Giddy for Bobby G.

You know, from day one of the Hossa trade I had Latendresse pegged for a spot, but it'd actually make a lot of sense to keep Latendresse off the roster even after the trade. this way Higgins and Perezhogin will actually have a chance at some 2nd and 3rd line time.

Also, IMO Latendresse is more likely to be a 1st or 2nd line caliber player next year if he sticks with the club THIS year. I don't think time on the 4th line this year is such a bad thing. Look at Shane Doan for example, he played the fourth line at 18 and he was able to develop his skill.

I don't see what all the fuss is about with playing a guy at 18. There's probably just as much eveidence to show that when expectations, physical play, and hands-on pressure to improve are not present for a player they're development is just as likely to be stunted. Just look at Pavel Brendl for example. IMO, Latendresse is more likely to be a 1st or 2nd line player for us next year if he sticks with the club all year THIS year

I have to agree with AP, I think Gainey and Julien are high enough on Latendresse that he could see significant time with Ribeiro. I wonder why Gainey wouldn't just trade or waive Dags if he felt he had to create room for somebody, but I guess given that Dags is french-canadien and has a chemistry with Ribeiro, he has more value to us than to anybody. There'd be no controversy scratching him in favour of Latendresse, Higgins, or Perezhogin later in the season as well. [Edited on 2005/10/1 by Giddy for Bobby G.] [Edited on 2005/10/1 by Giddy for Bobby G.] [Edited on 2005/10/1 by Giddy for Bobby G.]

Apologies to those who're still argueing at length on other threads about every other reason for the Hossa trade. There seems to be a consensus though that Latendresse's looking very likely to grab a roster spot now, so assuming that's what happens (and given Gainey's love for tough and skilled players this looks like a given).... what are we left with? I gotta admit after this afternoon I wanted to change my name to 'not so giddy for Booby G,' but I think he's shown us today he has no regard for whose turn it is to get a shot, nor how much time's been invested in a player. I think the best young all around young players are simply the ones he wants on the team. After today, my opening lineup is: Zednick- Koivu-- Kovalev Dags--- Ribeiro- Ryder Bulis---- Bonk--- Sundstrom Begin--- Pleks-- Latendresse Souray--- Markov Rivet----- Dandenault Boullion-- Komisarek Theodore Danis Scratch: Streit, Vandermeer (one-way), Aitken (one-way) I think Dagenais is actually on much shakier ground after Gainey tipped his hand today. He may find himself scratched for a good length of time, if not traded, when Higgins and Perezhogin make the jump. I wonder too if Gainey's not just holding on to Sunny for the early part of the season for his PK ability while refs are still cracking down on obstruction. Am I one crack or is it possible that Higgins, Hainsey and Perezhogin are not being handed anything?

The fact that they're playing together isn't bringing out the best from either competing for this roster spot, I think the first thing they need to do is split these two up. All things considered though, I think Hainsey needs a change of environment, whereas Streit could definitely use the AHL icetime more to his advantage, and give him some much needed confidence outside the Swiis league. My first thought is that this scenario sets Hainsey up to stumble while Streit steals his spot mid/late season, but man it has to be now or never for Hainsey the same way it is for Hossa. It can't send the right message to guys like Hossa, Plekanec or even Komisarek that mediocre and listless play will get get you an NHL job.

In terms of the prospect depth chart I wasn't necessarily refering to the HF.com offseason rank of him at #1. It sounded like a negative thread the way I worded it, but in terms of impact our prospects can make this season, of anybody I thought Zhogs would be the only guy with a chance to shine. This penalty craze and the open ice it's creating is making special teams spark plugs like Plekanec and Higgins look like really important players. I think either of these guys could have a big season even if they're regular shift is on the fourth line now.

You know it's probably a good thing he's struggling, we can't have too many pups on the team. Zhogs still has a lot more to gain from playing in Hamilton than Hossa, Higgins or Plekanec. IMO it'd be a good idea to send him down, maybe he can have a positive impact on Kostitsyn.

Is he possibly on the PK unit instead of the PP? We're winning games so obviously he and the rest of the pups are doing something right, I just thought he was playing with Ribiero, thought I'd be hearing about scoring chances at least you know

Yeah he was my offseason favorite to jump in and have a Michael Ryder type year this year. For all the criticism of Dagenais, I feel a lot better with him on our second line than Perezhogin. Zogs has put up good stats professionally so far, so you have to think he'll find his groove in N.America eventually, but yeah after camp I have him 6th after Komisarek, Hossa, Plekanec, Higgins and Latendresse on our prospect depth chart.

I see him in a lot of our final roster drafts, just wondering if he's even got a point all preseason yet to warrant this. I really don't see any room for him right now with Hossa, Higgins, and Plekanek jumping ahead of him with strong camps. Is he killing penalties like their going out of style? Is he taking the body? Or is he just missing his chances?

Couldn't agree with you more. Phoenix has two similar producers in Morris and Mara, with Tanabe a worthy #2 maybe they'd be willing to deal Morris seeing how he's they're second highest paid player. I think unless we want to throw a really high pick the other way or give up some of our blue chippers we might have to settle for someone less, in the ballpark of Chris Phillips. Also, San Jose still has a trio of #1's. Any of Stuart, Hannan or McLaren would work just fine, not sure they could be had at a reasonable price though

Hey man, nice work. Any chance I can get the address for Spector's website season preview? Isn't that the foxSports.com guy? Thanx bud

I have to agree a little with the Markov assesments, lets not forget the guy went from a sudden double digit minus in his first two seasons to a guy we relied upon as seasons wore on. With a good start, some more confidence, and also a better defence partner than Rivet IMO, this guy could be a Sydor type of #1 D-man. With Sinden's penny pinching going on in Beantown right now with a few early holdouts, what about plucking Nick Boynton? He's as quality an all-around defenceman as there is in the league at 26 and could be retained for the next few years at a decent price, given your not a miser like Sinden (probably around 2 mil). I don't think we need a Norris type D-man at this point, but someone better than Rivet alonside our #1, whether it's Souray or Markov, would get us a lot closer to that high quality 6 we had in '93.

What's up all! I'm new to this hockey forum, at least as far as posting goes. Lately I gotta admit though it's hard not to scour all corners of the web for habs news with the season oh so close. It's been covered a bit already, but Shortcat1's post about Kostsy and our "top 50" prospects has me thinking. Not that it matters who and where our prospects are on that list, but wouldn't it be better to see Higgins and Kostsy shoot way up after a full season together with Plekanek on Hamilton's top line, and Hainsey there to QB the powerplay. It's starting to worry me that right now Les Habitant are leaving room for Dags, Hossa, Plekanek, Hainsey, Komisarek, Danis and possibly Higgins on the big club. Who's gonna stock the farm and help Kostsy put up these moster numbers we're all expecting of him this year? If you ask me we'd be better off leaving Pleks down for another year and letting Higgins and Hainsey completely come into their own, giving them quality ice time when they're ready, rather than clearing out fourth line/7th Dman spots for them on the big club this year. Too early to tell with camp battles yet to take place, but Hamilton's roster is looking thinner and thinner with every signing. Cheers all