Karine Hains: In Hainsight: A Tough Start The Canadiens lost their first game of the Prospects Challenge 6-3 against the Sabres.

I thought they lacked chemistry last night. I didn't see 3 or even 2 guys that clicked together. I don't know if it was jitters, but I was expecting more out of guys like Farrell and Heineman.

Funny.....you mention Suzuki, Caufield and Dach as the only sure top six.....wondering if that #1 overall pick is a middle six in your view?

Mailloux will go to the AHL where he will learn.....mostly learn no opponent cares about his potential, and then the Habs will see what they have in him, or don't have.

first game in months for most of them, and the level is already better than what they are used to

Buffalo has been rebuilding for 10+ years, so they must have some good rookies

Should be easier vs Boston's rookies cause they have been at the top forever in the NHL, so way less good rookies (in theory...)

Mailloux will go to the AHL where he will learn.....mostly learn no opponent cares about his potential, and then the Habs will see what they have in him, or don't have.
- Frozendisc

it takes years to develop a defenseman, more than a forward

people need to chill, mtl has already too much kids on their blue line, no need to rush another one

Karine
Hains: In Hainsight: A Tough Start
The Canadiens lost their first game of the Prospects Challenge 6-3 against the Sabres.
- Karine Hains

I get the coach wanted to go into the game without any real game plan, just let the players play.

But what a mess.

I would think that if the Habs, as an organization, have a preferred style of play (or strategy) they want to use in Montreal / Laval, this would be the perfect opportunity for all these prospects to start learning and practicing / playing under that philosophy.

Honestly, from the 15 minutes I watched last night, it looked like an All-Star game rules out there, everyone trying to make the "pretty" play, not the right play, etc...

I get it was the first game and this is rookie camp, but if this is how they are going to manage the team then these games are sort of a waste of time.

...

I get the coach wanted to go into the game without any real game plan, just let the players play.

But what a mess.

I would think that if the Habs, as an organization, have a preferred style of play (or strategy) they want to use in Montreal / Laval, this would be the perfect opportunity for all these prospects to start learning and practicing / playing under that philosophy.

Honestly, from the 15 minutes I watched last night, it looked like an All-Star game rules out there, everyone trying to make the "pretty" play, not the right play, etc...

I get it was the first game and this is rookie camp, but if this is how they are going to manage the team then these games are sort of a waste of time.
- Mashadar

that's exactly what it is, and you shouldn't expect anything else.

that's exactly what it is, and you shouldn't expect anything else.
- fidopro

A waste of time.

it takes years to develop a defenseman, more than a forward

people need to chill, mtl has already too much kids on their blue line, no need to rush another one
- deadpoulet

Wait just one peck chicken head.....nobody is rushing him anywhere. He will be lucky to play in AHL (Laval) and continue learning his trade. That said, my point is as he moves up the talent chain, few will be impressed by the 'potential' and all will challenge him.

Wait just one peck chicken head.....nobody is rushing him anywhere. He will be lucky to play in AHL (Laval) and continue learning his trade. That said, my point is as he moves up the talent chain, few will be impressed by the 'potential' and all will challenge him.
- Frozendisc

it will be the same for Lane Hutson and all the others

those 2 guys will need to play D in their own zone

but you can't teach offensive flair to a D and mtl needed that in a bad on their blue line

it's all good

this year, its about Newhook, Slaf, dach upfront

and on the back end : Guhle, Wifi, Harris, Barron

the guy to pay attention to at camp : Owen Beck

A waste of time.
- Mashadar

mais non, they can have a look at their kids. they never played together, didn't even practice together! it's all good.

it will be the same for Lane Hutson and all the others

those 2 guys will need to play D in their own zone

but you can't teach offensive flair to a D and mtl needed that in a bad on their blue line

it's all good

this year, its about Newhook, Slaf, dach upfront

and on the back end : Guhle, Wifi, Harris, Barron

the guy to pay attention to at camp : Owen Beck
- deadpoulet

no love for MONSIEUR Emile?

mais non, they can have a look at their kids. they never played together, didn't even practice together! it's all good.
- fidopro

fans expectations need to change, thats it

the kids who stay for the big camp will be more ready by then

get some chemistry going but you cant learn a system in 4 games so...

If they are less nervous by the end of this, it will be a win

its a huge thing for them just to wear the Habs logo

anybody here skating with the Habs shirt on would crap his pants

I would as well, but Im a chicken, so no pants

it will be the same for Lane Hutson and all the others

those 2 guys will need to play D in their own zone

but you can't teach offensive flair to a D and mtl needed that in a bad on their blue line

it's all good

this year, its about Newhook, Slaf, dach upfront

and on the back end : Guhle, Wifi, Harris, Barron

the guy to pay attention to at camp : Owen Beck
- deadpoulet

Yes, your view is the correct one.....there certainly is no hurry.

I watch a ton of Avs games, being out west and all, and Newhook just never seemed to fit. He does have a ton of speed, and young guy.....hoping for the best on that trade.

How does Slaf develop out this season.....big investment in him.

Yes, your view is the correct one.....there certainly is no hurry.

I watch a ton of Avs games, being out west and all, and Newhook just never seemed to fit. He does have a ton of speed, and young guy.....hoping for the best on that trade.

How does Slaf develop out this season.....big investment in him.
- Frozendisc

Dach was not a sucess story with Chicago either, but Im sure fans are happy to have him now

Do you think Vegas trade Suzuki if they knew what they had with him? I dont think so

I think Newhook is worth the gamble, at least for me. Mtl is not a contender like Colorado, so we can be more patient with him

Agree with Slaf, but fans need to be patient. There's a reason why 18 years old kids almost never make it in the NHL as young as 18

Dach was not a sucess story with Chicago either, but Im sure fans are happy to have him now

Do you think Vegas trade Suzuki if they knew what they had with him? I dont think so

I think Newhook is worth the gamble, at least for me. Mtl is not a contender like Colorado, so we can be more patient with him

Agree with Slaf, but fans need to be patient. There's a reason why 18 years old kids almost never make it in the NHL as young as 18
- deadpoulet

Great points on all.....

I like what Newhook brings, just hoping he finds some chemistry with someone on the Habs. There simply was none on the Avs for him.

I actually said when Slaf was drafted, they just picked a Rantanen.....he is still way young, but loved the pick.

Great points on all.....

I like what Newhook brings, just hoping he finds some chemistry with someone on the Habs. There simply was none on the Avs for him.

I actually said when Slaf was drafted, they just picked a Rantanen.....he is still way young, but loved the pick.
- Frozendisc

Slaf outproduced Rantanen in their 18 year old season by 10 points!!

Seriously though, Rantanen started producing like a 1st line winger when he was 21. Slaf will take big steps this year, just watch him.

Slaf outproduced Rantanen in their 18 year old season by 10 points!!

Seriously though, Rantanen started producing like a 1st line winger when he was 21. Slaf will take big steps this year, just watch him.
- Scabeh

yeah, I'm not worried at all. patience.
tbh he could have spent last season in Laval, not sure it would not have been better.
he was trying to survive last year more than anything else.

Funny.....you mention Suzuki, Caufield and Dach as the only sure top six.....wondering if that #1 overall pick is a middle six in your view?
- Frozendisc

Jury still out on Slaf for me, needs to see more and wait for him to develop more to see if he will be a top 6 player, we’ve seen him for what? 39 games and he was 18, this year should give us a better idea

I hope they leave whomever they can in Laval and let them grow. They still have some players to dump to make room.
Still a couple of years away from possibly making some noise

You guys play that Puckdoku yet?

Lineup for this afternoon's game

Simoneau-Mesar-Heineman
Davidson-Mysak-Roy
Smilanic-Kidney-Novak
Dufort-Guindon-McKay

Struble-Mailloux
Ortiz-Tourigny
Demin-Laaouan

Miller
Spunar

*Prepares panic post for when Adam Engstrom and Lane Hutson have a so-so rookie tournament next year*