Prospect Info: Josh Brook Part 3

[ChesterNimitz]

Mailloux has a good toolbox of size and potential skill but it's too early to project. He needs to put it all together from age 18+. The Guhle you watched play at the WJC was at age 18. Harley and Schneider would have looked like that too if they actually made the team at age 18 but they didn't. What you seen from Guhle was a limited role to some degree cause they leaned on the 19 year olds more

Both players could stall in development moving forward but as it stands now, Guhle development resume and high end ceiling is better than Mailloux. Doesn't mean you will be wrong, it's just where it stands today. Things can from year to year and it usually does.

I agree. There is no certainty in the development curve of any, except the most exceptional, young player, At the U18s, Guhle looked like a much better prospect that Schneider. Yet, one year later, at the WJC, Schneider looked to be the far more dynamic player. Similarly, Suzuki, looked slow and tenative when he played at the WJC. And now, he is one of the young stars in the NHL. It is truly an inexact science, that is part appreciation and part luck.

Aside from what I saw of Mailloux's on ice potential, I was struck by his demeanor and intelligence during the few interviews that are on the internet. I was a trial lawyer for thirty years and represented a number of youthful offenders and, for the past 9 years, I have managed a large amateur sport body and was required to deal with scores of troubled youth. Mailloux displays a level of articulation and native intelligence that far exceeds most of the youths that I have and continue to deal with. Will that allow him to modulate his behaviour in the future? Who knows? He's young and made a mistake which confirms that athletic prowess is no guarantee of common sense and good judgement. But our jails are filled with adults who show a disturbing lack of judgement. I hope for Mailloux's sake that he can alter his conduct and grow to be a good person. If he can, then Bergevin may well have hit a home run.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I agree. There is no certainty in the development curve of any, except the most exceptional, young player, At the U18s, Guhle looked like a much better prospect that Schneider. Yet, one year later, at the WJC, Schneider looked to be the far more dynamic player. Similarly, Suzuki, looked slow and tenative when he played at the WJC. And now, he is one of the young stars in the NHL. It is truly an in exact science, that is part appreciation and part luck.

Aside from what I saw of Mailloux's on ice potential, I was struck by his demeanor and intelligence during the few interviews that are on the internet. I was a trial lawyer for thirty years and represented a number of youthful offenders an, for the past 9 years, I have managed a large amateur sport body and was required to deal with scores of troubled youth. Mailloux displays a level of articulation and native intelligence that far exceeds most of the youths that I have and continue to deal with. Will that allow him to modulate his behaviour in the future? Who knows. He's young and made a mistake which confirms that athletic prowess is no guarantee of common sense and good judgement. But our jails are filled with adults who show a disturbing lack of judgement. I hope for Mailloux's sake that he can modulate his conduct and grow to be a good person. If he can, then Bergevin may well have hit a home run.

I understand what you see in Mailloux. I agree that he has the size, skating, and tools to potential be a good one but I'm going to wait for one full year in the OHL to make a better prediction on him. Right now, Guhle is our best guy outside of the NHL. Then I have Norlinder/Harris neck and neck. Hard to say where Brook falls and I think our herd is counting him out already to some degree but one more AHL year and we will know more. Brook's development path is year to year advancement but he starts low whenever he starts a new league (go check that out on him). Seems to be a slow gradual learner type that might sneak up on us like Evans.

Mailloux to me might challenge Norlinder/Harris in our Habs D rankings in this next season. Doubt he catches Guhle. Brook might get into that 2nd tier mix depending on how his 3rd AHL season goes.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

I understand what you see in Mailloux. I agree that he has the size, skating, and tools to potential be a good one but I'm going to wait for one full year in the OHL to make a better prediction on him. Right now, Guhle is our best guy outside of the NHL. Then I have Norlinder/Harris neck and neck. Hard to say where Brook falls and I think our herd is counting him out already to some degree but one more AHL year and we will know more. Brook's development path is year to year advancement but he starts low whenever he starts a new league (go check that out on him). Seems to be a slow gradual learner type that might sneak up on us like Evans.

Mailloux to me might challenge Norlinder/Harris in our Habs D rankings in this next season. Doubt he catches Guhle. Brook might get into that 2nd tier mix depending on how his 3rd AHL season goes.

I hope you're right about Brook. I would love him to succeed and become a solid NHLer. I just have my doubts.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I hope you're right about Brook. I would love him to succeed and become a solid NHLer. I just have my doubts.

Lets face it, most prospects bust of never reach the potential. Brook might be one of them but I feel that he might turn into a depth guy in the end. He had a rough 1st AHL season but a very solid half 2nd AHL season. This is a huge season for him at age 22.

Best we can hope for with Brook at this point is 4-7 range type on the back end.

 

[Schwang]

I liked his age 18 WJC. I thought he was very good for a 18 year old on D. That's rare. And I have not seen too much sample size of his AHL time last year so I'll have to trust you on that one.

I like Guhle. It's hard to nit pick flaws in his game and he's at that point where he can rocket up more in development if he has a full season this year.

It was only a few games. Fairbrother looked very poised as well.

 

[Habs Halifax]

It was only a few games. Fairbrother looked very poised as well.

I'm not high on Fairbrother but he seems to be forcing me to take notice

 

[dcyhabs]

It was only a few games. Fairbrother looked very poised as well.

Many Montreal D have looked good in their first pro games, including Tinordi. The young guys are keyed up, sheltered, and they usually play against other young guys or vets just working on their timing. A bit different last year but there were still a lot of guys in the AHL who would not have been there normally, diminished competition.

 

[Schwang]

Many Montreal D have looked good in their first pro games, including Tinordi. The young guys are keyed up, sheltered, and they usually play against other young guys or vets just working on their timing. A bit different last year but there were still a lot of guys in the AHL who would not have been there normally, diminished competition.

Tinordi is still around! I do agree that last year was bad competition wise, but I get a feeling Guhle and Fairbrother will work out.

 

[dcyhabs]

Tinordi is still around! I do agree that last year was bad competition wise, but I get a feeling Guhle and Fairbrother will work out.

Still around as a 7th D/journeyman, up to 20-30 games a year at 29, decent AHL stats. He didn't meet the expectations of a guy they traded up for in the first round. 22nd pick, could have been worse, but then almost everyone picked shortly after him was better.

The habs trading up for a D seems to be a bad sign. Lernout is in the AHL but hasn't had an NHL game since he left.

I like Guhle and Fairbrother. I thought Brook looked better last year, he could get back on track.

 

[GammaAway]

Lets face it, most prospects bust of never reach the potential. Brook might be one of them but I feel that he might turn into a depth guy in the end. He had a rough 1st AHL season but a very solid half 2nd AHL season. This is a huge season for him at age 22.

Best we can hope for with Brook at this point is 4-7 range type on the back end.

I think the best we can hope for with Brook is Tom Gilbert-ish (hopefully the Edmonton version, not the Montreal one). Unless he somehow pulls a Jeff Petry (hopefully the Montreal version, not the Edmonton one) late 20s bloom.

 

[26Mats]

I think the best we can hope for with Brook is Tom Gilbert-ish (hopefully the Edmonton version, not the Montreal one). Unless he somehow pulls a Jeff Petry (hopefully the Montreal version, not the Edmonton one) late 20s bloom.

He hasn't had much offense at the AHL level.

Hopefully he's a good puck mover who can defend. It's all about hockey IQ and processing the lightning fast game, making split second decisions... we'll see...

 

[Souker]

I keep reading speculation on what rookie might crack the Habs lineup.
Poehling is an obvious favourite but other names I’ve read are Norlinder, Guhle and even Harvey-Pinard.
I’m surprised I haven’t seen many mention Brook. Outside of Poehling, my money would be on him even if it’s an outside shot.
Yes he had ups and down but overall the kid progressed well last season after a difficult one the one prior.
Would be neat to have him earn a spot as the 3rd pairing RD sometime early on in the season, playing with Chariot.
Edmundson-Petry
Romanov-Savard
Chariot-Brook
We definitely have a need for a PMD in the mix. We can all agree that he has more potential than Kulak or Wideman (who might hopefully surprise as well). Hopefully he’ll start off strong for Laval in the first 10 games.

 

[dcyhabs]

Brook has problems in his zone. He has to work those out before he hits the nhl or coaches will bench him instantly.

 

[Hins77]

Brook has problems in his zone. He has to work those out before he hits the nhl or coaches will bench him instantly.

Agree. Or he will need to put points on boards… its always gonna be a problem with those PMD. They need to put points on board, instead, i rather like to have those stay at home dman like we already have.

 

[Locks]

He hasn't had much offense at the AHL level.

Hopefully he's a good puck mover who can defend. It's all about hockey IQ and processing the lightning fast game, making split second decisions... we'll see...

Brook made some very good progress this past season. He generated quite a bit of offence even though he was not given as much quality ice time such as PP time as he was behind pro vets like Leskinen, Oulette and Shueneman. At the end when the Rocket lost a number of forwards, including the entire Poehling line, and the team was struggling for offence, Brook was moved up front because the coach said he was the only dman who had those offensive skills. If he continues along this path, he could be on his way to an nhl regular.

 

[JC Superstar]

I keep reading speculation on what rookie might crack the Habs lineup.
Poehling is an obvious favourite but other names I’ve read are Norlinder, Guhle and even Harvey-Pinard.
I’m surprised I haven’t seen many mention Brook. Outside of Poehling, my money would be on him even if it’s an outside shot.
Yes he had ups and down but overall the kid progressed well last season after a difficult one the one prior.
Would be neat to have him earn a spot as the 3rd pairing RD sometime early on in the season, playing with Chariot.
Edmundson-Petry
Romanov-Savard
Chariot-Brook
We definitely have a need for a PMD in the mix. We can all agree that he has more potential than Kulak or Wideman (who might hopefully surprise as well). Hopefully he’ll start off strong for Laval in the first 10 games.

Not invited to rookie camp so that makes him off the radar. Stay tuned 'till the golf launching day.

 

[sandviper]

Let’s just keep piling on to the shit offseason we’re having…

 

[Miller Time]

Let’s just keep piling on to the shit offseason we’re having…

Like wtf...

It's as if the hockey gods decided that after showering us with a few rounds of great fortune, it was time to get right back to shiting on us...

Hope Brook takes a very mature approach to his rehab & recovery... this was an important year for him, and if he's only going to get 1/2 a season, he'll need to make the absolute most of it once he's healthy. Margin for error just got that much smaller

 

[Archijerej]

Like wtf...

It's as if the hockey gods decided that after showering us with a few rounds of great fortune, it was time to get right back to shiting on us...

Hope Brook takes a very mature approach to his rehab & recovery... this was an important year for him, and if he's only going to get 1/2 a season, he'll need to make the absolute most of it once he's healthy. Margin for error just got that much smaller

Yes. Very unfortunate. He fell out of the spotlight since turning pro, but he would have had a full season in Laval to prove he can take a similar step forward as last year and carve himself a roster spot once he becomes waiver eligible.

It's going to be much more difficult now.

 

[1909]

Very sad for the guy. He was improving and had a chance to be one of the first call ups to take a job on the RD.

 

[salbutera]

Brook heading down the same path as Dietz, Thrower etc.

 

[Seb]

Bust Brook or Josh Bust?

 

[Schwang]

Was this a recent injury? Why wait until camp for surgery?

 

[Toro]

This news is not good. Was hoping this kid could have a strong camp and good start to the year and get a callup sometime this season. Doesn't look good for that now. He will have to work in the AHL after he is back just to get back up to snuff.
With Leskinen staying in Europe this season we do not have much options on D in Laval this year for callups, especially with size.

 

[ngc_5128]

Was this a recent injury? Why wait until camp for surgery?

I would guess either he hurt himself training, or he was injured earlier and his physical showed that the prescribed rest/rehab wasn't doing the job.