Player Discussion Charles Hudon Part III

[1909]

I think they should be patient with Hudon and give him all the opportunity possible. Hudon is a skill forward with good vision. We need more players like him.

Right now, 3rd line LW is his to lose.

 

[yianik]

If this is who Hudon is then for sure he makes the team, and 3rd line sounds right.

If Jerabek can play with Weber, Hudon plays the 3rd line, this team has potential if the other guys like Drouin, Chucky, Gallagher come through. Of course if Hudon can help Pleks produce more then we are talking.We all of a sudden have four lines that can kick in.

 

[Halakitlikethat]

Looking like the spot is his to lose. Great to see as we need the scoring punch.

Was his skating a concern in his draft year or was there anothe reason he went in the 5th round?

 

[McGuires Corndog]

Looking like the spot is his to lose. Great to see as we need the scoring punch.

Was his skating a concern in his draft year or was there anothe reason he went in the 5th round?

Skating & size.

His hockey IQ was always off the charts and he had a great skill set. IMO, we should be actively pursuing these types of players a lot more than the De La Rose / McCarron man mountain types.

You can't teach hockey IQ, and while size is obviously an important attribute it's far from the be all end all some like to make it out to be.

 

[V13]

Looking like the spot is his to lose. Great to see as we need the scoring punch.

Was his skating a concern in his draft year or was there anothe reason he went in the 5th round?

The combinaison of size and skating

From what i have read and heard scouts thought he would be a solid AHL player but wouldn't have the speed nor physicality to make it to the NHL

 

[Belial]

It could be that he wasn't as ready or ready enough before now. Was just looking for him to get a longer look in past years, not being granted a pass. Nor did I ever suggest he spent too much time in the minors. He's still a young guy.

Only incentive I had for suggesting a longer look in the past was not to get to the current point -- which is to have to make a decision about him in a year when he has to clear waivers.

But, none of that matters anymore. What counts is that he's getting a real opportunity now and he's already getting noticed, with the usual caveats applying to how early in the process we are in. Here's hoping for continued success.

You could actually argue that they kept him in the AHL so that Vegas doesn't claim him in the expansion draft... I know you would've been happy with Shaw exposed but I'm sure the management doesn't share your opinion.

 

[Runner77]

I know you would've been happy with Shaw exposed but I'm sure the management doesn't share your opinion.

Meh, I don't believe management really cares what any of us think.

Go Hudon, go!!!

Or, go Hugh Dawn, as they say call him on TSN ...

 

[FrankMTL]

Even though this has been a horrible training camp for most of our young players, Hudon really has been a bright spot and will be a welcome addition to our Top 9! The question remains, who do you play him with? I know he's been playing with Pleky and Lehks since the start of camp, but do you think that line will stick?

 

[Treb]

Even though this has been a horrible training camp for most of our young players, Hudon really has been a bright spot and will be a welcome addition to our Top 9! The question remains, who do you play him with? I know he's been playing with Pleky and Lehks since the start of camp, but do you think that line will stick?

I think all 4 lines have been set.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Even though this has been a horrible training camp for most of our young players, Hudon really has been a bright spot and will be a welcome addition to our Top 9! The question remains, who do you play him with? I know he's been playing with Pleky and Lehks since the start of camp, but do you think that line will stick?

Yes. Hudon, Pleky, Lehkonen is a good line. Might be our 2nd line. It's the Galchenyuk, Danault, Gallagher line that has to get going. No idea about the 4th line at this stage

 

[Treb]

Yes. Hudon, Pleky, Lehkonen is a good line. Might be our 2nd line. It's the Galchenyuk, Danault, Gallagher line that has to get going. No idea about the 4th line at this stage

If the first 3 lines stay as they are, it's 99% sure the 4th line is Byron-Mitchell-Shaw

 

[Habs100]

If the first 3 lines stay as they are, it's 99% sure the 4th line is Byron-Mitchell-Shaw

Hudon and Hemsky were the only two guys I could have seen Byron and Shaw beating out in the top 9.

I hope Hudon and Hemsky can keep their spots.

 

[Treb]

Hudon and Hemsky were the only two guys I could have seen Byron and Shaw beating out in the top 9.

I hope Hudon and Hemsky can keep their spots.

I think Hudon is a lock for the top 9. I could see the RW changing:

Gallagher
Lehkonen
Shaw/Hemsky
Shaw/Hemsky

 

[1909]

Skating & size.

His hockey IQ was always off the charts and he had a great skill set. IMO, we should be actively pursuing these types of players a lot more than the De La Rose / McCarron man mountain types.

You can't teach hockey IQ, and while size is obviously an important attribute it's far from the be all end all some like to make it out to be.

Kids like Point in TB and Connor Brown in TO, and of course Gaudreau in Calgary are proving middle rounders can be gems.

If the first 3 lines stay as they are, it's 99% sure the 4th line is Byron-Mitchell-Shaw

Pretty good 4th line.

But the overall size of the team's forwards is a huge concern.

 

[Tyson]

Hudon's skating seems to have improved because from the games I watched he seems to have decent wheels.

 

[G0bias]

Hudon's skating seems to have improved because from the games I watched he seems to have decent wheels.

So has his shot. He always had a quick release but that thing was a beauty last night. And that one where he hit the post against the Caps.

 

[JuicyHam]

So has his shot. He always had a quick release but that thing was a beauty last night. And that one where he hit the post against the Caps.

The goal against the caps was sweet too. It was a one timer but he still dragged it a little to change the angle.

 

[Halakitlikethat]

If he makes the team does he keep 54 or is there a better option? Not the biggest fan of some of the higher numbers but not sure there’s any good options for him left.

 

[montreal]

So has his shot. He always had a quick release but that thing was a beauty last night. And that one where he hit the post against the Caps.

he must have put in a lot of work as his shot in the past 2 years has been lethal. Very accurate. It's one of the reasons I've been so excited about him, when you have a good playmaker that's very smart, and he improves his shot to where he could be a 20+ goal scorer in the NHL (imo), that makes him a real threat as he becomes so tough to defend against, you just don't know if he will beat you with his shot or a sick pass.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

I know it's only preseason, but he looks even better than Lehkonen and Galchneyuk at this point.

 

[CauZuki]

I think we might end up seeing :

Pacioretty - Drouin - Gallagher
Galchenyuk - Danault - Hemsky
Hudon - Plekanec - Lekhonen
Byron - Mitchell - Shaw

 

[Leon Lucius Black]

Not only has he looked great, he’s had good chemistry with Plekanec which is nice to see as we could use a rebound season offensively from Plek.

 

[Runner77]

I don't know that anyone can revive Plekanec, but sure appreciate what Hudon has shown so far on his own merits. I'm wary of Plekanec experiencing a resurgence, he's been on a downward spiral right after he signed his current deal. If anything motivates Plekanec, it's the fact that he's playing for a new contract. Hudon, on the other hand, should do well, with or without Plekanec.

 

[Belial]

I don't know that anyone can revive Plekanec, but sure appreciate what Hudon has shown so far on his own merits. I'm wary of Plekanec experiencing a resurgence, he's been on a downward spiral right after he signed his current deal. If anything motivates Plekanec, it's the fact that he's playing for a new contract. Hudon, on the other hand, should do well, with or without Plekanec.

Plekanec's case is really interesting... When I watch him play I don't notice that decline, he looks like the same ol Plekanec... I think he'll have a solid campaign.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

he must have put in a lot of work as his shot in the past 2 years has been lethal. Very accurate. It's one of the reasons I've been so excited about him, when you have a good playmaker that's very smart, and he improves his shot to where he could be a 20+ goal scorer in the NHL (imo), that makes him a real threat as he becomes so tough to defend against, you just don't know if he will beat you with his shot or a sick pass.

Does Hudon have a better shot than Lehkonen and Gallagher?