WhiskeySeven*
Expect the expected
- Jun 17, 2007
- 25,154
- 770
Louis Leblanc with the vets
- Thread starter Whitesnake
- Start date
montreal
Go Habs Go
bhuya71
Registered User
It's not really. Leblancs biggest assets were his smarts, tenacity, hard work, and boardwork. Basically he can be a top 9 two way guy that picks up points creating space, traffic, and cleaning up. His frame isn't meant for it but because he doesn't have high end skating or offensive skills I think thats the style that will make him successful and succeeded in international tournaments as well playing like that. He's no collberg or other smaller skilled prospect we have.
- Jan 5, 2003
- 90,760
- 45,232
People were wondering why Leblanc wasn't invited to the rookie camp, that he couldn't be just invited to the pro one, that something was clearly in the works Kristo style etc.....Not a big drama though...
montreal
Go Habs Go
People were wondering why Leblanc wasn't invited to the rookie camp, that he couldn't be just invited to the pro one, that something was clearly in the works Kristo style etc.....Not a big drama though...
oh i see, not sure what he would learn from a 5th rookie camp, rather see him in the gym anyway.
Estimated_Prophet
Registered User
- Mar 28, 2003
- 10,387
- 13,594
This is his 5th season since being drafted
1st season - Harvard
2nd season - Montreal Juniors
3rd season - Hamilton/Montreal
4th season - Hamilton
5th season - Now
You are correct! I must of done 2013-2009 to get 4 years and completely forgot about the Harvard year being drafted.
Even then, I'd rather sign one of the leftover free agents to a one year contract. There's a surplus of good depth wingers in the league.
Estimated_Prophet
Registered User
- Mar 28, 2003
- 10,387
- 13,594
It is a common mistake that people make at the start of a season (done it before myself).
The year that matters is always the year that the season ends in (this season is technically the 2014 season)
I am not ready to close the book on LL. I think he showed two years ago that he can play in the NHL. A young Hamilton team last year that needed more veteran presence along with a high ankle sprain. He had two goals and an assist in his first 3 games. With two vets possibly starting the season on IR, I see LL possibly making the team.
Have you seen Steve Quailer play hockey? He will never see the light of day in the NHL. During the scrimmage last season they called up half the Bulldogs and didn't even bother to give him a sniff in a meaningless game. He'll look very average against the rookies, imagine the 1st team.
There are no 'favors' given in the NHL. Marc Bergevin doesn't strike me as the type to coddle those with a sense of entitlement. Leblanc's played 42 games. Spent a lock-out year in Hamilton.
He would not learn a thing playing with the rookies. He's played 2 pro seasons.
attachetatuque
un gros bonhomme!
Might just be a numbers game...how many games does it take to loose the "rookie" tag? cause he's got 42.
Looking back he probably should have stayed at Harvard no?
He'd be starting his first year pro with a bachelors degree at arguably the best school in North America where he attended on a full scholarship. That's money right there. He can always go back I'm sure. Harvard once, Harvard for ever?
Maybe it was a grades thing?
Saw him the other day in a deli with the guy who owns Play It Again Sports on St Charles (in the West Island). He did not seem to be any bigger IMO, fit, but slim.
Looking back he probably should have stayed at Harvard no?
He'd be starting his first year pro with a bachelors degree at arguably the best school in North America where he attended on a full scholarship. That's money right there. He can always go back I'm sure. Harvard once, Harvard for ever?
Maybe it was a grades thing?
Saw him the other day in a deli with the guy who owns Play It Again Sports on St Charles (in the West Island). He did not seem to be any bigger IMO, fit, but slim.
Estimated_Prophet
Registered User
- Mar 28, 2003
- 10,387
- 13,594
I find it odd that people keep referring to Leblanc having proved that he can play in the NHL due to his stint with the big club two seasons ago.
The only thing that was proved at that point was that he could not play in the NHL as he was sent back to Hamilton. I personally did not find him to be very impressive despite showing some glimpses but this goes for most players who get a cup of coffee in the NHL....many of whom never end up making it back.
I am not necessarily writing him off but he has shown very little as a professional up until now to justify having a lot of faith in his ability to be a good NHLer. There are enough variables such as injuries and coaching changes to muddy the waters enough to still allow for some hope to flourish but it is getting harder to support these hopes.
I hope he can turn it around and become a solid two way forward with a place in our top nine. However, I am not going to pretend that the reality of the situation currently suggests that there is a favourable probability of him doing so.
The only thing that was proved at that point was that he could not play in the NHL as he was sent back to Hamilton. I personally did not find him to be very impressive despite showing some glimpses but this goes for most players who get a cup of coffee in the NHL....many of whom never end up making it back.
I am not necessarily writing him off but he has shown very little as a professional up until now to justify having a lot of faith in his ability to be a good NHLer. There are enough variables such as injuries and coaching changes to muddy the waters enough to still allow for some hope to flourish but it is getting harder to support these hopes.
I hope he can turn it around and become a solid two way forward with a place in our top nine. However, I am not going to pretend that the reality of the situation currently suggests that there is a favourable probability of him doing so.
Estimated_Prophet
Registered User
- Mar 28, 2003
- 10,387
- 13,594
There is nothing to be gained by sending him to this camp. He is a former first round pick who doesn't need the further embarrassment of being subjected to this camp. It will just lead to more public criticism of him which won't do anyone any good. It doesn't help the team at all as it only beats down his confidence further and shows other teams that you don't believe in him as well. If they are entertaining the idea of moving him it would be prudent to keep up appearances.....
macavoy
Registered User
This.
I was never a LL believer, I never saw his 2nd line potential but THE ONE THING HE DID HAVE WAS HOCKEY SMARTS.
That's why he was able to have a 40 game cup of coffee vs a 10 game cup of coffee. You don't just magically lose those instincts. Last year was a write off. Whether it was because of an ankle sprain or a mental issue is irrelevant.
He didn't play 40 games to alll of a sudden because in need of a rookie camp. Those 40 games proved he has what it takes to be an NHL player. Whether he never realizes that goal / skill level again is immaterial, there is nothing he can gain from going to a rookie camp at this point.
The point of a rookie camp is to expose 18-20 year olds, what is required in the Show.
In fact LL, is probably the perfect motivational speaker to our kids at the rookie camp.
macavoy
Registered User
This is what worries me about him. He doesn't show dedication. He hasn't worked towards gaining the size needed to be in the NHL. Just like choosing to go to Harvard, showed that he valued education > NHL
I mean, if my son was LL, I would want him to keep his Harvard options open, I 100% understand that, but that is because I know, as a kid, I dreamt of the NHL and I knew it wasn't realistic, but if you are that good and that close, if you chose Harvard over NHL, well, to me, as someone who values Stanley Cup and winning over everyting else, well **** I'd take a Stanley Cup ring over a Harvard Diploma everytime.
Mike Mike Caron
Registered User
- Aug 29, 2010
- 7,471
- 1,247
tinyzombies
Registered User
One thing about the Bergevin regime that has worried me has been the rumors of the mishandling of LL.
WeThreeKings
Habs cup - its in the BAG
Mishandling? Leblanc has not shown any worthwhile progress.. that's no one's fault but maybe the scouting staff for thinking he was the guy in 2009.
DAChampion
Registered User
- May 28, 2011
- 30,698
- 24,313
A bad choice. He did not need to spend all that time studying and in class, whenbhe could be at the gym three hours a day instead.
If anything, the argument for the NCAA route is that it gives you more gym time. You'd think that could have really helped in LL's case.
Team_Spirit
95% Elliotte
- Jul 3, 2002
- 38,731
- 29,007
Bottom like the '09 Draft sucked balls. And most here agreed with the pick.
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/nhl2009e.html
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/nhl2009e.html
I still agree with the pick. Sure, players after have done better but it would be 20/20 hindsight there. Generally speaking, I don't see anything wrong with the pick. It was a decent pick at the time and I haven't counted leblanc out.
Estimated_Prophet
Registered User
- Mar 28, 2003
- 10,387
- 13,594
It was a weak draft and Leblanc was one of the largest consensus picks among Hab fans in a very long time. The pick made sense at the time and that is what really matters. If they went off the board and missed......then there would be reason for criticism.
Users who are viewing this thread
Latest posts
-
-
Devils discussion (news, notes and speculation) - draft and FA edition (44 Viewers)- Latest: devilsblood
-
Proposal: Free agency edition Trade Rumours/Proposals [MOD - Stay on Topic] 5 (40 Viewers)- Latest: benjiv1
-
HF Habs: Trade Proposal Thread #94: "We know what we are, but know not what we may be." (127 Viewers)- Latest: Hacketts
-
