by Chantal, Managing Editor, All Habs Hockey Magazine
MONTREAL, QC — I know a lot of things. Really, I do. But I don’t know everything. This week, I turned to a few of my colleagues to help answer your questions.
Do you have ...
by Chantal, Managing Editor, All Habs Hockey Magazine
MONTREAL, QC — I know a lot of things. Really, I do. But I don’t know everything. This week, I turned to a few of my colleagues to help answer your questions.
Do you have a question or a topic you would like us to discuss? Okay, here’s what you can do.
Let us know:
who you are
where you’re from
if you wish, send us a photo of you in your favourite Habs gear
and of course, your question
You can contact us via Twitter, our Facebook page or email at info@allhabs.net
We’ll feature you, and your question, in the All Habs Mailbag!
Here’s what you wanted to know this week:
Who was the best Bulldogs player this season, and who has a shot at making the Habs roster next year?
Martin, Brossard
Hi Martin! To answer your question, I turn to my colleague Dan, our resident expert on everything Bulldogs:
“It was a disappointing season for the Bulldogs, finishing last overall in the American Hockey League, but that doesn’t mean the team was without some noteworthy performances. Nathan Beaulieu got off to a slow start to the year, adjusting to the pro level and also coming from a team which dominated its league to one that struggled mightily to win games. By roughly mid-season, he was the team’s most dynamic player, forming the top defensive pairing with Greg Pateryn. He is the prospect who showed the greatest development over the course of the year.
However, Jarred Tinordi may be the prospect with the best chances to start next season in Montreal, simply because his value proposition is more in line with that the Canadiens need. With Raphael Diaz, Andrei Markov, and P.K. Subban in the line-up, Beaulieu’s offensive skills are somewhat superfluous, though he should be ready to fill in for the diminishing Markov after next season. Tinordi, on the other hand, brings size and toughness, and will only continue to get better as he becomes more comfortable with his positioning on the ice and grows into his 6’6″ frame. Among forwards, three standouts project to playing different roles in the NHL.
The first is Gabriel Dumont, an AHL veteran who was likely the Bulldogs’ most consistent forward all season. He project to play a fourth line role in the NHL, and could start the year with the Habs depending on what moves are made this summer. Next is Michael Bournival, who played a role for Hamilton not unlike Tomas Plekanec in Montreal. He is unlikely to bring Plekanec’s level of offense to the big leagues, but his two-way game is well-suited for a third line role with the Canadiens, and he’ll be available as an injury call-up at some point during the season.
Lastly, Patrick Holland is the most exciting offensive prospect with the Bulldogs. He is undersized, but is a creative playmaker whose confidence increased over the course of his AHL rookie season. The demands of a top six forward means the organization is likely to be patient with him, but he is the most likely of anyone who played the full year in Hamilton to eventually assume a scoring role in Montreal.”
Hi! Should Habs trade Tomas Plekanec?
Maryse, Montreal
Hi Maryse! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!
No.
Now that the season is officially over, the Habs have their sights on the what looks to be a vintage draft. Who are potential targets?
Daniel
Hi Daniel! On this topic, I turned to colleagues Kathy and Simon for their guidance. Although Kathy has a thing for centermen, a winger might be more in line with the Canadiens needs in this upcoming draft. Simon likes Adam Erne (Quebec Remparts QMJHL), a 6 foot 200 pound natural scorer with surprising mobility given his stature. Anthony Mantha (Val D’Or Foreurs QMJHL) is another option at 6’3″, 180 lbs. He’s described as a sniper, who can be inconsistent at times and not all that reliable defensively, but he is a francophone and that might g