I don't really know much about the Habs prospects, so I'm not going to say who is going to be an impact player in the NHL and who isn't, it's way too early to tell for all of these prospects.
- BlueBloodPat

Seriously?

Bozak, undrafted, will turn 24 in a few weeks and still struggle at the AHL level.
Leblanc is 18 and was top20 in pretty much all scouting reports on draft day last summer.

Yeah it's VERY HARD to tell who's the better prospect at this point.

Wow.

Seriously?

Bozak, undrafted, will turn 24 in a few weeks and still struggle at the AHL level.
Leblanc is 18 and was top20 in pretty much all scouting reports on draft day last summer.

Yeah it's VERY HARD to tell who's the better prospect at this point.

Wow.
- hello_there

I said it's too early to tell which of all these prospects is going to be an impact player at the NHL level. None of these players have proven anything at the NHL level. Not Bozak, not LeBlanc and not Trotter. Yes LeBlanc has age on his side compared to Bozak, but some players shine at the NHL level without ever doing so at the AHL level and vice versa. Like I said, time will tell. I'm not saying Bozak is going to be a better player.

I said it's too early to tell which of all these prospects is going to be an impact player at the NHL level. None of these players have proven anything at the NHL level. Not Bozak, not LeBlanc and not Trotter. Yes LeBlanc has age on his side compared to Bozak, but some players shine at the NHL level without ever doing so at the AHL level and vice versa. Like I said, time will tell. I'm not saying Bozak is going to be a better player.
- BlueBloodPat

Boy oh boy after reading this I don't know who's the better prospect between Trotter and Kadri.

(frank)ing stupid Leafs fans.

Boy oh boy after reading this I don't know who's the better prospect between Trotter and Kadri.

(frank)ing stupid Leafs fans.
- hello_there

http://www.hockeysfuture....m/prospects/louis_leblanc

vs.

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/tyler_bozak

Their talent analysis pretty much reads the same (Bozak and LeBlanc)

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/nazem_kadri

vs.

http://www.hockeysfuture....m/prospects/brock_trotter

but apparently I'm the dumb one?

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/louis_leblanc

vs.

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/tyler_bozak

Their talent analysis pretty much reads the same

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/nazem_kadri

vs.

http://www.hockeysfuture....m/prospects/brock_trotter
- BlueBloodPat

didn't even click the links, but FYI hockeys future is the most outdated, biased prospect site out there...... by far. their rankings are horrible. last time i checked (a month or so ago) eberle wasn't even a top 50 prospect. thats funny that the #1 prospect not playing in the NHL doesn't even make the top 50..

didn't even click the links, but FYI hockeys future is the most outdated, biased prospect site out there...... by far. their rankings are horrible. last time i checked (a month or so ago) eberle wasn't even a top 50 prospect. thats funny that the #1 prospect not playing in the NHL doesn't even make the top 50..
- gretzky

Their top 50 is clearly dated September 2009

They have articles posted as recent as a day or two

but apparently I'm the dumb one?
- BlueBloodPat

Yes. All GMs would take Louis Leblanc in their system before Tyler Bozak.
The fact that you can't admit that is as amusing as your fellow prock's need for attention.

Yes. All GMs would take Louis Leblanc in their system before Tyler Bozak.
The fact that you can't admit that is as amusing as your fellow prock's need for attention.
- hello_there

I already admitted that I don't know enough about the kid, and I don't pretend to be a GM like a lot of people on these forums.

All I have told you is that in my opinion, which of these players will have the biggest NHL impact is very uncertain at this point. I'm not sure why you have difficulty accepting that.

I already admitted that I don't know enough about the kid, and I don't pretend to be a GM like a lot of people on these forums.

All I have told you is that in my opinion, which of these players will have the biggest NHL impact is very uncertain at this point. I'm not sure why you have difficulty accepting that.
- BlueBloodPat

You have difficulty accepting that Bozak is a very mediocre prospect by bringing uncertainty. Dude, Bozak is almost 24 and still struggle at the AHL level.

You have difficulty accepting that Bozak is a very mediocre prospect by bringing uncertainty. Dude, Bozak is almost 24 and still struggle at the AHL level.
- hello_there

I don't have difficulty accepting that at all. In fact I believe I have already stated that Bozak's highest potential is a decent 2nd line centre.

He didn't struggle, you have to expect a certain fallout once he goes from NCAA (where he was a man amongst slightly younger men) to the AHL. He's a good prospect, though he is a late bloomer, but a good prospect nonetheless.
- Shutdown

A lot of things factor in to whether or not a prospect reaches his full potential or not. I have to praise Gainey for the Pouliot trade thus far as well. Here's a player whose looking like a complete bust, can't get it together at the AHL or NHL level in Minnesota's system, all of the sudden comes over to Montreal and is completely rejuvenated.

No, I'm aware he's no elite centre in the making. His high end potential is probably along the lines of Grabovski. 60 points. If we're really lucky, he maxes out at 70, in his prime. IMO. Most likely, he's a 40 to 50 point guy.

But he's still better than every Habs prospect at centre. and he's not the Leafs best centre prospect.
- prock

Drinking the blue and white kool aid again, huh junior, face it all the numbers that you love to throw around constantly dont back up your theory that Bozak is better then Trotter. So then you have to go to his height to find yourself a better stat that Bozak wins with, thats kind of lame even for you...

As of now, you'd have to rank them like this: Kadri>Leblanc>Bozak>Trotter

You can't dismiss some facts like Kadri was a top 10 pick and made team Canada over Leblanc, handily. Leblanc was fighting for the last spot with Luke Adam, he'll make the team next season but he wasn't ready this year. Probably because of the NCAA schedule compared to the CHL one. At this point, Kadri has a few notches over Leblanc.

As for Trotter and Bozak, you've got to look at what they've done at the professional level, but even then it's hard to compare. Bozak came right out of NCAA hockey and started producing. 20 points in 32 games with the Marlies, along with 5 points in 8 games at the NHL level is more impressive than the 9 points Trotter picked up in his first 21 AHL games (though he split that year with the U. of Denver)

Having said that, Bozak has 18 months on Trotter so that makes what Trotter's done at the AHL level this season a little more impressive. 45 points in 44 games, but Corey Locke is an AHL all-star year after year, and he's done poop all in the NHL.
- Shutdown

A younger Trotter was a more dominant player than Bozak at the WCHA level... Trotter still does better than Bozak at the AHL level.

Kadri>Leblanc>>>>>>>>>Trotter>Bozak

All the hype around a player like Bozak is just very, very funny.

A younger Trotter was a more dominant player than Bozak at the WCHA level... Trotter still does better than Bozak at the AHL level.

Kadri>Leblanc>>>>>>>>>Trotter>Bozak

All the hype around a player like Bozak is just very, very funny.
- hello_there

the kid is not doing bad at all with the big club, 5 points in 8 games is pretty impressive, including a dazzling goal.

the kid is not doing bad at all with the big club, 5 points in 8 games is pretty impressive, including a dazzling goal.
- BlueBloodPat

One goal, yes.
To be fair, if he keeps it up until the end of this season he will definitely surpass Trotter in my mind. But for now, he's getting first-line minutes, as much PP time as Kessel... so let's see if that stands for 10-12 more games.

One goal, yes.
To be fair, if he keeps it up until the end of this season he will definitely surpass Trotter in my mind. But for now, he's getting first-line minutes, as much PP time as Kessel... so let's see if that stands for 10-12 more games.
- hello_there

If Gainey wasnt such a tool, Trotter would have been called up to the NHL long before Pyatt and White were...

Your Gainey/Price hate is horrible

Trotter didn't exactly impress at training camp, while Pyatt and White made their mark. Also, when White and Pyatt were on the team, Trotter only had 8 points in 15 games. It's easy to play monday-morning quarterback.

Now if you want to talk about Trotter being called up over Darche, go ahead. But it's not like Darche hasn't been doing well since his call-up.
- Shutdown

Both are all hype and no substance, one a hockey genius who cant figure out the salary cap, how to draft decent players (especially 1st rounders),and gets burned regularly when he tries to trade ( yes pouliot/ Rivet trades aside he got burned on the rest). The other is a 22 year old phenom with a glove hand that would make Andre Racicot laugh.

Yeah, yeah hes got all kinds of potential, and has won at other levels blah blah blah, potential doesnt add up to shiit if he cant do it in the NHL, yeah hes 22, and warming the bench well,where he belongs, because a supposed career backup who was drafted 271st has outplayed him all season long and may continue to do so if given the chance. I dont hate Price, i do however see him as the next Craig Billington if he doesnt get it together in the next 3 years...

remember when stralman was the next lidstrom?

remember when stralman was the next lidstrom?
- FirstClass

No Leaf fan said that. Those comments came from Sweden. He was compared to Lidstrom there.

I thought Hedman was the next Lidstrom?

you think bozak has 70 point potential? i guess eberle must have 150 point potential then. sweet..
- gretzky

Eberle. Another guy with size issues.

Count up all the small guys that tore up juniors, only to go on to never make it in the NHL. Eberle is probably an exception, but it still may hold him back.

I think it is really important to understand that without draft picks you cannot credibly talk about the overall status of your prospects. If a team is deep in 22 and 23 year old prospects it is probably because they do not have a 19 year old talent that they are excited about.

I always compare Ottawa with the Leafs because for the most part Ottawa seems to do it the right way. The Leafs drafted Schenn and played him as an NHL regulart in his first season. The Senators drafted Karllson, they left him in Sweden, he played in the world juniors an was named top D man of the tournament. He was sent down to the AHL for some seasoning after 10 games or so and in the last few games he has been paired with Phillips playing against the other teams top skaters. So, it seems like the Karllson kid is growing into a role with the Senators. Schenn after his first year with the Leafs now seems to be struggling. I cannot help but wonder if the players were reversed and the Senators had Schenn how differently they might bring him along. On the other hand, would the Leafs have rushed Karllson. I don't think the Leafs have enough good talent in the organization to do serious development. They did make a wise decision when they sent Kahdri back to junior for a year.

I think it is really important to understand that without draft picks you cannot credibly talk about the overall status of your prospects. If a team is deep in 22 and 23 year old prospects it is probably because they do not have a 19 year old talent that they are excited about.

I always compare Ottawa with the Leafs because for the most part Ottawa seems to do it the right way. The Leafs drafted Schenn and played him as an NHL regulart in his first season. The Senators drafted Karllson, they left him in Sweden, he played in the world juniors an was named top D man of the tournament. He was sent down to the AHL for some seasoning after 10 games or so and in the last few games he has been paired with Phillips playing against the other teams top skaters. So, it seems like the Karllson kid is growing into a role with the Senators. Schenn after his first year with the Leafs now seems to be struggling. I cannot help but wonder if the players were reversed and the Senators had Schenn how differently they might bring him along. On the other hand, would the Leafs have rushed Karllson. I don't think the Leafs have enough good talent in the organization to do serious development. They did make a wise decision when they sent Kahdri back to junior for a year.
- spatso

Some leaf fans expect instant success with every new coach, GM or rookie brought into the team.............they don't have the patience to watch a team go through a rebuilding program.

Some leaf fans expect instant success with every new coach, GM or rookie brought into the team.............they don't have the patience to watch a team go through a rebuilding program.
- Doppleganger

MLSE sells out every game. That's all the patience an organization needs. They sold out every game in the 80's when Ballard owned it.

I think it is really important to understand that without draft picks you cannot credibly talk about the overall status of your prospects. If a team is deep in 22 and 23 year old prospects it is probably because they do not have a 19 year old talent that they are excited about.

I always compare Ottawa with the Leafs because for the most part Ottawa seems to do it the right way. The Leafs drafted Schenn and played him as an NHL regulart in his first season. The Senators drafted Karllson, they left him in Sweden, he played in the world juniors an was named top D man of the tournament. He was sent down to the AHL for some seasoning after 10 games or so and in the last few games he has been paired with Phillips playing against the other teams top skaters. So, it seems like the Karllson kid is growing into a role with the Senators. Schenn after his first year with the Leafs now seems to be struggling. I cannot help but wonder if the players were reversed and the Senators had Schenn how differently they might bring him along. On the other hand, would the Leafs have rushed Karllson. I don't think the Leafs have enough good talent in the organization to do serious development. They did make a wise decision when they sent Kahdri back to junior for a year.
- spatso

You've gotta be kidding me. They always seem to do it the right way? What Senators are you talking about? they completely gutted their prospect base, Karlsson is the first good prospect they drafted since Spezza (and it looks like they're back to the crap drafting with Cowen), and lost many of their best to free agency, making boneheaded decisions like keeping Redden over Chara, Hossa for Heatley, and then Heatley wants out. They've all but pissed away just about every top asset they got out of their years of sitting at the bottom of the standings. They went through similar tanking to the Pens, the Hawks, the Caps, but came out of it with nothing compared to those teams.

Yeah, great success.... Incredible management.