Guest Talon Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 I'm starting to get a little worried about Latendresse. Not really worried, but mildly concerned, I guess. He simply hasn't impressed me at all this training camp. He isn't skating well, isn't getting open, and doesn't seem interested in giving a full effort. Could he be hurt? This is not the way he should be starting the season when there are so many young players fighting for roster spots. I hope he realizes that he can be sent to Hamilton now... Other than his dirty hit he hasn't done anything at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourtrax Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 I hope he realizes that he can be sent to Hamilton now... Other than his dirty hit he hasn't done anything at all. Yeah, I wasn't a big fan of that hit either. Although in his defense, the other player took a quick peek as he was skating to the boards and still chose to keep his back to Lats, so it wasn't exactly a blindside hit. I just think that Lats should be showing more jump and spark for a second-year player, not taking things for granted and coasting because he's already played one season in the bigs. I mean, it's not like he's a veteran (e.g. Koivu, Kovalev) who has locked down his roster spot and doesn't need to prove anything to anyone in meaningless preseason action. There are still question marks when it comes to Latendresse. Can he improve his skating? Can he build on his rookie season? Will he improve his play without the puck? Can he start using his linemates more effectively? To my mind, he hasn't yet answered any of these questions, so it's no time to be resting on his laurels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest habinto Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 I don't think it's entirely unreasonable for MTL to expect 20-25 goals from him this season...40-45 points...maybe 50 points. It all depends on if he gets time on the top 2 lines or not! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hockey_gal89 Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 It all depends on if he gets time on the top 2 lines or not! People can still put up 40 points on the 3rd line. However due to the lack of high end talent on the left side; I wouldn't be surprised to see him get scoring line minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest habinto Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 Other than his dirty hit he hasn't done anything at all. I was not impressed. A dirty hit is not a sign of being tough! Au contraire mon frere! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Greek Hab Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 Well if Gui's spot on the lineup is in danger...I nominate Corey Locke(after Chipchura) to take it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Talon Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 I was not impressed. A dirty hit is not a sign of being tough! Au contraire mon frere! I don't care for it either...hopefully it doesn't turn into a regular part of his game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jigger-1 Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 Maybe it's just me but I don't see why there is so much talk about "the hit" itself. Whitney knew he was there, he made contact with him well before the boards and I personally think Whitney embellished it a bit. It was a hit from behind, but it was far from a blatant attempt to injure. Regardless, I think what concerns me about "the play" is that Latendresse came out seeking revenge after the Orpik hit, but he came out after the wrong guy! If you want to take matters into your own hands, risk getting edjected etc...at least pick the right guy! I thought the play on his part was selfish, not thought out, not team-oriented. He came out fired up to make a bit hit or something and didn't consider what that would mean for his team at the time. Dirty? maybe, but that's not the point. What it showed is that this is still a kid and he has to learn to fight his personal battles away from the limelight and to not involve the entire team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Talon Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 Also, perhaps he should keep his head up (silly moves that work in Junior won't fly in the NHL)... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Greek Hab Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 Is it just me, or is anyone else worried about how the Press...or LA PRESSE...is going to react? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jigger-1 Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 Also, perhaps he should keep his head up (silly moves that work in Junior won't fly in the NHL)... Definitely. Especially given his concussion history. There was nothing wrong with the Orpik hit. He should have sucked it up and moved on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest habinto Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 I don't care for it either...hopefully it doesn't turn into a regular part of his game. I don't think it will turn out to be an habit based on how he played last year. We'll chuck that one to heat of the moment or something and move on. Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest smoke Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 He had a dirty hit last pre season aswell, didnt he end someones carereer? All in all, this is a kid, hes leaned up, Hes doing what is asked of him, How old is he now 19? Hes very very young, by 21-22 you will see someone who really knows what hes doing out there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourtrax Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 He had a dirty hit last pre season aswell, didnt he end someones carereer? Yes, I believe it was a Tampa player. Can't remember who, though. All in all, this is a kid, hes leaned up, Hes doing what is asked of him, Yes, he is a kid. Yes, he has leaned up. But at this point in time, I would argue, no, he isn't doing what is asked of him, which is to work hard and show the coaches just why he deserves to be on the team this year. How old is he now 19? Hes very very young, by 21-22 you will see someone who really knows what hes doing out there He is very young, you're absolutely correct, and that's precisely why I find it slightly worrisome that he isn't making more of an effort in preseason games. He isn't old enough and hasn't proven enough to earn a free pass in preseason. The only thing of note that he's done so far is to deliver a questionable hit from behind on an innocent player in response to a clean hit he received because his head was down and he was trying to pull some sort of junior move in the offensive zone instead of sticking to the fundamentals. There is plenty of preseason left, and I think he'll straighten himself out, but I must say that thus far Latendresse hasn't impressed me at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest smoke Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 I dont think hes to worried about a roster spot, I think 90% chance hes on the team this year, i agree he could do more in the preseason, but then again we've lost 2/3 games in the pre so alot of people could have done more, Not saying i even like this kid, i think he could become a decent player in the league, he will just have to continue to work his butt off, He is in the right direction though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jctreb2001 Posted September 21, 2007 Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 I was not impressed. A dirty hit is not a sign of being tough! Au contraire mon frere! we're going to be on the receiving end of those type of hits all year long unless we roster another tough d-man and forward mmw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JL Posted September 21, 2007 Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 Maybe it's just me but I don't see why there is so much talk about "the hit" itself. Whitney knew he was there, he made contact with him well before the boards and I personally think Whitney embellished it a bit. It was a hit from behind, but it was far from a blatant attempt to injure. Regardless, I think what concerns me about "the play" is that Latendresse came out seeking revenge after the Orpik hit, but he came out after the wrong guy! If you want to take matters into your own hands, risk getting edjected etc...at least pick the right guy! I thought the play on his part was selfish, not thought out, not team-oriented. He came out fired up to make a bit hit or something and didn't consider what that would mean for his team at the time. Dirty? maybe, but that's not the point. What it showed is that this is still a kid and he has to learn to fight his personal battles away from the limelight and to not involve the entire team. What concerns me about that hit is the fact that it was almost a carbon copy of the hit he threw on Rob DiMaio against Tampa Bay a year ago, ending his career. Eventually, the league will catch up and he'll either be made an example with suspensions and fines, or someone will take it upon themselves to get him back... and Latendresse does have a history of concussions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommyv Posted September 21, 2007 Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 It was a dirty hit no doubt, but you have to understand, Lats can take care of himself, he retaliated, it was dirty and wrong, but he still punished someone for hitting him, and at the end of the day, this will stick in other players minds. So ask yourself, if Lats is open and free for a huge hit, do you think twice about it because of the possible consequences later when he comes back for revenge, or do you just go through with it and hope you put him out for awhile? As dirty as it was, it also leaves a seed of doubt and intimidation in anyone else who will try the same, Lats proved he will avenge himself during a game. What he did was not the proper way to do it, but that might even intimidate someone more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amp73 Posted September 21, 2007 Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 That's two now He might start to get a reputation for hitting players from behind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch Posted September 21, 2007 Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 What goes arround comes arround, and by the unwritten rules among the players, at some point he will be held accountable for his actions. I hope Lats realizes that he will be better off working on his overal development, not just becoming a physical minded player, who throws big hits here and there, without the skills to produce. Ofcourse he is still very young, and he has still lots to learn, but now its the time to do just that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourtrax Posted September 21, 2007 Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 Again, what concerns me is that this hit is the only thing he's done in preseason that's been noteworthy. Other than that, he's been invisible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jctreb2001 Posted September 21, 2007 Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 Again, what concerns me is that this hit is the only thing he's done in preseason that's been noteworthy. Other than that, he's been invisible. It's pre-season.The only thing that's important is for fringe players and the last couple of roster spots.I don't want our best or older players going all out or getting injured for meaningless games.Just play a few to get in game shape,it's a long season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1970 Habs Posted September 21, 2007 Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 Not off to the best of starts. It will be an interesting second season for young Latendresse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flames4eva Posted September 21, 2007 Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 Does anyone think Lats could find himself in Hamilton this year at some point... maybe even to start the season? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest habinto Posted September 21, 2007 Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 Does anyone think Lats could find himself in Hamilton this year at some point... maybe even to start the season? "Find Himself" is he lost? Let's relax. it''s only preseason games. If he faulters during the season than we send him down (if he does not need to clear waver) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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