dlbalr Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 This guy starts to feel like a shouldvebeen top10 pick. Top-10 in the second round, sure. Top-10 overall in what was a strong draft class is a stretch though. He's a top-6 boom or bust player since he can't play a physical or defensive game. Those guys tend to fall into the second round (like Collberg did that year) or go late in the first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Top-10 in the second round, sure. Top-10 overall in what was a strong draft class is a stretch though. He's a top-6 boom or bust player since he can't play a physical or defensive game. Those guys tend to fall into the second round (like Collberg did that year) or go late in the first. Cant play a defensive game, how so? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Cant play a defensive game, how so? I don't want to paint myself into a corner and say he's going to be bad defensively but I'd suggest he's not the type of player that can thrive as a bottom six checker down the road in the NHL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 As slight as he is, no one will argue he will be a big hitting checker, but to say 'he cant play' a defensive game is surprising enough for you to say. Maybe you are just comparing him to your long lost Scandinavian cousin Jacob, who can hit and grind along the boards easier. But, can easily see Lehkonen becoming a smart solid PK defender like a Plekanec and why couldnt he start on 3rd line two years from now (not that I have seen much of his play, but wild guess through rose-coloured...)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 As slight as he is, no one will argue he will be a big hitting checker, but to say 'he cant play' a defensive game is surprising enough for you to say. Maybe you are just comparing him to your long lost Scandinavian cousin Jacob, who can hit and grind along the boards easier. But, can easily see Lehkonen becoming a smart solid PK defender like a Plekanec and why couldnt he start on 3rd line two years from now (not that I have seen much of his play, but wild guess through rose-coloured...)? If the Habs roll three offensive lines, he could be a third liner at the start. I fear his size will sort of 'pigeon-hole' him into a top six or bust role in the long haul. It's the same reservation I had about Collberg and the same one I have about Reway. Those players are probably going to be top six or bust guys as well. To be an undersized quality defensive checker like Plekanec is, you have to be elite to overcome the size/strength challenges (such as the inability to physically knock the player off the puck, strength issues when battling along the boards, etc). I don't see Lehkonen ever being elite enough at that side of the game to do that. Perhaps I was too harsh by saying he can't play a defensive game without really finishing the thought. I'm not saying he is or will be a defensive liability, he's not clueless when it comes to that side of the game. But at the same time, I don't see him successfully being deployed as a shutdown/defensive-first player in the NHL either. If he did have that type of potential on that side of the ice on top of his offensive skills, he'd have been a surefire first rounder in my opinion. This isn't denouncing him as a prospect by any stretch. He was safely in my top-10 picks when we did the balloting for the prospect rankings as I like his offensive potential. But in my view, it's the offence that's going to make or break him when it comes to NHL success or lack thereof. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 And if he hadn't had concussion he easily could of been a 1st rounder. No you arnt being too harsh and all you say is likely true, but seems the kid can play, defending as a small guy will always be an issue, but hope for the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commandant Posted September 15, 2014 Author Share Posted September 15, 2014 Our CHL Previews begin with the QMJHL. Here are the East and Maritime Divisions. Each includes a scouting report of a Habs prospect. Here is the QMJHL Maritime Division (Zach Fucale)http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/09/14/2014-15-qmjhl-maritime-preview/ Next is the QMJHL East (easily the best division in the Q this year) and includes Jeremy Gregoire.http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/09/15/2014-15-qmjhl-east-division-preview/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 At 26 he's not really a prospect anymore but Andreas Engqvist is off to a strong start in the KHL this year with 3 points in his first 4 games while averaging over 19 minutes a night. If he were to have a strong season, it wouldn't be shocking to see him sign late in the year with Montreal for a last-second look or cheap depth addition (they lose his rights on July 1 no matter what). That said, there's a long way to go before that option would get considered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 Reway gets 1a for 1st czech point in 3rd game and played almost 19minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commandant Posted September 20, 2014 Author Share Posted September 20, 2014 WHL East looks at Scherbak http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/09/20/whl-east-division-preview/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted September 21, 2014 Share Posted September 21, 2014 Audette had a pair of assists today, his first points of the season (in Game #2). On the negative side, he is struggling at the faceoff dot, just 19/48 so far. In international play... Engqvist: 1 goal, 2 PIMS, 4 shots, 12/14 faceoffs (85.7%), 3 hits, 19:04 TOI (Line 1) Lehkonen: 0 points, 1 shot, 13:01 TOI (Line 2) Nattinen: 1 assist, +1, 1 shot, 1 hit, 25% faceoffs, 16:59 TOI (Line 2) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Lernout picked up his first point of the year last night in a 5-2 win. Reway had three PP assists in the first period in today's win (also 5-2). He now has five points in five games to start the season. A random note, the top scorer in the Czech League right now is 43 year old Martin Rucinsky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machine of Loving Grace Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Nikita Scherbak traded to the Everett Silvertips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commandant Posted September 22, 2014 Author Share Posted September 22, 2014 Nikita Scherbak traded to the Everett Silvertips. Not one of the teams I wanted him to be traded too, I would have rather seen him go to a true contender.... but at least Everett will make the playoffs, can't say the same about Saskatoon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commandant Posted September 27, 2014 Author Share Posted September 27, 2014 Lehkonen and Reway are both doing very well in Europe. So is Engqvist in the KHL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 While he's no longer a Montreal prospect, I figured it's worth noting that Brady Vail signed a one year AHL contract with Toronto. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machine of Loving Grace Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 While he's no longer a Montreal prospect, I figured it's worth noting that Brady Vail signed a one year AHL contract with Toronto. After cutting him? Odd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 After cutting him? Odd. The Leafs cut him and sent him to minor league camp. They then signed him (and three others they cut) to AHL deals. His showing in camp is what likely got him the AHL contract even though he was cut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 Audette 4pts in 4 games so far. Lernout had 1g 1a yesterday and has 4pts in 5 games, but also is -6 in last 3 games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 For anyone lucky enough to have an internet connection fast enough to stream games (so basically, anyone but me...), the QMJHL is offering free webcasts of all their games this month. This is a chance to see Audette, Fucale, and Gregoire in action if you're interested. http://live.theqmjhl.ca/qmjhl/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 Scherbak in 1st game has 2 goals, first one he ripped to top corner on PP. Timmins picked a good time to visit Everett tonight and see his 1st pick playing awesome in first game back and was interviewed between periods. He said Habs mgmt. was pleasantly surprised by Scherbak's training camp and he developed good chemistry with Galchenyuk. He mentioned Scherbak has grown a lot this year and is still a bit awkward at the moment "bit like Bambi on the ice". Koberstein gets 1st USHL fight out of way in 2nd game. (Scherbak gets assist on tying goal in 3rd) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 Scherbak gets 3rd goal in game 2. Audette was -68 the last 2 years on expansion team, but so far is a +5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 Audette had a hat-trick and managed to be a -4 in a 6-4 loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 Reway now with 7points in 6 Champion league games. Lehkonen with 4points in 5 champion.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted October 11, 2014 Share Posted October 11, 2014 Scherbak with his 4th goal and 1a (6pts in 3 games) beat up on Portland. Bozon's team gets smoked by Learnout's team and not doing so well, will they be trading him around new year? Or all depending on Reinhart coming back carrying team or not? Fucale was 1st star in 26 save win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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