84 Guillaume Latendresse 06-07

[franck5890]

I was thinking about this today at work, and last season, didn't Christopher Higgins experience very little playing time and point production early in the season?

Let's just give Gui a little time to adapt and he'll slowly be getting more ice-time and opportunity to showcase his talent. Who knows what can happen :wink:

[flames4eva]

I was thinking about this today at work, and last season, didn't Christopher Higgins experience very little playing time and point production early in the season?

Let's just give Gui a little time to adapt and he'll slowly be getting more ice-time and opportunity to showcase his talent. Who knows what can happen :wink:

Good point... well said Jet!

bw6

[Guest Captain Koivu#11]

I agree, we should try him on the PP, perhaps with Kovalev to feed him in open space, he has a shot for it. It would be advantageous for us to have a big dominating powerforward on against tired 1st/2nd liners, who just had the pleasure of PKing Markov/Souray and Koivu/Ryder/Higgins.

I also think moving Latendresse to the second PP unit would be a good idea. In any case, it would be more ice time for him, witch is a very good thing.

[Guest Nutrasweetdaddy]

Everyone is finding out that preseason means squat. He'll get his chance to play a few more games, but he'll be heading back to Junior before he reaches the critical 10 game mark. And that is ok.

IMO this was the best case scenario. Gui got his chance, couldn't quite cut it, and went back to Junior for further development knowing that he got a fair chance. I know he's too good for Junior, but he's not ready for the NHL.

Look at it this way, I feel that he'll gain more by playing a big role in the WJC, than by playing seven minutes a night w/ Montreal.

[flames4eva]

Everyone is finding out that preseason means squat. He'll get his chance to play a few more games, but he'll be heading back to Junior before he reaches the critical 10 game mark. And that is ok.  

IMO this was the best case scenario. Gui got his chance, couldn't quite cut it, and went back to Junior for further development knowing that he got a fair chance. I know he's too good for Junior, but he's not ready for the NHL.  

Look at it this way, I feel that he'll gain more by playing a big role in the WJC, than by playing seven minutes a night w/ Montreal.

Not so fast... according to Carbo... he said if he starts the season here, he stays here (barring, of course, an incredably negative turn of events).

bw6

[franck5890]

Not so fast... according to Carbo... he said if he starts the season here, he stays here (barring, of course, an incredably negative turn of events).

bw6

Not to mention that he hasn't really played THAT badly... He's had some good energy and opportunities out there. He's only receiving 8 or 9 minutes of ice-time a game.

He's being developed by Carbo. and Co.

If they were expecting him to be a pivotal piece in the team's offense, he'd be playing 15+ minutes a night with guys like Kovalev, Koivu, Higgins, Bonk...

But he's not. And to say that he hasn't impressed is one thing, but to say he's played terribly is another, and in my opinion, is totally unjust.

[Guest Keith]

Everyone is finding out that preseason means squat. He'll get his chance to play a few more games, but he'll be heading back to Junior before he reaches the critical 10 game mark. And that is ok.  

IMO this was the best case scenario. Gui got his chance, couldn't quite cut it, and went back to Junior for further development knowing that he got a fair chance. I know he's too good for Junior, but he's not ready for the NHL.  

Look at it this way, I feel that he'll gain more by playing a big role in the WJC, than by playing seven minutes a night w/ Montreal.

Oh aren't you the prophet? He's already playing 7 minutes a night, and is going to get more as time goes on and players faulter, ever heard of injuries?

[scotrbrtsn]

Everyone is finding out that preseason means squat. He'll get his chance to play a few more games, but he'll be heading back to Junior before he reaches the critical 10 game mark. And that is ok.  

IMO this was the best case scenario. Gui got his chance, couldn't quite cut it, and went back to Junior for further development knowing that he got a fair chance. I know he's too good for Junior, but he's not ready for the NHL.  

Look at it this way, I feel that he'll gain more by playing a big role in the WJC, than by playing seven minutes a night w/ Montreal.

I guess you're a little out of the loop, Carbo already said he won't screw with his head like that. He's here to stay.

He's looked OK out there, little lost defensively but hopefully he'll improve with confidence.

[Beginstheman]

I was thinking about this today at work, and last season, didn't Christopher Higgins experience very little playing time and point production early in the season?

Let's just give Gui a little time to adapt and he'll slowly be getting more ice-time and opportunity to showcase his talent. Who knows what can happen :wink:

I know, but it seems not so long ago that Carolina almost immediately used a certain Erik Cole to form the infamous BBC line. What I mean is that having a low-scoring year in 2001-02, Cole was immediately promoted to the second line with Brind'Amour and pushed further in his development since then.

In short, we really need to see Gui at least on the 3rd line to compare with the likes of Cole, Bertuzzi and Neely. We won't see anything of him unless he plays with talented guys.

Too bad that we still might not have a Calder Trophy contender for this year.

[frexican]

Everyone is finding out that preseason means squat. He'll get his chance to play a few more games, but he'll be heading back to Junior before he reaches the critical 10 game mark. And that is ok.  

IMO this was the best case scenario. Gui got his chance, couldn't quite cut it, and went back to Junior for further development knowing that he got a fair chance. I know he's too good for Junior, but he's not ready for the NHL.  

Look at it this way, I feel that he'll gain more by playing a big role in the WJC, than by playing seven minutes a night w/ Montreal.

You're right in a sense since playing pre-season games doesn't involve points in the standings. The majority of teams don't give it their all and don't have their complete line up on the ice. I had reservations asw ti Latendresse joining the big club, but if Carbo and Gainey say he's ready to make the jump then I must go with that since I trust their jugement. That means throwing my support behind Guillaume also.

With that said, am I dissapointed with his performance ? Yes I am simply because after everyone hypping him as a hard hitting player I expected to see that and I didn't. He has no hits in in two games.

However reading an article on RDS, it was mentionned that he finds the pace much faster than what he expected. So in short what it means is his timing is off. He'll need a few games to catch up and then we should see results.

As for him going back down, he's going nowhere. He's in Montreal to stay. Unless he turns 20 then I think he qualifies for AHL but I doubt they'll send him down barring injuries and rehab.

I wouldn't worry about his pace it'll catch up, his sychronization will be on and I think he'll be ok.

[frexican]

I also think moving Latendresse to the second PP unit would be a good idea. In any case, it would be more ice time for him, witch is a very good thing.

Sorry guy but I have to dissaggree with you. An article on RDS mentionned that Latendresse found the pace of the NHL faster than he expected and that's most likely why he's not on PP for now. He has to get used to the pace, get his synchronization and then I'm sure we'll see the player we all expect and at that point I believe he'll be tried out on the PP but not before that. We have to remember that we are playing for points in the standings and now is not the time to experiment. I am convinced he'll get his chances but I also believe it won't be before a few games yet. Someone was mentionning Higgins starting slow his first season, same here. No worries he's got good teachers and alot of support.

[Guest JL]

It's early, but I still feel that Latendresse isn't quite ready for the big show. He admitted through Steve Bégin in an article published on rds.ca that he's never seen anything that fast. And please, let's stop the comparaison with Chris Higgins because he was 22 last year, he was a man with a couple of years at the university level and two years of pro hockey under his belt, so he wasn't a teenager with no experience...

[amp73]

Maybe MR Latendresse could do the noble thing and decide that for the benefit of all parties involved ( the Team and himself ) agree to go back to juniors .

Let him play nine games and then he'll know what he needs to work on .

He';s not learning anything playing on the 4th line with 7 or 8 minutes a game IMO

[Guest Nutrasweetdaddy]

I guess you're a little out of the loop, Carbo already said he won't screw with his head like that. He's here to stay.

He's looked OK out there, little lost defensively but hopefully he'll improve with confidence.

Hey who are you guys going to believe, Carbo or me?

Seriously though, I never read that article (link anyone?). Personally I don't consider it "screwing with Gui's head" if he gets 9 games and doesn't do well enough to stick. This is a business, and if Gui doesn't perform up to acceptable standards and isn't the best option for a spot, he should go back.

I find it hard to believe that Carbo would make such a statement and risk painting himself into a corner should Gui go on to play poorly. If Carbo did say that, then he has obviously been influenced by the politics.

[Guest JL]

Hey who are you guys going to believe, Carbo or me?  

Seriously though, I never read that article (link anyone?). Personally I don't consider it "screwing with Gui's head" if he gets 9 games and doesn't do well enough to stick. This is a business, and if Gui doesn't perform up to acceptable standards and isn't the best option for a spot, he should go back.  

I find it hard to believe that Carbo would make such a statement and risk painting himself into a corner should Gui go on to play poorly. If Carbo did say that, then he has obviously been influenced by the politics.

In all fairness, Carbonneau did say that... but you know what they say... only fools never change their minds! Click here for the article.

[Guest Nutrasweetdaddy]

In all fairness, Carbonneau did say that... but you know what they say... only fools never change their minds! Click here for the article.

Agreed.

Maybe Carbo just said that to take the pressure off of Gui. That would make sense. Spare Gui from the game to game question of "did you play well enough tonight to prove you should stay the whole season?" Shield him from the distractions of the media pressure so that he can make the most of his 9 game try-out.

I'd really find it hard to believe that Carbo would commit to a player playing the whole season, when he has not yet played in a single regular season game. That could definitely backfire and blow up in his face. I figured Carbo to be too smart for that.

[flames4eva]

In all fairness, Carbonneau did say that... but you know what they say... only fools never change their minds! Click here for the article.

Carbo's no fool... I think we can all agree on that. Who knows what the team will look like in a month from now... trades, injuries, line changes etc. A coach has to say what he thinks is best for the team at any given time, whether it turns out to true or not (IMO). There are lots of things that could change and Lats could still be with the team for the whole season... sitting in the pressbox and not playing all the time. Is this a good idea... maybe yes, maybe no. It does serve the purpose of his getting some experience with the big club in any case even when and if he doesn't play. Observation can be a part of his fast-tracking to become a pro in the big leagues.

He may fit somewhere or may not... but if the coach and GM are willing to allow for the space to be used in this way, and it isn't hurting the club, it may be the best thing for someone we could all consider as a potential future force on the team. A different way of gaining experience is not necessarily the wrong way to do things.

Carbo's statement also did wonders with quelling the political issues surrounding this situation. Fans and sportscasters will have to look at their own evaluations before, during and after the year is over to realize their own interpretation.

bw6

[Guest JL]

Maybe Carbo just said that to take the pressure off of Gui. That would make sense. Spare Gui from the game to game question of "did you play well enough tonight to prove you should stay the whole season?" Shield him from the distractions of the media pressure so that he can make the most of his 9 game try-out.

That is definately a possibility. For the record, I'll be fine with whatever decision they make. For now, I'd say send him back after the 9 games... but as brianw6 mentioned, who knows what the team will be like in 7 games from now...

[ironchef_mtl]

lattendresse is lazy and slow thats why he was benched at the world juniors. he has looked pretty motivated though maybe i will get to liking him.

[Guest JL]

lattendresse is lazy and slow thats why he was benched at the world juniors. he has looked pretty motivated though maybe i will get to liking him.

Listen, I don't want to make this personal, but I've had to edit a couple of your posts already... Please read the rules to ensure everyone's on the same track.

By using the Montreal Canadiens’ Fan Forum, you agree to not post any of the following material:

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http://forum.canadiens.com/showthread.php?t=10914

Thanks.

[scotrbrtsn]

Agreed.  

Maybe Carbo just said that to take the pressure off of Gui. That would make sense. Spare Gui from the game to game question of "did you play well enough tonight to prove you should stay the whole season?" Shield him from the distractions of the media pressure so that he can make the most of his 9 game try-out.  

I'd really find it hard to believe that Carbo would commit to a player playing the whole season, when he has not yet played in a single regular season game. That could definitely backfire and blow up in his face. I figured Carbo to be too smart for that.

Ya it's possible, he said he doesn't want the kid to feel like every game is his last, and that he is playing for his life every shift, and that if he makes the team he makles the team for good, and at that point they will work on making him a good player.

I'm not sure what you guys expect from Lats playing on the 4th line with Begin and Murray, it's really hard to expect him to score like he did in the preseason with those two linemates, and he's been put in a position where he has to play defensively which is not his strength. So what exactly where you expecting out of him? To be as good as Murray and Begin defensively right out of the gate? Of course he'll look a little out of place for a little while.

We have to expect there to be growing pains, and we can't expect him to score regularly with Murray on his wing and begin in the middle, he's been showing good work ethic, outbattled two leafs for the puck against the board the other night which was good to see. Gotta give the kid some time to work on his defensive game, and get up to speed, I'd like to see him get some PP time he makes alot of chances happen by driving to the net when he has decent linemates.

[Guest Nutrasweetdaddy]

I'm not sure what you guys expect from Lats playing on the 4th line with Begin and Murray, it's really hard to expect him to score like he did in the preseason with those two linemates, and he's been put in a position where he has to play defensively which is not his strength. So what exactly where you expecting out of him? To be as good as Murray and Begin defensively right out of the gate? Of course he'll look a little out of place for a little while.

During the whole preseason soap-opera, I thought that the best scenario would be for him to get a regular season shot, and then go back. The media has gotten this kid so built up, that I was worried he might indeed try to re-enter the draft, if he had been sent back before the start of the regular season.

For me, it's not so much what I expect from him right now. I just want him returning to Junior without a grudge against the organization. I agree with you that he won't be scoring on that line. Having said that the only thing that will save him is throwing the body with reckless abandon, and chipping in offensively by making the most of his few opportunities.

I really feel that he has an uphill battle if he's going to stay.

[Guest cup crazy88]

During the whole preseason soap-opera, I thought that the best scenario would be for him to get a regular season shot, and then go back. The media has gotten this kid so built up, that I was worried he might indeed try to re-enter the draft, if he had been sent back before the start of the regular season.

And leave the team that he has cheered for and dreamed of playing for ever since he started playing minor hockey?.. i think he would find it within himself to wait a year and respect the descision of habs greats carbo and gainey..

[franck5890]

I think he would take being sent down after 9 games even more personally than before the season. If he's sent to juniors, he might begin to wonder why he wasn't given more of an opportunity to perform, why he was playing without a true playmaker to support him, and so on.

I think Gui will be staying with us all season for this and a number of reasons, barring any severly poor play between now and October 28th.

Unfortunately, the Habs have a seemingly tough schedule until then, meaning Gui will likely be used in the same manner as he is until the Habs establish a good lead in any of those games. As we saw with certain players last year, they wouldn't receive excessive ice-time in tight games until coaches and staff were confident in his abilities and understanding of the system, and I'm sure that's the same case with Gui this time around.

He's only a -1 and averaging 8:50 a game. Let's give him a few more games at least before we worry too much about his future after that ninth game.

[lindros_jr]

I think he would take being sent down after 9 games even more personally than before the season. If he's sent to juniors, he might begin to wonder why he wasn't given more of an opportunity to perform, why he was playing without a true playmaker to support him, and so on.

I think Gui will be staying with us all season for this and a number of reasons, barring any severly poor play between now and October 28th.

Unfortunately, the Habs have a seemingly tough schedule until then, meaning Gui will likely be used in the same manner as he is until the Habs establish a good lead in any of those games. As we saw with certain players last year, they wouldn't receive excessive ice-time in tight games until coaches and staff were confident in his abilities and understanding of the system, and I'm sure that's the same case with Gui this time around.

He's only a -1 and averaging 8:50 a game. Let's give him a few more games at least before we worry too much about his future after that ninth game.

I dont see how they can send him back to junior. If they do then they just totally wasted 1 year of his 3 year entry level contract. It just makes no sense bc they could have just sent him back to begin with and not have to waste a year. If they do send him back then its a HORRIBLE organizational decision. Not bc I think this kid is gonna dominate this year, but strictly bc of the contract. Do I think he belongs on the team this year? No I do not. He is gonna just get garbage playin time and play with checkers and grinders. Look at Higgins last year. They wasted him on the 4th line for half the season. The problem here is Gui has no where to move up on the lines.