For The Canadiens, Chris Kreider Could Be The Guy!
by Robert L on Jun 17, 2009 1:13 AM EDT
12 comments
Massachusetts’ Phillips Andover Academy center Chris Kreider's combination of size speed and skill are an alluring package for any team wishing to call his name on June 26. Projected as a mid to late first rounder, Kreider has been on the scouts radar for quite some time now. He is one of three centers that could be available when the Canadiens pick 18th. My guess would be that if after 17 selections, he is still sitting with his family in the stands, he'll be coming down to don the bleu, blanc, rouge CH shortly after. The 17 year old has impressed several organizations with his quick acceleration and booming shot shot. It is said that Kreider has quite the high gear and has the ability to hit top speed in a few quick strides and seconds, Since mid term, Central Scouting have had Kreider as the highest ranked high school player.
NHL.com has the 6 foot, 2 inch, 201 pound Kreider rated as the number 14 prospect among North American skaters. He is described as a "prototypical power forward, a player who plays as big as he looks."
With as many as 4 or 5 Europeans protected for selection in the top dozen picks, Kreider is surely lined up in the Habs scope. As the Canadiens most concerning need at present is down the middle - especially when it comes to size combined with skill - you can be sure the Canadiens know just about all there is to know about this future star. Perhaps the one drawback in assessing Kreider's skill level, is the league he played in. As a high schooler, Kreider notched 33-23-56 totals in 26 games in a very dominant season at Andover. Still in 11th grade, Kreider is verbally committed to attend Boston College in the fall of 2010. Many scouts have pointed to Kreider's learning curve to disuade fears of him playing in weaker competition. Central Scouting's Jack Barzee compares Kreider to Eric Staal, and is impressed with his skating stance and stride. "When he skates down the wing and spreads his legs wide to protect the puck and gain the zone, it's something to see", says Barzee. Bill Placzek of my NHL Draft.com states "His downside is being from a New England Prep school, Phillips Andover, the competition is far less a measuring stick than players in Junior A. Barzee adds, "There's a flair about him and he definitely has a second gear. He has a little bit of Staal in him. He's not as thick as Staal, but is really upright and has a little niftiness with the puck. He's got all the tools, the size and the skating."
He is so strong on the puck that if the opposition doesn't stop him in that neutral zone, they are gonna have bigger problems when Chris gets the the pistons at top churn. One stride to top speed."
For readers interested in the draft process, Sports Blog Nation's mock draft has been underway for about three days now. While the picks will not be revealed until the weekend coming, 12 selections have been made so far, without Kreider and the two other players profiled here (Louis Leblanc and Peter Holland) being selected. SBN will be announcing three or four selections per day, starting on the eighteenth of June, leading up to the NHL draft June 26.
I thought it could be fun to poll you folks on which of these three players you would to see snapped up by the Habs. The profiles of Leblanc and Holland are here, if anyone wishes to view them once more.
There will be more player coverage as time and space allows before the 26th. If anyone should like to see other players covered as well, drop me a note.
For more on Kreider, check these reads:
Draft hopeful Kreider brings talent in giant package
From Habs World, here is an in depth analysis of the Canadiens drafts of OHL, WHL, and QMJHL players since 2000. It's interesting stuff.
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Of the 3, I’d take Holland first simply because the level of competition he’s at should get him NHL ready quicker. I don’t think there’s a huge difference between these 3 guys at all.
But I’d hope they would select Leblanc, just to avoid the embarassing boos that will reign in the Bell Centre if they didn’t pick a local.
Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.
by saskhab on Jun 17, 2009 2:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The only thing that can go wrong with picking Kreider at the draft is that the french media will start yelling about Trevor Timmin’s man crush on american kids, when it truly is just a coincidence
~~~aroundthehabs.blogspot.com~~~
by gillis on Jun 17, 2009 8:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
My reply to both you guys on this would be – and you will agree – if Timmins/Gainey etc make their pick with the media in mind their skin is too thin for the job. They have to make the move they feel is best and take the darts, barbs and boos that go with it.
by Robert L on Jun 17, 2009 8:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
You will never win as a franchise if you listen to the media or fanbase.
The 1993 playoffs would have been over in 4 games when the media and fans wanted Racicot to replace Roy for game 3 vs Quebec.
Remember it was also the fanbase that lit the Roy fuse by booing him and attempted the same thing 2 months ago with Price.
If you listen to the fans, you will soon be sitting with them.
www.fantasysensehockey.blogspot.com
by Wamsley on Jun 17, 2009 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, you are watching NHL Network right now too, eh!
I was wondering where Racicot’s ‘92 ’93 season ranked in fantasy sense, until I realized he’s played only 26 games (17-5-4, I think).
That “listen to fans” quote, is an old Sam Pollock line. He wasn’t wrong!
by Robert L on Jun 17, 2009 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Houle proved that saying correct
Larocque’s 1976-77 season was absurd too, he went 19-2-4.
But he only played 25 games and the cutoff has to start somewhere.
www.fantasysensehockey.blogspot.com
by Wamsley on Jun 17, 2009 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t disagree, but I wouldn’t fault them for picking Leblanc. He’ll just take longer to get to the NHL… I don’t think he’s a worse prospect long term. Holland might have more value because he’ll get to the show quicker. That’s the way I’m looking at things.
Kreider has a great skill set, no doubt, but he seems like the guy that won’t be able to put it all together. I thought the same thing about Pacioretty. We’ll see. Major junior kids just have a higher batting percentage on these things.
Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.
by saskhab on Jun 17, 2009 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s terribly hard to judge from our standpoint, as scouts who have watched them, know their learning curve much better. Even then, they get these crapshoots wrong. It’s a tough call because as a team group, they may have seen these players play over a hundred times.
by Robert L on Jun 17, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kreider has the most upside of the three but he is also more of a gamble because of his lack of competition as a young player (in high school). His speed is something that is hard to pass up and that alone should give him the nod. I’ve been calling for Kreider, Leblanc, and Holland (in order) for weeks now so I will be bitterly disappointed if we don’t get one of these guys. Personally, I’d take them over Kassian but I could see the Habs take a time out if Ashton is still there. Regardless, we suck at centre and won’t be any better if Koivu leaves. It is imperative that we get a large centre at the draft. Throw in a trade for Hanzal and we will be well on our way to redemption.
by 24 Cups on Jun 17, 2009 9:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I just want to grab him in the mock draft – so far it’s a dead heat between him and Leblanc.
I’d like Hanzal too, would the Coyotes part with him. He’d be great on a line with Grettal!
by Robert L on Jun 17, 2009 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Robert – I just glanced over to the right hand side of your page and noticed your articles on the 70’s Hab dynasty. Wow, what great times I had back then as a Canadien fan. We were on top of the world in those days. So many great players, so many great memories.
by 24 Cups on Jun 17, 2009 5:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Kreider would be a huge mistake, but since it is Timmins at the table, it is entirely possible. He has even less of a background than Fischer and McDonagh, and those guys were both taken a round or two too soon. They will be mediocre journeymen at best at the NHL level and you want more than that if you have a top 20 pick.
by robert ethan on Jun 24, 2009 1:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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