Recalled/Assigned: Habs call up Michael McCarron and Morgan Ellis

[Luigi Habs]

We have too many 3rd line centers

Eller
McCarron
Danault
DD
DLR

What to do with all these for next year? DD and Eller gone?

 

[montreal]

Is McCarron projected to be a center? Where did he play in Hamilton and in juniors? Couldn't catch the game last night, but from the little I've seen of him he looks to have good hockey sense and passing abilities.

All these years I thought we had a winger in our hands. If he can take the center spot that'd be huge for this team going forward. Galchenyuk - McCarron centering the first two lines means size, skills and toughness. That's a luxury we didn't have since I don't know when.

He was moved to Center last year in the OHL, has played every game in the AHL this year at Center but 1 game he was moved to RW. I do think he'll be a center for us.

 

[Agalloch]

Is McCarron projected to be a center? Where did he play in Hamilton and in juniors? Couldn't catch the game last night, but from the little I've seen of him he looks to have good hockey sense and passing abilities.

All these years I thought we had a winger in our hands. If he can take the center spot that'd be huge for this team going forward. Galchenyuk - McCarron centering the first two lines means size, skills and toughness. That's a luxury we didn't have since I don't know when.

McCarron is playing center this year in the AHL and since his second call-up too and he's very good there. He even played against Getzlaf yesterday.

 

[montreal]

We have too many 3rd line centers

Eller
McCarron
Danault
DD
DLR

What to do with all these for next year? DD and Eller gone?

McCarron and DLR can go to the AHL without having to clear waivers. Danault could be on the 4th line if need be. Who knows what their plans will be for Eller and DD.

 

[Uber Coca]

Great stuff, thanks for the answers. Crossing my fingers he develops into a top-6 center, he would add much needed entertainment value.

 

[Agalloch]

McCarron and DLR can go to the AHL without having to clear waivers. Danault could be on the 4th line if need be. Who knows what their plans will be for Eller and DD.

Depends of the remaining games but McCarron could play 2nd center next year.

Plekanec
McCarron
Eller
Danault/DLR

DD is gone or playing wing for his last contract year.

 

[That Habs Fan]

I wonder if McCarron shows potential as a number 2 centre if that encourages MB to move Plekanec in the off-season.

Galchenyuk
McCarron
Danault/Eller
Danault/DLR/Mitchell

That would be a real nice centre line going forward.

 

[Fazkovsky]

You guys forgot torrey mitchell? Isn't he a c?

Don't we have a real logjam at C? Competition for DD is starting to pile up like crazy . I was going to say le ptit david might end up in Florida to enjoy the beaches but looks like since they have a competitive team, his outcome might be columbus, Edm or Carolina.

 

[AlphaCentauri]

McCaron needs to work on his foot speed. He's like a tank on ice, but other than that, I thought that line was the best last night.

To work on his balance too, if not he will hurt himself badly someday.

 

[yianik]

Can we have more detailed comments on Ellis, for those of us who did not see the game ? Would be much appreciated.

 

[Agalloch]

You guys forgot torrey mitchell? Isn't he a c?

Don't we have a real logjam at C? Competition for DD is starting to pile up like crazy . I was going to say le ptit david might end up in Florida to enjoy the beaches but looks like since they have a competitive team, his outcome might be columbus, Edm or Carolina.

Mitchell can play on wing and he did the last couple games. He's a good second option on the ice if we need to change the centerman too.

 

[Agalloch]

Can we have more detailed comments on Ellis, for those of us who did not see the game ? Would be much appreciated.

Maybe I'm wrong but I saw a little bit of Gorges with a good shot. Keep it simple but could be a 7th guy.

 

[AnotherHabsFan]

A logjam at center is a good thing. As MB said the other day, centers can play wing, but wingers cannot play center. I do agree that we have a lot of youth ready to make the jump to the NHL and we won't be able to keep all of them in the coming years. I bet MB analyzes who he wants to keep for the rest of this season and determines who he trades to acquire a missing piece to this roster in the summer (say a top 4 dman?).

 

[FireBurningBin]

McCaron needs to work on his foot speed. He's like a tank on ice, but other than that, I thought that line was the best last night.

I don't think I wholly agree. I felt he was very fast when he could get to top speed. I think more specifically he needs to work on his acceleration, his first steps, which is natural for a big guy.

Galchenyuk had a similar issue.

 

[Blackshad]

Maybe I'm wrong but I saw a little bit of Gorges with a good shot. Keep it simple but could be a 7th guy.

Exactly, Gorges with a good shot.

 

[Luigi Habs]

I don't think I wholly agree. I felt he was very fast when he could get to top speed. I think more specifically he needs to work on his acceleration, his first steps, which is natural for a big guy.

Galchenyuk had a similar issue.

Perhaps this is why he'd be more suited as a center, where he doesn't need to do a lot of stop and go.

 

[montreal]

Depends of the remaining games but McCarron could play 2nd center next year.

Plekanec
McCarron
Eller
Danault/DLR

DD is gone or playing wing for his last contract year.

I would be surprised if McCarron was our 2nd line center next year, if we plan on contending for a cup.

If they wanted a big 4th line though, maybe something like DLR McCarron Matteau might work. Have Lessio and Flynn as spares.

Can we have more detailed comments on Ellis, for those of us who did not see the game ? Would be much appreciated.

I thought he was ok, but I didn't stay up to watch the entire game.

Maybe I'm wrong but I saw a little bit of Gorges with a good shot. Keep it simple but could be a 7th guy.

He's kind of like the opposite of Gorges. Gorges had no offense but was a good shot blocked, Ellis has the offense but not the best in his own end or blocking shots.

 

[BaseballCoach]

Depends of the remaining games but McCarron could play 2nd center next year.

Plekanec
McCarron
Eller
Danault/DLR

DD is gone or playing wing for his last contract year.

McCarron is my fall-back solution if we don't find another top 6 scorer. We just have to develop from within.

Pacioretty-Plekanec-McCarron
Galchenyuk-Eller-Gallagher
Carr-Danault-Andrighetto
Byron-DeLaRose-Mitchell

Ideally, Stamkos or Okposo slots in for McCarron, McCarron for Danault, Danault for Byron (with DLR to LW).

If DD has a spot in the lineup, it must be at C on an exploitation line 11-13 minutes per game against bottom defence pairs. Desharnais is not strong enough on the boards to play wing and keep him away from the top 6!

 

[AlphaCentauri]

- "... he was very fast when he could get to top speed"

Yes, but frequently out of balance.

- I think he must work on his first steps, acceleration, his food speed and balance to become a #2 center.

- I hope Canadiens could hire a skating specialist next summer to help him (also Charles Hudon).

 

[Agalloch]

He's kind of like the opposite of Gorges. Gorges had no offense but was a good shot blocked, Ellis has the offense but not the best in his own end or blocking shots.

The way he skates, I thought it was Gorges. You're right that he has more offense in him.

 

[OldCraig71]

The way he skates, I thought it was Gorges. You're right that he has more offense in him.

A mix of Gorges/Streit.

 

[yianik]

Let's put it this way on Ellis, did he look okay enough in this one game that he should play more ?

Thanks by the way on the comments. LOL, either Gorges, opposite of Gorges, or Gorges and Streit. I am drawing from that, at least not bad defensively but offence may be his strong suit.

 

[Agalloch]

Let's put it this way on Ellis, did he look okay enough in this one game that he should play more ?

Thanks by the way on the comments. LOL, either Gorges, opposite of Gorges, or Gorges and Streit. I am drawing from that, at least not bad defensively but offence may be his strong suit.

If he plans to play in the NHL , it will not because of his offensive play. He has a good shot. He seems average in everything, that's why I see Gorges in him.

http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/2012/8/27/3239109/top-25-under-25-11-morgan-ellis

Strengths: Ellis's best attribute is his defensive acumen, which draws comparisions to current Habs shutdown defender Josh Gorges. He's not overtly physical, but can throw a check and has the size and strength to win battles. At 6'2" this should continue to be the case in professional leagues. Ellis isn't particularly creative on offense, but passes well and has a decent shot. He should have reasonably good ability to help out on even strength offense.

Weakness: Ellis does not look like a defender that controls the ice on his own, especially on offense. Most observers believe he'll have a limited offensive upside at the NHL level. Ellis does not have the overall skill set that projects to be a top level defenseman.

Projection: Ellis has the upside to be a similar top 4 defender to Josh Gorges. He is a good bet to be at least a bottom pairing defender in the NHL. Eliis should spend the next season in the AHL in Hamilton and is considered to be about 1.5-2 seasons from making the NHL.

 

[montreal]

If he plans to play in the NHL , it will not because of his offensive play. He has a good shot. He seems average in everything, that's why I see Gorges in him.

http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/2012/8/27/3239109/top-25-under-25-11-morgan-ellis

Only 1 defensemen in the AHL has more goals then Ellis, he's been really good at getting his shot off and he's got a heavy one. I've noticed he picks his spot better this year and it's fairly accurate. To me while he's been solid in his own end for sure, he's looked a lot better in the offensive zone. For much of the season he wasn't even on the PP then it was the 2nd PP unit until the last month or so when they finally put him on the top unit. The PP has had a major turnaround since last year (although McCarron screening the goalie has made a big impact).

When I think of Gorges I think shot blocking. That was Tinordi's thing, Didier is another one that is good at it. Ellis not so much. Not saying he's bad in his own end but I think his offensive game has really developed.

 

[groovejuice]

A mix of Gorges/Streit.

I hate Country and Western....