Post Christmas break games are not really indicative of anything
Beck fight;
Yes, this was a pretty poor performance by Laval. The finger of blame could be correctly pointed at most players, both veterans and prospects, on the team. But in my long association with this grand game I have learned that one should never overreact to a lopsided win or a humbling defeat. Laval played the worse first two periods in a game this season. They were flat, got out worked, out skated and lost most puck battles. All you need to know was by the half way mark in the game they had a total of 6 shots on net and didn't have one good scoring chance. They had a much better third period but it was a classic case of it being too little, too late.
Though they wouldn't have made much of a difference in this collectively poor team performance, I thought the team missed Tuch's speed and Kidney's very underrated skills.
That being said, here are my short observations as to the play of our prospects.
While he joined most if not all of his teammates in the overall ineffectiveness of their play in the first two periods,
Beck in the third period started to show the skating and skill that makes him such a good prospect. Beck seemed to be fighting the puck in this game, making a number of uncharacteristic turnovers on entry attempts and fumbling efforts to receive passes. Beck showed leadership in trying to stir his lethargic teammates by getting into a fight in the second period. His willingness is commendable, but this is not the player we want fighting. Beck's overall game picked up in the third period and he was Laval's most noticeable player even being double shifted at times in the coaching staff's efforts to get back into the game. It was interesting to again hear a TV announcer from another team, recognize Beck's talent/potential. You have to be blind not to. Beck was also dominant in the face-off circle and won the offensive zone face-off that led to Laval's only goal.
Roy was again absent for long stretches but displayed his elite play making skills and offensive vision/anticipation in the third period by setting up the Laval goal off the Beck face-off win and almost scoring on a great Florian Xhekaj pass when the game was still in doubt. I think by now most understand what Roy's game and potential is: a largely stationary player who can support skilled and more mobile linemates. Roy will never be a play driver (whether at the AHL or NHL) but if can become more engaged, he may yet carve out an NHL career for himself.
Farrell was, in this writer's opinion, Laval's most noticeable forward in the first two periods where he flashed a refreshing and needed level of energy and speed both in carrying the puck and on the forecheck. No one can fault his energy, but Farrell was still outmuscled for the puck on several occasions.
Mesar had a unremarkable game. He showed spurts of quickness and made several clever plays that showed off his hockey skills, but largely was a non-factor in a game where the team needed a spark, particularly in the first two periods.
Davidson, like Mesar, was largely unnoticeable for most of the game. He worked hard, tried to be physical and displayed his great shot on Laval's second power play unit. But Davidson's lack off high end speed will probably never allow him to be a play driver at the next level. In my opinion, Davidson will play in the NHL, but he will have a limited/defined role.
Florian Xhekaj had a mixed game and was properly moved to the wing with Gignac's return. Xhekaj's lack of quickness/agility will most probably preclude him from playing center at the next level. He's also hopeless on faceoffs. Xhekaj, played a physical game, delivered several hits, was a presence in front of the Syracuse net (almost scoring) and made a great pass that set up Roy alone in front of the net. Xhekaj showed off his straightforward speed on a number of occasions and you could see that Syracuse defencemen were aware when he was in the vicinity and approaching. His future in the NHL is as a power forward, as he lacks the skating ability to be a center. But unless Xhekaj gains some quickness, he will never be more than a fringe NHLer (as a center or otherwise).
Mailloux had a middling game. He was on the ice for Syracuse's second goal and made a number of poor reads in the neutral and defensive zones. While he actually made a couple of rushes, this was a game where the team desperately needed a boost from their defencemen to support a struggling offence. Mailloux (and the other Laval defencemen) failed to provide that spark. I just don't see an NHL defenceman in Mailloux and talk that he can someday replace Matheson on the Canadiens is, frankly, laughable. This kid can't get separation in the AHL. I hope I'm wrong, but nothing that I have seen this year gives me any reason to eschew my doubts.
Engstrom had his worse game of the season, committing a number of unforced errors that led to scoring opportunities for Syracuse. Usually effective in all three zones of the ice, Engstrom was poor in all three zones. Other than a few flashes of offensive creativity, it was a largely forgettable game for this usually dependable player.
Trudeau, had a fair game. While Trudeau made a number of poor decisions where he held on to the puck too long leading to untimely turnovers, he also made a number of aggressive pinches that were very effective in closing off/ disrupting opposing rushes, he carried/transported the puck effectively and he played a physical game where he punished opposing forwards in the defensive zone. This kid's game is developing and after a bit of a rocky start this season, Trudeau is showing that he may well yet play at the next level.
