Wecome Back Habs, Kovalev!

Yesterday started out as a good one for me. I finished a 12 hour shift at 7 in the morning and walked outside to relative sunshine and warmth. Not only had the day been anticipated and calendar circled for some time for hockey reasons, but it's anticipation gathered extra steam about two weeks ago with the announcement that my rock 'n' roll buddah was about to tour again, with tickets going on sale September 17.

So after bagging a pair of tickets to see Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band in Ottawa on October 14, what could possibly make this day better? My daughter making travel team after potting 5 goals in an exhibition scrimmage?

A Canadiens win in their first preseason game would cap it off nicely!

In town for the occasion, are the Penguins, Sidney Crosby show, and Angelo Esposito sideshow in tow!

The starting lineup for the good guys was announced by late Sunday night and includes Mikhail Grabovski, Alex Kovalev, Andrei Kostitsyn, Tomas Plekanec, Sergei Kostitsyn, Jonathan Ferland, Kyle Chipchura, Tom Kostopoulos, Janne Lathi, Duncan Milroy, Corey Locke, Garth Murray, Andrei Markov, Mike Komisarek, Mark Streit, Andrew Archer, Josh Gorges, Mathieu Carle, Cristobal Huet and Yann Danis.

We'll have to wait for Lapierre and Latendresse in tomorrow's game.

With my eyes dimly open from three two hour plus sleep shifts, I set a hazy gaze for RDS, primed to watch the likes of the Kostitsyn brothers, Chipchura, Carle and Lahti in particular. I also looked for a spark from Milroy, Archer, and Locke, who have been given one more attempt at latching onto to the big leagues before Gainey begins to make call assessing their worth.
For a first game, this was one impassioned and thrilling debut.

The players played as though it were more than just a few roster spots on the line. It was as though much more were at stake or there was something to prove.

Like Alex Kovalev, for instance, playing for keeps.

One game hardly constitutes a ressurrection, but the look in his eyes was encouraging.

Two other standouts, were Markov and Komisarek, whose play this season will go a long way in determining the Habs faith.

Montreal dressed 10 rookies while the Penguins were missing only the likes of Roberts, Whitney, and Malkin. The fact that Montreal were even able to match up despite the edge in experience is a great and telling sign.

Several of the players looking to make the team had very good showings, but none better than Kyle Chipchura. As previously reported, I think the Canadiens have a special player here. While he did commit a boob or two, he played a strong game. It's easy to see why the organization is so high on him. There's a spot for him in Montreal and it looks after last night that it is his to lose.

Chipchura is not blessed with blinding speed, but does have the intsincts and smarts of a defensive specialist in the Gainey and Carbo mold. He knows his positioning to a fault, places the puck intelligently when clearing, and pursues the puck with zeal. He killed off penalties all game and came close to notching a goal. He received an appreciation hand from the crowd on his way back to the bench.

It took awhile for the game to gather some juice and after both Carle and Archer went down to injury, the game gathered pace.

In that, there was the silver lining of seeing just how well, not only Mark Streit, but Josh Gorges played under pressure. Gorges was a discovery last night, thriving when overworked. Being used in every sense, he showed an uncanny ability to win the board battles and clear the net.

Streit was a pillar on this night as well. Against the speedy Penguins, Streit surely wanted to show coach Carbonneau where his preference for playing was. At this point, Streit is a more flexible option on the backline that either Bouillon or Dandeneault.

The Habs backline looks to have more depth than initially given. The pressure will be on Bouillon, Dandeneault and Brisebois to match these performances.

Up front, both Corey Locke and Mikhail Grabovski demonstrated skill and had decent moments. locke let fire a pair of blasts, one good for the second goal. He looks intent on seizing his final shot a the team. Grabovski reminds me of none other than Russ Courtnall - a gazelle often too fast for his own puck.

Grabovski oozes talent and skill, but lacks some finish and size to make his anything more than a one dimension player for now. He produces sparks with no result and needs to look around himself more to assess option and open ice. You hate to tell a guy of his stripe to slow down so others on his line can play with him, make better use of him. But that is where I feel he is at and this is the teaching he needs to adapt. If he manages to learn this, he will be a treat.

Other rookies were a little less consistant, and the performances varied from player. Janne Lathi had seconds of great coherence with Kovalev, but not much else to make anyone rave and shout.



Duncan Milroy has the tools to be an NHL'er right now, if not in Montreal. Despite his fringe nature, he does have a good portion of the tools required to be a regular. Milroy's effort never wanes, the hits are there, and the grinding nose to the glass effort never wanes. Unfortunately for Milroy in Montreal, he might just be another number ready to be outnumbered.

Oddly, I see him as a prototypical Bruin coming back to haunt the Habs. I'm not sure why I sense the deja vu!

Jonathan Ferland took a nonsense penalty in the first period that propably bought him a one-way back to Hamilton. He does have that needed rugged edge, some speed, but it will be hard for him to outshine anyone on his fourth strike.

Sergei Kostitsyn dittoed Lahti's night. He showed flashes of a bigger game countered with moments of being absolutely looking lost. One one PP, he was set up in the corner, stood there mostly and watched. Despite the lost look, it is undeniable the talent he has. He will crack the shell at some point. What he's going through is often what occurs to go-to guys when moving up to a higher level. He's dealing with less puck time, and movement and adjusting his position are his next lessons. The Habs know exactly where he can gather this information.

As for the Habs regulars, it was the Andrei Kostitsyn and Kovalev show for the most part. Makes me wonder what would occur should the elder K ever be made into a centerman, he seemed such a suitable foil for Kovalev. Finding such compatibility for Kovalev is about as rare as stepping in Pope shit. Hopefully the duo lasts.

The newly aquired Tom Kostopoulos made a good pair with Chipchura on the penalty kill. He'll be a handy player to have around against grittier team. I just worry he's a Mike Johnson clone with no bite behind the bite.

Both Cristobal Huet and Yann Danis played well. Huet was faultless but neither was tested to extremes. Huet did show that he is still the Habs numero uno in nets, so I'm almost ready to call off the goalie battle for now.

Tomas Plekanec was true to his reputation on the penalty kill, but otherwise out of sync in a game with unrolling lines. No worries, he'll get his groove.

The surprising intentisity of this game had much to do with the fact that the Habs and Penguins are rapidly carving up a deep and rabid hate for each other. What with Crosby's whiner and faker tactics on high to get everybody going, sparks didn't take long to start flying. Add in Ruutu's behind the back acts and Armstrong's gutless tactics and you have a rivalry ready to escalate into war proportions should these teams ever set foot on the same Conference Final ice.
That day might not be so far away, folks.

I took great pleasure in watching Komisarek give it good to Crosby over and over. It's a great game when he and Markov are holding up the Habs end against the best player in the game.
All that was missing tonight was Max Lapierre's gunpowder!

Tonight's rematch should be a fitting sequel.

On a Penguins related sidenote, many Habs fans were fearing that Angelo Esposito would re-enact the Denis Savard homecoming of 1980 and make Bob Gainey look like a patsy of a GM.
Didn't happen. Wasn't even close!

No arguments will be ignited in his name anytime soon. I had to squint to believe my eyes that Esposito was so nothing - not even worthy of an adjective yet!

The stage is well set for tonight. Can the game live up to billing in pre-season.

"I can handle more of this", said the starved man to the soup!

Habs Media Poised To Slam Esposito Slight

If you watched through the first hour and a half of the NHL's 2007 Entry Draft, you no doubt caught several glimpses of Angelo Esposito sitting in the stands, patiently waiting to hear his name called.

You surely noticed the facial expressions and morphing demeanor of the kid, changing from excited teenager to confused adolescent, lips pursed in a defiant pout.

Come the 12th pick, the gleam in Esposito's eyes went from anticipation to sullen dejection in two words: Ryan McDonagh.

Quickly, amongst the Esposito family clan, disbelief blew across their gazes. It was as if they'd opened their front door and saw ghosts.

What you did not see, was the piqued ire of thousands of pro-Esposito boosters in La Belle Province, convinced their star would be donning the sacred bleu, blanc, rouge on this night, angered and disappointed at this most improbable fate.

If you listen closely, you will be able to hear computer keyboard keys slamming, pens scratching, and printer press wheels churning - all because the so-called smartest hockey man in Quebec chose to pass over the local protege.

Bob Gainey likely made triple the enemies as he did friends in choosing McDonagh over Esposito. He also did what was best for the Canadiens.

Everyone understands the logic behind wishing for Quebec born stars to become Montreal Canadiens. There's no need no dwell on and discourse the meaning of the term "Habitants".

There's no need to list the positive points versus the negatives when it comes to choosing Quebecois talent. It is all, actually, besides the point.

The job mandate of Gainey and company is to select the player they best feel serves the Canadiens needs. They did so by choosing to go with a player, a defenseman, who brings size, toughness, and some offensive prowess, to an area sorely lacking in these qualities amongst the teams prospects in regrards to depth at this position.

McDonagh will never be as spectacular as Esposito may one day be, but that doesn't make the pick a catastrophic error.

There will be, of course, the inevitable Denis Savard scenario comparisons, from the 1980 draft. Get ready to read about all it over and over again. And again.

The french Quebec media will make this comparison, and be all over it like Hugh Hefner with a fistful of Viagra on a Playboy Bunny.

The simple truth of the matter is the comparisons simply don't fly.

Backtrack to Savard and the 1980 draft for a moment, for clarity's sake.

Savard was an offensive dynamo, with stats Esposito could only envy. He was ranked third by Central Scouting that season, behind the 89 goal scoring Doug Wickenheiser, and potential franchise defenseman David Babych. 21 NHL scouts were unanimous in thinking the best player available was Regina's Wickenheiser. The Quebec media vehemently disagreed. They backed a Savard pick all the way, because he was dynamic, and because he was a homeboy.

Hindsight is a very powerful history revisionist.

In looking back on the 1980 draft that went wrong, many fail to remember that all Canadiens centers at the time were on the small side. There was a defined need to bring in a pivot over six feet tall, and over 200 lbs, to fill a gap that remained since the trading of Pete Mahovlich.

Now you have a choice between a shifty 5' 8'', 175 lb dazzler of a center racking up great totals in a defensively challenged QMJHL, or a 6' 3", 210 lb 89 goal scorer in the tough as nails WHL.

Who would you choose?

It's a no brainer that you take Wickenheiser!

What unfurled after, may be a case study for psychology majors.

The Canadiens chose to leave Wickenheiser in the stands on the date of his NHL debut, against none other than Denis Savard. The homeboy, likely spurred by the sprurn, was the game's first star.

Wickenheiser felt it like a thousand bitchslaps, and never recovered from his team's lack of faith in him.

Savard, of course, went on to a Hall Of Fame career, jersey retirement in the Chicago Stadium's rafters, and legend status. Wickenheiser settled for a defensive player role, shuffling from team to team, before retiring due to injuries. He sadly died of cancer complications at age 39.

All of this somehow made the Quebec journalists right in their initial prognostications.

Again, history revisionists skewered the truth.

Savard never came close to a Stanley Cup in Chicago, he won one with Montreal in 1993, not as a prime contributor, but as a bit player. Look at that year's team celebration photo - he's dressed in a suit. All Savard's aquisition cost the Canadiens, which was prompted by relentless demands from the Quebec media, was Chris Chelios. Chelios was hardly a media darling back then, and the papers portrayed him as detrimental to the team.

Can you even begin to imagine, if had Chelios stayed?

The media rarely admits it's errors. Their goal has nothing to do with being correct - it has to do with selling newsprint.

Think about that, while you anger over the Esposito slight.

The paper media, as well as the television media, will lead you to believe whatever it needs you to believe, in order to sell tomorrow's paper, keep you watching the sports updates, or tuning into the radio talk shows.

Of those writers, commentators, and talk show hosts, you would be challenged to find one know-it-all who has done the Canadiens scouting staff's work involving Angelo Esposito. They have covered him inside and out, better than we can imagine.

The average full time NHL team scout takes in, on average 200 hockey games a year. They have witnessed Esposito in all his highlight reel glory as well as undocumented lower points, to which I trust there are many more than have been reported.

If Esposito had a string of brutal games - does that sell papers?

Not only do these scouts know the inside out on Esposito, they have also watched hundreds of others players and evaluated their potential. Province-wide. Country-wide. Continent-wide. World-wide.

That's their job. They do not sell papers.

These scouts won't appear on the TV in interviews to suggest that Esposito is not the next Guy Lafleur. Those highlight goals by Esposito will be an alluring fraction of the story, but the truth is, Esposito isn't even the second coming of Stephane Richer.

Perhaps the next Mike Ribeiro?

Nineteen picks went off in the draft before Pittsburgh chose Esposito. What does that say?

With his draft day value dropping like an anvil off the Champlain bridge, don't expect a detailed article as to why it happened.

You may have read that the Canadiens interviewed Esposito three times. The writting suggests that they were extremely interested in him.

Could it be that the Canadiens were so unsure of Esposito, that they brought him back all those times, and remained unconvinced that they should snap him up?

They weren't alone!

Trust this, it's doubtful you will read that story - the angle of truth doesn't sell to people unwilling to hear it!

Having said all this, if given the chance, Esposito could do really well in Pittsburgh. It's a great set up for him. It's also one he wouldn't have gotten in Montreal.

In the coming years, if he does shine in the jersey of the flightless birds, before criticizing the Canadiens for not picking him, I'd like to have someone name the Canadiens player most resembling Sidney Crosby, who could helped such things happen.

Good luck!

Getting To Know McDonagh and Pacioretty

Every year when draft day arrives, all I ask is that the players chosen somehow excite me. That their given potential sets hope in motion. Unlike many, I was not hoping to see Angelo Esposito in the CH. I was convinced that the Habs would go for size and character, and they did not let me down.

No need to reinforce the notion that this was one strange draft round. While every player selected surely has talent to boast and a fair amount of upside, i got the impression I was watching a junior entry draft, rather than a crop of mostly 18 year olds.

Damn, weren't some of these kids small! The Vanriemsdyk kid the Flyers grabbed, looked like a freckled face 13 year old, awkward smile and goofy gaze. Logan Couture, while larger seemingly, had that schoolyard brat / bully face that anyone would want to punch out. I'm looking at him, and listening to a TSN commentator mention leadership and captaincy in his profile, and I want to die laughing. Patrick Kane and Kyle Turris have alot of growing to do before they can play with NHL men.

I'm sure all will become solid NHLer's soon enough, but I didn't see one kid I would rush.

That might explain why I was content upon seeing the Habs pick. The Anaheim Ducks won the Cup with a big, tough team. This was not lost on Gainey and company. Both Ryan McDonagh and Max Pacioretty, at 18, have the size of grown men. Talent aside, their largeness will assist their developement greatly, perhaps shaving a year or two off their progression. I know little other than what I have read today on these players, but I get the feeling that if they are to grow any more, and they should, their stature will serve them well in the big man NHL.

As I knew only small details on the players, I went searching for whatever info was available concerning them and their careers thus far. After rapidly reading a bunch, I am conforted in their upsides.

I've posted intro's to some articles here, that after reading them, you will certainly like these two much more. Enjoy!

RYAN MCDONAGH

Montreal was 12th in line at the NHL Entry Draft and picked Minnesota high school defenceman Ryan McDonagh.

The six-foot-one, 200-pounder was considered a sleeper in the draft, and there were a lot of surprised onlookers when the Canadiens passed on Montreal-born Angelo Esposito, one of the most gifted forwards available. His dream of being a Hab was shattered and the dejected look on his face as he sat in the stands said it all.

''Angelo was on our list but he wasn't on our list at the 12th spot,'' Canadiens GM Bob Gainey told TSN.

Canadiens Draft Pair Of Americans

The Montreal Canadiens? The Montreal Americans is more like it.

The Habs drafted a pair of U.S.-born skaters in Friday night's first round of the NHL entry draft - defenceman Ryan McDonagh at No. 12 and winger Max Pacioeretty at No. 22.

On a team that already has two young American players that are key to their success, forward Chris Higgins and defenceman Mike Komisarek, the newcomers will feel right at home in a few years when they make the big club.

''Seems like the Canadiens have a lot of confidence in U.S.-born players,'' said Pacioretty. ''That's a great feeling.''

Habs fans hoping their team would take Quebec scoring star Angelo Esposito were no doubt disappointed when McDonagh's name was called, but scouts drool over the American blue-liner's game.

Canadiens Choose McDonagh With 12th Pick

With the 12th overall pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft on Friday, the Montreal Canadiens selected defenseman Ryan McDonagh of Cretin-Derham High School in Minnesota.

McDonagh has a sensational season as a senior at Cretin-Derham High in 2006-07, recording 14 goals and 40 points in 26 games. He won the "Mr. Hockey" Award as the top high-school player in the state after being named the Most Valuable Player of the Minnesota State Championship Tournament in 2006, when he helped his team to the title.

The 18-year-old native of St. Paul also represented the United States at this year's Under-18 World Championship, notching three assists in seven games. He was offered scholarships by three colleges, including St. Cloud State and the University of Minnesota-Duluth, but decided on the University of Wisconsin, where he will play this fall.

McDonagh is impressive at both ends of the ice, possessing the talent to rush the puck and complete passes while also being able to outmuscle opponents along the boards and in the corners. The 6-1, 200-pounder, who was the 11th-ranked North American skater by the Central Scouting Service, can quietly dominate a game but occasionally makes decisions that backfire.

Duhatschek: Canadiens Pass On Esposito

There was a theory that the Montreal Canadiens might trade up in the draft in order to select Angelo Esposito, the No. 8 ranked skater from Quebec, who won a Memorial Cup in 2006 with the Remparts of Patrick Roy and was the top-ranked player in Central Scouting's mid-season rankings.

Central Scouting obviously saw something they didn't like in Esposito's game and apparently so did the Canadiens. They stayed put at No. 12 in the first round and then selected the No. 11th ranked player instead - Ryan McDonagh, from Cretin-Derham high school in Minnesota.

McDonagh was named Minnesota's Mr. Hockey of 2007 and is bound for the University of Wisconsin next year.

The knock against Esposito, according to one amateur scout, is his inconsistency; and his unwillingness to play physically or to play in traffic.

USA Deep On Defense

"In terms of offensive upside and ability to change the game and be a big influence offensively, Kevin Shattenkirk, with his vision, is probably the cream of the crop," U.S. coach Ron Rolston said.

McDonagh is slightly ahead of Shattenkirk in most rankings and might squeeze into the top 10.

He joined Team USA for the world under-18 championships.

"What I enjoyed about him was his competitive nature, and he was extremely tough to play against in the defensive end," Rolston said.

UW Recruits Feeling The Draft

It's a small world, after all, and Ryan McDonagh is about to give you the latest tale of confirmation.

Later this week, McDonagh and fellow teenage University of Wisconsin men's hockey recruit Kyle Turris are projected to be first-round picks in the NHL Entry Draft.

Later this summer, McDonagh and Turris will share living quarters on the UW campus and begin their highly anticipated college careers.

But well before the kid from New Westminster, British Columbia (Turris) and the kid from suburban St. Paul, Minn. (McDonagh) decided to attend the same college - before they began making phone calls to determine how to best accessorize a tech-savvy dorm room - their paths crossed.

"Funny story," McDonagh began, recalling when he was on the verge of a decorated prep career at Cretin-Derham Hall (Minn.) High School. "We played in a tournament together. (Turris) actually played on a Minnesota team."

Turris said he was 13 or 14, visiting a family friend in Minnesota, when he was asked to tag along and play in a tournament in Chicago.

















Ryan McDonagh was a designated hitter and first baseman for the Cretin-Derham Hall, but his future appears to be in hockey, where he is a talented two-way defenseman.

The two-sport star just celebrated a state baseball title and is expected to be taken high in the NHL draft.

NHL Draft: It's The Best Of Times For Cretin Defenseman

Those familiar with Ryan McDonagh's athletic prowess will say they would like to have a piece of the young man's future. But the Cretin-Derham Hall senior would have a hard time doubting there is no time like the present.

McDonagh celebrated his 18th birthday last Wednesday. Over the weekend the designated hitter/first baseman helped lead Cretin-Derham Hall to the Class 3A baseball championship.

Today he and his family will leave for Columbus, Ohio, where on Friday he will be among the first names called in the NHL draft.

McDonagh, a talented two-way defenseman, will be one of the first defensemen taken. And if we are to believe the recent scuttlebutt, his stock is on the rise.

Cretin-Derham Hall coach Jim O'Neill said his information points to McDonagh being selected anywhere from fifth to 20th.

"The first four players are said to be rated apart from the others," O'Neill said. "After that it can come down to needs and who likes you."

McDonagh, this year's Mr. Hockey in Minnesota, said he interviewed with all but two NHL teams when he was in Toronto for the pre-draft combine earlier this month. St. Louis [ninth overall] and Columbus [seventh] then had him visit for an individual workout.

The TSN Insider's Forecast:

The nephew of former NFL quarterback Steve Walsh is considered a fine athletic specimen and the winner of the prestigious Mr. Hockey award as Minnesota's top high school player has a chance to be a top 10 pick. It would be a surprise if he falls below the middle of the first round. Some teams think he's as good a defenceman as there is available, a solid two-way threat with edge who played well before and after his high school season with the U.S. Under-18 team. He is off to the University of Wisconsin next season.

From NHL Central Scouting:

A skilled offensive defenseman with the ability to rush the puck. Has good first step quickness and makes quick accurate passes in the defensive zone. Has a good shot from the point. Strong along the boards as well as one-on-one in the corners. Has the ability to dominate a game, but needs to play to his level every night. His offensive style sometimes leads to risky decisions.

From ISS:

Plays a steady game. Continues to make the smart play with the puck, moves the puck up ice well. Has good feet, contains his man well off the rush. Made a big move up ISS rankings late in the year, jumping from #58 in April to #19 in May.

MAX PACIORETTY

The Canadiens selected left winger Max Pacioretty with the 22nd overall pick in Friday's NHL entry draft.The six foot, one inch, 203 pound Pacioretty projects as a prototypical power forward. Pacioretty is a long-term project and he will hone his skills at the University of Michigan next season. He has a wicked shot and takes it often. However, don’t look for him in an NHL uniform for at least three years.
























Pacioretty Leads UM's NHL Draft Hopefuls

Since committing to play hockey for the University of Michigan in January 2006, forward Max Pacioretty has done nothing but blossom.

He went from Taft Prep School to the United States Hockey League this season, earning rookie of the year accolades and setting himself up for another honor.

Pacioretty, who arrives at Michigan this fall, could join the growing list of Wolverines who have been first round picks when the NHL Entry Draft gets underway Friday in Columbus, Ohio. He'll be the first of what could be seven future Michigan players drafted this year.

"I'm trying not to think about it too much," Pacioretty said before leaving his New Canaan, Conn., home to head to the draft. "Whatever happens, happens. If I don't go as high as I'm projected then that's something that motivates you. It could help you in the long run."























Hockey Future's 2007 Max Pacioretty Profile

When Max Pacioretty's name gets called next weekend in Columbus, it’s going to be another defining moment for the rising hockey star and his career. But it won't be an end for Pacioretty, because he’s humble enough to admit he’s still got a ways to go. Given his background, it might not have never happened altogether.

Pacioretty was born and raised in Connecticut, but he was not born into the hockey culture. His parents were not native New Englanders, they moved to Connecticut from California. They even missed Wayne Gretzky and hockey’s California mini-explosion. Before Max, not a sole Pacioretty had even played the game. But his parents gave young Max the freedom to choose something he wanted to do and to let him have something he could call his own.

"When I was four years old my parents brought me to the rink for public skate," Pacioretty recalled. "I kept going back and ended up registering for hockey. It just happened from there."

His interest grew and he continued to play without the pressure to excel from his parents.

Before he knew it, he was playing up with older kids because he got to the point where his game was a bit more advanced than other kids his age. "My parents never pressured me growing up," he explained. "I just found hockey. It turned out to be the thing I love."

NHL Draft Likely To Hit Region Again

When the NHL completes the first round of its annual entry draft tonight, Southern Connecticut's credentials in pro hockey should grow again.

New Canaan's Max Pacioretty, a left winger, is expected to be picked sometime tonight. The NHL's Central Scouting Bureau ranks him No. 16 among North American skaters, and several hockey media mock drafts had him picked late in the 30-pick first round. Pacioretty, 18, played at New Canaan High, Taft School, and in the junior United States Hockey League over the past five seasons. He plans to play next season at the University of Michigan. Versus will televise the first round tonight, beginning at 7.

Pacioretty will join a growing contingent of pro hockey players from Fairfield and New Haven counties, a group that includes Buffalo's Chris Drury, of Trumbull, and Bridgeport Sound Tigers forward Eric Boguniecki, of West Haven. The New York Rangers selected Darien's Hugh Jessiman 12th overall in 2003; Jessiman struggled through his first pro season and a half but showed signs of improvement in the second half of this past season.

The TSN Insider's Forecast:

There is no real mystery to Max Pacioretty's game with Sioux Falls of the USHL. He is an up and down winger who goes hard to the net, provides some physical play and is not without some offensive ability. He doesn't necessarily excel in any one area of the game but does a lot of things well enough to get first-round consideration, although a number of teams view him as more second-round material. He will attend the University of Michigan in the fall.

From NHL Central Scouting:

A competitive power forward with a good physical presence. Has a very good wrist shot with a quick release. Is a good skater with excellent first step quickness. Strong in the face-off circle and does what it takes to help his team win. Needs to improve his consistency around the net. Effective on the penalty kill, but needs to improve his defensive anticipation.

Gainey Open To Any And All Possibilities

Transcribed from an article at CyberPresse, June 21, 2007

With two first round picks in today's NHL Entry Draft, the 12th and 22nd, the Canadiens have the tools at hand to liven up the draft day proceedings.

Habs GM Bob Gainey is on record as stating that "all doors are open", but shrewd is the mind who is able to figure his plans.

"There are many teams talking and calling", admits Gainey, "But that's normal as each team has assessed their respective needs since the end of last season."

Gainey has said that at least one caller wanted to discuss aquiring both the Canadiens first round picks.

"This is the time of year where we count on the experience and expertise of our scouting staff. There surely is one player that is superior to others, and it is up to us to find him", says Gainey, adding that he believes to have determined one such player.

"If he's available in the 12th position, we'll be happy to take him."

It is needless to attempt to get more specific information from the tight lipped Gainey, but reading between the lines, one can assumed the team is well prepared to trade up in the draft order need it be.

Just as difficult, is gauging the Canadiens interest in Angelo Esposito, who is likely to diappear in the top 10 picks. Both the Carolina Hurricanes and the Florida Panthers, who pick 11th and 10th respectively, appear to have an avid interest in Esposito.

























"It's difficult to predict how things will unfold", says Gainey, "there is a domino effect that occurs as the draft progresses. Teams who have an eye on a certain player and fearing he could be snapped up tend to enliven the process greatly."

The Canadiens director of scouting Trevor Timmins is predicting a wild day full of surprises.

Twice Timmins invoked the possibility of the Canadiens obtaining Chicago's first pick overall.

"You never know what can happen", says Timmins, "we're going to the draft with the intention of hitting a home run. We have in mind the players we want to pick in our two positions, but Bob calls the shots. He can take action, but we have done our homework."

Along the way, Gainey has stated that the scouts have paid particular attention to the prospects from Quebec this time around. The Canadiens own five picks in the first 73, and many Quebec born players find themselves among this group. Other than Esposito, there is David Perron, Keven Veilleux, Kevin Marshall, Olivier Fortier and Maxime Tanguay, the younger brother of Alex of the Calgary Flames.

"We know that there are good players in Quebec", says Gainey, "our scouts have been following them closely. We are aware of the importance of these players to fans, and that makes it a priority for us."

The Canadiens invited 20 players, the majority of whom where from Quebec, for physical as well as psychological testing. The initiative is relatively new.

"It's not a new phenominon or a change in philosophy", says Timmins, "we have always been aware of the importance of drafting Quebec born players."

While that is certainly true, the Canadiens have been mining in Russia these past several years. Gainey did not deny that the return there of Alexander Perezhogin and the recent decision made by Alexei Emelin will incite the staff to choose more carefully in the future.

Update: A similar sounding piece from the official Habs site.

Roll The Dice - EOTP Mock Draft 2007

Most NHL Entry Drafts are often described as crap shoots of sorts, with emphasis on the "shoot", rather than the "crap". This years pool of players is a very tough one to assess by all accounts and many scouts are even agreeing to disagree on the order of the top 5.

In making my rankings of the top 30, I'd be surprised if I get 7 or 8 right considering that even the well scouted prospects sprout questions mark concerning their upsides.

As far as the Habs are concerned, I'd love to see them somehow jump up and grab any of the top 7 picks listed here. Two names often mentioned as potential Canadiens, Angelo Esposito and Logan Couture, I don't want any part of. I would take me a good bit of convincing to change my opinion of these two spoiled brats whose parents and agents conspired to have them placed on winning teams rather than starting out where most #1 junior picks begin.

I don't like that both players chose shortcuts on their route to the NHL. It shows a lack of character and may a telling red flag about their willingness to confront obstacles in their way. Of course, both are extremely talented, and it is not unforeseeable that either could be pulling the CH over their head on Friday night.

My hope is that the Canadiens come away with any two of Nick Petrecki, Ryan Perron, Brandon Sutter, Patrick White, or Colton Gillies. I'll actually be happy should they grab one of these five.

But, hey, what do I know. I was furious when they picked Carey Price 5th two years ago. Let's hope Gainey and company's picks humble us naysayers in the same manner this time around.

I get an odd feeling though, that Montreal is set to pull the trigger on a deal tomorrow. With two picks in a soft draft, Gainey is primed to take advantage of anyone adventurous enough to overrate acertain player when the time comes for the Canadiens to pick.

It'll be exciting as usual to watch futures unfold tomorrow night.

Here's is my crap shoot - no monkey's were involved in the process. I couldn't find one!

1. Chicago - Patrick Kane
2. Philadelphia - Kyle Turris
3. Phoenix - Alexei Cherapanov
4. Los Angeles - James van Riemsdyk
5. Washington - Sam Gagner
6. Edmonton - Keaton Ellerby
7. Columbus - Karl Alzner
8. Boston - Angelo Esposito
9. St. Louis - Mikael Backlund
10. Florida - Jakub Vorachek
11. Carolina - Logan Couture
12. Montreal - Nick Petrecki
13. Toronto - Zack Hamill
14. Colorado - Ryan Perron
15. Edmonton - Brandon Sutter
16. Anaheim - Ryan McDonagh
17. NY Rangers - Oscar Moller
18. Calgary - Kevin Shattenkirk
19. Minnesota - Brett McLean
20. Pittsburgh - Sergei Korostin
21. Phoenix - Tommy Cross
22. Montreal - Patrick White
23. Philadelphia - Colton Gillies
24. St. Louis - Joakim Andersson
25. Vancouver - Thomas Hickey
26. St. Louis - Jonathan Blum
27. Detroit - Bill Sweatt
28. Washington - Maxim Mayorov
29. Ottawa - Colby Cohen
30. Edmonton - Lars Eller

Be sure to enter into the Habs World Mock draft contest at this link.

Habs Draft Picture Getting Clearer

From Pat Hickey, June 21, Montreal Gazette

The 2007 National Hockey League entry draft promises to be an exciting affair because nobody seems to agree about the quality of the talent.

Some teams feel there are only three or four quality players in the draft; others peg the number at six to eight. Trevor Timmins, the man in charge of evaluating talent for the Canadiens, believes there will be quality players available when the team makes its first-round picks at No. 12 and No. 22, but the hot rumour here is the Habs are looking to move and have made inquiries about the No. 7 pick owned by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

There seems to be a groundswell of fan support for the Canadiens to select hometown favourite Angelo Esposito, whose stock has dropped over the past year. TSN's mock draft indicates the Canadiens won't have to move up to get Esposito; they have Montreal picking him at No. 12. Another mock draft has Esposito going to Montreal, but with the 22nd pick.

Esposito
























TSN has the Habs going with Zach Hamill at No. 22, but the pick doesn't make a lot of sense because he's a smallish (5-foot-11, 180-pound) centre from Everett in the Western Hockey League.

ESPN has the Canadiens picking Brandon Sutter at No. 12 and Lewiston's David Perron with their second pick. But ESPN might know something we don't because they have the Canadiens getting Perron at No. 24.

SI.com also has Esposito available at No. 12 and suggests that Oscar Moller will be the pick at No. 22. He's another small forward, who says he tries to play like Daniel Briere or Steve Sullivan. The Canadiens' interest might reflect the fact they are unlikely to sign Briere if he becomes a free agent on July 1.

Hamill






















Quebecers named to Summit team: Esposito and Perron make up two-thirds of the Quebec contingent on the Canadian junior team that will face Russia in the re-creation of the 1972 Summit Series this year. They will be joined by Lewiston goalie Jonathan Bernier. The team includes two other players from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League - Ottawa native Claude Giroux and Nova Scotia's Brad Marchand.

Sutter

Meetings BOGged down: The NHL board of governors made more news because of what didn't get done. The owners approved minor rule changes, but did not address such important issues as hits to the head or the instigator rule. There was a general discussion of Jim Balsillie's offer to buy the Nashville Predators, but no action on his request for approval to move the team if he doesn't have a lease after next season.

The BOG also elected Jeremy Jacobs as chairman. He replaces Calgary's Harley Hotchkiss, who has held the job for 12 years. Presumably, the chairman provides a leadership role and Jacobs seems ill-suited for the job when you consider that he has run the Boston Bruins into the ground.

Meanwhile, the word from Nashville is that, while the salary cap is expected to go up to $49 or $50 million, the Predators will go from a shade over $42 million to the league minimum of about $30 million. The team has already dumped Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell; Peter Forsberg isn't expected back and neither is Paul Kariya.

GM David Poile told the Tennessean he doesn't foresee dumping any more players from the current roster, but don't be surprised if goaltender Tomas Vokoun is moved, along with his $5-million-plus salary. The Predators have a younger - and much cheaper - option in Chris Mason. He filled in admirably last season when Vokoun was injured.

Can the Canadiens Pass Esposito By?

Translated from an article by Martin Leclerc in the June19, 2007 Journal De Montreal







In the minds of many people, Montreal born Angelo Esposito's destiny was to have been played out at this Friday`s 2007 NHL Entry Draft in the form of a first overall pick.

Along the way, the scenario has greatly changed, but the talented Esposito isn't letting his fall from top spot be the story. Life is about learning, is it not?

Espo, as his teammates call him, will be in Columbus this Friday night. He is ranked as the eighth best North American prospect. In mid season however, it was thought he was the best 17 year old hockey player in the world.

In 2005-06, at 16, the Quebec Remparts center aquired a legion of admirers after posting 39-59-98 totals. This past season, he was expected to tear the QMJHL apart but his totals dipped to 27-52-79, and that had everything to do with why his ranking parachuted to the 8th position.

"I put way too much pressure on myself to be the best, but it wasn't a pressure based on statistics. It was a pressure based on my desire to help the team", he explains.

"I tried to do too much myself. Hockey is team game, and I learned a great deal in that regard this season."



"Patrick Roy helped me out alot in this area and I feel I've reached a new chapter in my game. I learned to play with the team and forgo trying to do it all by myself."

During the weeks that precede the draft, NHL team officials involved in the interview process with the prospects plave a great measure of importance on the one on one interviews they conduct. Esposito's honesty surely impressed many.

"These meeting usually last between 30 and 45 minutes. We speak with team officials who are simply trying to get to know the person you are. They ask alot of questions about family and background and it's all done very socially."

"In these reunions, I'm not attempting to give them the answers I know they want to hear. I just try to be myself."

Esposito is the second of three children in his family, one that doesn't tolerate compromise when it comes to efforts or results.

"This year in Gym, I had a 98% average", he states proudly, "In Math I had a 96%, and in English and History I had an 83% average. I have to do better on the last, they need to be improved."

On top of being a mature young man, he is also a team oriented player. On the U-18 team his was given the team captaincy. During International games or All Star games, teammates have remarked that they enjoyed his company as a player as well as a person.



Esposito has remained in contact with several former teammates, particularly Cedric Desjardins, Alexander Radulov, and Marc-Edouard Vlasic, keeping tabs on their accomplishments from afar.

"I see my former teammates and the hard work and effort they are furnishing. I see the success they are having and I know it's within my reach to do the same" he confides.

In the summer months, Esposito sometimes trains with the player he admires most - Vincent Lecavalier. The Rocket Richard Trophy winner's brother Philippe, is his agent. Their on ice workouts are in Rosemere, and several NHL'ers take part.

"I really like the way Vincent plays the game. He's become one of the best in thegame over the course of years. I'm very fortunate to know him."

On the ice, Esposito certainly posseses all the tools required to be a star in today's NHL. It's unanimous amongst scouts that he owns superior skating skills.

In speaking with him, it doesn't take long to realize that his personal qualities are just as impressive.

Here, we have a young man who left home at age 14, unweary of what he was setting out to accomplish. He was never afraid of responsability, he's capable of admitting error, and is recognized with leadership qualities by those who have sought to surround him so well through these years.

It will be curiously interesting to see what the Canadiens do should Esposito still be available by the 12th choice!

"I Would Be Happy To Play For Montreal"

It is possible that Quebec Remparts center Angelo Esposito's wish comes true.

Esposito is the 11th ranked prosepect in the next weeks NHL entry draft, and the Canadiens hold picks number 12 and 22. Should they see fit, the Habs could package both choices in exchange for moving up a few notches in the draft. It is a very interesting scenario for all Canadiens fans to follow.

Montreal has not drafted a first rounder from the QMJHL since the bust that was Eric Chouinard in 1998. Chouinard, who also played for the Remparts, managed a short stint with the Habs before being dealt to Philadelphia Flyers. It in a classic case of second guessing, the Habs overlooked Chouinard's teammate, Simon Gagne, and the french media took a decade to let them off the hook for it.

















Second guessing also takes place before drafts, and their is some concern, that while Esposito has great talent, his intensity lacks focus at times. The skilled center looked to be a lock on going 1st overall one year ago, but has since seen his stock fall off. Going from a 98 point rookie season, down to 79 will do that to one's ranking.

Explanations for Esposito's slip are best understood in consequence with the Remparts play last season. After winning the Memorial Cup with a stacked lineup, Quebec lost several key elements this season, mainly Alexander Radulov, and were icing a much younger lineup. All things considered, Esposito still had a very good year for a seventeen year old.






















It will be very interesting to see what Montreal does in regards to him. Perhaps a team will snatch him up before the Canadiens even step to the podium. It is however, almost unimaginable that Esposito bypasses the Habs 12th position. Should that happen, there would be the usual media repercussions regardless of who the Canadiens pick.























There will soon be a flood of articles on Esposito and other prospects. Here are some of the ones I've found.

Esposito's Prospects Blog at NHL.com

Hero's Welcome For Junior Star

Angelo Esposito Q & A

Esposito Pays A Visit To The Kids

The Q Typically Slow To Act On Problem

Q Draft Not Deep