Habs 1st Development Camp, June 5-9

[AK-1]

The Habs will be holding their first of two development camps this upcoming week, from June 5th to June 9th. 33 players are expected to partake in the camp.

MONTREAL – The Montreal Canadiens announced Friday that 33 players will participate in the first of two development camp sessions, set to take place from June 5-9, at the Bell Sports Complex, in Brossard.

The list of participating prospects includes several players drafted by the organization, players from the Hamilton Bulldogs as well as players invited as try-outs.

The second part of the development camp, to include players to be selected at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft to be held on June 24-25 in Minnesota, will take place from July 5-9, also at the Bell Sports Complex in Brossard. The first edition of the Canadiens development camp took place in 2001.

The Canadiens prospects will first take to the ice on Sunday, June 5, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The development camp session consists of two on-ice trainings daily on both ice surfaces at the Bell Sports Complex (7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.). All practice are open to the public. Off-ice conditioning sessions are also scheduled each day.

14 of the 33 players at camp are Canadiens draft selections, including the club’s first selections from the past three NHL Entry Drafts: Jarred Tinordi (2010), Louis Leblanc (2009) and Danny Kristo (2008).

Link from Canadiens.com

The list of players, supplied by Dave Stubbs, of HockeyInsideout.

List of the 19 forwards

List of the 8 defensemen and the 6 goalies

Interesting to note that 9 players will be here on a tryout basis (4 defensemen and 5 goalies), including Lewiston's Olivier Dame-Malka(QMJHL, 3 defensemen from Miami University in Joe Hartman, Cameron Schilling and Steve Spinell, and also a teammate of Danny Kristo's at North Dakota in goaltender Aaron Dell, who was also rumored to have recieved a contract offer from the Canadiens earlier this year.

Let it be known that the second development camp will be held in July and will include prospects from the 2011 NHL Entry draft, scheduled for June 24-25.

[Bud2790]

I think the Habs are really high on Dell! Hopefully we can get him under contract whenever he decides to leave UND!

[S-Bah]

I think the Habs are really high on Dell! Hopefully we can get him under contract whenever he decides to leave UND!

Also in Camp is Chris Rawlings from Northeastern where both Steve Quailer and Jamie Oleksiak play,great goalie.

[Flunky]

If you want to know where Montreal's Achilles' Heel is located, look no further than the Try-Out portion of this year's Development Camp Roster.

Of the 33 players invited to attend, 24 players were Habs picks or property, while the remaining nine spots went to "Try-Outs" or , in essence, "Walk-Ons" brought in to fill out the camp roster.

Of those nine players, five were goalies(Dell,Mosher,Quattrocchi,Rawlings,Taylor)and four were defensemen(Dame-Malka,Hartman,Schilling,Spinell).

Despite the fact that forwards constitute 60 percent of a hockey team's nightly roster, Montreal did not select a single "Walk-On" forward, and yet we were able to round up five goalies and four blueliners sans contract.

Clearly the cupboard is bare from the blueline back, and particularly between the pipes.

[Habs_Hockey_Nutz]

The Habs will be holding their first of two development camps this upcoming week, from June 5th to June 9th. 33 players are expected to partake in the camp.

Link from Canadiens.com

The list of players, supplied by Dave Stubbs, of HockeyInsideout.

List of the 19 forwards

List of the 8 defensemen and the 6 goalies

Interesting to note that 9 players will be here on a tryout basis (4 defensemen and 5 goalies), including Lewiston's Olivier Dame-Malka(QMJHL, 3 defensemen from Miami University in Joe Hartman, Cameron Schilling and Steve Spinell, and also a teammate of Danny Kristo's at North Dakota in goaltender Aaron Dell, who was also rumored to have recieved a contract offer from the Canadiens earlier this year.

Let it be known that the second development camp will be held in July and will include prospects from the 2011 NHL Entry draft, scheduled for June 24-25.

No Yemelin/Emelin? Already signed I guess.

[hatethosebruins]

No Yemelin/Emelin? Already signed I guess.

Must not want to come yet, maybe hes busy in Russia. Leblanc, Engqvist, Avtsin, Bishop, Conboy, Dumont, Masse, Nattinen, Palushaj etc. are all gonna go and their signed so I dont think contracts are an issue.

[Habs_Hockey_Nutz]

Must not want to come yet, maybe hes busy in Russia. Leblanc, Engqvist, Avtsin, Bishop, Conboy, Dumont, Masse, Nattinen, Palushaj etc. are all gonna go and their signed so I dont think contracts are an issue.

Not a great sign? Guanranteed a spot as part of his agreement even though the contract was not written that way perhaps?

[ChiLla]

Isn't development camp primarily for junior players, younger prospects, and tryouts looking to make the jump to the pros? Diaz and Emelin are both 25 years old and have played pro hockey for the past 5+ years, I wasn't really expecting them to be there.

[BeanCountingHab]

Isn't development camp primarily for junior players, younger prospects, and tryouts looking to make the jump to the pros? Diaz and Emelin are both 25 years old and have played pro hockey for the past 5+ years, I wasn't really expecting them to be there.

+1

[hatethosebruins]

Isn't development camp primarily for junior players, younger prospects, and tryouts looking to make the jump to the pros? Diaz and Emelin are both 25 years old and have played pro hockey for the past 5+ years, I wasn't really expecting them to be there.

Good post. However they could always attend 1 to get used to the ice a little more before training camp. Its not a huge deal as you said they are experienced.

[ChiLla]

Good post. However they could always attend 1 to get used to the ice a little more before training camp. Its not a huge deal as you said they are experienced.

Sure, it probably wouldn't hurt to familiarize themselves with the smaller ice surface. However, there's still a big difference between participating in some basic drills without real competition and actually playing a game in this league. I don't think there's a reason for concern, they'll have ample opportunity to get used to the North American rinks during training camp and the preseason. IMO that's a much better setting to learn the ropes than attending Dev Camp with a bunch of kids and tryouts.

[AK-1]

Not a great sign? Guanranteed a spot as part of his agreement even though the contract was not written that way perhaps?

I believe Emelin is scheduled to arrive in North America with his family in August.

http://www.cyberpresse.ca/sports/hockey/201105/17/01-4400349-alexsey-emelin-signe-enfin-avec-le-canadien.php

[CHC-4-Life]

I think once you've represented your country in the world championships, development camps are a thing of the past. Emelin and Diaz are both a cut above everyone else at the camp. They won't hit the ice as Habs until main camp gets underway. I'd even doubt they will be at cookie camp, but maybe seeing as they are technically NHL rookies. I'm personally really looking forward to getting a look at both of these guys. I think they make Spacek very expendable.

[S-Bah]

Apparently Steve Quailer's shooting opened some eyes at the camp,interviews at Hab's TV.

[Hab-a-nice-day--33-_mtlc]

I know it is early and Leblanc is hurt. Nevertheless currently of all the prospects that under the radar (not expected to make the big club), which one do you think will raise JM's and PG's eye brows the most this upcoming main camp to make them seriously consider making room for him on the Canadiens roster much sooner than later ?

[BigTed3]

I know it is early and Leblanc is hurt. Nevertheless currently of all the prospects that under the radar (not expected to make the big club), which one do you think will raise JM's and PG's eye brows the most this upcoming main camp to make them seriously consider making room for him on the Canadiens roster much sooner than later ?

I think it's going to be hard for a prospect to crack the roster this year. A few of our top AHL guys (Dawes, Boyd, Trotter from last year) have already sprinted off and many of the other NHL-ready guys (DD, White, Weber, Pacman, etc.) were already called up last year and stuck with the big club. So how much more room is there for younger players, especially when the Habs have already reached out to fill their ranks with the likes of Emelin and Diaz from Europe. Most of what's left in our farm system in terms of top prospects are guys who are at least a year or two away (Leblanc, Tinordi, Kristo, Avstin, etc.). Of the guys expected to play in the AHL next year, there are a couple who could be close though:

1. Engqvist is my first choice, simply because he's a big guy, he had a taste of the NHL last year and he can fill a role at center on the lower lines, where we haven't yet re-signed all our players from last year. There aren't going to be too many chances for guys to crack the top of the roster, so if someone's going to make it, I think a lower-tier forward has the best odds.

2. Palushaj: he's close. He didn't look too out of place last year and he's one of the better players left in Hamilton. The issue for me is whether there's any room for him left and he'd really have to have a big camp the way White did this past year. Even then, I think we're looking at more of a mid-season call-up.

3. Carle: so the Habs have signed a lot of guys and stuck them ahead of Carle in the depth pool. I don't even know if he'll be retained this year, but the guy is running out of chances and I don't know if he's waiver-exempt any more. So the Habs may be forced to make a decision on him this year. The odds are against him but if he comes into camp and outplays Weber and Diaz, there's a slim chance of his making the roster.

Other than that, there are guys who may make the Habs at some point if they progress further, but I don't see them cracking the roster out of camp. These would include Dumont, Schultz, Nash, Conboy, and Fortier. I don't see any of them being ready just quite yet however. I expect to see the Habs sign a number of vets the way we added Halpern and Moen and Darche over the past couple of years and because of that I think the number of spots open to rookies will be limited.

[Hab-a-nice-day--33-_mtlc]

I think it's going to be hard for a prospect to crack the roster this year. A few of our top AHL guys (Dawes, Boyd, Trotter from last year) have already sprinted off and many of the other NHL-ready guys (DD, White, Weber, Pacman, etc.) were already called up last year and stuck with the big club. So how much more room is there for younger players, especially when the Habs have already reached out to fill their ranks with the likes of Emelin and Diaz from Europe. Most of what's left in our farm system in terms of top prospects are guys who are at least a year or two away (Leblanc, Tinordi, Kristo, Avstin, etc.). Of the guys expected to play in the AHL next year, there are a couple who could be close though:

1. Engqvist is my first choice, simply because he's a big guy, he had a taste of the NHL last year and he can fill a role at center on the lower lines, where we haven't yet re-signed all our players from last year. There aren't going to be too many chances for guys to crack the top of the roster, so if someone's going to make it, I think a lower-tier forward has the best odds.

2. Palushaj: he's close. He didn't look too out of place last year and he's one of the better players left in Hamilton. The issue for me is whether there's any room for him left and he'd really have to have a big camp the way White did this past year. Even then, I think we're looking at more of a mid-season call-up.

3. Carle: so the Habs have signed a lot of guys and stuck them ahead of Carle in the depth pool. I don't even know if he'll be retained this year, but the guy is running out of chances and I don't know if he's waiver-exempt any more. So the Habs may be forced to make a decision on him this year. The odds are against him but if he comes into camp and outplays Weber and Diaz, there's a slim chance of his making the roster.

Other than that, there are guys who may make the Habs at some point if they progress further, but I don't see them cracking the roster out of camp. These would include Dumont, Schultz, Nash, Conboy, and Fortier. I don't see any of them being ready just quite yet however. I expect to see the Habs sign a number of vets the way we added Halpern and Moen and Darche over the past couple of years and because of that I think the number of spots open to rookies will be limited.

I agree with you on the ability of prospects suiting up from the beginning of the upcoming season and (depending on injury situation)remainder of the season. My apologies if my question was constructed too poorly. What I meant to ask is, of the prospects which one do you see make the biggest advancement on the organization's depth charts coming out of the upcoming main training camp ?

[hatethosebruins]

I think it's going to be hard for a prospect to crack the roster this year. A few of our top AHL guys (Dawes, Boyd, Trotter from last year) have already sprinted off and many of the other NHL-ready guys (DD, White, Weber, Pacman, etc.) were already called up last year and stuck with the big club. So how much more room is there for younger players, especially when the Habs have already reached out to fill their ranks with the likes of Emelin and Diaz from Europe. Most of what's left in our farm system in terms of top prospects are guys who are at least a year or two away (Leblanc, Tinordi, Kristo, Avstin, etc.). Of the guys expected to play in the AHL next year, there are a couple who could be close though:

1. Engqvist is my first choice, simply because he's a big guy, he had a taste of the NHL last year and he can fill a role at center on the lower lines, where we haven't yet re-signed all our players from last year. There aren't going to be too many chances for guys to crack the top of the roster, so if someone's going to make it, I think a lower-tier forward has the best odds.

2. Palushaj: he's close. He didn't look too out of place last year and he's one of the better players left in Hamilton. The issue for me is whether there's any room for him left and he'd really have to have a big camp the way White did this past year. Even then, I think we're looking at more of a mid-season call-up.

3. Carle: so the Habs have signed a lot of guys and stuck them ahead of Carle in the depth pool. I don't even know if he'll be retained this year, but the guy is running out of chances and I don't know if he's waiver-exempt any more. So the Habs may be forced to make a decision on him this year. The odds are against him but if he comes into camp and outplays Weber and Diaz, there's a slim chance of his making the roster.

Other than that, there are guys who may make the Habs at some point if they progress further, but I don't see them cracking the roster out of camp. These would include Dumont, Schultz, Nash, Conboy, and Fortier. I don't see any of them being ready just quite yet however. I expect to see the Habs sign a number of vets the way we added Halpern and Moen and Darche over the past couple of years and because of that I think the number of spots open to rookies will be limited.

I would say that our best options would be:

1. Palushaj. With the depth at center, I feel he would probably be given his chance sooner than Engqvist. He had his taste of NHL action too, and he really impressed me. This would probably leave a huge hole in Hamiltons offense, but could be good for ours. AK-Eller-Palushaj looks nice.

2. Engqvist. Like you said, hes a big guy with tastes of NHL action. I doubt we will be bringing back Jeff Halpern, Tom Pyatt, and Benoit Pouliot. So we probably have enough room to call up both him and Palushaj. In fact with Halpern gone, we could call up Engqvist first to play on the PK.

Now after here is where it gets fuzzy. Nash didn't look bad in his debut, but is still very raw talent and should spend time in Hamilton. I doubt Carle is in our plans due to the depth chart, and predict he will be part of a package deal this summer. If not, he will need to impress everyone at camp and stay healthy. JT Wyman could be given another call up, St-Denis could be impressive as well. Conboy and Dumont both really impressed me during last years camp. I hope to see Conboy get NHL time at some point this year.

[Twillightzone]

I would say that our best options would be:

1. Palushaj. With the depth at center, I feel he would probably be given his chance sooner than Engqvist. He had his taste of NHL action too, and he really impressed me. This would probably leave a huge hole in Hamiltons offense, but could be good for ours. AK-Eller-Palushaj looks nice.

2. Engqvist. Like you said, hes a big guy with tastes of NHL action. I doubt we will be bringing back Jeff Halpern, Tom Pyatt, and Benoit Pouliot. So we probably have enough room to call up both him and Palushaj. In fact with Halpern gone, we could call up Engqvist first to play on the PK.

Now after here is where it gets fuzzy. Nash didn't look bad in his debut, but is still very raw talent and should spend time in Hamilton. I doubt Carle is in our plans due to the depth chart, and predict he will be part of a package deal this summer. If not, he will need to impress everyone at camp and stay healthy. JT Wyman could be given another call up, St-Denis could be impressive as well. Conboy and Dumont both really impressed me during last years camp. I hope to see Conboy get NHL time at some point this year.

When it comes to Engqvist dont forget he can play wing too (but is more comfortable as a C). Anyway I could see a line with Eller-Enqvist-Kost/Pouilot as a third line. The thing beeing that they have scoring ability and a quite good two way players (2 of them mostly Enqvist though). With 2 players comfortable at the C position to take draws add to their versitality and of course decent size as well. A pretty good allround line all things considerd if they gel together. Of course you never know what players who come back or new signings at this point, however I like a real 2 way line with some good tactical advantages. To me that never gets old and is a very important thing to have to add to a team streangth. Well composed lines with multirole dutys will always stabilze a team in both secondary scoring and defensively dutys. This is more often going to help you win compared to say 3 pure scoring lines in my experience.

We'll see what happens on the signing front but as of now this is how i would plan it anyway (if I were JM/PG) and try and find a top 6 forward like Liach for ex to add for Plks or Gomez lines.

[BigTed3]

I agree with you on the ability of prospects suiting up from the beginning of the upcoming season and (depending on injury situation)remainder of the season. My apologies if my question was constructed too poorly. What I meant to ask is, of the prospects which one do you see make the biggest advancement on the organization's depth charts coming out of the upcoming main training camp ?

To answer that question then, my dark horse to move up the depth chart (but not make the team) would be Gabriel Dumont. I think he's gotten the attention of the organization and he'll have the opportunity to play more minutes in Hamilton next year, especially if the roster gets filled out by newcomers like Leblanc and/or Kristo. I'd also peg Schultz and Conboy as having a chance to move up although I don't know if either or both will seize that opportunity. I still think the Habs would like to get some bigger bodies on the bottom lines, and while I don't see Schultz as being ready yet, the opportunity is there for each of them to make a mark.

[AK-1]

Carle was eligible for waivers last season too, and he cleared those.

I'd be really surprised if someone picked him up this time around, unless they were really but really injured riddled.

[BigTed3]

Carle was eligible for waivers last season too, and he cleared those.

I'd be really surprised if someone picked him up this time around, unless they were really but really injured riddled.

Wasn't sure, thanks for the clarification. That said, he's been fairly injury-riddled. The question was pertaining to who might have a chance at moving up with a good camp and if Carle does, I still don't see there being much room for him on our roster and IN THAT CASE he may become more of an attractive acquisition for someone else.

[hatethosebruins]

Carle was eligible for waivers last season too, and he cleared those.

I'd be really surprised if someone picked him up this time around, unless they were really but really injured riddled.

We waived him? in 2010-11?

[brand__x]

We waived him? in 2010-11?

Yep, right after training camp, before the season began.