A lot of questions are left unanswered heading into the summer. Montreal Canadiens’ legend Guy Lafleur did not shy away from telling the media that there are still a few key pieces missing on the Habs’ roster in order for them to be considered true Stanley Cup contenders, although he mentioned that they’re definitely heading in the right direction thanks especially to Marc Bergevin and Michel Therrien.
Bergevin has often maintained that help will come from within the organization, and I’ve decided to write a two-part series on the role some of the Hamilton Bulldogs’ players could potentially play in next year’s edition of the Canadiens.
Let’s take a look at four defensemen in Hamilton, and I will leave it up to you, the readers, to determine whether you believe there is room for these players or not.
1. Jarred Tirnordi, 23 years old: (Hamilton)44GP, 1G, 6A, +9, (Montreal) 13GP, 2A, -5, 20 hits, shoots left.
The 6’6 hulking defenseman has had health issues over the course of the last season. He was knocked out during a fight, but has since completely recovered from his injuries. He is a mature player who seems to lack confidence whenever he’s called up to play with the Habs, often hesitating to trust his instincts although he is very capable of making a good first pass. He brings a very physical edge to his game that is lacking on the Habs’ blue line, though he is not renowned for his offensive abilities nor will he ever be. His size, reach, ability to finish checks and make a proper first pass to transition out of his own zone are all qualities that serve him well in the American Hockey League, and he simply needs to allow these traits to shine the next time he’s called up. In my opinion, his next call-up could be his last chance with the Habs, even if big defensemen like himself require more time to fully develop.
2. Greg Pateryn, 24 years old: (Hamilton) 53GP, 3G, 12A, -1, (Montreal) 17GP, 48 hits. 7 playoff games, 3A, +2, 14 hits, shoots right.
The 6’2 defenseman has impressed during the 2014-2015 season, earning him the opportunity to play during the playoffs in which he put up 3 assists in 7 games while playing a brand of gritty yet conservative hockey. He averaged two hits per game during the playoffs, although he had 5 in his first postseason appearance with the Habs against the Ottawa Senators on April 30th. He seems to be the right-handed defenseman who is penciled in on the bottom 2 pairing, should Jeff Petry not agree to terms with Bergevin this summer. He is also capable of passing the puck well, but do not expect him to light up the score sheet with assists. An intelligent player who demonstrates a lot of leadership, will he be the Habs’ number 7 defenseman next year?
3. Darren Dietz, 21 years old: (Hamilton) 34 GP, 5A, -3, shoots right.
Playing in his second professional year in the AHL, the 6’1 defenseman impressed during training camp two years ago with the Habs, especially during the preseason games. He might not be ready to make the jump to the NHL just yet, as he surely needs to develop his defensive game. He is prospected to be an offensive defenseman, putting up 44 and 58 points in his previous two seasons with the Saskatoon Blades in the WHL. Look to him to make waves during training camp, as Dietz is a player who is on the depth chart with a lot of potential to grow with the Hamilton Bulldogs.
4. Magnus Nygren, 24 years old: (Hamilton) 15GP, 4G, 6A, +2, shoots right.
Another right-handed defenseman who played only one season at the professional level, he is touted to also be a two-way defenseman capable of scoring goals and assisting on others. At age 24, he is developing slower than anticipated, but is known to be a powerplay specialist nevertheless, with a very powerful and accurate shot. This is a very important year for Nygren, whose injury-plagued season sent him back to Sweden in order for him to properly rehabilitate himself. It might be worth it for the Habs to consider him for a full-time position next year should he excel during the upcoming training camp.
Who do you think is the closest to earning a permanent role with the Habs on the blue line?
Who has impressed you most during training camps, and what are your expectations for the upcoming camp?