this season? The draftees have played plenty.

I did, and I think that if we want to see them more, we have to let PV walk. He wants to be in the NHL.

 

[ahmedou]

We trusted the process. Here we are.

To Joel Bouchard, always thanking him and remembering him. Real ones recognize real.

 

[schwang26]

DON'T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN OKAYYYYYYY!!!!!! Just joking...lol.

I do know what you mean. But I just think that the kids right now you mention are still not ready to move on. Next year, they should be. 23 year old to for Davidson to play a bigger role is not too old. Florian is 20.

And yes, there will be some guys that will move on

• I would bet that ABB and Gignac are not coming back. At one point, these are the types of players that at their point in their career, want to try Europe.
• I might even bet that they won't qualify RHP.
• I still hope though that despite the numerous D's we have...to quality Trudeau, Hoefenmayer and Lindstrom. Unless....Hoefenmayer sees the D's in front of him and wants to move on somewhere else. And that Lindstrom wants to go back to Europe.
• Farrell, Simoneau and Trudeau, I expect them to be qualified. But Trudeau might also want to see what's out there for him elsewhere as well.
• Up front, wouldn't be surprised to see Laval trying to trade in minor deals Roy and Kidney.

so there will be movements. And there should be some vets coming in again. Maybe time to get Alex Belzile back to where he belongs.

Gignac might be under contract but not sure. Don’t discount vets actually wanting to return to play for a top team as well. If they win it all with the support they get , I wouldn’t be surprised to see guys wanting to stay.