Speculation: Undrafted FA Thread (NCAA/CHL/Euro) II

[WeThreeKings]

The Habs' current roster status has much more impact on their reputation than two negotiations that happened three years ago.

Between agents who are advising their clients? I doubt it. Once you cultivate a reputation as an organization who hasn't been great at player development and have publicly bashed a lot of players who have left the organization, youre not gonna shed it in one or two years.

 

[Lshap]

Between agents who are advising their clients? I doubt it. Once you cultivate a reputation as an organization who hasn't been great at player development and have publicly bashed a lot of players who have left the organization, youre not gonna shed it in one or two years.

The player development part I agree with, although even that's starting to heal over. But the supposed public bashing is mostly our overdramatizing of what happens in our market. Bergevin making a flip comment three years ago about Radulov was headline news to us, but is small-fry in the greater hockey world. I can't see agents digging up old soundbites to dissuade clients from signing here, especially compared to the crapshow in other markets with terrible ownership, bizarre GM moves, and volatile coaches. I know you dislike the guy, but Bergevin's reputation is actually looking pretty good these days.

 

[WeThreeKings]

The player development part I agree with, although even that's starting to heal over. But the supposed public bashing is mostly our overdramatizing of what happens in our market. Bergevin making a flip comment three years ago about Radulov was headline news to us, but is small-fry in the greater hockey world. I can't see agents digging up old soundbites to dissuade clients from signing here, especially compared to the crapshow in other markets with terrible ownership, bizarre GM moves, and volatile coaches. I know you dislike the guy, but Bergevin's reputation is actually looking pretty good these days.

Maybe it does, maybe it doesn't but I think from an organizational standpoint at this time, Tampa is gonna win out because their rep is better.

We start improving for a couple years and it's likely we get more of these guys but even then, Tampa weather can factor in as well.

It's just easy to say we should be getting these guys from our own back yard but we are often in and they choose elsewhere. It isn't a video game in which we can bend the rules and get everyone we want. There's human choice and external environmental influences that come into a big decision.

 

[Lshap]

Maybe it does, maybe it doesn't but I think from an organizational standpoint at this time, Tampa is gonna win out because their rep is better.

We start improving for a couple years and it's likely we get more of these guys but even then, Tampa weather can factor in as well.

It's just easy to say we should be getting these guys from our own back yard but we are often in and they choose elsewhere. It isn't a video game in which we can bend the rules and get everyone we want. There's human choice and external environmental influences that come into a big decision.

Fair points. No matter how well we do or how great our rep, Montreal will always be handicapped by a colder climate and a hotter media. Another reason to concentrate on factors we can control, like drafting and staffing.

 

[Guilliam]

Taro Hirose, Cam Lee and a goalie, either Harvey or someone from the NCAA.

Cam Lee came to one of the Habs development/rookie camp, right?

I also remember a Finnish LD, I think it was Otto Leskinen. His offense seemed to really take off this year (stats watching only). He more than doubled his points total from last season, although his plus/minus has taken a hit. Anybody has seen him play? Could he be an option?

 

[Bacchus1]

Fair points. No matter how well we do or how great our rep, Montreal will always be handicapped by a colder climate and a hotter media. Another reason to concentrate on factors we can control, like drafting and staffing.

Yeah, but on the flip side, Canada is viewed as more European, better lifestyle, and safer. We tend to look at the negatives only, and the grass seems greener on the otherside, but honestly, life in nany US cities sux!

 

[Lshap]

Yeah, but on the flip side, Canada is viewed as more European, better lifestyle, and safer. We tend to look at the negatives only, and the grass seems greener on the otherside, but honestly, life in nany US cities sux!

I have no idea how rich pro athletes judge Montreal as a potential home base. I can only judge what they've done over multiple years. Most have avoided the city. Quebec's tax hit on their salary is overblown or a total myth, so it probably comes down to personal preferences of culture and climate, as well as how the franchise is perceived. The only factor we control is the latter. Thanks to this season's turnaround the Habs are trending up. Hopefully the team's improved performance and younger roster makes Bergevin's job easier when it comes to attracting other young players. Can't do anything about the insane media or the cold.

 

[montreal]

Cam Lee came to one of the Habs development/rookie camp, right?

I also remember a Finnish LD, I think it was Otto Leskinen. His offense seemed to really take off this year (stats watching only). He more than doubled his points total from last season, although his plus/minus has taken a hit. Anybody has seen him play? Could he be an option?

yes Lee was at camp, his coach is former NHL coach Andy Murray who worked for us for a bit under Gainey. Leskinen is a teammate of Ikonen, so it's hard to see him play unless you are in Finland. I saw him last year but don't recall him.

 

[Whitesnake]

So the Habs pursued Huntington and he chose Tampa Bay. Just a daily reminder that not every player in the Q wants to sign with the Habs and that reputation as an organization is a huge reason why players go where they go.

Huntington chose TBay 'cause he said that one thing he liked was Brisebois coming to Rimouski to talk to him directly. Which means that the Habs ''pursuing'' Quebecers means to ask Donald Audette or Serge Boisvert to phone their agent and tell them....yeah....we are kinda interested....

There's pursuing and showing a REAL interest. Montreal don't do that for the Q. Not even sure they do that all around. No stone left unturned should mean doing everything the other teams are doing AND more. But hey, Bergevin didn't have time to go to Rimouski. Well known that TBay is closer to Rimouski than Montreal.....

 

[WeThreeKings]

Huntington chose TBay 'cause he said that one thing he liked was Brisebois coming to Rimouski to talk to him directly. Which means that the Habs ''pursuing'' Quebecers means to ask Donald Audette or Serge Boisvert to phone their agent and tell them....yeah....we are kinda interested....

There's pursuing and showing a REAL interest. Montreal don't do that for the Q. Not even sure they do that all around. No stone left unturned should mean doing everything the other teams are doing AND more. But hey, Bergevin didn't have time to go to Rimouski. Well known that TBay is closer to Rimouski than Montreal.....

Time will tell if it matters or if it's just another blown gasket over Yannick Riendeau

 

[Whitesnake]

Time will tell if it matters or if it's just another blown gasket over Yannick Riendeau

My point is not about the quality of the player. It's the extent they go to not left any stone unturned. Yeah, there was Yannick Riendeau. The response was even more laughable in Dany Massé. But at the time, it was a safe bet to go after Riendeau. They should have been all over him. But it would not have done anything for sure....just like Adam Plant didn't...just like 90% of all they do, don't do anything.

I know time told us that we missed on Gourde and Marchessault. That a guy like Palat HAD to be chosen before the 7th round if a team had any kind of knowledge of what the Q was all about etc. That was missed on Myers even if the kid still isn't a regular. That we missed on Barré-Boulet even if right now he's just a great AHL'er etc. We should have been all over time...and showing REAL interest....like going to their games....talking to them etc. You know....like...doing the job you are supposed to do.

But I guess Mr. Big Shot is too busy for that.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

He has not succeeded yet, but Barré-Boulet is looking very good in his first AHL season.

It's not just signing straight out of junior. Tampa has given a lot of chances to Q/Québec players. Kucherov, Palat, Paquette, Joseph, Gourde, Marchessault, Dumont, Bournival, Drouin, Killorn, Martel, Erne, Domingue. Kudos to Brisebois and Yzerman for looking at underrated talent pools (Q & smaller players).

Dumont was drafted by Montreal and didn't become anything here nor there.

Bournival was drafted by Colorado, traded for Ryan O'Byrne. Played here, looked good then reality caught up to him and now he's just a good AHL player.

Louis Domingue isn't a very good goalie. Tampa can easily find better for the same cost.

I'm not trying to say they don't just these players aren't the best examples.

 

[QuebecPride]

Dumont was drafted by Montreal and didn't become anything here nor there.

Bournival was drafted by Colorado, traded for Ryan O'Byrne. Played here, looked good then reality caught up to him and now he's just a good AHL player.

Louis Domingue isn't a very good goalie. Tampa can easily find better for the same cost.

I'm not trying to say they don't just these players aren't the best examples.

They take a whole lot more kicks at the can than the Habs do, and that's why they eventually see good ones emerge. I did not nitpick players to fit my arguments, I listed all the ones that Tampa gave a chance in their organization.

Domingue is not a #1 goaltender, but he's a suitable #2. Better than Niemi.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

They take a whole lot more kicks at the can than the Habs do, and that's why they eventually see good ones emerge. I did not nitpick players to fit my arguments, I listed all the ones that Tampa gave a chance in their organization.

Domingue is not a #1 goaltender, but he's a suitable #2. Better than Niemi.

Montreal takes a lot of swings on college/high school kids and they dont work out.

You have to have a good scouting staff, too.

Being better than Niemi is like saying that your grades are better than the kid who has 38% while you're sitting with a cool 52%. Yes, Domingue is better, but he's still not very good.

 

[John B]

The Hockey News have an article on their site listing 10 European free agents that could sign with NHL teams this summer. Some have already been mentioned in this thread and others have been drafted or have even played in the NHL before.

Stephane Da Costa C, Ilya Mikheyev RW, Oliwer Kaski D, Dominik Frodl G, Joakim Nygard LW, Jani Hakanpaa D, Malte Stromwall RW, Ville Leskinen RW, Adam Reideborn G, and Erik Thorell LW.

Da Costa signed as an UDFA with the Sens a while back and Hakanpaa was drafted by St. Louis.

 

[montreal]

The Hockey News have an article on their site listing 10 European free agents that could sign with NHL teams this summer. Some have already been mentioned in this thread and others have been drafted or have even played in the NHL before.

Stephane Da Costa C, Ilya Mikheyev RW, Oliwer Kaski D, Dominik Frodl G, Joakim Nygard LW, Jani Hakanpaa D, Malte Stromwall RW, Ville Leskinen RW, Adam Reideborn G, and Erik Thorell LW.

Da Costa signed as an UDFA with the Sens a while back and Hakanpaa was drafted by St. Louis.

I saw somewhere that Joakim Nygard has some NHL interest or offers. played with Nygren in the SHL.

Joakim Nygård at eliteprospects.com

Seems like every year there's talk of Da Costa coming back.

Kaski is having a huge breakout season so someone is going to snap him up.

 

[Fazkovsky]

I would push big time for Kaski problem is we dont have much room for a RH D

As for Nygard, if we can add him to Laval would be good before he plays with the big club

 

[montreal]

here's a highlight of Kaski setting up Ylonen for a goal, Kaski is in the gold helmet #7.

 

[Habs4Life]

Would be nice to get Kaski, still only 22

 

[dinodebino]

My point is not about the quality of the player. It's the extent they go to not left any stone unturned. Yeah, there was Yannick Riendeau. The response was even more laughable in Dany Massé. But at the time, it was a safe bet to go after Riendeau. They should have been all over him. But it would not have done anything for sure....just like Adam Plant didn't...just like 90% of all they do, don't do anything.

I know time told us that we missed on Gourde and Marchessault. That a guy like Palat HAD to be chosen before the 7th round if a team had any kind of knowledge of what the Q was all about etc. That was missed on Myers even if the kid still isn't a regular. That we missed on Barré-Boulet even if right now he's just a great AHL'er etc. We should have been all over time...and showing REAL interest....like going to their games....talking to them etc. You know....like...doing the job you are supposed to do.

But I guess Mr. Big Shot is too busy for that.

Mr. Universe (the other guy) has an (pretty much known in the Q circles) aversion for the league.

Most of the players he wants to draft from the Q are the "well rounded" guys. Fortiers of this world. Palat? Kucherov? Pffffft...Minions in a Minion League.

 

[Runner77]

Anyone worth pursuing amongst NCAA free agents, outside of Schuldt?

2019 Top NCAA NHL Free Agents

 

[Runner77]

Poehling ... can you put in a good word?

 

[montreal]

Kaski with 2 pts today. Tonight will see some NCAA teams season end, the top scorer Hirose could be one of them.

 

[John B]

Anyone worth pursuing amongst NCAA free agents, outside of Schuldt?

2019 Top NCAA NHL Free Agents

I don't know who is or isn't worth pursuing, but I remember reading a rumor last year that the Habs had shown interest in Max Veronneau.

 

[montreal]

I don't know who is or isn't worth pursuing, but I remember reading a rumor last year that the Habs had shown interest in Max Veronneau.

I had heard that and his season could end this weekend, but not sure if they will still be interested or not. Haven't seen him play but his stats took a major nosedive, last year he had more assists then he has pts this year.