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

[Mrb1p]

A lot of whining about Sean Farrell's height.

It doesn't matter right now, he's joining a tanking, injury-riddled roster for some 20 games.

I also think that some of you are suffering from Gomez -era PTSD. The Habs have good size up and down the roster including Dach, Anderson, and the defense.

Realistically, the team has too many small assets.

The good thing is, those assets are good and they don't all need to be on the roster.

 

[GobigorGohome]

Why did the Habs pick Struble over a local Franco Bolduc?.Bolduc is In the NHL ,Struble??????

 

[BaseballCoach]

Why did the Habs pick Struble over a local Franco Bolduc?.Bolduc is In the NHL ,Struble??????

Bolduc was -32 his draft year. He was rated well behind Struble.

As for who turns out better, we should check in a couple of years, since Struble took the NCAA route and is not eligible yet for games in the pros.

 

[BaseballCoach]

Realistically, the team has too many small assets.

The good thing is, those assets are good and they don't all need to be on the roster.

It's not like in 1989, the club didn't amass 115 points and get to the Stanley Cup final with:
Mats Naslund
Russ Courtnall
Mike Keane
Brent Gilchrist

and Carbonneau wasn't so big either.

 

[abo9]

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?

I get the point, but why do you assume that the team of 6-0 195 have no cohesive structure and are all average players? Why can't they have a super productive forward or two, and 5-10 guys with smarts and skills like the other team?

And why assume that all the muscle-guys will have "smarts" as well? A team full of Josh Anderson's wouldn't be very competitive...

But what's more difficult to find? Highly skilled guys, or muscle guys? I think it's easier to find the skill, then build around it. Build around guys like Farrell and Caufield (assuming Farrell becomes real good - which is still a hope at this point). Guys like Maroon or Anderson can be had for much cheaper than a Caufield.

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.

Yeah and the lack of skill on the current roster is much more of a problem than the lack of size, which was my point. Colorado, Tampa succeed because of their skills, not size. What team in recent years have been good almost solely because of size and without skill?

Even on D, it was brought up earlier that Tampa had a big D. Well, Colorado didn't. It seems more of a coincidence whether the team winning the Cup is big or not, as opposed to a determining factor. Whats consistent is skill.

And Yes, Colorado have Rantanen who can do it all. Tampa has Hedman. Pretty early selections in the draft. Hopefully Montreal can knock an early selection or two in the near future to help Caufield, Suzuki etc. elevate this team to a higher standard.

 

[1909]

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.

If Girard and Spurgeon can survive in the NHL, Hutson will too.

I get the point, but why do you assume that the team of 6-0 195 have no cohesive structure and are all average players? Why can't they have a super productive forward or two, and 5-10 guys with smarts and skills like the other team?

And why assume that all the muscle-guys will have "smarts" as well? A team full of Josh Anderson's wouldn't be very competitive...

But what's more difficult to find? Highly skilled guys, or muscle guys? I think it's easier to find the skill, then build around it. Build around guys like Farrell and Caufield (assuming Farrell becomes real good - which is still a hope at this point). Guys like Maroon or Anderson can be had for much cheaper than a Caufield.


Yeah and the lack of skill on the current roster is much more of a problem than the lack of size, which was my point. Colorado, Tampa succeed because of their skills, not size. What team in recent years have been good almost solely because of size and without skill?

Even on D, it was brought up earlier that Tampa had a big D. Well, Colorado didn't. It seems more of a coincidence whether the team winning the Cup is big or not, as opposed to a determining factor. Whats consistent is skill.

And Yes, Colorado have Rantanen who can do it all. Tampa has Hedman. Pretty early selections in the draft. Hopefully Montreal can knock an early selection or two in the near future to help Caufield, Suzuki etc. elevate this team to a higher standard.

Fantilli would be awesome !

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

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.

I think the best is to see him more, in a league closer to the nhl or let's play him in the nhl when there isn't any target to make the PO. Knowing what his real value is is key important. Maybe Farrell could accept a 2 way deal or maybe no offer at all if he does nothing in the nhl level. Maybe his progress is limited because of his teamates or the style of his team and coaching. So lot of things we don't know, or Hughes don't know. Knowing is key in decision time. (Yes I repeat myself, lol)

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

It's not like in 1989, the club didn't amass 115 points and get to the Stanley Cup final with:
Mats Naslund
Russ Courtnall
Mike Keane
Brent Gilchrist

and Carbonneau wasn't so big either.

They were small but at least they were all fast skaters. And also they were committed to win. Except Gilchrist this is list of almost or actual nhl HOFamers.

 

[abo9]

If Girard and Spurgeon can survive in the NHL, Hutson will too.


Fantilli would be awesome !

I'll be stocked even in the sad event that the Habs draft another smurf in Bedard

But yes, hitting on a big C would be awesome too

 

[BaseballCoach]

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.

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.



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.

I think Caufield played two AHL games in 2020-21 before coming up to Montreal, but they were not playoff games.

They were small but at least they were all fast skaters. And also they were committed to win. Except Gilchrist this is list of almost or actual nhl HOFamers.

LOL, Neither Courtnall nor Keane were close to HoF material. Even Naslund is not HoF, probably due to his career not being very long.

Keane was not fast. Gilchrist was average.

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

Some are comparing Farrell to Johnny Gaudreau.

 

[Mrb1p]

It's not like in 1989, the club didn't amass 115 points and get to the Stanley Cup final with:
Mats Naslund
Russ Courtnall
Mike Keane
Brent Gilchrist

and Carbonneau wasn't so big either.

Players were smaller in the 80s.

Also those guys were all 5'11 except for Naslund.

Big difference between Mesar, Cole and Farrell for the make up of the team.

I still like them, just unsure why we had to pick Mesar to make Slaf more comfortable.

Some are comparing Farrell to Johnny Gaudreau.

They would be wrong, he has nowhere near the same hands, feet or dynamism in his game.

His best weapon is his mind, and he plays like it. He is a lot more Bratt or Zuccarelo.

 

[SlafySZN]

Some are comparing Farrell to Johnny Gaudreau.

Unrealistic comparison but i can understand why would some say that.

Both smaller skilled players, drafted in the 4th round, both mostly playmakers. Farrell doesn’t have Gaudreau’s stats at the same age but he’s tracking to have a similar season than Gaudreau’s second season. He is also not as dynamic as johnny hockey.

 

[Adam Michaels]

I think Caufield played two AHL games in 2020-21 before coming up to Montreal, but they were not playoff games.

You're right. He did play two games with Laval before finishing the season with the Habs.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

I think Caufield played two AHL games in 2020-21 before coming up to Montreal, but they were not playoff games.


LOL, Neither Courtnall nor Keane were close to HoF material. Even Naslund is not HoF, probably due to his career not being very long.

Keane was not fast. Gilchrist was average.

You're right. He did play two games with Laval before finishing the season with the Habs.

Yeah, as long as you're on the reserve list by trade deadline you're eligible to play in AHL including playoffs, which Farrell & Struble are. Caufield & Harris both were too. Harris was eligible to be assigned to Laval. We just never sent him. Caufield went there first, and played the 2 games, because we didn't have cap room to add him to the team.

I think it's because Harris came directly to NHL, essentially burning his 1st year of his rookie contract that he became ineligible.

If Farrell signed & played with Canadiens right away, it would be same situation. But, we should be able to sign & immediately assign either Struble & Farrell to Laval, and have them be fully participating members of that team.

I think Farrell starts with Canadiens immediately depending on when his season finishes, but there might be no point if Harvard goes to Frozen Four. That tournament goes April 6 & 8. We would only have 2 games left (on 12th & 13th vs NYI & Boston, respectively).

It's possible Canadiens think he's played enough hockey and play him in our final 2 games anyway. Giving him an NHL taste before giving him a full off-season to prepare for camp in the fall.

It's also possible Laval doesn't make the playoffs making it a moot point.

 

[Jaynki]

I cant wait to see him. He was impressive in the weak olympic ganes last year. There is maybe something here.

 

[Runner77]

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.

Spotted in your living room when your curtains were left open one day last week ...

 

[Andrei79]

Some are comparing Farrell to Johnny Gaudreau.

Can't think of a single person who is outside of this post.

 

[BaseballCoach]

Players were smaller in the 80s.

Also those guys were all 5'11 except for Naslund.

The stats on those guys are lies.

Carbonneau was no more than 5'10", Courtnall 5'8-9", Keane 5'9" . Naslund was not four inches shorter than Courtnall, LMFAO.

 

[BaseballCoach]

A lot of whining about Sean Farrell's height.

It doesn't matter right now, he's joining a tanking, injury-riddled roster for some 20 games.

I also think that some of you are suffering from Gomez -era PTSD. The Habs have good size up and down the roster including Dach, Anderson, and the defense.

Sean Farrell is a great NCAA player. Top 1% historically I would say.

There is a good chance his game translates to the NHL. My cocnern would be not his height but his skating, but he is so smart, like Lehkonen, that his footspeed will probably not define him.

At the very least, Farrell has earned the chance to show what he can do against the best in the world, and then the chips will fall where they need to.

 

[dcyhabs]

I bounced back and forth on Anderson so many times.. but with all the games we've seen, he just does nothing for so long.. I don't think he's gonna be an asset for us when its time to compete.

Question is, as with several other players, is he better or worse as the team around him gets better? Several passengers would put in more effort on a team with some hope, some wouldn’t.

Is Farrell less physically ready or just smaller? That is will he bulk up?

 

[dcyhabs]

Realistically, the team has too many small assets.

The good thing is, those assets are good and they don't all need to be on the roster.

I think that explains taking Slaf and trading for Dach. Leans toward keeping Anderson, too.

Unlike previous GMs Hughes is actually trying to build a functional team, not just acquire a bunch of players and put them on the ice together. Not easy but at least you can see he’s thinking about it.

Tampa Bay was good with a bunch of small guys. We’ll see if size holds these guys back. As long as they score in the NHL trades are doable.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I cant wait to see him. He was impressive in the weak olympic ganes last year. There is maybe something here.

He was good at the WC's too. The kid can play and he seems like the type to know where to be on the ice in game situations.

What I like most is the gains he makes at every level. There is a clear improvement in his 2nd USHL season as well as his 2nd NCAA season this year.

Undersized forward but there is clear potential with this kid.

 

[26Mats]

He was good at the WC's too. The kid can play and he seems like the type to know where to be on the ice in game situations.

What I like most is the gains he makes at every level. There is a clear improvement in his 2nd USHL season as well as his 2nd NCAA season this year.

Undersized forward but there is clear potential with this kid.

I like him as a prospect.

Sometimes I think, if he's not at a high offensive level like Caufield, how good can he be as an undersized player? Then I think of a guy like Mats Zucharrello, who was never elite, but was damn good - and now is aging like fine wine. He's ppg as a 35 yrs old. And he's in the same top 6 as Kaprisov. Who says you can't have 2 small players in your top 6??? The game more than ever is accommodating to small players.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I like him as a prospect.

Sometimes I think, if he's not at a high offensive level like Caufield, how good can he be as an undersized player? Then I think of a guy like Mats Zucharrello, who was never elite, but was damn good - and now is aging like fine wine. He's ppg as a 35 yrs old. And he's in the same top 6 as Kaprisov. Who says you can't have 2 small players in your top 6??? The game more than ever is accommodating to small players.

I think it will come down to his skating and ability to create time and space at the NHL level. Skill and IQ is clearly there but how that translates to the NHL is always subjective.

Caufield is dynamic cause his skating is very good. It helps him find that open space which is key.

I like Farrell's potential. A B+ prospect trending very very well. We have several of them.