As the Montreal Canadiens Development Camps winds down it is starting to appear as though newly promoted Assistant GM Trevor Timmins has left a few nice pieces in the system for his replacement as Director of Player Personel, Martin Lapointe. There was some stand outs and some slow starts but overall the general impression of some of the Canadiens top, and newest, prospects was positive.
The camp started July 2nd and concluded yesterday, July 5th. A complete camp roster can be found
here
The players participated in on and off ice workouts all three days with scrimmages each day as well. This camp is a place where newly drafted players and try outs get a chance to make a first impression with the club, and where some prospects might be getting their final chance to make a lasting impression.
One of those players who needs to make an impression is left shooting winger Nikita Scherbak. Scherbak is now 21 years old and attending his 4 Development Camp. He had improved in his second season with the IceCaps scoring 13 goals and 28 assists in 66 games and really needed to shine this week.
Scherbak displayed certain traits that he was already known for: smooth skating and puck skills. Although his first part the of camp appeared timid he completed the rest of camp on a high note scoring twice in the final scrimmage and working hard. This is part of the issue. Scherbak should have come in and tried to show everyone he was next in line for the NHL and everyone else gets behind him. That didn't happen for whatever reason but if he wants to play in Montreal he will have to show up every night, no matter what.
The time is now for Scherbak. The team has waited for him to put it all together in regards to consistency, work ethic, and maturity. Scherbak has a chance to make the Canadiens out of camp and he has to come into the next season with a killer instinct, a chip on his shoulder to show that he wants to be an NHL player and he wants it now.
I think the Canadiens have one more year of patience with him as he is a big part of the AHL clubs offence but he must show a certain level of desire to make the NHL.
The Canadiens first and second round selections in the 2017 NHL Draft really impressed this week.
The 18 year old, left shot C Ryan Poehling displayed not only a very responsible 200 foot game, but also an ability to produce offensively. Lapointe states "He's a big guy, able to make hockey plays. He's intelligent, he uses his body to protect the puck, we saw it again today, the little things he was doing in the corners, he made some really nice plays to generate offense." Credit to NHL.com for the quote.
Poehling displayed maturity and work ethic at the camp and will take all the information the Canadiens provided in camp with him to St. Cloud State University in the NCAA for his second year, last year he was the youngest hockey player in he NCAA. With all this said, and Poehling's 6'2" 185 lbs frame, the Canadiens appear to have a player with a very solid foundation. His future experience in the NCAA, and hopefully world junior tournaments, will be huge for him this upcoming season.
The prospect that really turned heads was 18 year old Finnish C Joni Ikonen. Ikonen put up points in all scrimmages and scored goals in all but one game.
Lapointe gushed about this player also saying "Joni is a proud young player. He's a competitor. We saw his level of play and his vision. He shot the puck while skating fast and his hockey sense - we all saw that he's a very good passer. He's not afraid of going to the net or of winning his battles."
Ikonen is heading back to Europe for next season and word is he is considering playing in the Finnish league instead of the Swedish league. This doesn't seem to be any concern to Lapointe who stated "[Playing in Europe] will be really good for his development. In Europe, you play fewer games, so you have more time to work out in the gym. They do a great job developing their young players." Credit again to NHL.com for the quotes.
On defense the Canadiens had a good showing from a trio of prospects.
The 20 year old, right shot D man Noah Juulsen displayed an ability to play with grit and strength on the back end. While he may not be an offensive producer from the blue line at the next level, he has the makings of a solid defender and those are always good to have. Juulsen captained the Everett Silvertips last season and produced 12 goals and 22 assists in 49 games. He will be heading to Laval for next season.
Simon Bourque showed that he came into camp determined to show he can be an offense driver from the back end. The left shooting Bourque pushed plays up the ice and jumped into the offense whenever he could. The 177th pick in the 2015 Draft won a QMJHL championship after being dealt from the Rimouski Océanic to the St. John Sea Dogs and sometimes that experience can be invaluable. He posted 15 goals and 41 assists during 59 regular season and added 4 goals and 9 assists in 18 playoff games. Bourque doesn't have ideal size for an NHL defenseman, 6'00" 183 lbs, but he is only 20 years old and is destined for a year or two in Laval. Size is becoming less of an issue in the NHL as long as you have the skill and work ethic. He could be a valuable piece of the Canadiens blue line in the future.
Lastly, Victor Mete again showed he has all the tools to become an NHL defender. This 19 year old, left shot defender is probably one of the most underrated D prospects around.
Consider that this season with the London Knights he bested last years production by 6 points, 15 goals and 29 assists this season, despite playing in 18 less games.
Also for your consideration is that he out scored teammate, and 5th overall blue chip prospect, Olli Juolevi by 2 points despite playing 8 less games. People may not know him too well yet, but he could turn out to be a steal for the Canadiens down the road.
The only knock on Mete is his size. He lines up at 5'10" and 180 lbs. and, as I mentioned before, in today's NHL this might not be that big an issue. He is only 19 so there is still some time to fill out. If you can't tell, I'm a big fan of Victor Mete. Hopefully the Canadiens don't trade him.
Lastly, the Canadiens appear to have struck gold again in net with prospects Michael McNiven and Cayden Primeau.
The 19 year old, 6'1" 216 lbs McNiven was signed as a free agent by the Canadiens in 2015 after he wasn't drafted and the soon to be 20 year old has shown many that he was more than worthy of being selected.
McNiven performed well in camp pitching a complete game shutout in one scrimmage/shoot out, but it was almost to be expected really. McNiven had the honor of being named OHL and CHL Goalie of the Year after going 41-9-2 with a 2.30 GAA and a .915 SP% with the Owen Sound Attack of the OHL. Unreal numbers.
He may return as an overage player to the OHL as opposed to playing back up to newly signed Charlie Lindgren in Laval. Bottom line, this kid could be a fantastic prospect for the future.
My last player of note is the 199th pick of the 2017 NHL Draft, goaltender Cayden Primeau.
The 17 year old netminder was a draft day dropper. All knowing Bob MacKenzie had this keeper ranked 84th overall, but it took Bergevin swapping his 2018 7th round pick with Hextall and the Flyers for their 2017 7th round pick to finally get the stopper plucked off the draft board.
The 17 year old Primeau had a good showing at camp and has decent NHL goaltender size at 6'2" and 185 lbs with room to grow. He showed good positioning and composure.
Primeau is years away from making any kind of noise at the pro level and will be playing with Northeastern University in the NCAA this fall.
All those concerned with Price's ability to perform in the second half of his career shouldn't be too pessimistic. The Canadiens have three potential studs waiting in Lindgren, McNiven, and Primeau.
Overall, while I wouldn't say the Habs are flush with potential at every position, I would say they do have some very good pieces at forward, defense, and goal.
What prospects impressed you this week?
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