Laval Rocket: GDT- Game THREE Rochester at Laval 7PM EST

[Kennerback]

I'm freaking sold on Xhekaj. He is easily my 4th best prospect right now behind, Hage, Reinbacher and Fowler. (Reinbacher #1, Hage #2 and Fowler #3).

This guy will have huge impact at NHL level, his intensity and offensive ability impressive me a lot. He will be able to play everywhere.

Even though Hage’s potential is higher, I prefer Xhekaj right now because while his skills are more limited they’re almost entirely projectable.

 

[DAChampion]

Keep Prime in net next game.

Great nickname for Primeau: Optimus !

 

[Don D]

3 stars:
1 Primeau (if he had not made the earlier saves....)
2 Xhehaj (the unicorn who will need at least one more year in the AHL)
3 Reinbacher (only concern with him are injuries)

 

[Whitesnake]

Couple of notes:

• Love development. But it's Primeau's net until he struggles.
• My god do we have a beauty in Florian. Geez, I think he has to be added to the untouchable category...
• Sucks to lose Wotherspoon. Hopefully not long term...'cause that will be hard to replace
• Tough game for Reinbacher. Couple of things....he has to improve his hands. He fumbles the puck too much lately. Nerves? But most importantly...his play while under pressure...ouch tonight. Still a kid, I know....but the problem will always be, and NOT related to who we could have taken, linked to his No5 rank. I'm not a fan right now of his game. But there is still ways to go which brings my other point.
• Makes me believe that FINALLY...we might want to keep Mailloux a little much longer. Just in case. Mailloux is showing me some signs of improvement even IQ wise. But just in case David can't be the most important righty of this team.....Mailloux needs to stick around.
• I didn't have access to my Pc right now...but just know that I would have Whitesnake the HELL out of Roy before his goal. My god was he putrid before that. And with my PC, chances are I would have written that a thousand times....This guy does not fit with the style of play we want. Frankly, I'm not even sure he fits in any North American style of hockey. Would look great in France though.
• Farrell is so much quieter....while Gignac is stepping up big time.

All and all, a fun game to watch the more it progressed. Wotherspoon has to come back though at one point.

 

[DAChampion]

Rochester pulls the goalie.

Rochester might consider playing the whole game without Levi.

 

[Redux91]

He turned 20 before training camp and he is Laval's youngest player.
He played 2 seasons in the OHL and jumped right into the AHL and scored 24 goals. He does need more weight which will come as he matures.

And technically
Reinbacher is actually Lavals youngest player lol

Which makes 'both' of their current contributions even that much more sweeter and special

 

[themilosh]

%. He is a prospect that has work to do. He is probably surprised at how intense AHL Playoff hockey is.

Is it more intense than the SEL?

 

[Kennerback]

Is it more intense than the SEL?

Playoffs vs top AHL teams is probably some of the strongest hockey outside the NHL.

 

[NewDef]

I really like the Rocket vs previous affiliate teams. What a great move it was to build the Bell Place and get that team to where it now is. A great place to grow the next crop and it's managed well with some quality vets. I like it!

 

[Tyson]

Is it more intense than the SEL?

Smaller rink, AHL hockey is not easy on young Europeans, especially the playoffs.

 

[BJCOLLINS]

Flo Xhekaj may have a regular spot on the Habs before big bro if he keeps playing like this!! Real good game tonight considering all the scheduling BS.

Let’s do this again Friday boys!

 

[DemidovSZN]

Even though Hage’s potential is higher, I prefer Xhekaj right now because while his skills are more limited they’re almost entirely projectable.

They won’t be competing for the same spot. Hage is a top 6 guy.

 

[dinodebino]

Of course. Sad because hes a player that I feel gets a lot from his 360 degree movement.

I hope it gets better or he may have to reinvent himself a tad.

Serge Savard.

 

[Tyson]

And technically
Reinbacher is actually Lavals youngest player lol

Which makes 'both' of their current contributions even that much more sweeter and special

You are right with Reinbacher joining Laval late in the year he became Laval's youngest player. Hell if Wotherspoon is out play Protz!

 

[Mrb1p]

Serge Savard.

Yep, its been done. He has the IQ to do it. Hell never be "as" good though if his knee doesnt heal at 100%.

 

[Sam de Mtl]

That'll be fun!

In August..

I just got the schedule. Game 1 will start 39 minutes after the end of the Syracuse vs Laval series. Game 2 will be on the next day starting at midnight to save on electricity costs by having the game away from peak hours. They will then hold games 3 and 4 simultaneously with half teams and, if necessary, game 5 will be held two months later.

 

[Schooner Goon]

Looked pretty good as a what, 23 years old rookie?

He looks like a wall when hes on. Wete just so used to Mr. Perfect, but that player doesnt exist anymore. Most good goalies are rag-tag pirate types like Dobes and Monty.

Yeah. All today's goalies are trained to emulate Mr Perfect's (Price) playing style from their very first goalie clinic. I think that's what makes Dobes such an eye sore.

 

[Runner77]

Helluva goal by this guy.

 

[Redux91]

I really like the Rocket vs previous affiliate teams. What a great move it was to build the Bell Place and get that team to where it now is. A great place to grow the next crop and it's managed well with some quality vets. I like it!

One word
Crucial.
And I thank Molson for all of this bigtime, this was so important

And especially the proximity
For the non-montreal habitants
I can't quite emphasize just HOW close this team and Laval in general is to Montreal (downtown)
Compared to bumf*** Hamilton and the NOWHERE ST-Johns (no offense)
My god what a difference

It would be very difficult to have some of our die hard MTL fans support these guys in those other places
But Laval?
We have like..4-5 bridges and 3 main highways connecting us lol
They're our lil baby brother! And my how they are growing lol

It's all just GOOD for the Organization in general

 

[montreal]

Reinbacher Assist/Tuch Tip Goal 0:10
Xhekaj Nice Hit 0:40
Primeau Save 2:19
Reinbacher Rush/Nice Pass/Beck Chance 2:52
Roy Nice Pass 3:05
Xhekaj Throws Massive Hit 4:44
Primeau Save 4:56
Primeau Save 5:14
Xhekaj Scores a Beauty 7:06
Trudeau Assisat 7:43
Roy Goal 8:21

 

[Runner77]

 

[montreal]

In draft room video Bobrov said that he want to have this guy and he is a unicorn. Maybe Lapointe got his word aswell. But it's Bobrov call Xhekaj a "unicorn".

Matt Turek was his GM and our scout at the time, so it came from him first.

 

[Tyson]

Matt Turek was his GM and our scout at the time, so it came from him first.

We need to thank Turek for both Xhekajs.

 

[montreal]

What a game from the 4th line, which should really be the 2nd line imo but Xhekaj is just a beast, got laughed at early on last year when I said he was one of our top prospects, then later in the year when I said he would go in the 1st round in a re-draft, guess it's not funny anymore.

Primeau was great but so was Fowler when he should have had 2 SO's back to back if not for a clearly off-sides goal. They can go with either goalie as it's a nice option to have 2 goalies that win.

Reinbacher once again I was laughed at when I kept saying his defensive game is far from elite shut down but that his offense is underrated despite having only 1 goal last year in the NL. He was in on 3 goals for Laval.

I said early in this thread that I thought Roy was due after going 0 for 17 in shots, that line is not working at all though as Kapanen had a rough game. Farrell didn't do much again as last game his line wasn't very good, same again. I just don't get playing Gignac every game and would have put Mesar in for at least one game.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

What a game from the 4th line, which should really be the 2nd line imo but Xhekaj is just a beast, got laughed at early on last year when I said he was one of our top prospects, then later in the year when I said he would go in the 1st round in a re-draft, guess it's not funny anymore.

Primeau was great but so was Fowler when he should have had 2 SO's back to back if not for a clearly off-sides goal. They can go with either goalie as it's a nice option to have 2 goalies that win.

Reinbacher once again I was laughed at when I kept saying his defensive game is far from elite shut down but that his offense is underrated despite having only 1 goal last year in the NL. He was in on 3 goals for Laval.

I said early in this thread that I thought Roy was due after going 0 for 17 in shots, that line is not working at all though as Kapanen had a rough game. Farrell didn't do much again as last game his line wasn't very good, same again. I just don't get playing Gignac every game and would have put Mesar in for at least one game.

Gignac is awful....incredibly dumb player.