Prospect Info: Sean Farrell, C/LW, 124th Overall

[CDN24]

Farrell I am sure signs after his NCAA season ends and plays some games in Montreal this year.

Bilodeau, Brad Brown, Michael McCarron anyone?

back in the day we would take the biggest Seattle Thunderbird- it worked well
1989 13th Lindsay Vallis 6 ft 3 inches 1 NHL game
1990 12thTurner Stevenson 6ft 3 inches (we got 384 games out of him but maybe should have went with one of the smaller skill guys)
1991 17th Brent Bilodeau 6ft 4, 0 games.

 

[Tyson]

We'll see what he turns out to be. But Habs will sign him and he will end the year here.

This is where you and I differ...I am not convinced he gets signed.

 

[abo9]

I would never, never trade Farrell for Puuljarvi !!!!!


Their D-corp and goalie were huge though.

Good thing is ... Farrell isnt a D

The real question mark would be Hutson since he's a D.

I get the worries over size, but at the same time if all these players pan out as top 6/top 4 talent, its just a happy problem to have.

 

[Adam Michaels]

This is where you and I differ...I am not convinced he gets signed.

If they don't trade him, they will sign him. There's no way they let him walk. His rights expire this summer.

Kent Hughes was his advisor before becoming the GM.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Struble still has upside to be a 3rd pairing defenseman. The offense hasn't come along but that's fine.

You can find worse defenseman on teams 3rd pairing. He skates really well, he's a mean SOB and he can rush the puck up and make an outlet pass.

He's not sexy but he's efficient and has a role to play.

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

This is where you and I differ...I am not convinced he gets signed.

You think to bring him here end of season too early in his developpment will create unrealistics expectations and the pressure could be harmful?

 

[abo9]

They have four 6’4 forwards as of now, and the defence isn’t small either.

I mean, Montreal IS 29th in the league in terms of average height. But then Colorado is last and the difference between the tallest team and shortest team is not even 2 inches.

Habs are on average 6 lbs lighter (13th overall) than the fattest team in the league.

Maybe I understate how important size is... but big deal, your team is 1 inch smaller on average and 6 lbs lighter than the tallest and heaviest teams in the league... I'm sure thats the difference maker

 

[Tyson]

If they don't trade him, they will sign him. There's no way they let him walk. His rights expire this summer.

Kent Hughes was his advisor before becoming the GM.

Why wouldn't they let him walk? Just curious ad to why you think that...not everyone gets a contract offer. Will Luke Tuch get a contract offer?

 

[Wats]

Struble still has upside to be a 3rd pairing defenseman. The offense hasn't come along but that's fine.

You can find worse defenseman on teams 3rd pairing. He skates really well, he's a mean SOB and he can rush the puck up and make an outlet pass.

He's not sexy but he's efficient and has a role to play.

Is he playing top pairing D? If he can be good skating, decent defensively, doesn't handle pick like grenade AND be a physical menace? Might be one of those guys who go to AHL from NCAA and suddenly become very serviceable piece.

Why wouldn't they let him walk? Just curious ad to why you think that...not everyone gets a contract offer. Will Luke Tuch get a contract offer?

Yes, he has traits that will translate well to pro game. Skating/physical/size is always welcome on 4th lines. He may need time in AHL but that's fine.

 

[lamp9post]

Why wouldn't they let him walk? Just curious ad to why you think that...not everyone gets a contract offer. Will Luke Tuch get a contract offer?

Apparently Kent Hughes believes that both Farrell and Struble will turn pro this spring (heard it on the latest episode of Locked on Canadiens for what it's worth).

Tuch will likely return for his senior year.

 

[Tyson]

You think to bring him here end of season too early in his developpment will create unrealistics expectations and the pressure could be harmful?

He is a senior and after 4 years I don't see where he has done enough to earn a contract. With a 50 contract limit you can't just sign a guy because he was a 2nd round pick if he hasn't progressed enough. I am an arm chair amateur and I could be way off. Maybe he plays on a team that is super defensive and no one produces to their real ability.
All I am saying is after 4 years I was expecting more progress.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Why wouldn't they let him walk? Just curious ad to why you think that...not everyone gets a contract offer. Will Luke Tuch get a contract offer?

They won't let him walk because he has tools that will benefit the Canadiens. He's big, mobile, good on the transition, and has a mean streak. The question is why do you think they will let him walk? They will 100% sign Tuch, as well. Maybe not this off-season because they still have his rights another year.

The only reason neither Struble nor Tuch get signed is if they're traded.

 

[Tyson]

They won't let him walk because he has tools that will benefit the Canadiens. He's big, mobile, good on the transition, and has a mean streak. The question is why do you think they will let him walk? They will 100% sign Tuch, as well. Maybe not this off-season because they still have his rights another year.

The only reason neither Struble nor Tuch get signed is if they're traded.

People who get paid to make these decisions will figure it out I am sure.

I hope both Tuch and Struble pan out for this organization.

They haven't shown enough IMO to warrant any excitement.

We will know soon.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Why wouldn't they let him walk? Just curious ad to why you think that...not everyone gets a contract offer. Will Luke Tuch get a contract offer?

You don't let prospects go that have NHL level tools and provide things at the NHL level that remain scarce. Struble can easily become a Chiarot style defenseman, while there's mixed opinions on the actual worth of Chiarot, big mobile and tough defenseman are always prized assets.

Tuch will get a contract offer. We talk all the time about surrounding talent with size and Tuch has the profile to do that. He's a good enough skater for his size. He's big and mean. He's got enough of a shot, hands and likes to go to the net. We need guys like that.

Is he playing top pairing D? If he can be good skating, decent defensively, doesn't handle pick like grenade AND be a physical menace? Might be one of those guys who go to AHL from NCAA and suddenly become very serviceable piece.


Yes, he has traits that will translate well to pro game. Skating/physical/size is always welcome on 4th lines. He may need time in AHL but that's fine.

He's top pairing, PK1 and PP2. And yeah that's basically it, he's a great skater, he's decent defensively, he carries the puk well and is a very mean hitter.

 

[DAChampion]

We'll see what he turns out to be. But Habs will sign him and he will end the year here.

Not in the AHL? Is there room for Struble in the top 6?

 

[WeThreeKings]

Not in the AHL? Is there room for Struble in the top 6?

I think Struble won't be eligible for the AHL play-offs due to the stupid reserve list rule.. not sure how the calendars line up, but likely will play some games to burn a year of the ELC.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Not in the AHL? Is there room for Struble in the top 6?

Usually, players signed out of the NCAA play in the NHL first because it's an incentive for them to sign. That's if they're signed before the season ended. Because Evans started in Laval, but he was signed after the season ended since he was in the NCAA Championship, and that game was on the same night as the Habs last regular season game that year.

But you look at Poehling, you look at Caufield, you look at Harris, and when they were signed, they went straight to the NHL.

I also think there will be room in the Top-6. We'll see who among the vet D will be in Montreal after the TDL.

I think Struble won't be eligible for the AHL play-offs due to the stupid reserve list rule.. not sure how the calendars line up, but likely will play some games to burn a year of the ELC.

Yes, that's true, as well. I remember last year we learned Harris wasn't eligible because of that rule.

I think the prospect needs to be signed to their ELC already for them to be eligible. Which is why Roy, Kidney, Heineman will be eligible to come in, whereas the NCAA prospects can only be signed after their years are over after the TDL.

I think they can sign him to his ELC that will kick in the following year and sign him to an AHL PTO. I don't know if that makes them eligible, though. I know Habs did that with Primeau. But when they announced they signed him to an AHL PTO to end the year with Laval, they specified it was only so he can be around the team and get acclimated. He didn't play.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

They won't let him walk because he has tools that will benefit the Canadiens. He's big, mobile, good on the transition, and has a mean streak. The question is why do you think they will let him walk? They will 100% sign Tuch, as well. Maybe not this off-season because they still have his rights another year.

The only reason neither Struble nor Tuch get signed is if they're traded.

Hughes has already said he thinks Struble needs AHL time & has discussed this with Struble. There's a recent article about it from the Beanpot, as Hughes was there.

Farrell definitely starts in Montreal, but Struble either gets an AHLC with his NHL contract starting next year, or gets an NHLC, gets his one game & is assigned to Laval.

Article where Hughes says Struble will need AHL time.

« Jayden va avoir besoin de temps »

 

[Adam Michaels]

Hughes has already said he thinks Struble needs AHL time & has discussed this with Struble. There's a recent article about it from the Beanpot, as Hughes was there.

Farrell definitely starts in Montreal, but Struble either gets an AHLC with his NHL contract starting next year, or gets an NHLC, gets his one game & is assigned to Laval.

Article where Hughes says Struble will need AHL time.

« Jayden va avoir besoin de temps »

But I don't think Struble would be eligible for AHL Playoffs, though.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

But I don't think Struble would be eligible for AHL Playoffs, though.

I believe you can, as long as it's an AHLC & not an NHLC. Brendan Bisson went from University of Michigan to Henderson Silver Knights (Vegas) just last season. He played 7 AHL games with 2 playoff games; however his NHLC just started this year.

This was true for Lucas Condotta as well. He played 7 AHL games, and 10 playoff games just last year after finishing with UMass-Lowell.

If we signed Struble to a PTO or AHLC he can play. If it's NHLC for this season he can't.

 

[Adam Michaels]

I believe you can, as long as it's an AHLC & not an NHLC. Brendan Bisson went from University of Michigan to Henderson Silver Knights (Vegas) just last season. He played 7 AHL games with 2 playoff games; however his NHLC just started this year.

This was true for Lucas Condotta as well. He played 7 AHL games, and 10 playoff games just last year after finishing with UMass-Lowell.

If we signed Struble to a PTO or AHLC he can play. If it's NHLC for this season he can't.

Okay good to know. So that will definitely be an interesting scenario if they sign him to an AHL deal to finish the year in Laval and his ELC kicks in next year.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Okay good to know. So that will definitely be an interesting scenario if they sign him to an AHL deal to finish the year in Laval and his ELC kicks in next year.

Northeastern is having a pretty good year, so it could very well be late March before he even gets signed. We'll see how their playoffs go & whether they get selected to Frozen Four.

Harvard should definitely be in Frozen Four. They're currently ranked 10th Nationally I believe, so people who expect Farrell to be here soon should check the dates on that tournament. At best, he plays 8 or 9 NHL games.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Northeastern is having a pretty good year, so it could very well be late March before he even gets signed. We'll see how their playoffs go & whether they get selected to Frozen Four.

Harvard should definitely be in Frozen Four. They're currently ranked 10th Nationally I believe, so people who expect Farrell to be here soon should check the dates on that tournament. At best, he plays 8 or 9 NHL games.

They won't be selected for the Frozen Four, but the Nationals. They will have to win to get to the Frozen Four. But I know that's what you meant.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

They won't be selected for the Frozen Four, but the Nationals. They will have to win to get to the Frozen Four. But I know that's what you meant.

Yeah, my terminology for the Nationals is always terrible, but, yes, that's what I meant. Road to Frozen Four tournament.

 

[Walrus26]

I mean, Montreal IS 29th in the league in terms of average height. But then Colorado is last and the difference between the tallest team and shortest team is not even 2 inches.

Habs are on average 6 lbs lighter (13th overall) than the fattest team in the league.

Maybe I understate how important size is... but big deal, your team is 1 inch smaller on average and 6 lbs lighter than the tallest and heaviest teams in the league... I'm sure thats the difference maker

I don't know about this.

Call me contrarian, but isn't it about where that size is and what you do with it? If your whole team is 6-0 195, surely that's actually worse than having one super-productive smurf forward, another 5-10 guy with muscle and smarts, a wrecking ball winger, etc etc?

If you don't have size and power, you better have speed, skill and smarts. There's no way we can compare our relative puniness to Colorado's when you look at the quality of their less physically-endowed players. They even have the big skilled Unicorn winger in Rantanen.