David Fisher
Acquired: 1st round, 20th overall, 2006
David Fischer D JNR 19 800000* 0 D- D D C- D D C- D C D- C- C- D D C-
There's no worry that the Habs' most-recent first-rounder is going to rush his way through things, as this season certainly has marked a slow transition for the 18-year-old. However, being in a winning environment, playing with some of hockey's top prospects, and continuing to display the leadership that's been his hallmark - even as a rookie in the NCAA, has the Canadiens front office very excited about the long-term potential of this blueliner.
As they say, you can't teach size. And at 6'4 Fischer is blessed with a combination of impressive height and even more impressive skills. However, weighing in under 190 pounds means that there's still plenty of time for him to grow into his lanky frame and fill out in order to stand up to the rigors that his position demands.
Although he finds himself lower on the University of Minnesota's depth chart, behind upper-classmen like Alex Goligoski (
), Mike Vannelli (
), and first-overall selection Erik Johnson (
), he has managed to play in 32 of the team's 34 games. He's also added five assists and has displayed a solid overall game in helping the club attain its No. 1 NCAA ranking and stellar 25-5-3 record.
Fischer should be able to play a more prominent role next season and continue his development. In addition, with the prospect of another year's worth of growth and experience under his belt along with passable organizational depth, it can be said that time truly is on his side, and there's no need to negatively impact his development by rushing him through the ranks.
Alexei Emelin
Acquired : 3rd round, 84th overall, 2004
Alexei Emelin D AMA 21 456000* 0 D- D- D- C- C- C- C- D D D- D D D- C- C
Emelin has rebounded from a controversial end to last season when he was involved in an on-ice incident that earned him a suspension. But he's put that uncharacteristically thug-like behavior behind them and has again been a cornerstone for his Tolyatti Lada squad in Russia.
The 6'0 blueliner shows a solid balance to his game, maintaining his defensive responsibilities while showing a solid understanding of when to jump into the play. He's also shown a willingness to be Physical without being bruising.
In 38 games, Emelin has posted adequate offensive numbers, with two goals and seven assists. He's also cut back on his time in the penalty box, with only 65 minutes in penalties to date as opposed to his career-high 129 minutes earned in only five more games last season.
The goal for the Habs is to see Emelin make the jump to North America next season to continue his development in the AHL. The idea is that he's progressed as far as he can against the Russian competition and it's now time for him, like Grabovski and the Kostitsyn brothers before him, to learn the ancillary lessons that complement the on-ice knowledge that he's displayed.
Sergei Kostitsyn
Acquired: 7th round, 200th overall, 2005
Sergei Kostitsyn L AMA 20 608000* 0 D D D D D D- D D- B- D- D- D- D D C-
It appears that the younger Kostitsyn brother's case of Latendresse-itis has well passed. Last season, after narrowly missing out on a roster spot, Latendresse was sent back to the QMJHL and rapidly sunk into a scoring slump. Fast-forward one season and those skates were now on Kostitsyn's feet.
Due to the fact that Kostitsyn was drafted by the Habs before being drafted by his OHL club, the London Knights, the Belarusian was eligible to play anywhere - including with his brother in Hamilton. And while Sergei expressed interest in moving up, the club was adamant in its desire for Kostitsyn to return to the OHL where he would play a key role with a powerhouse junior squad. While he did play with less than his usual zeal at the beginning of the year, he's shaken those blues off and has enjoyed a dominant season at the OHL level.
Playing on the same squad - and occasionally alongside - potential first-round selections Pat Kane and Sam Gagner, Kostitsyn has been an integral part of London's dynamic offense. His 31 goals and 104 points in 50 games is good for fifth in the OHL - but incredibly only third on his own roster. (Kane leads the league with 123 points, Gagner is third with 109).
More importantly for the Habs, Kostitsyn has assumed a leadership role that's been greatly aided by his rapidly improving command of the English language. In addition, Kostitsyn has proved over and over that he's no stereotypical European, displaying an edge to his game and a willingness to stick his nose into places where it could get dirty.
Of course, Kostitsyn has seen time on the power play - often at the point - but he's also played a key role killing penalties. Even strength, he's improved his defensive play so much that he's gone from being a -5 player last year on a squad that scored far more often than it was scored upon, to his current +23 rating. The only downside this season was that, despite an outstanding personal performance, his Belarusian squad was relegated at the WJCs.
If his performance this season is any indication, it's safe to say that he won't be back in the OHL as an overager next year.
Mathieu Carle
Acquired: 2nd round, 53rd overall, 2006
Mathieu Carle D JNR 19 700000* 0 D D D- D D D D D C- D- D C- D D C
The second of Montreal's two second-round picks in the latest entry draft, Carle has continued to display the reasons why the team so aggressively maneuvered its draft position to lock him up. He continues to be an offensive dynamo from the point, combining solid skating with an excellent passing ability and a nose for the net.
Carle was traded from the Acadie-Bathurst Titan earlier this year to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. And while the move hasn't agreed with him statistically, he still finds himself fourth in defensive scoring in the QMJHL. In his first 38 games with the Titan, Carle was on a blistering pace: with 51 points, including 12 goals, and was leading the league in blueliner scoring. However, he's lost some momentum trying to fit in to the Huskies' rotation, although he's still contributed an admirable eight points in the 17 games since the trade - a number that's far from the 1.3 points-per-game he was averaging. He currently finds himself fourth overall in the league in defenseman scoring.
The mobile blueliner is still on pace for career-best totals and has displayed the continued growth and development that was expected of him. Carle's been a little underrated to date, but his combination of speed, puck-handling, and offensive prowess is of premium value in a game built on speed and mobility
Sujet: Les prospects des Canadiens 
Mar 25 Déc - 13:04