Machine of Loving Grace Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 Leblanc actually has some decent puck control and he's always been good to get the puck in the corners. Better than most Habs. I think people focus on a bad play or two on him. Every game I've watched with him on the Habs he has had strong puck control. It's one of the reasons he was drafted so high. He sometimes holds the puck too long or goes for it when a play can't get developed, but I find that's something learned with experience. He just hasn't been given it. That said, this will be his sixth game up this season. Hopefully Therrien takes a shine to him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 1:46 in 1st period, maybe Therrien is just not taking shine......yet? Leblanc actually has some decent puck control and he's always been good to get the puck in the corners. Better than most Habs. I think people focus on a bad play or two on him. Every game I've watched with him on the Habs he has had strong puck control. It's one of the reasons he was drafted so high. He sometimes holds the puck too long or goes for it when a play can't get developed, but I find that's something learned with experience. He just hasn't been given it. That said, this will be his sixth game up this season. Hopefully Therrien takes a shine to him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 1:46 in 1st period, maybe Therrien is just not taking shine......yet? What makes you say that? He took enough of a shine to him that he played him more in one period alone than Nattinen did on all of Saturday night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Well Leblanc, Bournival and Beaulieu all looked fine, Beaulieu bit clumsy (nerves) but he can skate and good offensively. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMMR Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 I love Nathan with the puck. I thought Louis looked okay last night and was more physical then I remember. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 I love Nathan with the puck. I thought Louis looked okay last night and was more physical then I remember. Agree and he has been asked to be more physical. I just hope he is given a chance to play more than 10minutes in a few games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Well, Louis didn't seem to get a fair shake in call up; but will see how much icetime Thomas will get and how long he can stick with big club. I imagine he will slot in to lineup vs Tampa and/or Winnipeg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machine of Loving Grace Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 I'm starting to wonder if Therrien is actually anti-French Canadian with his treatment of Leblanc and Briere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 I'm starting to wonder if Therrien is actually anti-French Canadian with his treatment of Leblanc and Briere. Not sure, but I know Martin would never sit/scratch a vet player, no matter how bad he was playing (Gomer, Spacek & the Squid) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machine of Loving Grace Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Not sure, but I know Martin would never sit/scratch a vet player, no matter how bad he was playing (Gomer, Spacek & the Squid) Martin certainly had that reputation and many felt it carried over to Therrien but it seems Therrien has his own quirks. From what I see he has his favourite's but moreso he will hold a player hostage for one play. If a guy does something he doesn't like suddenly they'll either have their minutes cut or be benched. It isn't just Subban who that happens to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huzer Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 I'm starting to wonder if Therrien is actually anti-French Canadian with his treatment of Leblanc and Briere. I thought Leblanc merited more consideration, and Briere seems to play so much better at C, but he can't get the opportunity to stick there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Chicoutimi Cucumber Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Most coaches favour veterans in a pinch; most coaches have quirks and preferences. That's why I never get involved in "micro" criticisms of a coach's game-by-game decision-making unless there are REALLY catastrophic mistakes. When we fire a coach, we will not be replacing him with Mr. Perfect - we will be replacing him with a different human being who has different strengths and weaknesses and idiosyncracies. Hence, a lot of the people who were pulling apart JM's decisions and crying for his head are now doing the same with Therrien, and will proceed to do the same with Therrien's replacement unless the Habs emerge as Cup champions. The case for firing a coach should be based on the big picture (overall team performance, defensive play, discipline) and not the death of a thousand nit-picks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeLassister Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 I'm not picking on Therrien until one of Plek-DD-Galchenyuk-Eller-Brière is moved by the GM. Having too many players playing off position is what bugs me the most about this season so far. Be it the C situation or let's say, Emelin not playing on his side too often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMMR Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 I'm not picking on Therrien until one of Plek-DD-Galchenyuk-Eller-Brière is moved by the GM. Having too many players playing off position is what bugs me the most about this season so far. Be it the C situation or let's say, Emelin not playing on his side too often. I would understand if it was Wingers forced to play centre but it's not. Wing is the easiest position to play in hockey, its the least demanding and has the greatest cushion for mistakes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeLassister Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 I would understand if it was Wingers forced to play centre but it's not. Wing is the easiest position to play in hockey, its the least demanding and has the greatest cushion for mistakes. I know, but I can't wait for a trade who will send one of our many C for a real winger. Having too many players who play W instead of C (where they are better) is not an optimal lineup, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazy26 Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 I would understand if it was Wingers forced to play centre but it's not. Wing is the easiest position to play in hockey, its the least demanding and has the greatest cushion for mistakes. I don't disagree with this statement, but some players are better suited to play the wing. While there is less responsibility, I find playing wing requires you to make a lot quicker plays and your back is turned away from the play more often than at center. For small playmaking centers, this isn't always an idea scenario. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 LL has scored 3 goals since Nov 19. Is he even gonna get a AHL offer from Habs this summer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machine of Loving Grace Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 LL has scored 3 goals since Nov 19. Good example of statistics without context. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 Good example of statistics without context. Is bottom line, he is not producing at pro-level. So you think he being resigned is a done deal? I am just beginning to doubt that will happen, as he isn't a great forechecker nor a defensive specialist, so if not scoring, he isnt of big value, even in Hamilton (he is good AHLer, but that may be it). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machine of Loving Grace Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 Lefevbre refuses to take him off the third line and the whole Bulldogs team is anemic on offence under Sylvain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 Lefevbre refuses to take him off the third line and the whole Bulldogs team is anemic on offence under Sylvain. You can spin it however you like, he is tettering on '1st round bust' and he isnt a 21 year old anymore. A smaller Chipchura is what he likely is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machine of Loving Grace Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 You can spin it however you like, he is tettering on '1st round bust' and he isnt a 21 year old anymore. A smaller Chipchura is what he likely is. Except when he played up and got minutes he looked quite strong? Why is it that Leblanc and Beaulieu and Tinordi look like NHLers when up but in the AHL they suddenly look like they are taking steps back? It's pretty obvious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 LL has scored 3 goals since Nov 19. Is he even gonna get a AHL offer from Habs this summer? I'd be completely astonished if he wasn't qualified. Yes, he's not having a great year but his play hasn't been bad enough to the point where you let him walk in July. If he doesn't get much better he may get waived in camp and sent back down but they'll keep him that long for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machine of Loving Grace Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 It's more likely that Berger, Delmas and Czarnik get let go. Certainly Nattinen before Leblanc and they may keep Nattinen too. St. Pierre, Tarnasky and Blunden are probably walking too no? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 Except when he played up and got minutes he looked quite strong? Why is it that Leblanc and Beaulieu and Tinordi look like NHLers when up but in the AHL they suddenly look like they are taking steps back? It's pretty obvious. I am not saying Lefebvre is good or bad, but a regular NHLer will almost always do quite well and standout in the AHL. Even a LaPierre was very good offensively in AHL, but 4th liner in NHL. Leblanc is not playing vs Toews-Crosby calibre opposition in Hamilton and still cant find net for 2 months, how do you expect him to do better at NHL level vs elite competition? Andrighetto, Thomas, Pateryn are managing to do well under Lefebvre. So LLs' shortcomings cant simply be coaching/linemates. Beaulieu and Tinordi showed their inexperience in the fall and last spring at NHL level. Beaulieu's defense is still a work in progress, but his skating and skills are easily NHL-ready. Tinordi isn't a Trouba and he was bit slow to learn in OHL and 2 years in AHL is common for d-men, especially one as big as he is. Why Leblanc has regressed or lost confidence in himself as well as by Hab management is a bit of mystery, but they obviously see Bournival as an upgrade on LL and the smaller skilled kids have passed LL on depth chart also. Tough love is maybe what they are trying to get him to play more 'inspired' hockey? But, don't seem to be working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.