Recrutes

Recrutes: Hockey scouting from a professional perspective from Grant McCagg and Habs coverage from a 33 year veteran covering the NHL from Brian Wilde.

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Call Of The Wilde: Personne Ne Step Up

September 27, 2017

By Brian Wilde

With a zero and five record in the pre-season, the Habs travelled to Quebec City to look to turn around the frustration against the Maple Leafs. It was only the second game of camp for Jonathan Drouin, who is learning center at the pro level and who could also use a little practice quarterbacking the power play. Also, a big night for Victor Mete who tried to keep taking steps to winning a job in the surprising development at camp. So to the Wilde Horses we gallop …..

Wilde Horses

  • – Jonathan Drouin quickly made an impression. Nothing equals talent. You can talk coaches and systems but nothing comes close to talent. That first goal was extraordinary talent: he roofed that back hand so sweetly, and he did it at a high level of speed. Simply beautiful. The Habs had seven goals in their first five games with Drouin playing only one of them. You can’t score without talent. One of my favourite maxims is that coaches teach defence and talent takes care of offence. When a team seems talented but can’t defend, that is on the coach. When a team can’t score, that’s for the most part on the GM. The GM got a beautiful player who, at 22, may be on the verge of living up to his promise. It’s going to be fun to see it happen, if it does.

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About Brian Wilde

Brian Wilde has worked in hockey since he was 20. He was the rink side host for the Edmonton Oilers at CTV and Ottawa Senators for Sportsnet. He was also lead reporter on the Montreal Canadiens for 17 years at CTV Montreal.

View all posts by Brian Wilde

  • Graeme McDonald says

    Leafs also should be credited for strong forecheck, using their speed and solid goaltending. Toronto has a lot of depth and will be a legit contender.

    • Shawn Couch says

      Contender? They will maybe make the playoffs but the need help on defense and in goal before they are a legit cup contender. They for sure have some great forwards though and as they get a couple more seasons under their belt they will be an even tougher opponent

  • Nathan Boey says

    It is just preseason but this start has me thinking it is gonna be a long year.
    5 Predictions?
    1. Habs get off to a start resembling molasses.
    2. Despite Drouin’s best efforts, the team loses a lot of games by a goal or two.
    3. Geoff Molson starts waking up late in the night thinking about those extensions he gave.
    4. No playoffs but a top 10 pick
    5. Bye Bergie, Hello BriseBois.

  • Scott Murray says

    Did they get a better crowd than the last time in Quebec City? Second: about this mysterious zombie D-men, is there some new system Julien is putting in place that they are trying to learn how to execute? Could they use a better defense coach? I always wanted to see Big Bird in that role – if he’s willing.

  • Alfredo Borrello says

    Besides Mete & Pk, Why can’t the Habs develope quality defensemen? The Habs drafted many defencemen in the first round since the past 6 years or,so even worst, PK and Mete are 3rd and forth rounders all the others were 1st and second rounders.