Locke rippin it up

[BCHabnut]

So Locke is having a hell of a playoff. I will be watching him closely in training camp. Do you think he can step up to the big leagues?

[cfposi]

I think the general consensus is that he is too small for the NHL. I know that can be faulty thinking at time but we need to look at the needs. If the Habs can bring up only 1 small(ish)/skilled player, it might-as-well be Grabs. He has earned his spot and that (unfortunately) leaves Locke on the outside looking in.

[JoeLassister]

I think the general consensus is that he is too small for the NHL. I know that can be faulty thinking at time but we need to look at the needs. If the Habs can bring up only 1 small(ish)/skilled player, it might-as-well be Grabs. He has earned his spot and that (unfortunately) leaves Locke on the outside looking in.

totally agree

[saskhab]

The consensus isn't that he's too small, it's that he's too small AND too slow. That's what sets him apart from the Brieres, St Louis', Andy MacDonalds, even Sakus and Plekanecs. We'll see in time. If he continues to produce like this in the AHL, he might get some opportunities down the line, but I don't think he'll ever be ours, or any other team's first callup option.

[Zowpeb]

The consensus isn't that he's too small, it's that he's too small AND too slow. That's what sets him apart from the Brieres, St Louis', Andy MacDonalds, even Sakus and Plekanecs. We'll see in time. If he continues to produce like this in the AHL, he might get some opportunities down the line, but I don't think he'll ever be ours, or any other team's first callup option.

I don't think it's just a size issue...he's the same height as St. Louis. He just needs to add about 10 lbs and they'd be identical in size.

Speed could be a concern but if Locke can remain durable he's got the hands and balance to really drive to a net regardless of whether he's "flying" down the wing. He looks like more of a playmaker then St. Louis which so he could afford to trail the play a little anyhow...similar to how Ribeiro compensated for his lack of speed...big difference there is that Locke actually has heart to go with the skill set.

[Bullsmith]

Locke's size was always a concern, but the questions I've heard about him since leaving Ottawa have been about his commitment and desire. At this point though, even if his commitment improves dramatically (like Millroy's did this year), there's a lot of similar depth Locke has to compete with.

Here's hoping he rips it up all the way to the AHL championship and then comes back even stronger next year. No such thing as too much depth.

[Zowpeb]

Agreed...but that's the same for undersized players all the time. They never get initial opportunities because there are always "guys with size" who are perceived to have higher upside as a result. Just the way it always is and always will be.

Personally, I think Locke will be an okay NHL regular but not with the Habs. There is too much talent in the system for Locke to get an opportunity.

[saskhab]

Darren Haydar is a small guy that has been ripping up the AHL for a few years now. He's considered not only too small, but too slow for the NHL game. As you can see by his stats, he's only gotten a couple of cups of coffee in the NHL so far. I don't see Locke as much different.

[KoZed]

A team has to have a pretty thin depth to call up guys like Locke. He could maybe fit into a PP specialist role; but in the Habs case they're not that bad off to carry a guy like Locke on the roster.

You'll definitely see Grabs (because he has World-class speed) or Chipchura (because of his savy 2-way game and size) before you'll see Locke. With Koivu, Plex and Lapierre, that doesnt leave much room at center for a guy like Locke.

[Athlétique.Canadien]

A team has to have a pretty thin depth to call up guys like Locke. He could maybe fit into a PP specialist role; but in the Habs case they're not that bad off to carry a guy like Locke on the roster.

You'll definitely see Grabs (because he has World-class speed) or Chipchura (because of his savy 2-way game and size) before you'll see Locke. With Koivu, Plex and Lapierre, that doesnt leave much room at center for a guy like Locke.

I say send him west for what ever fodder we can get for him. Not sure which team could use him the most out west. We could see if Columbus wants to gamble on him.

[Habitforming]

I say send him west for what ever fodder we can get for him. Not sure which team could use him the most out west. We could see if Columbus wants to gamble on him.

We've never seen him in the NHL but we should trade him for anything....just because we can?

Why does this sound so familliar?

Oh yeah, Steve Sullivan, Martin St.Louis, Daniel Briere (who everone wants now but not when he was waived) and Yannic Perrault etc etc... all ended up that way.

Good Call!!!!!

[saskhab]

We've never seen him in the NHL but we should trade him for anything....just because we can?

Why does this sound so familliar?

Oh yeah, Steve Sullivan, Martin St.Louis, Daniel Briere (who everone wants now but not when he was waived) and Yannic Perrault etc etc... all ended up that way.

Good Call!!!!!

All those guys had already played in the NHL when their teams gave up on them.

[Athlétique.Canadien]

Good Call!!!!!

I just don't see light at the end of the tunnel. I don't like the idea anymore than anyone here but given the youth logjam we have. it seems he may just waste away in our system, then bolt as a free agent and do well.

I'd rather get an asset and watch him fly versus no asset at all

[Zowpeb]

I just don't see light at the end of the tunnel. I don't like the idea anymore than anyone here but given the youth logjam we have. it seems he may just waste away in our system, then bolt as a free agent and do well.

I'd rather get an asset and watch him fly versus no asset at all

Exactly...and there is probably not going to be a better time then after a strong AHL playoff performance. His value for the Habs may be at it's peak, if only because he won't get an opportunity with the big club.

[Athlétique.Canadien]

Exactly...

That is unless BOb and Co. have other ideas for Locke. Maybe he has impressed enough to now be considered.

Go DOGS Go

[Zowpeb]

That is unless BOb and Co. have other ideas for Locke. Maybe he has impressed enough to now be considered.

Go DOGS Go

How's that fence feel pokin' you in the arse? Stick to your opinion, it was bang on.

[InsaneHABSfan]

Locke is a prospect and should be given a chance like all Habs. If the team gets into this "The Guy Is Too Small" then you might as well not dress our team of Smurfs for the next season!

[montreal]

Locke is a prospect and should be given a chance like all Habs. If the team gets into this "The Guy Is Too Small" then you might as well not dress our team of Smurfs for the next season!

It's likely got nothing to do with his size. I know fans will say, he's too small, when that imo is not the case. If you look at the past 3 years he's been in Hamilton, he's been among the top scorers on the team but hasn't had one callup so far. Imo it has to do more with the way he plays. He doesn't work hard consistently, he's weak in his own end, he's soft on the puck and is easily knocked off the puck. I have heard his coach question his desire and work ethic, add to that he's on the slow side, skating isn't very good, he lacks strength both upper and lower body and his defensive game is poor. I have a season pass for the Bulldogs, I've seen them in about 5-6 different cities over the years and have likely seen over 100 games in the past 2 years alone.

Locke is one of the most offensively gifted players in the Habs farm system. He has great hands and great vision, he is such a good passer and I like his shot. I have no clue why he doesn't work harder more of the time. I have no clue what his future holds, but I always felt a big problem for him was having Mike Ribeiro on the team, since you don't want to have 2 small, weak, slow, poor skating, poor defensively centers on the same team, when they play similar styles in that they excel on the PP and can slow the play down to their level. Now his problem is Grabovski. But unlike Locke, Grabovski is a much harder worker and more solid in his own end while being as good as passer or there abouts but having blazing speed which helps him create more offense. Give me Grabovski over Locke anyday.

[JMMR]

My bet is he is a Leaf before his career is over.

[MAK]

My bet is he is a Leaf before his career is over.

or a marlie.

[JMMR]

or a marlie.

Hahaha a lot more possible.

[MAK]

I don'T think that locke has all the tools to be in the NHL. if not the AHL, I could see him in europe making decent moneys there.

[Punkned]

I don'T think that locke has all the tools to be in the NHL. if not the AHL, I could see him in europe making decent moneys there.

Yeah I guess it would be best for him to play in europe. He'd make more money than he would as a career AHLer... I don't see how he can hope to crack Montreal's rooster. He's not a checkingline center, so he needs to play on the second...

[BTH]

Locke = Ribeiro :puke:

Except atleast Ribeiro could put up points in the NHL.

so Locke = the Ribeiro of the AHL :puke: :puke: :puke:

[Punkned]

Trevor Timmins : "Un joueur comme Corey Locke (choix de quatrième ronde en 2003) a quant à lui élevé son jeu d'un cran (il vient au cinquième rang des compteurs de la Ligue avec 14 points en 12 matchs). Il a encore beaucoup de chemin à faire avant d'aspirer à la LNH parce que sa vitesse fait encore défaut pour un joueur de son gabarit, mais à ce niveau, il en donne beaucoup."

-Source : http://www.cyberpresse.ca/article/20070516...6593/CPSPORTS01

Timmins says Locke has a long way to go to the NHL beause he's too slow for his size...