Commandant Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Just got the press release http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/05/30/canadiens-sign-dalton-thrower/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 That was the most important of the 3 to get signed before Sunday afternoon. It's shaping up to be another awfully young defence corps in the minors next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PMAC Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Do you guys have any insight as to why they seem to be leaning towards not signing Vail? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Do you guys have any insight as to why they seem to be leaning towards not signing Vail? A few guesses: - The 50-player contract limit. By the time they re-sign their RFA's and UFA's, they're going to probably be over 45. Knowing that the Habs like to keep a few spots handy at the beginning of the year (which really came in handy this season), that doesn't help. - He didn't impress at training camp where he was the first cut, ahead of others who were just there on a tryout. His conditioning apparently wasn't up to par. That also was an issue at the US Junior team's offseason camp. His level of play has dropped off considerably towards the end of the last two years, also not a positive in the conditioning side of things. - Does he have a role in the pros? He won't be a top-6 forward while he's not a particularly physical player. He could be a checker but didn't fare too well with his stints in Hamilton on ATO's in that role. Personally, if it were up to me, I'd give him his ELC. At the very least, I think he could be a serviceable AHL'er for a few years and given how bad the Bulldogs have been lately, that would still be useful. It's looking more and more like he'll re-enter the draft though...unless they can flip him for a late round pick if someone else wants to sign him right away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toronthab Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Thanks guys. Seems a pretty good prospect Anybody see any Bruins around? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 2 Questions I have; Will Thrower, being only 6'0' 190-200lb, be physically able to play same type game vs Pros that he played in juniors, without further concussions or braking down? And are his foot speed/smarts good enough to defend vs Pros? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habs rule Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 2 Questions I have; Will Thrower, being only 6'0' 190-200lb, be physically able to play same type game vs Pros that he played in juniors, without further concussions or braking down? And are his foot speed/smarts good enough to defend vs Pros? very hard to say but, he is bigger than Weaver, Cube, And the same size as gorges. Can't see why he can't play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 very hard to say but, he is bigger than Weaver, Cube, And the same size as gorges. Can't see why he can't play. There's a difference between hitting junior players and pros obviously. One of Thrower's bigger concerns in junior is that he'll take himself out of the play to make the hit and will go for the big hit when a smaller one would suffice. Montreal's smaller d-men play with a bit more smarts. They can all throw the big hit when necessary but know when less is more. If Thrower can learn to pick his spots, he'll have a good chance of making it. If not, he could just be a depth blueliner. With all of the young D in the system, he'll have some time to develop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KoRP Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 I like his character, no matter what role he plays for the organization, not enough like him in our depth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habs rule Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 There's a difference between hitting junior players and pros obviously. One of Thrower's bigger concerns in junior is that he'll take himself out of the play to make the hit and will go for the big hit when a smaller one would suffice. Montreal's smaller d-men play with a bit more smarts. They can all throw the big hit when necessary but know when less is more. If Thrower can learn to pick his spots, he'll have a good chance of making it. If not, he could just be a depth blueliner. With all of the young D in the system, he'll have some time to develop. He can learn that. I think there was another young defenceman who always went for the big hit. He still does sometimes. But PK has learned and so can Thrower in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 He can learn that. I think there was another young defenceman who always went for the big hit. He still does sometimes. But PK has learned and so can Thrower in my opinion. Subban dosent battle like Thrower, nor duke it out with 6'5" 240lb goons as Thrower has. No comparison and Thrower already missed time in both last 2 years with concussions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habs rule Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 Subban dosent battle like Thrower, nor duke it out with 6'5" 240lb goons as Thrower has. No comparison and Thrower already missed time in both last 2 years with concussions. I was speaking of the tendancy to go for the big hit and take yourself out of position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 It is more that Thrower is simply more physical, plays 'angry'/head hunts, gets suspended, or gets smoked and concussed, so a bit different than Subban, who never was a overly physical junior (if I recall correctly). Anyways just hope Thrower, Bennett, Dietz, Ellis et al can stay healthy and play well in front of Condon or Tokarski. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habs rule Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 "Thrower, who was both power-play quarterback and shutdown guy in his one season with the Giants, finished with 39 points, including 12 goals, in 42 games. He has also 70 penalty minutes. At that clip, the former Saskatoon Blades blueliner and Squamish native would have had 59 points and 107 penalty minutes if he didn’t miss the last month and a half of the regular season" I am getting excited Don Scores Hits Fightd and is strong defensively. We don't need that? I think we do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 HR I am quite excited/curious to see how his ankle heals and what kind of shape he is in Oct and how he may fare vs Men. On the Giants, any 1/2 decent kid would be a standout, so wouldn't read a lot into a 5th year juniors' superior play and quote (I assume by local writer) because he is supposed to dominate in 5th year, as many overagers do vs kids just out of junior high school. I also hope Darren Dietz is 100% and can bulk up a bit this off season and stay healthy this coming year, was hard to judge is injury shortened rookie year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machine of Loving Grace Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Most 150+ hitters in the NHL are 6'2" and up. That said he could be like Andrew Ference, a smaller sized defenceman who always knew how to hit guys on the third pairing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 There just arnt any Byfuglien, Brian Boyle, Lucics' in WHL, so hard to tell how he projects to Pro ranks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machine of Loving Grace Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 There just arnt any Byfuglien, Brian Boyle, Lucics' in WHL, so hard to tell how he projects to Pro ranks? That used to be the question with Gallagher. He survived tumbles in the WHL but people said he wouldn't be playing the same way in the NHL. He has. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 But, for a hard hitting d-man, you just cant ignore back to back years with lost time due to concussions. But, will keep fingers crossed that he can avoid any serious long term concussion issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habs rule Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 But, for a hard hitting d-man, you just cant ignore back to back years with lost time due to concussions. But, will keep fingers crossed that he can avoid any serious long term concussion issue. Gotta admit the concussions are a problem. I hope he comes out healthy and mean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commandant Posted June 3, 2014 Author Share Posted June 3, 2014 The big question is not Throwers 2013-14 season but his 2012-13 year for me. Why did he suck in his 4th season in the WHL? If he wasn't so bad that year he would have been in the AHL this year. You can't read too much into last year, because as an overager he should dominate. IF he didn't the Habs wouldn't even bother signing him. What happens in the AHL is huge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meller93 Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 I know in throwers draft year he was the pp quarterback. The next year, I believe a couple injuries took him out early, and some punk called Darren dietz stole his spot on the pp and scored the most goals by any defenceman in the process. A reminder that although thrower did have a bad season that year, he still had close to 30 points in around 55 games if I remember right, and was + 18 I believe. If he didn't battle injuries and still had that #1 pp spot, it could have easily been 50 points in 60 games. He can make it yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 But point is, that he battled 2 years with concussion injuries vs some 'large-kids' and question is; Can he be effective against bigger/stronger/faster men? Foot speed and/or high hockey IQ for defending is always important to be good d-men, so how will Thrower do is a million dollar question. Dietz was hurt at start of season and near end, but likely Thrower will be a similar 3rd/2nd pairing guy (or maybe even Wheeling to start?) and wont have a huge impact as a rookie? Possibly he (or Dietz-Bennett) can be a #4/5 NHL d-man several years down the road; but, gonna need to wait and see how he transitions to Pro first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habs rule Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 But point is, that he battled 2 years with concussion injuries vs some 'large-kids' and question is; Can he be effective against bigger/stronger/faster men? Foot speed and/or high hockey IQ for defending is always important to be good d-men, so how will Thrower do is a million dollar question. Dietz was hurt at start of season and near end, but likely Thrower will be a similar 3rd/2nd pairing guy (or maybe even Wheeling to start?) and wont have a huge impact as a rookie? Possibly he (or Dietz-Bennett) can be a #4/5 NHL d-man several years down the road; but, gonna need to wait and see how he transitions to Pro first. Well I don't follow throwers career that closely so I would have to ask, how did he get those concussions, in a fight or was he checked. If he got them fighting then I think the answer is obvious, stop fighting unless you really have to. Fighting is not your job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 One concussion (this year) was MItchell Moroz smoked him blindside hit behind net. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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