2023 Habs Rookie Camp

[tomh009]

Interestingly, some other commentators thought Dobes played well, at least the first two periods.

 

I didn’t see any of it myself as I was stuck on a plane, so just reading other people’s comments…

[dlbalr]

Today's lines:

 

And for Boston:

 

[TurdBurglar]

Both Twitch and Youtube links for the 3:30pm EST game vs Boston.

 

https://www.twitch.tv/canadiensmtl

 

 

[Habs Fan in Edmonton]

17 hours ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

Yes, I remember saying the same things last year about Trudeau. 
 

I also thought that Xhekaj had some good shifts and he is quick in short bursts. 
 

Mailloux is miles away from NHL and I was unimpressed with his work ethic. 
 

Simoneau looked good too

 

I almost think after reading the comments here that expectations are a little too high for Mailloux. He has had 1 season of junior hockey, he needs playing time in the AHL, lots of it.  It's probably not a work ethic problem it's more likely a lack of confidence, not sure where he should be so perhaps it looks like he is standing around. Defensemen take longer. I didn't see the game so just guessing here. 

[revvvrob]

11 minutes ago, Habs Fan in Edmonton said:

 

I almost think after reading the comments here that expectations are a little too high for Mailloux. He has had 1 season of junior hockey, he needs playing time in the AHL, lots of it.  It's probably not a work ethic problem it's more likely a lack of confidence, not sure where he should be so perhaps it looks like he is standing around. Defensemen take longer. I didn't see the game so just guessing here. 

I also wonder what the coaches want Mailloux (or whoever) to work on. Never know if some gaffs are because they are attempting to grow their skills and/or follow their coaches instructions. 
 

time will tell

 

it always does

[revvvrob]

1st period observations (hell knows I’m no scout - prolly missed tons - but is what I saw that I thot might be of interest)

 

Mailloux - ya, some gaffes. Also some smart plays. Seems to me like a guy holding on to his stick to tight. Wonder if the scrutiny got to him or if it’s just a slump. 
 

Kidney - backed off from physical engagements too often for my taste. 
 

Struble - impressed me most. Vocal quarterback. Looked like a leader to me. Smart player. 
 

Heineman, Mesar, Mysak - didn’t notice them. That’s why I’m commenting. Maybe I was looking at the defense when they were on - but invisible to me. 
 

simoneau - gosh he is small

 

Watch for a McKay/Kuntar fight in the 2nd - they were gabbering after the first. 
 

that’s all for now!

[Prime Minister Koivu]

1 hour ago, Habs Fan in Edmonton said:

 

I almost think after reading the comments here that expectations are a little too high for Mailloux. He has had 1 season of junior hockey, he needs playing time in the AHL, lots of it.  It's probably not a work ethic problem it's more likely a lack of confidence, not sure where he should be so perhaps it looks like he is standing around. Defensemen take longer. I didn't see the game so just guessing here. 

I agree because many people peg Mailloux to be a first pairing Dman. 
 

Watching today’s game, Mailloux shows offensive creativity and he reads the play very well in the Ozone but he can’t read the play in the Dzone. He panics and isn’t able to start a rush - it’s kind of bizarre to me. 
 

Hopefully Laval helps

 

38 minutes ago, revvvrob said:

1st period observations (hell knows I’m no scout - prolly missed tons - but is what I saw that I thot might be of interest)

 

Mailloux - ya, some gaffes. Also some smart plays. Seems to me like a guy holding on to his stick to tight. Wonder if the scrutiny got to him or if it’s just a slump. 
 

Kidney - backed off from physical engagements too often for my taste. 
 

Struble - impressed me most. Vocal quarterback. Looked like a leader to me. Smart player. 
 

Heineman, Mesar, Mysak - didn’t notice them. That’s why I’m commenting. Maybe I was looking at the defense when they were on - but invisible to me. 
 

simoneau - gosh he is small

 

Watch for a McKay/Kuntar fight in the 2nd - they were gabbering after the first. 
 

that’s all for now!

 

Mesar seems to get swallowed up easily and never amounts to much. 
 

Agree on Struble - although I still wonder if there is a place on the Habs for him. 

[revvvrob]

2nd period. 
 

much stronger overall period for the Habs. 
 

Guys like Simoneau and Smilanic were spark plugs working their tails off. 
 

Heineman, Mysak were visible! Still disappointed with Mesar, Roy and Kidney. 
 

Laoouian has a shot it seems. Gets it on net and varies it up. 
 

Novak, Dufort, Ortiz, Demin, Tourigny - meh. 
 

still liking Struble. 

[Plutarch]

1 hour ago, revvvrob said:

2nd period. 
 

much stronger overall period for the Habs. 
 

Guys like Simoneau and Smilanic were spark plugs working their tails off. 
 

Heineman, Mysak were visible! Still disappointed with Mesar, Roy and Kidney. 
 

Laoouian has a shot it seems. Gets it on net and varies it up. 
 

Novak, Dufort, Ortiz, Demin, Tourigny - meh. 
 

still liking Struble. 

Funny how games look different.

Found Tourigny very interesting.

Roy to me really felt above the rest the team.

 

Meanwhile, I only noticed Smilanic when he was giving the puck over and Ortiz was particularly sketchy imo.

 

Though I agree with everyone that Mailloux was all over the place.

[revvvrob]

The team got stronger as the game went on imo. 
 

Mailloux looked better and better. He didn’t get an assist on the Mysak goal, but it’s his clearing the zone that set it up. 
 

Roy got better too. As did Kidney and Davidson etc. Mesar ALWAYS looked like a boy among men. Sad thing - is these aren’t even men!

 

I’ll add this - Miller was impressively solid. He seemed positionally sound and cool under pressure. I never saw panic even when there was chaos around him. 
 

PS - saw Lecavalier, Gorton, Hughes and got a pic with St Louis. I’m in hockey geek heaven!

[Prime Minister Koivu]

Roy will be a Canadien 

 

The rest of them I’m not so sure. Habs don’t have any high end talent in the minors. 
 

Even Beck is questionable to me. I don’t see the bones of a top 6 player, just another bottom 6 that might or might not make it. 
 

 

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

Disappointing to hear that Mailloux struggled so much. He has indeed lost a LOT of development time and I was wondering about the likely impact of that. I had some hopes for him in pure hockey terms (never mind the other stuff) but it sounds as though we should be thinking about him as a much longer-term project than a high-pedigree kid his age might normally be.

[hockeyrealist]

Didn’t see any of the first game, tried not to let the reviews/comments affect my viewing of game 2.

 

Roy is the real deal, this would have been the 20th game I’ve seen him play (at least 20 perhaps closer to 30, some live some televised).   I’ve never seen the player that was receiving negative comments regarding speed (always room for improvement) or engagement. He’s a cerebral player and to untrained eyes that can appear as disengaged when compared to a Pezzetta-type buzzsaw player, but I don’t believe it to be accurate.  He’s got great hands, excellent vision, strong positionally both in zone play and man to man battles. Decent size, acceptable speed, good edges.   This past game reinforced those opinions in my books.

 

Mailloux looked like a solid defence prospect, haven’t seen much of him but like many have heard a lot.  Even when trying to temper my expectations I found it hard not to have bias.  I liked what I saw in this post game, read that he seems to make his best choices when options/time are limited, that seemed true yesterday. And that is also how most NHL games are played nowadays so perhaps he is better suited to pro level than amateur ranks when it comes to his decision-making.

I wholeheartedly agree with the many comments here that 1-2 seasons with Laval are essential and will be crucial to get him back on a proper development curve.  If the Habs don’t royally mess up his development over next three seasons I believe we will see a top 4 dman with ability to QB a PP and 5v5 transitional attacks.  If he and Reinabcher live up to their potential we have a #1 & #2 RHD to envy.

I kept thinking of a young PK Subban when I watched him.

[Prime Minister Koivu]

40 minutes ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said:

Disappointing to hear that Mailloux struggled so much. He has indeed lost a LOT of development time and I was wondering about the likely impact of that. I had some hopes for him in pure hockey terms (never mind the other stuff) but it sounds as though we should be thinking about him as a much longer-term project than a high-pedigree kid his age might normally be.

My expectations after watching him for two games is that Mailloux will either be a #1 star player or a bust. 
 

I think he plays like a forward and they should explore him at wing. He could be a star power forward 🤔

 

I think he needs years in Laval, not a season or two. Surely Mailloux missing so much Junior time has him quite behind. 
 

Let’s see what happens this year in Laval though. He is likely to be paired with Struble who looked pretty solid. 

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

2 minutes ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

My expectations after watching him for two games is that Mailloux will either be a #1 star player or a bust. 
 

I think he plays like a forward and they should explore him at wing. He could be a star power forward 🤔

 

I think he needs years in Laval, not a season or two. Surely Mailloux missing so much Junior time has him quite behind. 
 

Let’s see what happens this year in Laval though. He is likely to be paired with Struble who looked pretty solid. 

 

Is there third scenario with Mailloux - i.e., Sheldon Souray, a #5 D-man who morphs into a #1 on the PP because of his booming shot? I dunno, I got the impression that that was one possibility when I read scouting reports, but I haven’t seen him play, so I may be way off. 

[IN THE HEARTS OF MEN]

Mailloux definitely looked better vs Boston

[dlbalr]

27 minutes ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said:

Is there third scenario with Mailloux - i.e., Sheldon Souray, a #5 D-man who morphs into a #1 on the PP because of his booming shot? I dunno, I got the impression that that was one possibility when I read scouting reports, but I haven’t seen him play, so I may be way off. 

 

That might be a more probable outcome at this stage.  Raw skill wise, he could be a top-pairing player if everything came together.  But with how much development time he has missed and his general indifference toward defending at times, it's probably not all coming together.

 

That's where Reinbacher's selection filled that last hole on the D for me.  He's a 20+ minute all-situations player.  Barron I think works in the #4 slot if all goes well.  That would allow Mailloux to play 15-17 minutes on a third pairing and be a power play specialist (he and Hutson at the point on the power play units might be something) while being shielded a bit at 5-on-5.  I think he can still be that in spite of his limited development and if he's able to be a bit more than that, all the better.  But he needs development time.  Most d-men aren't NHL-ready coming out of junior and he's no exception.

[GHT120]

4 hours ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

Even Beck is questionable to me. I don’t see the bones of a top 6 player, just another bottom 6 that might or might not make it. 

 

Not certain I like the simple Top 6 / Bottom 6 split that is so often used ... the third line plays a very important role on good teams and are usually a distinct tier above the fourth liners ... I don't expect Beck to end up having the offence to be "Top 6" when the Habs are ready to be Cup contenders, but I wouldn't lump him together with 4th liners ... this season in the OHL will be an important step in his development ... I think he has a chance to be a step above Jake Evans.

[Prime Minister Koivu]

44 minutes ago, GHT120 said:

Not certain I like the simple Top 6 / Bottom 6 split that is so often used ... the third line plays a very important role on good teams and are usually a distinct tier above the fourth liners ... I don't expect Beck to end up having the offence to be "Top 6" when the Habs are ready to be Cup contenders, but I wouldn't lump him together with 4th liners ... this season in the OHL will be an important step in his development ... I think he has a chance to be a step above Jake Evans.

I almost used Evans as a point of comparison in my original post. I think that’s the problem - one of our best prospects is hoped to be Evans or a bit above. 
 

We have an enormous pool of Evanses

 

2 hours ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said:

 

Is there third scenario with Mailloux - i.e., Sheldon Souray, a #5 D-man who morphs into a #1 on the PP because of his booming shot? I dunno, I got the impression that that was one possibility when I read scouting reports, but I haven’t seen him play, so I may be way off. 

 

Brian is probably right that Mailloux becomes a bottom pairing that gets Ozone and PP starts. 
 

I really hope Laval helps him

[GHT120]

2 minutes ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

I almost used Evans as a point of comparison in my original post. I think that’s the problem - one of our best prospects is hoped to be Evans or a bit above. 
 

We have an enormous pool of Evanses

 

My hope is not that Beck is Evans but Evans+++ ... a LEGIT NHL 3C on a Cup contender ... Evans is (IMO) a 3C on a draft lottery team and a 4C on a playoff team and maybe a 12/13 forward on a Cup contender.

[Prime Minister Koivu]

3 minutes ago, GHT120 said:

My hope is not that Beck is Evans but Evans+++ ... a LEGIT NHL 3C on a Cup contender ... Evans is (IMO) a 3C on a draft lottery team and a 4C on a playoff team and maybe a 12/13 forward on a Cup contender.

You may be right. 
 

These guys are all very young and lots of development time ahead of them. 
 

A strong 3C would be a good outcome. 

[Habs Fan in Edmonton]

8 hours ago, GHT120 said:

Not certain I like the simple Top 6 / Bottom 6 split that is so often used ... the third line plays a very important role on good teams and are usually a distinct tier above the fourth liners ... I don't expect Beck to end up having the offence to be "Top 6" when the Habs are ready to be Cup contenders, but I wouldn't lump him together with 4th liners ... this season in the OHL will be an important step in his development ... I think he has a chance to be a step above Jake Evans.

 

Excellent post, totally agree. There is a huge difference between a 3rd line shut down center who can win key faceoffs (hopefully Beck) and a 4th line energy guy. I also hope that Beck can be Evans +++ and I think the potential is there to be that. 

[DON]

17 hours ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

Probably right that Mailloux becomes a bottom pairing that gets Ozone and PP starts. 
 

I really hope Laval helps him

Just bit early to make any projection for any rookies I think and supposedly he looked better in 2nd outing at least.

Honourable Mentions
Logan Mailloux: I was one of many to point out the issues that Mailloux had on Friday night against Buffalo, and I will also be happy to point out that his second game was miles better in many facets. Perhaps adding Jayden Struble as his partner helped settle him, or maybe it was just the rust being shaken off, but the first-round pick looked much more composed on Saturday.

He was quicker to commit to actions, not allowing himself to get caught in no man’s land on plays, and was far more willing to use his teammates to create plays. Even when he did get into some trouble, he was able to identify a safety valve and make play with the puck, and on one occasion that led to a Jan Mysak goal.

https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/montreal-canadiens-prospects-challenge-impressions-standouts-day-two-boston-bruins-quentin-miller-joshua-roy-miguel-tourigny-jayden-struble-logan-mailloux/

 

Also nice to hear Struble played well.

 

Roy stood out last year at camp, doing so again it sounds like.

 

[Sir_Boagalott]

Game 3 Habs vs Sens:

 

Mailloux almost scored from out by the blue line with a wrister but hit the post and he hit the post several other times.   I don’t recall seeing him take a shot from far out that didn’t make it to the net.  Numerous times in these games when I’ve see him about to make a pass I’ve though wth is he doing with me thinking he was going to give the puck away.  However, on every occasion that I thought that it was a crisp tape to tape pass.  Mailoux seems to be excellent at passing and especially long passes and he might be the best passer the Habs have.  I can’t help but think he could be amazing at springing Caufield on breakaways. 

 

Xhekaj continued to look decent.   On 1 play I confused him for Mailloux because he was out by the blue line and when pressured he made a good play to keep the puck in and got tripped but he managed to maintain possession of the puck and made a play while on his stomach. 

 

The 1 PP looked the best I’ve seen in years of anyone wearing the CH with Beck and Roy – no goal though but it certainly looked good.

[Prime Minister Koivu]

1 hour ago, Sir_Boagalott said:

Game 3 Habs vs Sens:

 

Mailloux almost scored from out by the blue line with a wrister but hit the post and he hit the post several other times.   I don’t recall seeing him take a shot from far out that didn’t make it to the net.  Numerous times in these games when I’ve see him about to make a pass I’ve though wth is he doing with me thinking he was going to give the puck away.  However, on every occasion that I thought that it was a crisp tape to tape pass.  Mailoux seems to be excellent at passing and especially long passes and he might be the best passer the Habs have.  I can’t help but think he could be amazing at springing Caufield on breakaways. 

 

Xhekaj continued to look decent.   On 1 play I confused him for Mailloux because he was out by the blue line and when pressured he made a good play to keep the puck in and got tripped but he managed to maintain possession of the puck and made a play while on his stomach. 

 

The 1 PP looked the best I’ve seen in years of anyone wearing the CH with Beck and Roy – no goal though but it certainly looked good.

Thanks for the update. I forgot this game was on. 
 

Sounds like Mailloux is growing each game and maybe he just had a terrible first game. 
 

I can’t wait for training camp to really begin.