The event was called the NHL Rookie Challenge in Buffalo.
The Sabers opted to leave their young goaltender Devon Levi aside because he will be fighting for the number one goalie job in Buffalo these coming weeks in training camp.
The New Jersey Devils did not draft their top defensive prospect, 20-year-old Luke Hughes, the fourth overall pick in 2021, even though he has only five games of professional experience.
These decisions are defensible to the limit since these two young players are almost guaranteed to start the season in the NHL, after having finished the season there, with the Sabers and the Devils, respectively.
In their final game of the tournament against the Canadiens’ prospects on Monday, the Ottawa Senators left out their five best players, Ridly Greig, Tyler Boucher (who did not take part in the tournament), Zack Ostapchuk, Tyler Kleven and Roby Jarventie, all first or second round picks.
They fielded a roster that wouldn’t even be worthy of an ECHL team, with 11 of their 12 forwards overlooked in the draft, the only one being Philippe Daoust, at 158th in 2020, less than 25 games of experience in the professional ranks in Belleville.
The defense was barely superior, with only three players drafted, but only one before the fifth round, 19-year-old Tomas Hamara, 17 points in 56 games in the Ontario Junior League last year. All six came directly from the junior ranks.
Of the group, only goaltender Leevi Meriläinen, a third-round pick in 2020, was a legitimate prospect for the NHL and he had to surpass himself to prevent his group from being humiliated in the score.
On Saturday, the Bruins sent a barely superior team into the fray. It featured nine undrafted players, three players with a minimum of 50 games in the American League, and just one first-round pick, 21st overall. Their six defenders had no professional experience. Five came from the junior ranks and one from the NCAA.
In their case, they didn’t have much to offer since their prospect bank is almost empty due to their success in the last decade: they have drafted only five times in the first two rounds in the last six vintages, only once before 30th and never in the top 20.
Let’s not be afraid of words: with the exception of Friday’s game against the Sabers prospects, this Rookie Challenge has been a waste of time for anyone looking to evaluate the Canadiens’ prospects. It will at least have allowed CH recruits to familiarize themselves with their new environment and get ready for training camp.
Canadian forwards Filip Mesar, Sean Farrell, Jan Mysak and Joshua Roy looked better on Monday. Logan Mailloux improved from match to match, after his difficult outing on Friday. But they were facing players who, for the most part, weren’t even among the best on their respective junior teams. It is then impossible to draw any conclusions.
We will therefore have to wait for the first preparatory matches. And even. The level will go from a weak ECHL to an American League enhanced by a few NHL players.
Either way, let’s not hold our breath. With the number of kids under the age of 23 assured of a position in Montreal and others already under contract, it would be surprising to see one of the Rookie Challenge participants start the season in Montreal.
On the other hand, these matches will allow us to evaluate the progress of Owen Beck, David Reinbacher, Emil Heineman, Logan Mailloux, Sean Farrell, Joshua Roy and company in a more revealing context.
Former Boston Bruins and Edmonton Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli will join the Ottawa Senators as a special advisor, says colleague Brent Wallace. Chiarelli would be close to new owner Michael Andlauer.
Nothing to ensure the serenity of general manager Pierre Dorion, who has already had another aspiring CEO in recent years, Pierre McGuire.
Chiarelli has been an effective general manager in Boston. He was mediocre in Edmonton. Was he well looked after in Boston and poorly advised in Edmonton? Let’s hope for the Senators that they can count on the advice of the good Chiarelli, if he joins the organization as Wallace announced.
1- Mike Babcock’s gesture, searching his players’ cell phones, is unacceptable according to Alexandre Pratt.
2- David Reinbacher had a culture shock Monday in Buffalo. He had never seen a fight on the ice. Guillaume Lefrançois summarizes.
3- The Montreal team of the new Professional Women’s Hockey League managed to get their hands on the Canadian team’s best offensive defender, Erin Ambrose, on Monday during the LPHF draft. Simon-Olivier Lorange has the details.
