Post-Game Talk: Dobes blanks Panthers in debut, Dach emerges, Hook passes!

[ChesterNimitz]

LOL

Yeah it's probably just me, and it's probably not even a issue. I just remember noticing it a few times.

You're not alone. Awkward was the term I used to describe Dobes's style. But who knows, in what is largely the black science that is goaltending, maybe awkward works?

But before we herald Dobes as the next Dryden, let's see how he fares over a series of games. As I noted above, save for a handful of goalposts, the conversation today would be far different and far less buoyant.

 

[bsl]

The Doberman !

The Doberman. Not bad.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

Interesting. The more I watch Laval, the less I believe in his ability to thrive at the next level. The more I watch, the more I believe that Trudeau has passed Mailloux on the Canadiens’ depth chart. On skating alone, Trudeau is a superior prospect. As for offensive potential, Laval is now correctly playing Trudeau on the first power play unit ahead of both Mailloux and Engstrom. Defensively, Trudeau plays on the penalty killing unit, something no one with an ounce of hockey knowledge would allow Mailloux to do.

I’ve often said the most certain thing in hockey is the uncertainty in the development curve of young players. Sometimes, that uncertainty dashes one’s hopes for a player’s ultimate upside. Sometimes, that uncertainty works in your favour with an unheralded prospect stepping up. In Trudeau’s case, it’s clearly a case of the latter as he has assumed an ever increasing role(s) in all facets of Laval’s play.

For those still awaiting (expecting) Mailloux’s emergence as a top 2 NHL defenceman, I would strongly suggest you subscribe to FloHockey and actually watch this kid's play and then come back and tell us if you are still confident about this kid’s potential.

I’m not. But strongly hoping I’m wrong.

Trudeau is not a great skater, average at best and he has not passed anyone on the depth chart. Trudeau is likely a career NHLer and not in any way in HuGo's plans.

To say that "on skating alone Trudeau is a superior prospect" is utter nonsense as nobody is a superior prospect based on just skating.

I am not Mailloux's biggest fan by any means as he has a long way to go and I do not see top pairing upside due to his limited IQ. He has better top end speed than Trudeau but Trudeau has better footwork resulting in better pivots and directional adjustments. Mailloux imo always was a long term project so patience is key, acting like his skating is not fixable is ridiculous.

If you think that playing Trudeau ahead of Mailloux on the PP has anything to do with the organization believing that he is better suited for that role then you are grossly misinterpreting this move. It is a developmental strategy where they want Mailloux to concentrate on his defensive game and to strive for accolades associated with that part of the game.
Reinbacher and Engstrom are better prospects than these two anyways.