A look at the upcoming season for Habs prospects

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Here’s an excerpt from HabProspects.com:

AHL/ECHL

Hamilton is going to be one fun place to follow the prospects as Pacioretty should be the star of the show. In addition you have Maxwell, White, Weber, and Wyman to go with Valentenko, Carle and D’Agostini plus Stewart always brings his up tempo game and Trotter can bring offense. I expect big things from Max Pacioretty, not so much on the scoreboard, which I’m sure he’ll find his way there but moreso in the way he plays and what he brings to the team. I think he’ll see some time in the NHL as well but we’ll see how things go for him.

Ben Maxwell and Ryan White also make it interesting as we will have some of our top forward prospects in Hamilton this year as rookies. Maxwell hopefully lights it up as he’s fast and such a good skater with a smart head for the game and good offensive skills. I think Lever will like him and I expect a strong year from him. White it will be interesting to see if his skating/foot speed hold him back but if not then I also expect a strong season from him as he can do it all. Should be a lot of fun watching these guys and then you add a decent prospect in J T Wyman who could have a tougher time getting ice time, although Lever should like him as he works hard and is solid in his own end, my question will be how his offensive game adapts.

On defense Yannick Weber will make his pro debut, can he out do Mathieu Carle’s rookie season? I hope so as Carle was good but I think Weber can be better. Both should help the PP but they need to get stronger in their own end and for Carle I’d like to see him improve his decision making in his own end. Pavel Valentneko should continue to be on the top pairing and play his usual brand of physical hockey. I hope he sees some time in the NHL if possible.

Shawn Belle should round out the D core, I don’t expect a lot from him but I also dont’ see him all that much, so I will get a better read on him in the fall. Matt D’Agostini is more of a wild card, a good season from him could go a long way in the hopes of a full time roster spot in the NHL. He’s got the speed and slap shot imo but needs to bulk up and improve his lower body strength. Greg Stewart is in the same boat, as a good season from him also will go a long way in helping him get a roster spot in the nhl. I don’t think he will ever be known for his offensive skills but as long as he brings his high energy game, taking the body, dropping the gloves and blocking shots, he could have a spot in the NHL.

1 COMMENT

  1. I’m betting on Mathieu Carle to crack the Hab lineup this season. He seems a natural to replace Mark Streit, and I think he would have seen NHL action last season if not for his early injury.

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