2020-2021 Laval Rocket

[ahmedou]

Scouting the Rocket

Special contributor Marc Dumont on what to expect from the Laval Rocket this year

 

[Adam Michaels]

 

[Adam Michaels]

The last pic of that slideshow, you see Hillis and I believe the other is LeGuerrier.

 

[Doc5]

Excited for the start of the AHL season. Never really followed the Rocket closely but looking forward to seeing how Guhle, Ylonen, Mysak, Hillis and Primeau do. One or two of them are bound to surpass expectations.

Also hoping to see Brooks take the next step this year.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Excited for the start of the AHL season. Never really followed the Rocket closely but looking forward to seeing how Guhle, Ylonen, Mysak, Hillis and Primeau do. One or two of them are bound to surpass expectations.

Also hoping to see Brooks take the next step this year.

This is a very good year to follow them. A lot of prospects are getting their pro career debuts. Others who played pro in Europe will make their North American debuts (like Ylonen & Khisamutdinov). And then to follow the progression of second year pros like Poehling, Primeau & Brook, as well as third year pro Fleury.

There is a lot to look forward to this year.

 

[Doc5]

This is a very good year to follow them. A lot of prospects are getting their pro career debuts. Others who played pro in Europe will make their North American debuts (like Ylonen & Khisamutdinov). And then to follow the progression of second year pros like Poehling, Primeau & Brook, as well as third year pro Fleury.

There is a lot to look forward to this year.

Oh right! Forgot about Khisamutdinov, the name that I can’t spell nor pronounce. He’s our 6th founder from 2019 that was an overager.

How’d he make the jump from KHL to AHL this quickly? Don’t we normally leave our Russian picks in the K for a few years?

 

[Adam Michaels]

Oh right! Forgot about Khisamutdinov, the name that I can’t spell nor pronounce. He’s our 6th founder from 2019 that was an overager.

How’d he make the jump from KHL to AHL this quickly? Don’t we normally leave our Russian picks in the K for a few years?

When the Habs drafted him, he had one year left on his contract in Russia. The reason they used a late pick on him was because they didn't want to get in line to convince him to sign with Montreal when he'd become a free agent in Russia. So they opted to draft him and bring him into the system.

As soon as his year was done and his contract in Russia was done, the Habs signed him.

They used the same approach with Harvey-Pinard when they drafted him in the 7th round. And this past year, they did the same with Gordin. Although Gordin is under contract in Russia until April 2022.

Habs would have brought Romanov over sooner, too. But he was under contract in Russia.

 

[Adam Michaels]

We can safely say that it's Pezzeta.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Sounds like it's all but officially confirmed, but Calgary's AHL affiliate will play out of Calgary, rather than in Stockton in California.

This adds a 5th team in the Canadian Division and only adding one more makes it more interesting. There are still the Marlies and the Senators who are still awaiting the green light from the Ontario government, though.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

We can safely say that it's Pezzeta.

We'll have to see him dangle the puck to be REALLY sure

 

[Tyson]

Any update on the Canadian teams being able to play?

 

[Adam Michaels]

Any update on the Canadian teams being able to play?

Laval and Manitoba have the green light. Laval to play at Bell Center.

Calgary is bringing their AHL affiliate, Stockton Heat, from California to Calgary.

Marlies and Sens swill waiting on Ontario government's decision.

There was a rumor yesterday that the Marlies may not wait on their decision and may bring their team to the US in order to play.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Laval is having a scrimmage at Brossard today.

Marcotte says Guhle is paired with Ouellet. Ouellet is on the right side.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Lucchini opens the scoring. A shot over the right shoulder of Primeau.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Weal scores to make it 2-1 for the reds. He's centering Blandisi and Veilleux.

 

[Treb]

Weal scores to make it 2-1 for the reds. He's centering Blandisi and Veilleux.

Was expecting a Belzile - Blandisi - Weal line, but Veilleux - Weal - Blandisi works fine as well.

If that sticks, I guess we'll see a Belzile - Poehling - Ylonen line or something similar.

 

[Archijerej]

Was expecting a Belzile - Blandisi - Weal line, but Veilleux - Weal - Blandisi works fine as well.

If that sticks, I guess we'll see a Belzile - Poehling - Ylonen line or something similar.

I wonder how they will handle the taxi squad. Weal would be a great help for Laval, but unless they use some kind of rotation, he seems to be the first guy to be assigned to the taxi squad. Would be a shame if he's not available as there's not a lot of offensive flair among that forward group.

 

[Treb]

I wonder how they will handle the taxi squad. Weal would be a great help for Laval, but unless they use some kind of rotation, he seems to be the first guy to be assigned to the taxi squad. Would be a shame if he's not available as there's not a lot of offensive flair among that forward group.

They have Frolik for the taxi squad in addition to Perry being the extra fwd. The bigger question is the D as currently it's Fleury on the taxi but he needs to play. The best for Laval would be that Leskinen or Olofsson takes his spot.

 

[Archijerej]

They have Frolik for the taxi squad in addition to Perry being the extra fwd. The bigger question is the D as currently it's Fleury on the taxi but he needs to play. The best for Laval would be that Leskinen or Olofsson takes his spot.

Don't we need to keep a minimum of 4 players there? So, assuming everyone's healthy in Montreal, let's say it's going to be Lindgren, Ouellet, Perry and Frolik once the AHL starts. But someone is always going to be hurt, so which forward is going to be next in line? Laval can hardly spare Weal. Perhaps they will use some kind of rotation between him, Belzile, Blandisi, Dauphin and Vejdemo.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Marcotte says it's hard to determine who is who with no numbers in the back of the jerseys.

But he said that Guhle and Mysak looked good, as well as RHP and Hawel.

 

[Treb]

Don't we need to keep a minimum of 4 players there? So, assuming everyone's healthy in Montreal, let's say it's going to be Lindgren, Ouellet, Perry and Frolik once the AHL starts. But someone is always going to be hurt, so which forward is going to be next in line? Laval can hardly spare Weal. Perhaps they will use some kind of rotation between him, Belzile, Blandisi, Dauphin and Vejdemo.

I would agree.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

Bouchard must really have fallen in love with the kid if he's putting Guhle with Ouellet on the first pair right from the get-go. This bodes really well.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Calgary and Stockton officially announced that the Heat will play in Calgary today. So the Canadian Division adds a 5th team to its division.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Marcotte hears that Laval's season won't start on February 5th. It still isn't clear what Ontario will decide regarding the Marlies and Sens. And Stockton is on their way to Calgary, so they will need a 14-day quarantine before they get started.

 

[26Mats]

Yea. Unless he is determined to make it work in North America. If not, he will most likely prefer to stay in Europe.

I just don't see us having that many forward prospects in the system that are ahead of him, that have or need contracts next year.

Poehling, Hillis, ylonen, caufield, Teasdale ... who else?

I have Ikonen (and so do many on these boards as is shown in the prospect poll) ahead of arsen, vejdemo, harvey-pinard, olofson, etc...

We've been drafting so many D, it seems there's room at forward.