2018-19 Laval Rocket & ECHL Thread (Part II)

[Adam Michaels]

Dude, first of all, all hobbies are objectively ridiculous. There's no real reason for most of us to care about the Habs at all, if you think about it. It's irrational, if people want to follow the NHL, let them. Though it is indeed true that none of us would have hobbies if we were rational robots.

Now as for the Rocket, some people might be fans because it is cheaper to attend the games. It's no different than fans of CHL teams or NCAA football teams -- they're just farm teams for higher leagues, but people enjoy them.

It is also the case that, clearly, many people here are development geeks. They think about the issue of how some players make it, others don't, etc, to a high level of detail. Given that, they want the experiment to run well. Players don't develop if they're injured for the whole season.

ETA: Lastly, one can argue that a positive environment in the AHL benefits the Habs, eventually. For example, Mete showed greater poise after his brief call down to the AHL. The players in general may benefit from AHL playoff experience, as they would encounter a higher level of play.

Well said!

 

[Harry Kakalovich]

Dude, first of all, all hobbies are objectively ridiculous. There's no real reason for most of us to care about the Habs at all, if you think about it. It's irrational, if people want to follow the NHL, let them. Though it is indeed true that none of us would have hobbies if we were rational robots.

Now as for the Rocket, some people might be fans because it is cheaper to attend the games. It's no different than fans of CHL teams or NCAA football teams -- they're just farm teams for higher leagues, but people enjoy them.

It is also the case that, clearly, many people here are development geeks. They think about the issue of how some players make it, others don't, etc, to a high level of detail. Given that, they want the experiment to run well. Players don't develop if they're injured for the whole season.

ETA: Lastly, one can argue that a positive environment in the AHL benefits the Habs, eventually. For example, Mete showed greater poise after his brief call down to the AHL. The players in general may benefit from AHL playoff experience, as they would encounter a higher level of play.

I absolutely agree with everything you just wrote and I support the Ahl team and think it's important, but arguing about the exact depth chart of the Ahl team in the mind of the GM at the start of the year - it just seems a bit much. I'm not pooping on the AHL - I'm just saying no team is thinking of the Ahl first and foremost - the raison d'etre of the ahl team is that it is a feeder club to the NHL team. I think it is possible to enjoy the ahl and see its value while still keeping that fact in mind.

 

[Adam Michaels]

This would be a real good move if Habs do have an ECHL affiliate in Trois-Rivières.

 

[peate]

Tonight's game is on RDS.

 

[Adam Michaels]

GDT: - {AHL} Belleville Senators @ Laval Rocket (7:30PM ET on RDS, TSN690 & 91.9 Sports FM)

 

[dinodebino]

So, people still in honeymoon with Bouchard?

 

[Treb]

So, people still in honeymoon with Bouchard?

Bouchard is doing great this year with the roster he has.

Shinkaruk and Grenier have been disastrous acquisitions, losing Juulsen/McCarron/Olofsson for long periods, Lindgren struggling, Agostino/Chaput/Kulak staying up, DLR/Scherbak claimed...

 

[wildcat48]

Not a good night for LaCouvee. Was to start the game, but couldn't because of an issue with his chest protector. He entered the game about three minutes later, but Maine was down 2-0. LaCouvee allowed five goals on eight shots and was finished after the first period with Maine down 7-0. Maine lost 8-1.

 

[Adam Michaels]

ECHL Report

Reading Royals (2 - 5) Norfolk Admirals

- T.J. Melancon with 0 pts / +4 / 1 SOG

Season so far: 26 pts (9G, 17A ) in 46 GP

Cincinnati Cyclones (8 - 1) Maine Mariners

- Connor LaCouvee with 5 goals against on 13 shots, was pulled after 17:20 of playing time. Some more detail by @wildcat48 here ---> 2018-19 Laval Rocket & ECHL Thread (Part II)

 

[Hannibal]

Watched the game last night. Was impressed by the play and energy of Pezzetta. He's physical, hits like a truck and was impressed by his speed. He ain't slow at all. And he has some skills to back his physical play.

There's always a place on every NHL team for a physical, reliable fourth liner and Pezzetta has the potential to be a good one for us in a couple years. Let him develop his game more under Bouchard a bit more and could have a very good modern tough guy in a few years. Let's hope he will not have a serious injury that will put his style of play in jeopardy. Rooting for the guy.

 

[Adam Michaels]

I'd expect Belzile to become Laval's new captain now that Froese is gone.

Also, Weise will be a big help to Laval. Although I don't expect him to stay there long. I'm thinking with him not playing much, this is more a conditioning stint than anything else.

 

[montreal]

So, people still in honeymoon with Bouchard?

yes, i'm very impressed. One of the best defensive teams in the AHL, several players playing their best hockey in their career. The problem is the offense and the lack of it. Froese was the only goal scorer on the team.

 

[ProspectsFanatic]

Belzile is now almost guaranteed to finish as the best point producer of 2018-19 Laval edition now.

 

[Treb]

Belzile - Evans - Weise
Shinkaruk - Audette - Grenier
Jevpalovs - Vejdemo - Alain
Kile - Verbeek - Pezzetta

Meh

 

[Adam Michaels]

​

Hopefully, Laval will avenge their loss from last night. But they've lost two pieces earlier today. For anyone who has been living under a rock, both Schlemko and Froese were traded today to Flyers for Weise and Frolin.



Weise will report to Laval. But won't be in the line-up tonight. From what the broadcasters are saying, Laval will run with 4 rookies at center tonight: Evans, Martineau, Vejdemo, and Verbeek.

McNiven will get the start.

 

[montreal]

Flipping back and forth between Laval and the Habs, nice goal from Pezzetta to knock it out of the air. Evans picked up an assist after taking a bit of a shot to the face a bit before setting up the goal.

 

[wildcat48]

Maine laid another egg tonight, giving up 8 goals in a 8-2 loss to worst team in the ECHL, Greenville Swamp Rabbits.

LaCouvee has not looked good since coming back to Maine. He allowed six goals before getting yanked.

See Kile scored two goals. Any chance he'll be back in Maine? What about Culkin?

 

[Treb]

Maine laid another egg tonight, giving up 8 goals in a 8-2 loss to worst team in the ECHL, Greenville Swamp Rabbits.

LaCouvee has not looked good since coming back to Maine. He allowed six goals before getting yanked.

See Kile scored two goals. Any chance he'll be back in Maine? What about Culkin?

Culkin should be back down when Alzner joins Laval. With McCarron out the rest of the year and Waked still out for a while, I don't see Kile going down anytime soon. Even when Waked comes back, it's between him and Martineau (Fort Wayne) so you might not see him for the rest of the year.

 

[Habs76]

So, people still in honeymoon with Bouchard?

If Bouchard were to make the playoffs with that horseshit offense, I'd declare him the second coming of Christ. The difference between Lefebvre and Bouchard is night and day.

 

[montreal]

It certainly was a disappointing weekend and this team is clearly slumping as the offense has struggled and last night was one of those nights were every so often the goaltending lets them down. For the most part the defense has been very good, the goaltending has been solid but the offense is just bad. Now replacing Schlemko with Alzner is an upgrade, as I think he's a good partner for Fleury. If Agostino clears that will help replace the loss of Froese, then we'll see what's next if Weise gets called up and then Hudon or Peca either get traded or waived. If they can get one of Hudon/Peca that would help a lot to make up for the loss of McCarron's offense and then some. But even then they likely need another offensive player as this forward lineup is just too weak.

 

[Adam Michaels]

ECHL Report

Wheeling Nailers (1 - 4) Maine Mariners

- Morgan Adams-Moisan with 1 assist / +1 / 1 SOG / 2 PIM

Season So Far: 20 pts (15G, 5A) in 39 GP

- Connor LaCouvee bounces back with a win posting a .971 SV% / Named 2nd Star of the Game

Season So Far: 5W - 3L in 8 GP with 3.97 GAA & .901SV%

 

[Agalloch]

14 heathly forwards now in Laval ?

Alain, Audette, Belzile, Evans, Grenier, Jevpalovs, Kile (try-out), Martineau, Pezzetta, Vejdemo, Verbeek, Weise/Agostino, Roy, Moisan

Injuries: Waked, McCarron and Shinkaruk

So Weise is call-up later today ? Agostino going back in Laval.

EDIT: Shinkaruk is injured.

So it seems it's 14 forwards and must mean Weise will be call up today.

 

[Adam Michaels]

16 heathly forwards now in Laval ?

Did you count Agostino, too? If not, if he clears, 17 healthy forwards.

Since playing a few games in Laval and then being returned to Maine, Adams-Moisand has been producing in the ECHL.

And we're also waiting to see if Weise will get some games in Laval or they'll call him up right away to Montreal.

 

[Agalloch]

Did you count Agostino, too? If not, if he clears, 17 healthy forwards.

Since playing a few games in Laval and then being returned to Maine, Adams-Moisand has been producing in the ECHL.

And we're also waiting to see if Weise will get some games in Laval or they'll call him up right away to Montreal.

Seems it was 15 and Shinkaruk is injured.

 

[Adam Michaels]