Chipchura looking good.

The Montreal Canadiens have a few more Pre-Season games left. So far, a few youngsters have caught my attention. Below, I have taken a look at 6 players that played with the Champion Hamilton Bulldogs last season. I have broken it down into 3 categories. (A) Very Good (B)Good (C) Not good enough.

Let's begin with:

Very Good

Forward Kyle Chipchura. He's a smart player. The kid has NHL poise. He works hard and conducts himself like a professional already. Not too mention, he has been a Captain at every level. He will never put up bigtime numbers, but he will be a 3rd liner for a decade; barring injury of course.

Another forward, Matt D'agostini, continues to find the back of the net. The last time I saw a kid at camp score like that, it was Michael Ryder four years ago. Ryder, made the team that year; I don't think D'Agostini will because he still needs to work on his overall game. All that being said, he will be a good player at RW next season. And, if by chance Ryder is traded at the deadline (he's UFA in July 2008), then D'Agostini could take over.

Good

Goaltender Carey Price has given up 5 goals in just over 4 and a half periods of play. Price, has made some big stops and he handles the puck very well. I also like his size, demeanor and his talent is cleary undeniable. All that being said, he has got to be even better. Will be interesting to see if Jaroslav Halak lets the pressure get to him the rest of the way. Last week, head coach Guy Carbonneau said Price will be #1 somewhere; something tells me its Hamilton.

Defenceman Ryan O'Byrne skates really well for his 6ft5 235 pound frame. He has a good first pass and will be a good shot blocker. However, when I look at all the bodies available at D and all the guaranteed contracts, it makes me believe O'Byrne will have to do something special the rest of the way. He had an opportunity to accept a challenge from Gordie Dwyer on Friday nite but he backed down. IMO, He would have left a more favorable impression had he accepted the challenge.

Not Good Enough

Jonathan Ferland, has good size at 6ft 2 and 212 pounds. He shoots Right at would be a candidate to be the 12th or 13th forward. Ferland, was born in Quebec and you would think he would do everything possible to make the big club, especially since he's 24 and should be ready for primetime. He's not. He has shown little or no emotion. He's lack of desire and lack of competitive fire has been disappointing.

24 year old Duncan Milroy, is a Canadian boy and also a right winger. He played 1 game in the NHL last season. If he wants to have an NHL career he has to work on his skating. Truth is he cant skate at the NHL level. He's another guy who has done nothing to impress.

I know you're wondering about Corey Locke and Mikhail Grabovski, IMO they are too small on an already smallish team. In ending, Im not sure how many youngsters will make the Montreal Canadiens; but I was one of the decision makers, Kyle Chipchura would be one of them. Only time will tell. Stay tuned.

Talk to you later...