Laval Rocket: Laval Rocket at Utica Comets 7:00 pm

[Tyson]

Laval deserved that win.

 

[xX SEYF Xx]

Mailloux is racking up serious points over the last 20 or so games for a rookie D

9pts in last 10 games
19 in 31 overall
Solid

 

[montreal]

Davidson Goal - 3:45
Xhekaj Goal - 4:22
Maillet Goal - 8:24
Farrell - SO Goal - 12:12

 

[Runner77]

 

[montreal]

once again another impressive road game from Laval. I don't usually complain about AHL refs but that was not a very good game. The little shove into the back and the ref put his arm up, I thought what a joke. But they battled hard and got the big W.

Mailloux - 17 pts last 23 games
Xhekaj - 9 pts last 10 games
Roy - 9 pts last 19 games
Davidson 3 pts last 6 games
Dobes - 6-1-1 last 8 games (18 GA)
Simoneau - 55 pts in 88 games

 

[Gravity]

I said this before as well. Mailloux gives me Brent Burns vibes. Wouldn't be surprised if 5 years down the road he was our stud #1D.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

I ended up missing this, but pps being 7-2 for the other team and they pulled out the win...

Merveilleux

 

[Ezpz]

Laval finally starting to rack up the W's we expected with as many decent prospects as they have. Still second-to-last in the division but only three and a half wins behind second place. Playoffs are miraculously back in sight.

 

[skidcells]

Laval finally starting to rack up the W's we expected with as many decent prospects as they have. Still second-to-last in the division but only three and a half wins behind second place. Playoffs are miraculously back in sight.

Laval, despite the decent talent, was always going to start the year slower because those guys coming in from the junior ranks had to get adjusted to the AHL. I expect the second portion of the year to be much better and for them to contend until the end for a playoff spot.

 

[jrom]

I think this AHL stint is benefitting both Xhekaj and the Laval Rocket.

Houle also explicitly said that playing with Xhekaj has helped Mailloux in his play / development.

Honestly if the Rocket can make a push towards a playoff run, I'd leave Xhekaj / Roy there and send them RHP, Beck, Mesar, Reinbacher to finish their season

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Davidson Goal - 3:45
Xhekaj Goal - 4:22
Maillet Goal - 8:24
Farrell - SO Goal - 12:12

Christ they're fun to watch. That was exciting hockey.

Maillet seems far better. He's impressive with the puck on his stick.

Mailloux's crazy shot is always a weapon.

Roy getting his groove back.

They've really turned it around.

Houle also explicitly said that playing with Xhekaj has helped Mailloux in his play / development.

Honestly if the Rocket can make a push towards a playoff run, I'd leave Xhekaj / Roy there and send them RHP, Beck, Mesar, Reinbacher to finish their season

Yeah if they can keep up this level of play then we have to start giving credit to Houle. The kids look great and he's got them winning and playing exciting hockey

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

I said this before as well. Mailloux gives me Brent Burns vibes. Wouldn't be surprised if 5 years down the road he was our stud #1D.

Yeah he's got enormous offensive upside. I've been fairly high on him but I didn't think he would look this good. He's closing the gap between what he's projected to score in a full season and what PK did in his rookie year. Which is pretty flipping insane.

 

[Beaker]

What’s Laval’s record since Xhekaj joined?

 

[Sam de Mtl]

Xhekaj- Mailloux. Finally a first pairing made of prospects that we can really build around. Part of me wants Xhekaj to stay for that reason. A call-up soon-ish may be in order though. It is nice to see him dominating areas of the ice. It's not perfect, but he is strong, fast and plays well the PP. I feel like he is in a good spot to grow his game much more than he would get the opportunity to do in mtl.

Fun times. I look forward to the next influx of defensive talent with Hutson and Reinbacher at season's end.

 

[JT3]

What’s Laval’s record since Xhekaj joined?

I think 7-3-1

 

[Nicko999]

Yeah he's got enormous offensive upside. I've been fairly high on him but I didn't think he would look this good. He's closing the gap between what he's projected to score in a full season and what PK did in his rookie year. Which is pretty flipping insane.

He is developing much better than I thought. That missed year of development did not help.

What is more insane however is what other D-men in his draft class are doing. Olen Zellweger and especially Brandt Clarke.
How bright the future is depends also on how strong your competitors are. I hope Mailloux keeps improving and closes the gap to Zellweger. Clarke at this time is in a different planet. Literally uncharted territory.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

Laval, despite the decent talent, was always going to start the year slower because those guys coming in from the junior ranks had to get adjusted to the AHL. I expect the second portion of the year to be much better and for them to contend until the end for a playoff spot.

Combined with all of the early injuries and terrible goaltending there was little chance for success.........the blind and entirely irrational hate for Houle just looks even dumber now.

 

[HuGort]

Gignac skates like Pavel Bure. Damn he is explosive

Is Gignac a legit NHL prospect?

 

[Tyson]

Is Gignac a legit NHL prospect?

He has played one NHL game for NJ. I think he is AHL material kinda like Anthony Richard from last season. Elite skater who can't put it together at the NHL level.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Can we get some Dobes love in here? A lot of people said some unkind things about him early when he was adjusting behind a team who was also adjusting to the AHL

 

[HuGort]

He has played one NHL game for NJ. I think he is AHL material kinda like Anthony Richard from last season. Elite skater who can't put it together at the NHL level.

With right coach though could be another Paul Byron. Usually only a little add to his game keeping these guys out of NHL and being career AHLer.

 

[morhilane]

Houle also explicitly said that playing with Xhekaj has helped Mailloux in his play / development.

Honestly if the Rocket can make a push towards a playoff run, I'd leave Xhekaj / Roy there and send them RHP, Beck, Mesar, Reinbacher to finish their season

If the Beck trade to Saginaw get finalized, he's playing in the Memorial Cup since they are hosting it which is concurrent to the later rounds of the AHL playoffs.

Mesar is playing for one of the best team of the OHL, his team should go far in its respective playoffs too.

Reinbacher and Engstrom should join once their seasons are over thought, so the D should get some help, but Houle isn't a fan of inserting newbies on his playoffs line-up.

 

[WeThreeKings]

If the Beck trade to Saginaw get finalized, he's playing in the Memorial Cup since they are hosting it which is concurrent to the later rounds of the AHL playoffs.

Mesar is playing for one of the best team of the OHL, his team should go far in its respective playoffs too.

Reinbacher and Engstrom should join once their seasons are over thought, so the D should get some help, but Houle isn't a fan of inserting newbies on his playoffs line-up.

I don't think he will hesitate to remove Norlinder. He's hated him since day 1.

 

[Adam Michaels]

If the Beck trade to Saginaw get finalized, he's playing in the Memorial Cup since they are hosting it which is concurrent to the later rounds of the AHL playoffs.

Mesar is playing for one of the best team of the OHL, his team should go far in its respective playoffs too.

Reinbacher and Engstrom should join once their seasons are over thought, so the D should get some help, but Houle isn't a fan of inserting newbies on his playoffs line-up.

He inserted Norlinder when he came over from Europe. He inserted Struble last year when he came in from college.

He will insert Reinbacher and Engstrom because management will tell him to.

They'll likely get some practices first before making their debuts.

I also expect Laval to trade a D to acquire a forward at some point.

 

[CheldishGamibno]

I ain't a big Houle lover but gotta give him the benefit of the doubt. Some indications probably come from HuGo but still (as to who should have more responsabilities, etc.).

Dobes wasn't thrown under the bus, they kept working with him and believing in him. We see a lot of improvment from him. Same for Kidney.
Roy has had a big role since coming to Laval, mostly 1st or 2nd line with PP time. Same for Farrell.
Mailloux playing on the first pairing, good improvment from him too.
It probably wasn't easy for Xhekaj at first but now he's part of the crew and playing great with lots of opportunities. Houle probably has a good responsability in this.
I do think Davidson and Mysak should have bigger roles but I think it will come with Davidson like it did with Kidney. Mysak is probably a forever 3rd liner for Houle though and that I don't get.