HF Habs: Goaltending Prospects/Young Players - Who to Keep Who to Trade

[WeThreeKings]

I have my doubts about Primeau for next season. Hughes had said he wants to pursue another young goaltender. Yes, that could mean to replace Primeau in Laval, but I'm not sure they have confidence in him. He's missed time this year, and still hasn't shown he's nhl caliber. I'd be incredibly surprised to see him in the NHL next year (or ever, for that matter).

I have my doubts too, but from what I've seen of this management group.. I don't think they are eager to set up conditions where they lose young players for nothing, without knowing for sure what they are giving up.

 

[schwang26]

Generally not.. but as a goalie myself, we are really in a talent deficit at the position.

A lot of guys getting paid and starting for teams across the league, in varying degrees of competition, would be back-ups AT BEST.

Until that landscape changes back, we should be ensuring we select somebody at the top of the talent pool. Last years draft literally had 0 quality goalie prospects.

This year there's Hrabal and Bjarnason at the top. We need to get one of them.

If we can't make that work, they need to invest on Fowler or Clara. It won't give us an heir apparent but it will give us a solid goalie prospect who could enter that higher tier.

All this to say that it doesn't matter how competent a management team might or might not be right now, the position is in trouble because Hockey Canada has f***ed up goalie development.

I've been saying that they should've pursued a top goalie in the draft for quite a while now. Fucale sucked and Primeau is barely ahl level. They put all their eggs in the Price basket. Management never seemed to feel it was a priority though. Hopefully Dobes works out, but with luck, they can use one of the extra 1sts on a goalie (if they're ranked high enough). They might get very lucky with Monty though. I'm pulling for him.

 

[schwang26]

It's pretty obvious the plan should be to trade for a young developing goalie from elsewhere (like Georgiev and Vanecek last year). These goalies usually don't cost very much, and we have plenty of assets (picks/prospects) to trade anyway so no big deal.

You could even deal Allen for a 2nd and use that pick to acquire a younger goalie. I do admit I would be curious to see a Monty/Prims tandem for a full year though.

The question is which goalie are we gonna acquire? There aren't that many. It's all up to scouting. For exemple, if your scout is in love with Soderblom from Chicago (just an exemple) and he goes on waivers or is available for a 4th rounder, then you make the deal and trust your scout.

Goalies are voodoo, as they say

I hear Buffalo has Swede playing for Michigan and he's said that he isn't signing with them. He has great numbers .

 

[WeThreeKings]

I hear Buffalo has Swede playing for Michigan and he's said that he isn't signing with them. He has great numbers .

Not really worth the pursuit.. Dobes is just as good as any NCAA goalie. I mean if the guy is free to sign and we get him, great.. but I'm not paying the asset cost when we could draft someone else and hope the grow more than he has.

 

[Adam Michaels]

I hear Buffalo has Swede playing for Michigan and he's said that he isn't signing with them. He has great numbers .

Erik Portillo. Definitely has great stats. It does also help when you're backstopping one of the best teams in the NCAA.

Primeau, who is someone you're not sold on, had great numbers in his two years in college, as well. He even won Goalie of the Year his second season. So if anyone shouldn't put too much stock on NCAA goalie stats, it's someone who isn't high on Primeau.

Devon Levi is also putting up great stats in college (another Sabres goalie prospect). And so is Dobes.

I wouldn't mind getting one of Levi or Portillo to add to the goalie depth.

 

[schwang26]

Erik Portillo. Definitely has great stats. It does also help when you're backstopping one of the best teams in the NCAA.

Primeau, who is someone you're not sold on, had great numbers in his two years in college, as well. He even won Goalie of the Year his second season. So if anyone shouldn't put too much stock on NCAA goalie stats, it's someone who isn't high on Primeau.

Devon Levi is also putting up great stats in college (another Sabres goalie prospect). And so is Dobes.

I wouldn't mind getting one of Levi or Portillo to add to the goalie depth.

Primeau did have great stats however, for whatever reason, fell to the 7th round. Not exactly a blue chipper. I know the debate rages on about goalies and where theyre drafted, but im sure most starters are drafted higher. Probably4th round and up.. Sure, theres exceptions.
As for Levi, no thanks. He's undersized for a goalie these days.

 

[Sorinth]

I have my doubts too, but from what I've seen of this management group.. I don't think they are eager to set up conditions where they lose young players for nothing, without knowing for sure what they are giving up.

Any specific examples that give you that impression? Because they put Pitlick on waivers and risked losing him for nothing when they could have easily setup conditions to not take that risk.

One of Bergevin's big problems as GM was holding onto young guys too long even when it was clear that they didn't have a place moving forward. Maybe it's wishful thinking on my part but I'm hopeful we won't repeat those mistakes.

 

[Tyson]

Dichow but he's backing up.. and Kapanen? not sure if they got eliminated.

Of all the Habs goalies drafted in recent years none have really shown they have what it takes to become an NHL goalie it seems. Vrbetic, Dobes, Duchow, Primeau. No one has shown much. Maybe it's too early to tell with some. Too early with Crotteau

 

[WeThreeKings]

Of all the Habs goalies drafted in recent years none have really shown they have what it takes to become an NHL goalie it seems. Vrbetic, Dobes, Duchow, Primeau. No one has shown much. Maybe it's too early to tell with some.

Primeau could maybe back-up but he's definitely not a starter.
Vrbetic was interesting but yeah, he's not really looking like anything.

Dichow and Dobes have the best shot, they still have things to work on and we have a lot of time on both.

We just need to invest in the position in this draft. Luckily there are many good goalies in this draft with size, athleticism and wherewithal.

 

[Tyson]

Primeau could maybe back-up but he's definitely not a starter.
Vrbetic was interesting but yeah, he's not really looking like anything.

Dichow and Dobes have the best shot, they still have things to work on and we have a lot of time on both.

We just need to invest in the position in this draft. Luckily there are many good goalies in this draft with size, athleticism and wherewithal.

During the WJC one goalie that stood out for me was the Slovak, Gajan. He might be worth a look.

 

[WeThreeKings]

During the WJC one goalie that stood out for me was the Slovak, Gajan. He might be worth a look.

Overager, certainly could be a look with Clara as a double-dip in the middle rounds..

Fowler has taken the #1 goalie in this draft for me, closely followed by Bjarnason and Hrabal. We need one of those, but would not hate leaving the draft with another goalie as well.

If the Habs scouts believe the short sample of the WJC for Gajan wasn't a fluke, I can buy it.. sadly he was only on USHL loan so the NAHL starts aren't easy to watch nor are the numbers statistically significant.

 

[DinosaurBones]

Of all the Habs goalies drafted in recent years none have really shown they have what it takes to become an NHL goalie it seems. Vrbetic, Dobes, Duchow, Primeau. No one has shown much. Maybe it's too early to tell with some. Too early with Crotteau

Personally I like Dobes moving forwards but thats only to see if he can continue his pace and become the guy. Id suspect a trade happens sooner rather than later (after next season or 2).

 

[Schooner Guy]

Primeau could maybe back-up but he's definitely not a starter.
Vrbetic was interesting but yeah, he's not really looking like anything.

Dichow and Dobes have the best shot, they still have things to work on and we have a lot of time on both.

We just need to invest in the position in this draft. Luckily there are many good goalies in this draft with size, athleticism and wherewithal.

Primeau is less than two years older than both Dichow and Dobes. Goalies nowadays often don't hit their stride until they're over 25 years old.

I like Dobes but Primeau had "been there, done that" when he was a couple of years younger than Dobes.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Primeau is less than two years older than both Dichow and Dobes. Goalies nowadays often don't hit their stride until they're over 25 years old.

I like Dobes but Primeau had "been there, done that" when he was a couple of years younger than Dobes.

Statistically, yes.. but in terms of athleticism and goaltender specific movements? No.

Dobes' higher athletic potential and explosiveness in the net gives him a better chance of becoming a starter than Primeau.

Primeau was a great find in the 7th round but I've never been super high on his potential as a legitimate starter due to the fact he's not the best athlete out there and there's been some hitches in his movement that have existed since his draft and are still mechanically inefficient now.

 

[Habs Icing]

Of all the Habs goalies drafted in recent years none have really shown they have what it takes to become an NHL goalie it seems. Vrbetic, Dobes, Duchow, Primeau. No one has shown much. Maybe it's too early to tell with some. Too early with Crotteau

You don't like what Dobes has shown you so far?

 

[Tyson]

You don't like what Dobes has shown you so far?

His stats are excellent, so were Primeau's. Stats don't often times really reflect the prospect, maybe the team plays tight D. We shall see. I still think investing in the 2nd or 3rd round in a goalie might be needed.

 

[montreal]

His stats are excellent, so were Primeau's. Stats don't often times really reflect the prospect, maybe the team plays tight D. We shall see. I still think investing in the 2nd or 3rd round in a goalie might be needed.

i have a shit ton of Dobes games on my channel, the defense in front of him was pretty bad at times. I even have a decent amount of his USHL games, was thinking about making a comp of all his vids but that would take me hours that I just don't have.

 

[SwiftyHab]

i have a shit ton of Dobes games on my channel, the defense in front of him was pretty bad at times. I even have a decent amount of his USHL games, was thinking about making a comp of all his vids but that would take me hours that I just don't have.

So you think he’s better than his stats?

 

[montreal]

So you think he’s better than his stats?

yes, I'd say he's one of the best goalies in the NCAA this year, I had Levi as the best but Dobes played in what was the toughest conference this year and held his own at times (still haven't watched his final game of the season though, heard it wasn't good)

 

[nhlfan9191]

i have a shit ton of Dobes games on my channel, the defense in front of him was pretty bad at times. I even have a decent amount of his USHL games, was thinking about making a comp of all his vids but that would take me hours that I just don't have.

Would love to see this.

 

[MtlSars]

So....what's the plan?

None of us should be overly concerned with playing Allen and Monty for 23/24. They have exceeded expectations this year. If we keep both then Primeau could likely be claimed off waivers and become another team's Monty moving forward.

 

[Cournoyer12]

I hear Buffalo has Swede playing for Michigan and he's said that he isn't signing with them. He has great numbers .

Georgiev is a huge upgrade from Kuemper!

 

[donghabs98]

Im sensing Allen may just get 1 more start to end the year. Habs are in evaluation mode with Primeau and Monty.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Im sensing Allen may just get 1 more start to end the year. Habs are in evaluation mode with Primeau and Monty.

I wouldn't be surprised if Dobes does get a start, then.

 

[morhilane]

Im sensing Allen may just get 1 more start to end the year. Habs are in evaluation mode with Primeau and Monty.

Allen didn't practice today, he might actually be injured again even if it wasn't confirmed. The habs are taking the opportunity to play Primeau instead. Also, the Rocket is off until Friday, so good time to make calls-up.