Montreal Canadiens

Team Depth Chart of NHL Prospects

Strengths

Depth on defense

Weaknesses

Gritty/Physical Forwards

About Prospect Scores and Probability

Prospect Criteria

Legend of Players' Leagues

Pro: Playing in N.A. Pro (NHL, AHL, ECHL, etc.)
CHL: Playing in CHL (OHL, QMJHL, WHL)
NCAA: Playing in NCAA
Europe: Playing in Europe
Junior: Playing in Junior 'A' (USHL, BCHL, AJHL, etc.)
N/A: Not Categorized Yet

Goaltenders	League	Prosp. talent	Prob. of success
1. Dustin Tokarski	Pro	7.0	C
2. Peter Delmas	Pro	6.5	C
3. Mike Condon	Pro	6.5	D
4. Robert Mayer	Pro	6.0	C

Right Wing	League	Prosp. talent	Prob. of success
1. Sebastian Collberg	Europe	8.0	D
2. Danny Kristo	Pro	7.5	C
3. Brendan Gallagher	Pro	7.5	C
4. Patrick Holland	Pro	7.0	C
5. Steve Quailer	Pro	7.0	D
6. Alexander Avtsin	Pro	7.0	D
7. Alain Berger	Pro	6.5	D
8. Maxim Trunev	Europe	6.5	D
9. Ian Schultz	Pro	6.0	D

Left Wing	League	Prosp. talent	Prob. of success
1. Charles Hudon	CHL	7.5	D
2. Tim Bozon	CHL	7.5	D
3. Mark MacMillan	NCAA	7.0	D
4. Olivier Archambault	CHL	6.5	C
5. Erik Nystrom	Europe	6.5	C
6. Philippe Lefebvre	Pro	6.5	D
7. Blake Geoffrion	Pro	6.0	B

Centers	League	Prosp. talent	Prob. of success
1. Alex Galchenyuk	Pro	8.5	C
2. Louis Leblanc	Pro	7.0	B
3. Michael Bournival	Pro	7.0	C
4. Joonas Nattinen	Pro	7.0	D
5. Gabriel Dumont	Pro	6.5	C
6. Brady Vail	CHL	6.5	C
7. Daniel Pribyl	Europe	6.5	C
8. Dustin Walsh	NCAA	6.0	D
9. Michael Cichy	NCAA	6.0	D

Defensemen	League	Prosp. talent	Prob. of success
1. Nathan Beaulieu	Pro	8.0	C
2. Jarred Tinordi	Pro	7.5	C
3. Dalton Thrower	CHL	7.0	C
4. Morgan Ellis	Pro	7.0	C
5. Darren Dietz	CHL	7.0	C
6. Greg Pateryn	Pro	6.5	C
7. Magnus Nygren	Europe	6.5	C
8. Josiah Didier	NCAA	6.5	C
9. Colin Sullivan	NCAA	6.5	C
10. Mac Bennett	NCAA	6.5	C
11. Joe Stejskal	Pro	5.5	C

Chouinard was unable to match his point total of last year. But, he
finished the season with an average of 2.08 points per game. Up from
1.76 the year before. Eric had a 25 game point scoring streak October
12^th through December 11^th. The streak ended when
Eric went to the Canadian World Junior Team evaluation camp. He returned
after the tournament to add 3 more games to the streak. Chouinard’s play
at the world tournament was less than stellar. Although he scored 3
goals, he was unable to register an assist, and finished the tournament
-1. He proved to be a defensive liability and was not used in any key
defensive situations.

Chouinard was twice named the QMJHL’s player of the week, and was
once named player of the month. He scored 4 goals on 3 different Read more»

Canadiens Prospect Profiles

by pbadmin

October 30th, 1999

Eric Chouinard
Name: Eric Chouinard
Position: Center
Shoots: Left
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 204
Birthdate: July 8, 1980
Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia History

History – Chouinard has been a Canadiens “surprise pick” when he’s been selected 16th overall in the 1st round of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. Most experts were expecting the Habs to draft another Quebec Remparts prospect, Simon Gagne, who’ve been picked 6 spots later by Philadelphia. The Canadiens scouting staff then explained that they chose Chouinard because of his size and his scoring ability. They also said that they were expecting Eric do walk in his father’s footsteps. Eric’s father, Guy Chouinard, was a dangerous sniper for the Atlanta Flames in the late 70′s and he’s now the Quebec Remparts head-coach.
Read more»

Canadiens 2000 Draft Review

by pbadmin

June 26th, 2000

Canadiens Stay Close To Home on Draft Day

In a draft which was dominated by players overseas, the Canadiens opted to stay close to home with their draft selections. Despite adding several full-time European scouts, specifically Dave King, the Habs focused on American-born players in the College and high school ranks for a second year in a row after neglecting the NCAA route for years. To continue the trend started in ’99, Montreal primarily drafted blueliners, particularly when they drafted south of the border; all five college and high school players drafted over the last two years are defensemen.

This trend surprisingly started quickly in this year’s draft. With Montreal’s first pick, they selected Ron Hainsey: a College player with offensive tools. The swift skating defenseman out of Hockey East plays with poise, intelligence and has terrific vision to make crisp outlet passes out of his own zone; something the Canadiens desperately need. However, he was pegged as a late first round draft pick, and perhaps even an early second rounder. Is this yet another foolish move by the Canadiens’ management?
Not quite.

Canadiens’ Draft Outlook

by Chris Boucher

June 6th, 2000

Past failures, and recent pressure indicate that the Canadiens will be looking to Europe for their early draft picks this year. The Montreal media have been quite vocal concerning the Habs’ past failures at the draft table. Serge Savard’s legacy still lives on in this regard. The past 10 years have seen too many players drafted for size rather than talent. Look for the Habs’ to be calling names like Nordqvist, Krykov, and Jonsson rather than names like Boyes, Taffe, and Dipietro.

Dave King’s presence in Europe during the past season is a huge indication of the team’s latest direction change. King has spent most of his time scouting players and working his contacts. Leading up to a draft there is usually 1 or 2 opinions that carry more weight than all the others. GM’s and scouting directors listen more attentively to these voices than to all the others combined. Look for Houle and Dorion to be paying especially close attention to the voice of one Dave King.

Another indication of the Canadiens’ draft plans is the recent agreement reached between the Habs and the Djurgarden Ice Hockey Club in Sweden. This agreement will allow both hockey clubs to send some of their top prospects to participate annually in the other teams’ rookie camp. The teams will also share information on player evaluation methods. Thereby allowing the Habs access to Djurgarden’s personal scouting reports.
Read more»

Habs’ class of 1999 year end review

by Chris Boucher

April 29th, 2000


                     POS      HT/WT         DOB          DRAFTED
Marc-Andre Thinel    (F)   5'11"/170Lbs. March 24/80   D-Mtl99(5/145)

                         GP    G   A  PTS   +-   PIM   PPG   SHG
1999-00   Victoriaville  71   59  73  132   +2    55    19    2

#1 Strength

- Offensive prowess

#1 Weakness-Strength

Thinel averaged 1.86 points per game for the season. Up from last years mark of 1.58 points per game. Marc-Andre showed more consistency this year, although he continues to fall into periodic scoring slumps. His plus/minus is very low for someone who contributes so much offensively. This stat demonstrates Thinel’s need to focus on the defensive side of his game. Something he hasn’t been able to do as Victoriaville’s “go to guy” offensively.

Thinel was named the QMJHL’s offensive player of the week on 2 different occasions this season. He scored 5 points in a game 5 different times, and he registered 4 points in a game 8 times. Marc-Andre also had and amazing 18 game point scoring streak which lasted January 30^th through March 11^th. Nobody in the Canadiens’ organization doubts Thinel’s offensive abilities. What is questioned is his ability to play both ends of the ice surface, as well as his size and strength. Only time will tell with Thinel.

NHL Projection

-Anywhere from second line player to career AHLer.

Current Stock Status- On the rise.



 Read more»