Speed....nice
Forward helps Rocket's playoff push by scoring three goals and adding two assists in crucial win over the Marlies.
montrealgazette.com
“In my mind I was 25 (when the season started) and I lost a year with COVID. In my mind I was still young. I still have some good hockey left. I feel confident for the next couple of years. Obviously this is the best I’ve played. I’ve always been a strong offensive guy, but this year obviously is the best I’ve played overall.”
Houle said Richard was Syracuse’s best player in the playoffs, adding he urged management to sign him. Houle likes Richard’s speed, his ability to anticipate plays and how tough he is to defend. This season he has worked with Richard to improve his defensive game while becoming more physical
“He’s one of the guys we pinpointed,” Houle said. “It worked out in our favour this year to have him on our team.”
Montreal Canadiens prospect Anthony Richard has waited a long time for his opportunity. Even calling him a prospect is stretching the definition of the word. Richard, who celebrated his 26th birthday before Wednesday night’s game against the Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche, is much...
montrealhockeynow.com
Most teams want to focus on younger players, and rightfully so, but in Richard’s case, the Canadiens may want to give him an extended look to evaluate whether he’s a late bloomer, or simply a player that likes to beat up on AHL-level competition.
It’s just two games, but even with the small sample size factored in, Richard’s play with the Canadiens seems to indicate he may very well be a prospect who was lost in the shuffle.
A closer look at his underlying numbers reveals an interesting phenomenon. When Richard is on the ice, they don’t necessarily control more shots, overall.
They do, however, control more high-danger shots.
And as it stands, Richard leads all Canadiens players with a 59.8 percent xGF%, connoting his style of play, which is powered by high-end speed and an affinity for scoring off the rush, is making a positive influence on a team that genuinely struggles to create high-quality chances.