Give the kids a break!

Ando · Guru

Give the kids a break!

Traveling Hab · Veteran Member

While I drool at the prospect of a Kosti-Grabo-Kosti line, Latendresse at power forward, and Captain Chip as much as the next habs fan, I think at this time of year we are all a little guilty (me especially) of thinking the future is already here. Last year we had a severe youth injection, and those guys are developing quite nicely. While it would be nice to see Grabovski or Chipchura get a stint while Koivu heals, and while one of them will certainly be a regular fixture if Ribeiro doesn't start performing to potential, I don't think too many rookies should make it in this year.

I dont think anyone in the habs organisation feels there are free rides. Every year there are line-up changes at the beginning and during season, and we are one of the few teams that is not afraid to send messages to veterans (like when Kovalev got sent down shortly after we traded for him).

Also, Why would we put Latendresse on the point when he is so good in front of the net and many others have a better shot than him? Chara had a lot of success in front of the net on the PP last year. And how can you talk about Corey Locke and work ethic in the same post? The kid is laden with talent, but hasn't worked hard in years. sending him to the NHL would just send the wrong message to everyone else, unless it was done as a public challenge to try and light a fire under him. That could be interesting, but still, unless he has a career year, he will just be leap-frogged by so many other prospects and eventually just be cut loose.

I love the thinking in your post, and imagining our prospects in there right now is so tempting at this time of year, but right now is the time to reap the rewards of previous prospects. We have a very young team, and 3 of our top 6 forwards have yet to hit their prime.

AB Habman · Guru

Traveling Hab wrote:

While I drool at the prospect of a Kosti-Grabo-Kosti line, Latendresse at power forward, and Captain Chip as much as the next habs fan, I think at this time of year we are all a little guilty (me especially) of thinking the future is already here. Last year we had a severe youth injection, and those guys are developing quite nicely. While it would be nice to see Grabovski or Chipchura get a stint while Koivu heals, and while one of them will certainly be a regular fixture if Ribeiro doesn't start performing to potential, I don't think too many rookies should make it in this year.

I dont think anyone in the habs organisation feels there are free rides. Every year there are line-up changes at the beginning and during season, and we are one of the few teams that is not afraid to send messages to veterans (like when Kovalev got sent down shortly after we traded for him).

Also, Why would we put Latendresse on the point when he is so good in front of the net and many others have a better shot than him? Chara had a lot of success in front of the net on the PP last year. And how can you talk about Corey Locke and work ethic in the same post? The kid is laden with talent, but hasn't worked hard in years. sending him to the NHL would just send the wrong message to everyone else, unless it was done as a public challenge to try and light a fire under him. That could be interesting, but still, unless he has a career year, he will just be leap-frogged by so many other prospects and eventually just be cut loose.

I love the thinking in your post, and imagining our prospects in there right now is so tempting at this time of year, but right now is the time to reap the rewards of previous prospects. We have a very young team, and 3 of our top 6 forwards have yet to hit their prime.

Really good post!

I still also agree somewhat with And-o. I think Carb will bring a level of competition more so than Gainey. Gainey is a GM first and he coached by what he did on paper first! With confidence, I can quess we'll have two or three new rookies take over positions or job share.

barry33 · Guru

And- O And-O And-O...I am disappointed. If you have been listening to Coach Carbo the last little while he has all but said that "my lines are set". I totally agree with you. He SHOULD be going in there with a "New Coach, no job is safe attitude" but his message at the golf tournament was not along those lines. He said he was basically happy with his lines and may have room for one rookie. Boy..does that ever get the veterans scared.

Fatherhab · Senior Member

While I like your idea And-o, and I am truly excited over our young guns, we all know that Gainey has shown alot of patience with the likes of the re-signing of Rebeiro.

Grabovski needs to start the year in Hamilton to face stiffer competion. He is 22yrs old, so what he has shown during the rookie tournament is/or should be expected of a player who is much older than some of the propects he has faced in the tournament. Corey Locke, now needs to step it up, or his chances of making the NHL as a small player will twindle. He displayed his potential as a junior, and now he needs to prove to the brass that he's the real thing. Latendresse will either stick with the Habs or spend another year in junior. If he has a camp like he had last year and they don't keep him in Montreal, Gainey with have to deal with the French media. Chipchura has been described by many as a future Captain of the Canadians. He is already compared to Gainey, but has more talent. If Rebeiro or Bonk falter, watch for Gainey to bring Chipchura/Grabovski up from Hamilton.

I know I have left a few names out, but if I lived in the Hamilton area, I would be getting season tickets for the Bulldogs.

As I said in another post, the Habs veterans to a man, need to answer the call this year, or some major changes will take place before the season is over. Expect Begin to lead the way this year. Komy will take a larger role on "D". Bonk either returns to a 20 goal season, or his career will be over. Apparently Markov is already talking about returning to Russia next season. Is that just a ploy for a bigger contract? We'll know before the season is done, if Gainey signs him to a new contract.