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Habs Prospect List: GRADING THE FUTURE

August 11, 2010, 1:36 PM ET [ Comments]
Steven Hindle
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Offense Looks Bright, Goaltending Getting Thin


Over the last week, I have examined and evaluated each and every player/prospect in the Montreal Canadiens system. It was a rather large undertaking as there were quite a few prospects with which I needed to conduct a fair bit of extended research, but, in the end, I feel that I covered the majority of the Habs prospects and offered up some otherwise unknown items about your favourite Habs of the future.

For those who missed them, here are the links to the Prospect Reviews:


CENTERS

WINGERS

DEFENSEMEN

GOALTENDERS


Now, in an effort to further evaluate where all of these prospects fit into the Canadiens future, I have decided to grade them based on their talent set and NHL expectations.


Grading System


To keep it simple, I will be giving each prospect 2 grades, one for their talent level and one for their NHL expectations.


A- / A / A+: 1st Line talent/potential

B- / B / B+: 2nd Line talent/potential

C- / C / C+: 3rd Line talent/potential

D- / D / D+: 4th Line talent/potential

E : AHL talent/Outside shot at making NHL


*You will note that some players have higher grades for their talent set than their expectations, this is mainly because there is alot of development left to go for these prospects, but also because there may not necessarily be space for them at the positions they are currently playing in(ie: current 1st liners may turn out to be better 2nd/3rd liners at the NHL level).



CENTERS


*Note: The order of this list reflects the order from my original post on Centers.


1. Lars Eller: A-/B+ | top flight talent, may crack top 6, expected to make immediate impact this season .


2. Tom Pyatt: C/D+(C-) | under-rated offensive talent, strong defensive talent. Will play 3rd/4th line and get PK duties in 2010-11.



3. Louis Leblanc : A-/A | fast-tracking his development in QMJHL, top talent yet must still mature. Impact player in 2012-13.


4. Ben Maxwell: C+/D | talented but shy, must commit to a role if he wants to see any ice-time in the NHL. Make or break year, must impress management.


5. Ryan White: C+/C+ | grinder with offensive upside, like Maxwell, must commit to a role but with a longer leash.


6. Joonas Nattinen: C-/C+ | 2nd line talent, developing slowly. Expected to make the jump next year, impact player in 2013-14.


7. Gabriel Dumont: B+/B- | High offensive potential, need to improve 2-way game. Potential impact player in 2013-14.


8. Andreas Engqvist: B-/B | Skilled with size, will test out his game in pros with Bulldogs. Expected to make the jump in 2011-12.


9. Olivier Fortier: B-/C+ | All around talent, slowly developing. He will join the Bulldogs next season and pop onto the Canadiens radar for 2012-13.


10. Michael Cichy: B+/B | Speed and skill, must round out. Impact player on Habs in 2013-14.


11. David Desharnais: A-/C+ | Highly skilled, pint-sized. Age plays against DD, but if given the chance, has high probability of being an impact player in the right role(currently no room for him on Habs due to his size).


12. Brock Trotter: B/B- | Talented with heart, average size. Has taken game to KHL, but career with Habs still in the cards. If he returns in 2011-12, there will be a spot available in Montreal for him to fight for.


13. Ryan Russell: D+/E | Role player, more character than talent. Not expected to crack Habs roster anytime soon, but a strong year can always change peoples minds.



Right Wingers


*Note: The order of this list reflects the order from my original post on Wingers.


1. Alex Avtsin: A/A | Size, skill and speed. Must adapt to style of game in North America. Impact player in 2011-12.


2. Danny Kristo: A/A- |Heart, skill and speed. A true leader(perhaps future captain). May spend time in Hamilton when he jumps, but should be an impact player immediately(call-up: 2011-12, roster 2012-13).


3. Aaron Palushaj: B/B- | talented all-around player. Expected to be a role player with ability to make an impact. Should contend for a roster spot in 2011-12.


4. Ian Schultz: C+/C+ | Leader with power forward potential. Should have an immediate role on 3rd line when ready(2011-12).


5. Brendan Gallagher: A/A- | Explosive speed and scoring. Gritty for a small forward, plenty of time to grow yet. Expected to be an impact player in 2013-14.


6. Maxim Trunev: A/A- | Highly skilled play-maker. Playing pro since 2008, will be expected to make the jump to North America in 2011-12. Impact player in 2012-13.


7. Steve Qualier: B-/C+ | Sizeable player with power forward potential. Should find a role on Habs in 2012-13.


8. J.T. Wyman: C-/D- | Average all around talent, but on the outside-looking in. Possible call-up



Left Wingers


*Note: The order of this list reflects the order from my original post on Wingers.


1. Max Pacioretty: B+/B | Sized and skilled, hit a setback after being rushed into NHL. Still developing and will looked upon as a call-up this season and will have an opportunity to be an impact player in 2011-12

.
2. Andrew Conboy: B-/B- | Size and strength, power forward potential, likely a grinder. Call-up potential this season with an opportunity to fight for a role on the bottom 6 in 2011-12.


3. Phil Lefebvre: B+/C+ | Smooth hands, strong 2-way game. Must develop at the Pro level in Hamilton but should compete for a spot in 2012-13.


4. John Westin: B-/B | Size with soft hands. Drafted in 2010, there’s a lot of development to go. Expected to be on the radar in 2013-14.


5. Mark MacMillan: A-/B+ | Strong in all facets of the game. Drafted in 2010, should be on Habs radar in 2012-13, possible impact player in 2013-14.


6. Dany Masse: C+/D- | Small in size, but great offensive skill. Down in the depth chart, it’s unlikely Masse will find room to crack the Habs roster this year. If re-signed, perhaps considered as a call-up in 2011-12.



Defensemen


*Note: The order of this list reflects the order from my original post on Defensemen.


1. P.K. Subban: A+/A | Already recognized as a top flight talent, must simply reinforce those beliefs with a strong rookie campaign. Expectations are that PK will be a minute-eating, offensive force.


2. Yannick Weber: A-/B+ |Highly skilled offensively with a massive shot, size plays against his overall game. Now mature enough to play in the NHL, Montreal will likely ease him into more regular NHL action. He is expected to be a top 4 defenseman and should find a solid spot on the Habs in 2011-12.


3. Mathieu Carle: B+/B- | Talented, strong 2-way play, yet hampered by chronic injuries. Can become an impact player and, like Weber, will see more NHL action this season. If he impresses, he may have a shot at full-time duties on the 2011-12 roster.


4. Alexei Yemeli: B+/B+ | Strong, physical defender with average offensive upside. His size and grit make him a very valuable asset. If he finally decides to leave Russia, he will likely have a home on the Canadiens blue line in 2011-12.


5. Jarred Tinordi: A-/A- | Top flight physical defensive defenseman. Now fast-tracking his development with the London Knights, expected to be an impact player in 2012-13.


6. Mac Bennett: B+\B | All-around game with strong potential upside. Expected to be an impact player in 2013-14.


7. Greg Pateryn: C+/C+ | Rugged defender with a penchant for throwing around his weight. Somewhat of a development project, should find a home as a 5/6 defenseman in 2012-13 if his progression continues.


8. Brendon Nash: B-/C | Mature and rugged defender, testing his game at the pro level for the 1st time this season with the Bulldogs. Mild expectations, but possibly decent upside. Could become a call-up in 2011-12.


9. Morgan Ellis: A-\B+ | Strong defender with leadership skills. Expected to be a character player, should be on Habs radar by 2012-13, strong chance of fuil-time duties in 2013-14.


10. Scott Kishel: B-/C- | Touted strong upside, mild development has forced him down the depth chart. Expectations are up in the air as it is unsure when/if he will sign a pro contract.

11. Kyle Klubertanz: C/D- | Strong, mobile defenseman with plethora of professional experience. Will be a possible call-up this season.

12. Joe Stejskal: B/B- | Excellent puck skills, strong positional defenseman. Should fight for a spot on Habs in 2011-12.


Goaltenders


*Note: The order of this list reflects the order from my original post on Defensemen

1. Cedrick Desjardins: B/C+ | Strong butterfly goaltender, has developed potential to be an extremely capable backup. Should have an opportunity to earn backup role in Montreal in 2011-12.


2. Petteri Simila: C+/C- | Large goalie who fills out the net, must mature and develop further in order to catch the eye of the Canadiens. Not expected to be on the radar until 2012-13.


3. Robert Mayer: B-/C | Aggressive style, must develop consistency. Like Simila, further maturation and development required. Expected to fight for a spot in Hamilton in 2011-12.


4. Curtis Sanford: C/C- | Talented yet inconsistent at the NHL level. Mature and experienced leader, on the radar as a call-up but not much more.



Evaluation

The Canadiens do not boast an immense wealth of assured top liners, but they have definitely improved their overall talent level on defense, at center and at the right wing.

As strong as Montreal is at those 3 positions, they are equally as deficient in terms of hope for the future on left wing and in nets.

Overall, here is how I would grade the potential of each position, respectively:


- Centers: A-(plenty of talent and potential)
- Right Wing: A(talent and depth, with expected player development spread over the next 3-4 years)
- Left Wing: D(Outside of Patches, the Habs are very thin at left win. Upgrade definitely required)
- Defensemen: A-(plenty of talent joining the team now, strength, talent and depth developing for the future)
- Goaltending: C(Aside from developing a solid backup in Desjardins, the Habs goaltending pipeline is pretty empty)


As an organization, the Canadiens should get an A-/B+ for their overall strength in 3 particular positions(C, RW, D), yet, due to the lack of talent on LW and in nets, I can’t bring myself to mark them that high.


Considering the lingering needs of the franchise, I would currently give the team a B/B-.


You may also notice that I have many of the prospects on track to develop in similar years. This is because the expectations of their development are planned to coincide so that the franchise will have strong, healthy competition for roster spots in the future. Not all of the prospects will wind up with the Canadiens in the future, or in the NHL for that matter, but thanks to a strong attempt by management to reload the offensive strength and depth of the team, there is definitely a lot more to cheer about for the Habs future.


Keep in mind these are my objective evaluations and not those of the team necessarily. That said, please feel free to grade them for yourselves!








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