Prospect Info: Riley Kidney, LHC, Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL ), 63rd overall

[Pompeius Magnus]

FWIW I think there's been legit improvements in his overall game and physical fitness, I noticed him a lot more at this year's camp than the two previous ones combined, even though he was never put on a line with vets to help make him look good. The problem is that he shines most in the sequences where he has the puck in the offensive zone and lots of space around him, which in the pros becomes a very rare commodity. He still needs to get a lot better at what every NHL forward outside of the absolute elite spends 95% of their minutes doing.

 

[HuGort]

If they could find Swiss teams for both, I think
that is a good option. Less games, and less travel.
much better for working on getting stronger. And
Kidney improving skating, and Mesar his shot.
But I don't know if this exists. at this time of year.

Davidson looked a lot better in camp than Mesar. If he does go Swiss league sounds like Mesar is a long term project

 

[Habaddict]

Davidson looked a lot better in camp than Mesar. If he does go Swiss league sounds like Mesar is a long term project

Davidson is already a good player at AHL level in my eyes.
I'm concerned AHL is too strong for Mesar and maybe
Kidney. One season in Swiss league may be enough
to get them strong for the A.
Yes, I think they are both players you have to "project".
But I think Mesar's style of play may ultimatley work
better at the NHL level.

 

[WeThreeKings]

3 assists so far today for Kidney.

 

[NotProkofievian]

3 assists so far today for Kidney.

Scrimmage, or a game?

 

[417]

Scrimmage, or a game?

Preseason

They're playing the Marlies

Check the Laval thread

 

[Ezpz]

3 assists so far today for Kidney.

There was speculation on these boards, even by me, that Kidney may start in the ECHL. To quote Raiden, I don't think so. I guess there's no adaptation period for him. Maybe we overdid it by signing Andersson, Maillet, and Stephens.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

There was speculation on these boards, even by me, that Kidney may start in the ECHL. To quote Raiden, I don't think so. I guess there's no adaptation period for him. Maybe we overdid it by signing Andersson, Maillet, and Stephens.

Took me a second with the Raiden quote. Nice!

Kidney looked good whenever I saw him at camp. I honestly think even 4th line AHL would be better than ECHL. He likely torches that league. Getting stronger and seeing what is required from a pro is more important. I wouldn’t be surprised if he works his way up the line up anyways.

 

[HuGort]

Davidson is already a good player at AHL level in my eyes.
I'm concerned AHL is too strong for Mesar and maybe
Kidney. One season in Swiss league may be enough
to get them strong for the A.
Yes, I think they are both players you have to "project".
But I think Mesar's style of play may ultimatley work
better at the NHL level.

Yup, Euro league was good for Tourigny, maybe Mesar follow same route.

 

[Skip Bayless]

Not surprised, he looked legit at training camp. He lacked strength, but not as much as I thought he would. He actually won some battles out there and showed that playmaker's poise with the puck.

 

[BJCOLLINS]

Took me a second with the Raiden quote. Nice!

Kidney looked good whenever I saw him at camp. I honestly think even 4th line AHL would be better than ECHL. He likely torches that league. Getting stronger and seeing what is required from a pro is more important. I wouldn’t be surprised if he works his way up the line up anyways.

4 th line in the AHL is usually quite physical? Has he bulked up this summer? He has excellent vision and great hands, he does well playing with shooters.

 

[Treb]

There was speculation on these boards, even by me, that Kidney may start in the ECHL. To quote Raiden, I don't think so. I guess there's no adaptation period for him. Maybe we overdid it by signing Andersson, Maillet, and Stephens.

I mean, that Marlies roster wasn't great. Lots of rookies, no size. Basically perfect match for Kidney.

 

[1909]

There was speculation on these boards, even by me, that Kidney may start in the ECHL. To quote Raiden, I don't think so. I guess there's no adaptation period for him. Maybe we overdid it by signing Andersson, Maillet, and Stephens.

You need some vets at AHL level to surround the kids. I would had prefer Belzile and Richard, even Teasdale, and they lost Dubé too.

 

[Ezpz]

You need some vets at AHL level to surround the kids. I would had prefer Belzile and Richard, even Teasdale, and they lost Dubé too.

Yeah, I meant more that all three are natural centers. They basically created a jam up the center with several center prospects coming in in Davidson, Kidney, and Mysak still waiting for ice time. Perhaps they didn't think much of Mysak or Davidson. It seems like they wanted vet centers to work with the plethora of winger talent. If Heinemen and Ylonen both make the Habs, suddenly there aren't enough wingers and too many centers. I guess it's not really an issue for guys to play wing since most of them won't be centers in the NHL. Simoneau already coverted to wing as did Condotta.

 

[Team_Spirit]

2023-24

Laval Rocket

AHL

56

7

12

19

33

-7

Habby bday

 

[Tyson]

2023-24

Laval Rocket

AHL

56

7

12

19

33

-7

Habby bday

He had a stretch early on for about 12 games where he was scoring and generating chances and then went 31 games without a goal. He has a G and an A in the past couple games though. I swear he looks 12.

 

[Mrb1p]

He had a stretch early on for about 12 games where he was scoring and generating chances and then went 31 games without a goal. He has a G and an A in the past couple games though. I swear he looks 12.

Still only 21. Theres maturing to do, he may end up being a Verhaghe or a Hagel. Or he may just never be good enough.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

He had a stretch early on for about 12 games where he was scoring and generating chances and then went 31 games without a goal. He has a G and an A in the past couple games though. I swear he looks 12.

12? I think you’re understating how young this kid looks. I suspect it will be 12 years before he starts shaving.

Kidney has some talent, but I think Florian Xhekaj has already passed him on the organizational depth chart.

 

[Harry Kakalovich]

I thought he played very well this weekend. I hope he has a big year.

 

[StCaufield]

I thought he played very well this weekend. I hope he has a big year.

He’s really likeable too and really focused. He’s just not flashy but smart and slick.

 

[Tyson]

He’s really likeable too and really focused. He’s just not flashy but smart and slick.

Yeah he got a bit thicker this off-season...he doesn't look 12 anymore, maybe 14.

I do like him and hopefully he makes good progress this season.

 

[montreal]

I thought he played very well this weekend. I hope he has a big year.

I thought he struggled a lot.

 

[Trabdy2]

Kidney was very up and down for me this weekend. Invisible and soft at times, but he showed some good offensive sense at other times with the puck. This will be a key year for him in his development, but I think it's quite unlikely he pans out to being an NHL player for us.