2019-2020 Laval Rocket & ECHL Thread

[Adam Michaels]

GM: Marc Bergevin
Head Coach: Joël Bouchard
Assistant Coaches: Alex Burrows & Daniel Jacob
Goalie & Video Coach: Marco Marciano
Arena: Place Bell


ROSTER
(Note that some of these players may make the Habs out of camp or be traded)

- FORWARDS -

Morgan Adams-Moisan (AHL)
Alexandre Alain (ELC)
Riley Barber (NHL)
Alex Belzile (NHL)
Joe Cox (AHL)
Jake Evans (ELC)
Nikita Jevpalovs (AHL)
William Pelletier (AHL)
Ryan Poehling (ELC)
Nick Suzuki (ELC)
Joël Teasdale (ELC)
Michael Pezzetta (ELC)
Phil Varone (NHL)
Lukas Vejdemo (ELC)
Hayden Verbeek (ELC)
Antoine Waked (ELC)


- DEFENSEMEN -

Josh Brook (ELC)
Ryan Culkin (AHL)
Cale Fleury (ELC)
Maxim Lamarche (AHL)
Otto Leskinen (ELC)
David Sklenicka (ELC)
Gustav Olofsson (NHL)
Xavier Ouellet (NHL)

- GOALTENDERS -

Connor LaCouvee (AHL)
Charlie Lindgren (NHL)
Michael McNiven (ELC)
Cayden Primeau (ELC)​

Click to read more...

 

[WinterLion]

I wonder what is going to happen with Primeau and the goalies? Maybe he will go to the ECHL and Lindgren & McNiven battle it out in Laval?

 

[Adam Michaels]

I wonder what is going to happen with Primeau and the goalies? Maybe he will go to the ECHL and Lindgren & McNiven battle it out in Laval?

My guess? Lindgren is moved and Primeau and McNiven get the net in Laval, with LaCouvee in ECHL.

 

[WinterLion]

My guess? Lindgren is moved and Primeau and McNiven get the net in Laval, with LaCouvee in ECHL.

It will depend on how many games they want Primeau to get... ECHL will probably be the best bet if they want him to face lots of rubber

 

[BaseballCoach]

It will depend on how many games they want Primeau to get... ECHL will probably be the best bet if they want him to face lots of rubber

I still think they move Lindgren to give him a chance elsewhere and maybe get SOMETHING for him.

I can see McNiven in Laval backed up by Lacouvee at first, with Primeau facing rubber in the ECHL for most or all of one season. There will be an injury to one of the four goalies in Montreal or Laval at times, and so Primeau will get a taste of Laval too.

 

[Yoshidas Island]

It will depend on how many games they want Primeau to get... ECHL will probably be the best bet if they want him to face lots of rubber

Don't think they'd pull him out of his college program to play in the ECHL, unless he really struggles early on

 

[Archijerej]

My guess? Lindgren is moved and Primeau and McNiven get the net in Laval, with LaCouvee in ECHL.

Yes, but who would take a below average AHL goalie at $750,000?

 

[Whitesnake]

À VOIR: Joël Bouchard livre un discours inspirant aux espoirs du CH - TVA Sports

 

[angusyoung]

That's a huge roster. The E should be improved at the very least as well as the the Rocket,I hope. Was thinking Barber gets a good look at camp. Solid 2 way player that showed he can put the puck in the net and can drop the mitts. Sort of like a Shaw replacement.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Did this little exercise this morning, trying to form my own lines. I went with 5 lines and 4 pairings. I also went with the players who are under contract right now. I didn't include McCarron, who would clearly be in the line-up but because he hasn't signed yet, I didn't include him. I also took the liberty on deciding on a few guys in the NHL that would most likely lose a spot in Montreal and find themselves in Laval should they clear waivers. Another note: I started Juulsen in Laval because maybe they'd want him to start there after his injury to make sure he's good to go.

I also put a (v) next to those who count as veterans (320 GP or more) and a (ve) for those who count as veteran exempt (260-320 GP).

Phil Varone (v) - Ryan Poehling - Riley Barber
Joël Teasdale - Nick Suzuki - Alex Belzile
Nikita Jevpalovs - Lukas Vejdemo - Jake Evans
Michael Pezzetta - Hayden Verbeek - Alexandre Alain
William Pelletier - Matthew Peca (ve) - Dale Weise (v)

ECHL: Antoine Waked, Morgan Adams-Moisan, Joe Cox

Xavier Ouellet (v) - Noah Juulsen
Otto Leskinen - Cale Fleury
Gustav Olofsson - Josh Brook
Karl Alzner (v) - Maxim Lamarche

ECHL: David Sklenicka, Ryan Culkin

Charlie Lindgren
Cayden Primeau

ECHL: Michael McNiven, Connor LaCouvee​

 

[angusyoung]

Did this little exercise this morning, trying to form my own lines. I went with 5 lines and 4 pairings. I also went with the players who are under contract right now. I didn't include McCarron, who would clearly be in the line-up but because he hasn't signed yet, I didn't include him. I also took the liberty on deciding on a few guys in the NHL that would most likely lose a spot in Montreal and find themselves in Laval should they clear waivers. Another note: I started Juulsen in Laval because maybe they'd want him to start there after his injury to make sure he's good to go.

Phil Varone - Ryan Poehling - Riley Barber
Joël Teasdale - Nick Suzuki - Alex Belzile
Nikita Jevpalovs - Lukas Vejdemo - Jake Evans
Michael Pezzetta - Hayden Verbeek - Alexandre Alain
William Pelletier - Matthew Peca - Dale Weise

ECHL: Antoine Waked, Morgan Adams-Moisan, Joe Cox

Xavier Ouellet - Noah Juulsen
Otto Leskinen - Cale Fleury
Gustav Olofsson - Josh Brook
Karl Alzner - Maxim Lamarche

ECHL: David Sklenicka, Ryan Culkin

Charlie Lindgren
Cayden Primeau

ECHL: Michael McNiven, Connor LaCouvee​

That's a lot of bodies! and not including big Mac or Cousins. Thought Barber might get a look with the big club,showed some promise and has tools,but enough? not sure.

 

[Adam Michaels]

That's a lot of bodies! and not including big Mac or Cousins. Thought Barber might get a look with the big club,showed some promise and has tools,but enough? not sure.

Maybe Barber does crack the Habs line-up. But between him and Cousins? I would bank on Cousins making the Habs. Barber has been mostly an AHL player whereas Cousins has played the NHL these last three seasons.

I think Varone will also get an extended look at camp.

 

[angusyoung]

Maybe Barber does crack the Habs line-up. But between him and Cousins? I would bank on Cousins making the Habs. Barber has been mostly an AHL player whereas Cousins has played the NHL these last three seasons.

I think Varone will also get an extended look at camp.

I am intrigued to see those 3 perform. Apparently Varone has wings,but again,not on the large size where as the other 2 have some edge. Gonna be fun. All in all though,has to be some movement and packages down the road.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

Maybe Barber does crack the Habs line-up. But between him and Cousins? I would bank on Cousins making the Habs. Barber has been mostly an AHL player whereas Cousins has played the NHL these last three seasons.

I think Varone will also get an extended look at camp.

Barber and Varone will likely be among the last cuts but I have a hard time picturing them beating out Weal and Cousins.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Barber and Varone will likely be among the last cuts but I have a hard time picturing them beating out Weal and Cousins.

In my book, Cousins and Weal are penciled in on the Habs' fourth line.

 

[angusyoung]

Barber and Varone will likely be among the last cuts but I have a hard time picturing them beating out Weal and Cousins.

Weal is probably already penciled in with the contract he got. 1 spot more or less is up for grabs on RW and Varone and Cousins are lefties,not that it matters,but the approach Habs seem to do....

 

[angusyoung]

In my book, Cousins and Weal are penciled in on the Habs' fourth line.

Along with Thompson? so Byron on RW or Leks?

 

[Archijerej]

Predicting some things at this point is difficult, but here's my tentative take:
-Poehling is pretty much a lock to make the big club
-#3 RD spot is Juulsen's to lose
-Cousins will make our opening day lineup
-We keep Reilly and go with 8D initially, until the management feels comfortable with one of Ouellet/Olofsson/Alzner as a first call-up option in case of an injury on LD.
-Suzuki starts in the AHL
-Hudon is gone

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

Along with Thompson? so Byron on RW or Leks?

Hard to say as we have so many centers that cam make the lineup very versatile. I think injuries will play a determining factor and a trade is still possible given the combination of depth, picks and prospects that we currently enjoy.

 

[Wats]

Did this little exercise this morning, trying to form my own lines. I went with 5 lines and 4 pairings. I also went with the players who are under contract right now. I didn't include McCarron, who would clearly be in the line-up but because he hasn't signed yet, I didn't include him. I also took the liberty on deciding on a few guys in the NHL that would most likely lose a spot in Montreal and find themselves in Laval should they clear waivers. Another note: I started Juulsen in Laval because maybe they'd want him to start there after his injury to make sure he's good to go.

I also put a (v) next to those who count as veterans (320 GP or more) and a (ve) for those who count as veteran exempt (260-320 GP).

Phil Varone (v) - Ryan Poehling - Riley Barber (ve)
Joël Teasdale - Nick Suzuki - Alex Belzile
Nikita Jevpalovs - Lukas Vejdemo - Jake Evans
Michael Pezzetta - Hayden Verbeek - Alexandre Alain
William Pelletier - Matthew Peca (ve) - Dale Weise (v)

ECHL: Antoine Waked, Morgan Adams-Moisan, Joe Cox

Xavier Ouellet (v) - Noah Juulsen
Otto Leskinen - Cale Fleury
Gustav Olofsson - Josh Brook
Karl Alzner (v) - Maxim Lamarche

ECHL: David Sklenicka, Ryan Culkin

Charlie Lindgren
Cayden Primeau

ECHL: Michael McNiven, Connor LaCouvee​

I'd start Juulsen in AHL too and call him up midseason. He hasn't been able to play much last couple years and don't agree with people saying he's ready. Weise/Peca/Alzner could really change how the lineup looks. I'd send Cayden Primeau to ECHL unless he shows to be better than Michael McNiven. I feel like Suzuki/Poehling duo would be worth exploring as on paper they are very complementary and they might be able to translate it to the NHL together. Evans is pretty good at faceoffs and think he'll be Thompson's replacement soon as #4C. Interesting to see how they do next season, been a while since the AHL team had a legitimate group of prospects worth following.

Phil Varone (v) - Ryan Poehling - Nick Suzuki
Alex Belzile - Jake Evans - Riley Barber (ve)
Joël Teasdale - Lukas Vejdemo - Alexandre Alain
Michael Pezzetta - Hayden Verbeek - Nikita Jevpalovs

Xavier Ouellet (v) - Noah Juulsen
Gustav Olofsson - Josh Brook
Otto Leskinen/David Sklenicka - Cale Fleury

Charlie Lindgren
Michael McNiven
​

 

[habsprospects]

I also put a (v) next to those who count as veterans (320 GP or more) and a (ve) for those who count as veteran exempt (260-320 GP).

Why do you have Barber as VE?

 

[Adam Michaels]

Why do you have Barber as VE?

You're correct. He's played 240 games between AHL and NHL. So he doesn't count. I don't know why, even though I know it's 260, I had a misstep of the mind there.

Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I edited it.

 

[Mike Mike Caron]

I'd put Evens at center before Vejdemo.

 

[montreal]

For me Evans has to be at center as his ability on draws is one of his best assets.

Primeau has to be the starter as you don't want him sitting too much at this point. Not sure how this will play out as either McNiven or Lindgren have to go. Loan, trade, either way they must create a spot for Primeau and he has to be the starter unless he struggles which I don't think he will as he's got to be one of the top goalie prospects in the world.

I'm very interested to see if Suzuki is at center, I assume he will be. If so then I wonder if McCarron stays at center or is moved back to RW.

The problem with trying to figure the roster in July is we still don't know what trades or if any more UFA's will be added.

 

[canadiensnation]

For me Evans has to be at center as his ability on draws is one of his best assets.

Primeau has to be the starter as you don't want him sitting too much at this point. Not sure how this will play out as either McNiven or Lindgren have to go. Loan, trade, either way they must create a spot for Primeau and he has to be the starter unless he struggles which I don't think he will as he's got to be one of the top goalie prospects in the world.

I'm very interested to see if Suzuki is at center, I assume he will be. If so then I wonder if McCarron stays at center or is moved back to RW.

The problem with trying to figure the roster in July is we still don't know what trades or if any more UFA's will be added.

I think McCarron has to be moved to the wing.