Laval Rocket: GDT: Rematch in Belleville 7PM
- Thread starter Tyson
- Start date
He doesn't impress me...very one dimensional. Now I see why he is not an NHL player
Late goal in the second early goal in the third and we were cooked.
I saw most of this game once again Owen Beck was our best forward not bad for a rookie...
David Suzuki
Registered User
MarkovsKnee
Global Moderator
Laval won't win all games. Beck was excellent again tonight. He's really starting to find his stride in the pro game.
Estimated_Prophet
Registered User
- Mar 28, 2003
- 11,122
- 12,298
He is absolutely worse than every one of those players. He is too slow for his size and is a career AHLer.
ChesterNimitz
governed by the principle of calculated risk
- Jul 4, 2002
- 5,822
- 12,649
One has to be impressed with Laval's overall game. Tonight, against a strong Belleville team, Laval was the far superior team for most of the first two periods period. After a shorthanded goal late in the second period, the wheels came off the Laval game and the team was unable to recover the lost momentum.
Here are my observations with respect to only those Laval players who can be considered true prospects.
As some here have already commented, Beck was easily Laval's best player. Beck showed all the aspects that make him a top prospect: powerful skating; strong play making ability; elite shot; imposing physical presence; strong net presence and a high compete level. He was even much better on face-offs including winning an important offensive zone face-off with Dobes pulled for an extra attacker. After Beck scored his goal on a wicked one-timer, the Belleville colour commentator noted that anyone who had watched Beck over the years knew that he possesses an elite release. It's something that I commented on previously after watching Beck's play in Saginaw. I could never quite understand why Saginaw took Beck off the first power play unit. He scored a number of goals exactly how he scored tonight against Belleville, a one-time snap shot that the goalie never moved on. When Beck and Parekh were on Saginaw's power play at the same time, it was their go-to play. Tonight, Beck had multiple scoring chances and could have scored several goals. I think he would be even more productive if he was playing with more skilled players. Several times Beck was busting into open ice where more talented players would have recognized the opportunities that Beck's skating presented and gotten him the puck. But it was Beck's all round play that was the most impressive part of his performance. His game effectiveness, both offensively and defensively, is growing and improving noticeably each game. As is his presence, leadership and impact. Beck's overall versatility was commented on favorably by the Belleville announcers who said said that Beck is a player "who will get a lot of NHL time" and then went on to inform the viewers that among AHL rookies, Beck leads in +/- and is second in total points. It's no longer a question if Beck will play in Montreal. But only when.
Roy played what should now be considered his typical game, long periods of invisibility with flashes of brilliance. Roy's hand skills, vision and offensive flare are enjoyable to watch. There are ties that it appears that he has the puck on a string. Roy again showed an occasional, if not unexpected, burst of speed when he approach the opposing net and on the back check. More importantly to this writer, it appears that Roy is assuming a leadership role on this young but talented Laval team. If this kid could skate he would be a star. He still may be one.
I found it to be another quiet game for Tuch. This young player continued to display NHL speed which allowed him to create a few scoring opportunities, be an effective forechecker and backcheck with purpose. But it is becoming more and more apparent that at the next level, one can't expect too much offensive production from what should be a classic and very valuable bottom 6 forward.
Florian Xhekaj had a mediocre game. Except for a couple of rushes where he flashed his superior straight line speed, including an end to end rush late in the third period with Dobes on the bench, where Xhekaj was able to circle the net and set up a scoring opportunity, Xhekaj was unable to produce any scoring opportunities. Xhekaj was also weak on face-offs, losing far more than he won. Though Laval's coaching staff continued to use Xhekaj on the first penalty killing unit, I thought Xhekaj was not as effective tonight as a penalty killer as he has been in the past. In fact, I thought the entire Laval penalty killing unit was ineffective. It was far too static and didn't apply any pressure on the Belleville players manning the power play. Though I think Xhekaj will play in the NHL, that won't happen until he gets quicker.
Farrell had a tepid game where showed an occasional burst of speed, but failed to produce offensively. While it is way too early to write off this young player, watching Farrell being easily contained by AHL level players raises legitimate doubts whether he will ever develop the skill and strength to play at the NHL level. Kidney, on the other hand, showed more offensive spark, made several good plays, drove to the net with gusto, had a couple of scoring chances and actually took a hit to make a play. This youthful looking player has an air to him that may allow him to play in the NHL once he gets stronger.
Nothing that Mailloux did tonight changed my view of his current potential to be an impactful NHL defender. While he displayed his excellent offensive vision and play making ability, Mailloux's lack of skating ability prevented him from being a puck transporter, show adequate recovery ability and play effective defence in the defensive zone. His limitations in mobility and quickness was acutely displayed on Belleville's winning goal scored on a power play. Mailloux attempted to force the Belleville playing the half boards who then passed the puck to a teammate playing behind the net. Mallioux didn't have the quickness to retreat towards his own net to be in a position to block the pass from behind his net to the Belleville player in the high bumper position who scored. Also, similar to those agonizing sequences against the Islanders, there were several times that Laval was trapped/pinned in its own zone for an extended period when Mailloux was on the ice. Mailloux has many high end skills, but unless he gets quicker, I can't see this player being an impactful defenceman at the NHL level.
Trudeau continued to flounder. He was repeatedly beaten wide and looked completely outclassed tonight. Hopefully this is just a down time for this player. But Trudeau has regressed since the start of the season. On a much more positive note, Engstrom had a strong rebound game. He was easily Laval's best defenceman tonight. He made smart/ effective plays in the defensive zone, showed good mobility in transporting the puck, had few turnovers and made numerous slick plays at the offensive blueline that kept the play alive or was able to find an open teammate. He definitely returned to the level of play he showed off in the first half dozens of games this year.
Last edited:
Trudeau is playing hurt it's obvious he's no where near as mobile after that hit he took on his knee.
Players going around him like he's standing still particularly on his strong side.
Players going around him like he's standing still particularly on his strong side.
MarkovsKnee
Global Moderator
He misses Davidson too but Simonneau is a very good fit.
The most impressive thing I've heard to date is his coach saying he can play with anyone.
That is high praise indeed for a rookie.
MarkovsKnee
Global Moderator
I mean yeah, he can obviously, but Mesar's vision is his strong point. He can get Beck the puck in dangerous locations for his shot. I like them as a duo.
