Here’s an excerpt from a solid article by Eyes On The Prize writer Robert Lefebvre who makes some solid points concerning Guillaume Latendresse’s NHL progression after two years with the Canadiens.
Aside from scoring, Latendresse’s game is slowly rounding out in other areas.
In both his years, Latendresse was third on the team in hits, despite his icetime. His plus minus was a brutal -20 in his rookie campaign, but a more than respectable -2 last season. Those improvements are attributable to nothing else but hard work and focus.
Considering the unjustifiable amount of pressure the kid is under as a local, his young age, and his limited skills in the skating department, I’d say the boy has done exceptionally well overall.
When you figure in the atmosphere of negativity that he pursues his craft in, it could be said that Latendresse has almost overachieved in spite of it.
I think that for the player he is, he has done phenominally well for his age.A prosperous, positive atmosphere, can only help him.
Habster:
As Robert mentions in his article, Latendresse has shown progression over the last two seasons especially when you consider he is only a 21 year old who plays limited minutes.
With Latendresse only turning 22 on May 24th which is still very young, there is a perception, rightfully or wrongfully that if he must show further development during the 2008-09 season otherwise a trip to Hamilton during the season could be a real possibility.
Players like Max Pacioretty, Greg Stewart, Matt D’Agostini and even Ben Maxwell will be knocking on his door for playing time the next couple of seasons (if not this year!!).
Guy Carbonneau has hinted in his recent interviews with the media that he wants to run four lines through the season with three solid offensive lines.
The additions of Alex Tanguay and Robert Lang will certainly help Carbo achieve this situation while allowing Latendresse to play with a solid two way center like Lang who can feed him the puck on a regular basis.
With Guillaume entering his third NHL season and reportedly improving his skating stride/conditioning plus playing with a solid playmaking center, there will be no room for excuses for the big talented power forward to not produce results.