Prospects camp
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CanadaCanes
Well-known member
I'm going to try and get out there on Saturday for a look see and hoping to take a look at Gauthier up close.
The Canes equipment sale is your chance to grab everything left with E. Staal's name on it or maybe someone will fancy Gerbe's size 6 skates...
cmaleski2
Well-known member
I don't expect Gauthier to make the Canes this season despite his physical build. He is after all a mid round 1st round pick who probably needs to focus on improving his skating and defensive awareness.
That said, should the kid defy the odds and make the Canes NHL roster, he's not going to be playing on a depth line. He would be on one of our top 3 lines with Rask, Staal or Lindholm? at center. Really if Gauthier stuns and makes the team you have all kinds of lineup possibilities and decisions. For example what happens to Phil DiGuiseppe and Nestrasil if the top 9 are Skinner, Rask, Nordstrom, Staal, Lindholm, Aho, Teravainen, Stempniak and Gauthier and the 4th line already has Bickell, McClement and Stalberg?
I give Gauthier a 10% chance of making the Canes this year. I'm itching to see the kid in the NHL but the Canes actually have enough 'depth' that this kid would have to be completely lights out for them to keep him around this season.
That said, should the kid defy the odds and make the Canes NHL roster, he's not going to be playing on a depth line. He would be on one of our top 3 lines with Rask, Staal or Lindholm? at center. Really if Gauthier stuns and makes the team you have all kinds of lineup possibilities and decisions. For example what happens to Phil DiGuiseppe and Nestrasil if the top 9 are Skinner, Rask, Nordstrom, Staal, Lindholm, Aho, Teravainen, Stempniak and Gauthier and the 4th line already has Bickell, McClement and Stalberg?
I give Gauthier a 10% chance of making the Canes this year. I'm itching to see the kid in the NHL but the Canes actually have enough 'depth' that this kid would have to be completely lights out for them to keep him around this season.
Hey... I did say if he can skate. First glance at the streaming, he's a bit lumbering. Too bad he has to go back to Juniors, though, for a guy his size he'd be better off against bigger, older players. College would have been ideal.
Don't know how much to read into the fact they gave Fleury #4, but also for his brief bit, he looked very ready for the next step.
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cmaleski2
Well-known member
I love the fact that CuJo is already working with our goalie prospects. With all due respect to Marcoux, if I'm an 18-20 year old kid and CuJo is kneeling beside me or leading a drill I'm absorbing everything he throws at me. Marcoux had some success with Kiprusoff but I'm still not sold on him making our goaltending better. CuJo on the other hand has of course fought the wars in the NHL and had great success. Kids are going to look up to him.
Add in Ulf Samuelsson out there for the first time and I just love the new experienced NHL blood working with these kids.
Add in Ulf Samuelsson out there for the first time and I just love the new experienced NHL blood working with these kids.
Look ... Gauthier by all accounts has been a one trick pony in junior. Yeah, he's big, but that trick doesn't involve size. It involves him blasting away from all angles. It's tough for anybody to learn new skills, and tougher yet to learn them while trying to transition to the pro game. Let's set the bar low on Gauthier, because at this point it's almost certainly better for both club and player if he goes back to the Q with a list of things to work on and then busts his tail doing just that.
I know everybody sees a big, well built kid like that and starts projecting. But big picture wise, we need another 19 year old on this roster like we need a 6th toe.
I know everybody sees a big, well built kid like that and starts projecting. But big picture wise, we need another 19 year old on this roster like we need a 6th toe.
JamesNorthern
Active member
Sheesh guys, I would say the same about all of our young prospects. Of course if they prove they belong great. But to expect them any let alone all to make it?
Keep in mind that some of our prospects are older, heavier, bigger than the likes of Aho and aren't expected to make it. Obvious point, but it goes both ways. Gauthier although blessed with the genes and work ethic of an adult bodybuilder with the physique to support it - is still only 18. One only needs to talk to the young man and hear and see that.
It is a good point too that as a pure 1st line powerforward, he needs to be playing that role and if he doesn't gel from camp - I would much prefer having him adjusting to PROS in the NHL alongside Nicolas Roy and our other prospects. Or back to the Q and in other words, let's not rush him
Keep in mind that some of our prospects are older, heavier, bigger than the likes of Aho and aren't expected to make it. Obvious point, but it goes both ways. Gauthier although blessed with the genes and work ethic of an adult bodybuilder with the physique to support it - is still only 18. One only needs to talk to the young man and hear and see that.
It is a good point too that as a pure 1st line powerforward, he needs to be playing that role and if he doesn't gel from camp - I would much prefer having him adjusting to PROS in the NHL alongside Nicolas Roy and our other prospects. Or back to the Q and in other words, let's not rush him
Elsker
Well-known member
Was working late last night on something due this morning, so took the late morning period to watch the morning practice being streamed on the Canes website.
First of all, kudos to Canesvision for the level of production. Really nice coverage, including some isolated close-ups, and a better view of the prospects than I would have had if I had devoted the same amount of time to this afternoon's practice (which I was considering).
Biggest takeaway, frankly, was who was running the separate defenseman and the forward practices. I was "who IS that guy?!?" until I figured out it had to be Ulf Samuelsson's assistant coach, Peter Andersson, who was his assistant coach with his Swedish Modo team. Very high-energy, very skilled skater, and I'm sure Bill Peters was very pleased with the fast pace of both practices.
Damn, our defensemen are HUGE. And the forwards are not a small bunch, either. Plus, I agree with Bill Peters that we don't seem to have given up any speed or skill by ordering the extra-large size, either.
I think they stream tomorrow morning's practices, as well. So if you can't make one of the afternoon practice sessions, consider that as an alternative.
EDIT: Well, scratch the Peter Andersson deduction. Turns out that was Mark Metzger leading practice today, of Precision Hockey, who is known for his skating ability and high-tempo practices.
First of all, kudos to Canesvision for the level of production. Really nice coverage, including some isolated close-ups, and a better view of the prospects than I would have had if I had devoted the same amount of time to this afternoon's practice (which I was considering).
Biggest takeaway, frankly, was who was running the separate defenseman and the forward practices. I was "who IS that guy?!?" until I figured out it had to be Ulf Samuelsson's assistant coach, Peter Andersson, who was his assistant coach with his Swedish Modo team. Very high-energy, very skilled skater, and I'm sure Bill Peters was very pleased with the fast pace of both practices.
Damn, our defensemen are HUGE. And the forwards are not a small bunch, either. Plus, I agree with Bill Peters that we don't seem to have given up any speed or skill by ordering the extra-large size, either.
I think they stream tomorrow morning's practices, as well. So if you can't make one of the afternoon practice sessions, consider that as an alternative.
EDIT: Well, scratch the Peter Andersson deduction. Turns out that was Mark Metzger leading practice today, of Precision Hockey, who is known for his skating ability and high-tempo practices.
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cmaleski2
Well-known member
NHL.com on CuJo's new gig:
https://www.nhl.com/news/curtis-jospeh-working-as-consultant-in-carolina/c-281132184
https://www.nhl.com/news/curtis-jospeh-working-as-consultant-in-carolina/c-281132184
If Gauthier is "almost ready" is the O the place to finish preparing? If he is signed to a pro-contract does the under-20 rule still apply for the A? I expect it would have to be an ELC but is a one year contract with the Checkers an option? Not thinking they should do something like that - just is it an option? I 'spect there's some other regs applying that could make that a challenge. Just wondering if there are any other options short of getting him into a good college program right away.
cmaleski2
Well-known member
I don't think there are any realistic options other than him going back to the QMJHL or staying with the Canes. He can't play NCAA hockey, the CHL setups make their kids ineligble for NCAA play because of the compensation they receive. He can't sign with the AHL directly. With the NHL CHL transfer agreement its NHL or back to juniors until he completes his underage eligibilty. No exceptions unless the CHL team refuses to take him back (which never happens of course)
SlapShots
Well-known member
Gauthier will likely get a 10 game audition to see where and if he fits.
When I read his stats and looked at the scouting reports on him, Gauthier sounded like a more effective and more dominant Lawson Crouse. Watching him at the World Juniors he was fun to watch. I have to believe he was drafted for his size and skill set. He might have been dominant in the QMJHL, a man among men, but he's a guy you're not going to move from the crease and he's going to create room for the other players on his line. He's got skill enough that he should not be left alone.
When I read his stats and looked at the scouting reports on him, Gauthier sounded like a more effective and more dominant Lawson Crouse. Watching him at the World Juniors he was fun to watch. I have to believe he was drafted for his size and skill set. He might have been dominant in the QMJHL, a man among men, but he's a guy you're not going to move from the crease and he's going to create room for the other players on his line. He's got skill enough that he should not be left alone.
CarolinaPen
Active member
For certain prospects, which Gauthier is included, there should be other options than just going back to juniors or straight to the NHL. The last couple of years there have been multiple cases of guys being too physically mature for Juniors and also not being polished enough for the NHL on a nightly basis. I understand the intent of the rule, but at some level they have to see it is hurting certain prospects long term growth. I wish teams could get one exception every 2-3 years where it is in the teams AND prospects best interest to play in the AHL or other league.
All 3 major junior leagues...the Q, OHL and WHL are affected. The players get stipends. The lower level Canadian junior leagues, most prominently the BCHL, aren't affected, that's a straight junior league like the USHL. Those players retain their college eligibility.
Pucking Lamplighter
Well-known member
I really like the fact that there's only 5 players listed as under six feet tall on the prospects & rookie camp roster. The days of the Lollypop Guild are over.
I hoped to go watch camp tomorrow, but the fish in the lake are calling me and my boat.
Jim
I hoped to go watch camp tomorrow, but the fish in the lake are calling me and my boat.
Jim
Punzil
Well-known member
Late for dinner. :rimshot
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