Top 11 prospects in NJ
# 1 - Kevin Korchinski
Height 6.01 -- Weight 185
Kevin Korchinski completed the 2022-23 season with the Seattle Thunderbirds alongside Devils teammate Brad Lambert. Korchinski finished out the season with 73 points in 54 games including 62 assists. He heads into this training camp as a potential sleeper for the young Blackhawks. He played exceptionally well last pre-season given his age. Could he crack the NHL at the ripe old age of 19? It's possible. Does the WHL have any more for him to learn?
#2 - Logan Cooley
Height 5.10 -- Weight 174
Logan Cooley finished out the 2022-23 season with a scorching pace of 60 points in 39 games in the NCAA. A 1.5 PPG pace in college hockey is largely unheard of. He was only bested by prospect phenom.. Adam Fantilli. He is expected to join the Coyotes this season as he has signed over to the NHL. Cooley had a highlight reel goal already in his first pre-season game for the Yotes. It is likely Cooley suits up for ARI this year and earns a big role!
#3 - David Reinbacher
Height 6.02 -- Weight 209
David Reinbacher completed last season in Swiss' A league representing Kloten HC. David played well going near half a PPG in a men's professional league. He plays with a great compete level and plays a physical brand of hockey. He is expected to take a step this season. The question is will be that in the AHL, overseas, or possibly even the NHL? His hockey IQ and defensive understanding of the game is quite remarkable and he has bulked up over the summer gaining 15 pounds.
#4 - Brad Lambert
Height 6.01 -- Weight 175
Brad Lambert joined the Seattle Thunderbirds after a brief stint with the Manitoba Moose. After struggling in the AHL Lambert went to the WHL alongside Kevin Korchinski. Where he managed to put up 38 points in 26 games including 17 goals. He excelled in the post season notching 26 points in 17 games including 20 assists. Brad has the speed and skill to potentially crack the NHL Jets. He may need more ahl seasoning but is it believable he could crack the Jets? You be the judge.
#5 - Simon Edvinsson
Height 6.04 -- Weight 198
Simon Edvinsson joined the Grand Rapid Griffins last season where he tallied 27 points in 52 AHL games. He played 9 games in the NHL wit the wings netting 2 goals. The year of North American experience should bode well for Edvinsson as he heads into his second year of pro hockey in North America. He is definitely a consideration for the Wings this coming year. With an increased competition level at camp though he will need to earn every minute of it. Simon could surprise but the AHL wouldn't be a bad option either.
Honourable mentions:
#6 - Ridly Greig
Height 5.11 -- Weight 163
Ottawa Senators - 20 GP 9 PTS. (7 Assists)
Belleville Senators - 39 GP 29 PTS (15 Goals)
#7 - Seamus Casey
Height 5.09 -- Weight 162
University of Michgian - 37 GP 29 PTS. (21 Assists)
#8 - Mackie Samoskevich
Height 5.11 -- Weight 191
University of Michigan - 39 GP 43 PTS. (20 Goals)
Charlotte Checkers - 2 GP 2 PTS. (2 Assists)
#9 - Ryker Evans
Height 5.11 -- Weight 189
Coachella Valley Firebirds - 71 GP 44 PTS. (38 Assists)
AHL Playoffs: 26 GP 26 PTS (21 Assists)
#10 - Will Cuylle
Height 6.03 -- Weight 211
Hartford Wolf Pack - 69 GP 45 PTS. (25 Goals)
AHL Playoffs: 9 GP 3 PTS (2 Assists)
New York Rangers - 4 GP 0 PTS. (0 Goals)
The future in NET:
Yaroslav Askarov
Height 6.03 -- Weight 178
Milwaukee Admirals - 48 GP - 2.69 GAA & 0.911 SV% (26 Wins)
AHL Playoffs: 12 GP - 2.70 GAA & 0.903 SV% (6 Wins)
Nashville Predators - 1 GP - 4.15 GAA & 0.886 SV% (1 Wins)
Projected NJ Lines 2023-24
Johnny Gaudreau - Jack Hughes - Seth Jarvis
Joel Farabee - Brock Nelson - Quinton Byfield
Alex Newhook - Logan Cooley - Anthony Mantha
Michael Pezzetta - Tyson Jost - Luke Kunin
Roman Josi - Matt Dumba
Artem Zub - Tony DeAngelo
Jordan Harris - William Borgen
Elvis Merzlikins
Mackenzie Blackwood
On the cusp pushing for spots:
Brad Lambert
Ridly Greig
Mackie Samoskevich
Will Cuylle
Ben McCartney
On Defense:
Philip Broberg
Ryker Evans
Valtteri Pulli
Simon Edvinsson
Kevin Korchinski
Gustav Lindstrom
I have informed the exec team of my intention to resign my position as GM of the Habs. I appreciate all the fun times folks! I have had something come up that requires a lot more of my spare time. So I will be having to take a break. I will pass on the remaining UFA convos to the other two agents.
Signing - Tampa Bay Lightning have agreed to terms with Vyacheslav Peksa on a 3-year deal.
Vyacheslav Peksa - 3-year x $950,000 AAV ($2,850,000)
@Gator // @Relyt Krets
Signing - The Dallas Stars have agreed to terms with Matt Kessel on a 3-year deal.
Matt Kessel - 3-year x $1,450,000 AAV ($4,350,000)
@Gator @Canuck Surfer @Primal Optimist
Signing - The New York Rangers have agreed to terms with Artemi Kniazev on a 2-year deal.
Artemi Kniazev - 2-year x $1,300,000 AAV ($2,600,000)
@Gator // @Canuck Surfer
Signing - The Vancouver Canucks have agreed to terms with Noah Gregor on a 2-year deal.
Noah Gregor - 2-year x $1,800,000 AAV ($3,600,000)
@Gator // @Gator
Signing - The Winnipeg Jets have agreed to terms with Jacob Bryson on a 3-year deal.
Jacob Bryson - 3-year x $1,250,000 AAV ($5,325,000)
@Gator // @arby18_
No you are good. We are tied up with contract negotiations at the moment. It probably got forgotten about on the side. I would fix it all for you but I do not have sheet access. It will have to be @Gator or @Relyt Krets to do that for ya.
MTL Projected training camp battles.
Alexis Lafreniere - Jack Eichel - Alex Killorn
Kent Johnson - Mikael Granlund - Jaden Schwartz
Open Spot - Adam Fantilli - Brendan Gallagher
Andrew Cogliano - P.E Bellemare - Open Spot
Michael Anderson - Ryan Pulock
Bowen Byram - Kaiden Guhle
TJ Brodie - Braden Schneider
Cal Foote - Jake Livingstone
Sergei Bobrovsky
Anthony Stolarz
Forwards competing for final two spots.
Alex Nylander
Rem Pitlick
Benoit Olivier-Groulx
Brett Leason
Elmer Soderblom
Brennan Othmann
Brad Lambert
Fabian Lysell
Aidan Mcdonough
Isak Rosen
It is expected Montreal will start with 8 available defenders on any given night. The team has two open forward spots for the starting lineup. Alongside one additional spare forward. The defensive positions are not fully set but this gives you an idea.
The coveted third line left wing spot riding coattails with Adam Fantilli is the most intriguing battle. Having the was ability to skate with a seasoned pro like Gallagher and a young buck like Fantilli would do great for any players stat line.
We feel we will have one of the better third lines in the league. We hope that depth will help us challenge every night and contend for a postseason appearance.
If you missed out on a defenseman so far in free agency.
Please be aware!
Jacob Bryson is now in Phase 2 of the UFA process. His current top offer is a 2-year contract with an AAV of $975,000 per season. His ideal contract is a multi-year deal (2 years) closer to the 1.2m mark. The market will ultimately dictate his contract but please send us a note if you have any interest in his services!
The Canadiens de Montreal are proud to welcome Brendan Gallagher back to the province of Quebec. Brendan was a consideration for us in the innagurial draft but the cap implications were to complex.
This turns out to be a great deal for both sides. It provides the franchise and player the ability to fix an inefficient contract. This will reduce the stress and frustration on the player and our fans.
Brendan is expected to start the season on the teams third line alongside rookie sensation Adam "fanta" Fantilli. The experience, leadership, and intangibles Gallagher brings will help the young players on the squad especially young and impressionable Adam Fantilli.
we thank the Gallagher family for choosing Montreal to call home!