Laval Rocket: Rocket @ Wolf Pack Jan 24 7pm EST

[ahmedou]

People in this era haven't learned decent sportsmanship. Classless

They're not like us.

We're blessed to be Habs fans. Sportsmanship. Class organization. Aura. Etc.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

People in this era haven't learned decent sportsmanship. Classless

I watched the game and here is my assessment. Laval was the far superior team for about 35 minutes and a lack of discipline (Laval took 5 straight penalties) and some poor defensive coverage allowed a very mediocre Wolf Pack team back into the game. All in all , it was a pretty good rebound performance for the Rocket that had been playing at best at an uneven level.

The promising news is that most of our prospects, individually, played much better than in recent games.

Beck, who, earlier in the day, had been named to the AHL All- Star game in replacement of the now injured Roy, had a fair game displaying his top end speed, offensive vision and shooting ability. Beck had multiple scoring chances and did in fact score a great goal using what is becoming an increasingly rarer skill in hockey, scoring off the rush from far range. It was interesting again to hear the Wolf Pack announcers refer to Beck as a 'dynamic young player." There' still holes in his game, largely a lack of stamina which caused him to take a penalty late in his shift and a propensity to try high risk plays when a simpler, safer option is available. Beck is not only explosive in his skating, but is built sturdily and is very hard to knock off the puck. He was still, at best, iffy in the face-off circle. Beck is almost certain to play in the NHL and if he can get stronger and address his stamina issue, should be a core, dependable player for the Canadiens for the next decade. I foresee a Plekanec level type of player, only with higher offensive potential once Beck gets stronger.

Mesar, who played with Beck and Davidson, had probably one of his best games since his return from injury and was, in this writer's opinion, Laval's most creative, if not, best forward in the game. Mesar showed a much higher level of quickness, compete level and strength on the puck. Mesar made several high level plays that created multiple scoring chances including the goal that Beck scored. If you're a Mesar fan, his performance last night should excite you and if he continues to get stronger and faster this young player will play in the NHL, whether for Montreal or some other team.

Davidson, like most of our prospects, had a good rebound game. Playing on a line with Beck and Mesar ( which was Laval's most creative offensive line last night) Davidson had a great on-ice presence displaying his high compete level, surprising speed and offensive vision. Davidson is a coach's delight, as he matches a never take a shift off attitude with a good level of skill, including a shot that he is never shy in using. In Davidson, I see the perfect replacement for Gallagher, only he'll be faster, stronger and bring a much better shot. This kid is one of Montreal's most promising prospects and if he, like most young players can add that one step of speed/quickness/explosiveness, he'll join a host of young prospects ( Demidov, Hage, Beck, etc.) on Montreal's team of the near future.

Farrell had a good game, he was noticeable for his quickness, compete level and overall skill level. Farrell's lack of size and the quality and depth of Montreal's other forward prospects will be a formidable barrier for him making the Canadiens. But I wouldn't, pardon the pun, sell this kid short. Last night against AHL competition, he played hard, effective hockey. Effort in hockey, like in most human endeavors, can take you a long way. And this kid showed the effort that any team will appreciate and value.

Tuch had his typical game, hard skating on the forecheck, great physicality and limited offensive ability. Tuch has NHL level size, skating and physicality and should press to make the Canadiens next year out of camp. Tuch's lack of offensive skill will only always hold him back but with host of potential offensive stars (Demidov, Hage, etc.) about to make the Canadiens' lineup over the next few years, there will be a need for a player like Tuch and the elements he can add to the team.

Florian Xhekaj had a largely quiet game, noticeable, however, for his physicality and his occasional burst of straightforward speed. I doubt that Xhekaj will ever develop the skating ability to effectively play center at the NHL level, but if he can gain that all elusive extra step of quickness and add some body mass and resulting increased on-ice strength, Xhekaj could carve out a career for himself as a large, skilled power forward at the next level. What happens to him over the next two years developmental-wise will be interesting to observe. Laval's coaching staff did have enough faith in his hockey vision to play Xhekaj on the team's second penalty killing unit. He even was able to create a short-handed scoring chance using his size and skating ability.

Mailloux had a wonderful game offensively last night showing all the offensive attributes that made him an NHL first round draft choice and an AHL All-Star. As some here know, I have followed this enigmatic player closely since he was drafted and often reported on Mallioux's progress at London, Laval and his brief stint with the Canadiens earlier this season. There is no denying that Mailloux already possesses certain high level NHL skills. He has an NHL shot. He possesses a high level of offensive vision/creativity and his first pass is as good as any player in the NHL. Mailloux made at least a half dozen precise long range stretch passes that few players, at any level, would try , let alone complete. More importantly, last night , Mailloux showed a level of fluidity in his skating (mostly without the puck) that he has rarely displayed this year. Whether by choice or direction of his coaching staff, Mailloux took every opportunity to support his forwards and was an offensive menace all game long. He even made an occasional rush with the puck. This is what I witnessed when watching him in London.

Notwithstanding his performance last night, I stand on what I have been writing all season long, this kid is no future NHL defenceman. His hockey orientation and strengths are all offensively based. Who knows the reason why, maybe it was Mailloux's lost years of development, but trying to turn Mailloux into an NHL defenceman is akin to trying to force a round peg into a square hole. I would be converting Mailloux into a large, highly skilled power forward. Heck, he'd already be better than Pezzetta. Let's see if Hughes and Co. share my views on the way of maximizing this young player's potential.

Engstrom had a middling game showing, on occasion the high end skating, puck control and aggressive/controlled pinching that makes him a promising prospect. But Engstrom had more than his usual defensive lapses including a failed coverage assignment that led to the tying goal against. The kid has potential, but I doubt he will be called up to the Canadiens this year unless there is a spate of injuries.

While, Struble had a modest game, he did bring a higher level of mobility and stability to Laval's defence. He was strong on the board and in front of his net. Laval is a much better team with Struble in the line-up than they are without him.