Laval Rocket: Game #1 vs. Abbotsford Canucks (Laval Loses 7-4)

[schwang26]

It's a shame that Davidson isn't in the lineup, he was one of the best prospect at the main camp.

Laval still have 3 rookies in their top6 and 7 rookies total in the lineup tonight + a few sophomores as well in Trudeau, Norlinder and Simoneau.

I think it's hilarious that they've gone from having to use echl journeymen 1 year to having too many prospects to find icetime for this year.

I'm of the belief that Mysak is an AHL'er and doesn't belong in the ECHL. Even if he's a 4th liner in Laval, which I still believe he can move up the line-up after the real good camp he had since the rookie showcase.

I think people are looking at Mysak from last year, but don't realize he looked faster, more aggressive, and was able to contribute offensively since rookie camp.

I want to see every prospect succeed of course. I hope you're right!

 

[Player 61]

Damn! That's a stacked line-up for an AHL team.

 

[schwang26]

Too many bodies at the start of the year is a good thing.... there will be injuries and call ups... everyone will play.

Having Armia down there messes things up for sure

 

[Adam Michaels]

It's a shame that Davidson isn't in the lineup, he was one of the best prospect at the main camp.

Laval still have 3 rookies in their top6 and 7 rookies total in the lineup tonight + a few sophomores as well in Trudeau, Norlinder and Simoneau.

That's the fun part about Laval this year. Even if some prospects are healthy scratches, there are so many of them than you still have a line-up full of them to look forward to watch.

 

[EveryDay]

That's the fun part about Laval this year. Even if some prospects are healthy scratches, there are so many of them than you still have a line-up full of them to look forward to watch.

True. I don't recall the last time we had so many rookies in our lineup, it's a great sign for years to come, it remind me of Tampa Bay a few years back.

Any chance they give an NHL contract to a guy like Gignac?

 

[Tyson]

Having Armia down there messes things up for sure

Or he helps the young players immensely

 

[Adam Michaels]

True. I don't recall the last time we had so many rookies in our lineup, it's a great sign for years to come, it remind me of Tampa Bay a few years back.

Any chance they give an NHL contract to a guy like Gignac?

I think it will depend how his year goes with Laval. I'd have no problem if they sign him to an NHL deal next year. I think it goes a long way to have guys sign AHL deals knowing that if they perform well, they can earn an NHL deal. Belzile and Schueneman both signed AHL deals with Laval first before earning NHL deals due to their stong play in the AHL.

While most AHL deals are 1-year deals, Gignac was signed two a 2-year AHL deal in the summer of 2022. And if I'm not misremembering, there was a clause in his contract that could have turned his 2nd year AHL deal into an NHL deal. I'm not 100% sure if that was the case, but I vaguely remember reading something along those lines.

I think he had to hit either a certain number of games played and/or certain numbers to reach in production. Last year, Gignac played 49 games and had 13 goals and 20 assists for 33 pts. So if he's still on an AHL deal this year, it means he didn't hit those numbers.

Having Armia down there messes things up for sure

While it does push a prospect out and maybe one prospect lower in the line-up, it will all depend on Armia's attitude. If he is sour and in a bad mood, then yes he messes things up. But if he's a pro, happy to be playing, and is willing to help the young guys, then I don't think he messes much up.

 

[26Mats]

Despite no Davidson or Mysak or Mesar in the line-up, we still have Roy, Heineman, Farrell, Kidney, Simoneau, Norlinder, Mailloux, Trudeau, Struble & Dobes to watch.

The good thing about Laval is that even if there are prospects who are scratched, there are so many of them that you still have a bunch of them to watch and look forward to.

- We should try to move a career AHLer like Bourque to make room for Davidson.

- Happy to see Beaudin isn't taking away ice time from the young prospects with NHL potential. Man was he terrible in camp.

- Mesar should be playing in 3R or the OHL to get the ice time.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

Keeping Davidson out of the lineup means we'll have one fewer guaranteed goal than we could have.

 

[DavePeak]

My opinion on the inaugural training.

Jean-François Houle has always shown the greatest respect towards his veterans so I am not surprised to see the majority of players who were there last year being part of the opening match. It's obvious that there will be a lot of competition internally for ice time. Guys like Légaré, Mysak and Davidson certainly didn't deserve to be cut but with a surplus of 5 attackers, you don't have the choice to make heartbreaking decisions.

It's a long season. Every year around the holiday season, the Rocket finds itself with a shortage of players due to recalls and injuries. There's no point in panicking now because a Davidson or a Mysak isn't playing tonight. Things always work out in the end and those who deserve to play will eventually do so.

For those going to the game, Marcotte also said in another post that the food offering around the Place Bell has improved.

 

[Tyson]

- We should try to move a career AHLer like Bourque to make room for Davidson.

- Happy to see Beaudin isn't taking away ice time from the young prospects with NHL potential. Man was he terrible in camp.

- Mesar should be playing in 3R or the OHL to get the ice time.

Bourque is the Captain for a reason. The AHL is a tough league for young players and the key to success is surrounding your prospects with solid AHL vets, Bourque is vital for this team.

 

[Team_Spirit]

I’m only watching this game because I already miss Armia

I found your twitter account

 

[WeThreeKings]

Man I can't stand Houle.

Mysak did everything and more, yet he can't stop making stupid comments and scratching him.

If they re-sign this clown, It'll the first move of the Hugo regime that deserves a lot of criticism.

 

[Bottle Rocket]

I’m only watching this game because I already miss Armia

Hat trick Armia tonight, calling it now!

 

[Skip Bayless]

I found your twitter account

Them handies...were'd it all go?

 

[CristianoRonaldo]

These are the healthy scratches for tonight.

Not crazy about some of the prospects being scratched. But won't rip my shirt off in anger.

@BaseballCoach & @schwang26 will be happy to see Condotta in over Mysak. Even if I disagree.

Lol at Davidson on the bench...

 

[Bottle Rocket]

We kept saying we needed more veterans to mentor the kids. That's what they will do tonight.

Kids, even scratched ones, will ease into their pro life and take on more prominent roles as call ups and injuries happen, keeping Laval strong all year no matter what.

Every year we think Laval will be dominant, but we keep running out of gas and resorting to PTOs. But the depth this year is truly insane.

 

[Gustave]

For those going to the game, Marcotte also said in another post that the food offering around the Place Bell has improved.

Who’s the AHL team that disaffiliated from their parent club? Maybe send them Davidson and someone else so they get to play.

I’m trying to think outside the box here…

 

[DavePeak]

I found your twitter account

Not sure what that means when a tribute video has an empty net goal (except that Armia > Stefan)

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

Who’s the AHL team that disaffiliated from their parent club? Maybe send them Davidson and someone else so they get to play.

I’m trying to think outside the box here…

Chicago Wolves. Maybe they would like Armia.

 

[Treb]

- We should try to move a career AHLer like Bourque to make room for Davidson.

- Happy to see Beaudin isn't taking away ice time from the young prospects with NHL potential. Man was he terrible in camp.

- Mesar should be playing in 3R or the OHL to get the ice time.

Yes, let's trade the team captain.

We don't have too many AHLer in Laval. We will have injuries at the NHL/AHL level and both will impact Laval.

People arguing to trade vets either have short memories or don't know the AHL. We always end up with a bunch of suboptimal PTOs by January/February because our players are either up in the NHL or injured.

Davidson will get his time, I'm not worried.

I just wish we would normalize sending prospects in the ECHL as they wait.

 

[DavePeak]

FYI from a promo email I’ve just received from the team:

Fans, the Rocket's 2023-2024 season kicks off tonight against the Abbotsford Canucks! To celebrate the occasion, there will be a pre-game show, so make sure you're at your seat by 6:45pm!

 

[Runner77]

Ladies and gentlemen, with this inaugural Rocket game and all of the exciting new prospects it will feature, welcome to @Tyson’s Christmas, New Year’s eve, 4th of July and birthday celebrations all rolled up into one.

 

[Mudz]

For those going to the game, Marcotte also said in another post that the food offering around the Place Bell has improved.

Those won't be lines according to Bruno Gervais on On Jase. He said only one was good. I think it's the first one but not 100% about it. Gervais wouldn't say what are the real lines

Not sure what that means when a tribute video has an empty net goal (except that Armia > Stefan)

Peak trolling. I lol'ed

 

[schwang26]

I think it will depend how his year goes with Laval. I'd have no problem if they sign him to an NHL deal next year. I think it goes a long way to have guys sign AHL deals knowing that if they perform well, they can earn an NHL deal. Belzile and Schueneman both signed AHL deals with Laval first before earning NHL deals due to their stong play in the AHL.

While most AHL deals are 1-year deals, Gignac was signed two a 2-year AHL deal in the summer of 2022. And if I'm not misremembering, there was a clause in his contract that could have turned his 2nd year AHL deal into an NHL deal. I'm not 100% sure if that was the case, but I vaguely remember reading something along those lines.

I think he had to hit either a certain number of games played and/or certain numbers to reach in production. Last year, Gignac played 49 games and had 13 goals and 20 assists for 33 pts. So if he's still on an AHL deal this year, it means he didn't hit those numbers.



While it does push a prospect out and maybe one prospect lower in the line-up, it will all depend on Armia's attitude. If he is sour and in a bad mood, then yes he messes things up. But if he's a pro, happy to be playing, and is willing to help the young guys, then I don't think he messes much up.

Ya. I was thinking strictly playing time.