LD Étienne Morin - Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL (2023, 48th, CGY)

[Fixed to Ruin]

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

This guy has been fantastic, so impressive for an 18 year old D. Give him a few years in the weight room and I think he could be special. Shocking he went so late imo. I know it’s a deep draft but he is showing how talented he is.

 

[User1996]

I hadn’t noticed the huge drop in production this year. Is there any insight into why?

 

[Chootoi]

IMO there's a few reasons. Last season he was playing 25+ mins/night some nights. This year his minutes are are down to probably more like 20/night. He has also missed some time with minor injuries (could be something nagging) and he missed some time early in the season at Flames camp.

But to me the major thing is there is no accountability from the coaching. He is trying to doing way too much out there. The team has one mission. Get the puck to Morin or Yoan Loshing and that's it. Teams have figured out it's not hard to defend and they've put way too much on those two guys.

I appreciate his compete level but he is a tire fire defensively. His decision making is hurting him, again not because he sucks but because he's trying to be Cale Makar out there. He needs to simplify things greatly and improve his skating. I don't see that happening at the junior level but I think he has the tools and drive that he'll take a step forward once he reaches the AHL.

 

[Wintersun]

IMO there's a few reasons. Last season he was playing 25+ mins/night some nights. This year his minutes are are down to probably more like 20/night. He has also missed some time with minor injuries (could be something nagging) and he missed some time early in the season at Flames camp.

But to me the major thing is there is no accountability from the coaching. He is trying to doing way too much out there. The team has one mission. Get the puck to Morin or Yoan Loshing and that's it. Teams have figured out it's not hard to defend and they've put way too much on those two guys.

I appreciate his compete level but he is a tire fire defensively. His decision making is hurting him, again not because he sucks but because he's trying to be Cale Makar out there. He needs to simplify things greatly and improve his skating. I don't see that happening at the junior level but I think he has the tools and drive that he'll take a step forward once he reaches the AHL.

I have a different read somewhat from you. Morin plays around 22 minutes per game which is probably down from last year, and yes Moncton's defense is much deeper this season.

Morin has been removed from the PP1 for long stretches this season, mainly (in my opinion) because he was forcing a ton of shots while the actual setup for this unit was to have Desnoyers find Loshing for one-timers, and since Morin really loves to shoot the puck from up top, he was moved to the second unit where he could be the main driver and offensive force.

I actually think Morin's offense has suffered a ton from him being much more focused on his defensive game (still not a strength by any means). Last year, I found he cost a couple goals to his team most of the games I watched him and was turning pucks over non stop trying to do too much. I find that he has cleaned that up to a very large extent this year.

This year has made me wonder just how much offense he actually has, I don't see a ton of vision or creativity, just a guy who can move well laterally on the blue line and with a very dangerous shot. Great puck skills as well.

If he's not going to be a PP QB at the next level, he isn't going to play. Defensively he's such a project.

 

[nbwingsfan]

IMO there's a few reasons. Last season he was playing 25+ mins/night some nights. This year his minutes are are down to probably more like 20/night. He has also missed some time with minor injuries (could be something nagging) and he missed some time early in the season at Flames camp.

But to me the major thing is there is no accountability from the coaching. He is trying to doing way too much out there. The team has one mission. Get the puck to Morin or Yoan Loshing and that's it. Teams have figured out it's not hard to defend and they've put way too much on those two guys.

I appreciate his compete level but he is a tire fire defensively. His decision making is hurting him, again not because he sucks but because he's trying to be Cale Makar out there. He needs to simplify things greatly and improve his skating. I don't see that happening at the junior level but I think he has the tools and drive that he'll take a step forward once he reaches the AHL.

Pretty good summarization of his play.

He’s been worse than last season and I put a lot of that on the coach letting him and Loshing do whatever they please trying to produce offense.

The best thing for his development would be a new coach

 

[Fixed to Ruin]

I have a different read somewhat from you. Morin plays around 22 minutes per game which is probably down from last year, and yes Moncton's defense is much deeper this season.

Morin has been removed from the PP1 for long stretches this season, mainly (in my opinion) because he was forcing a ton of shots while the actual setup for this unit was to have Desnoyers find Loshing for one-timers, and since Morin really loves to shoot the puck from up top, he was moved to the second unit where he could be the main driver and offensive force.

I actually think Morin's offense has suffered a ton from him being much more focused on his defensive game (still not a strength by any means). Last year, I found he cost a couple goals to his team most of the games I watched him and was turning pucks over non stop trying to do too much. I find that he has cleaned that up to a very large extent this year.

This year has made me wonder just how much offense he actually has, I don't see a ton of vision or creativity, just a guy who can move well laterally on the blue line and with a very dangerous shot. Great puck skills as well.

If he's not going to be a PP QB at the next level, he isn't going to play. Defensively he's such a project.

Considering that the Flames acquired Hunter Brzustewicz who is lighting up the OHL from the Blueline, one would think that Morin isn't going to get prime PP time or be in tough competition for those minutes at the next level.

 

[Wintersun]

Considering that the Flames acquired Hunter Brzustewicz who is lighting up the OHL from the Blueline, one would think that Morin isn't going to get prime PP time or be in tough competition for those minutes at the next level.

Even when comparing him to Poirier, I would really struggle to project Morin ahead of him personally.

 

[User1996]

Awesome feedback, thanks all!

 

[Tube Skates]

It’s easy to tell when somebody comments on a player that actually watches games instead of highlights. This is how I remember Hf when it started.

It’s easy to tell when somebody comments on a player that actually watches games instead of highlights. This is how I remember Hf when it started.

 

[De Montreal]

It’s easy to tell when somebody comments on a player that actually watches games instead of highlights. This is how I remember Hf when it started.

It’s easy to tell when somebody comments on a player that actually watches games instead of highlights. This is how I remember Hf when it started.

It’s easy to tell when somebody comments on a player that actually watches games instead of highlights. This is how I remember Hf when it started.

 

[GordieHowYaDoin]

It’s easy to tell when somebody comments on a player that actually watches games instead of highlights. This is how I remember Hf when it started.

It’s easy to tell when somebody comments on a player that actually watches games instead of highlights. This is how I remember Hf when it started.

 

[Fixed to Ruin]

4 assists tonight vs Chicoutimi.

 

[BigRangy]

4 assists tonight vs Chicoutimi.

Tried to watch this game but the TSN+ stream was cutting in and out. I’ve been having a lot of issues with the CHL on TSN stream quality.