2021-2022 CHL prospects general discussion thread

[Flames1217]

Originally Posted by Sandman

The story was that Francis has not been getting top-line/PP1 time. I believe it may be due to the time he missed with an injury at the start of the season-they put together a top line in his stead that’s been rolling. When William Dufour has been out of the lineup, Francis has been inserted on that line and his production has gone up. That was the story, at least earlier in the season. I don’t think it’s anything to be concerned about.

That's exactly the case.

Francis is getting alot of hard minutes at the moment and is pretty much their entire second line.

He is producing though in this role which is good but it would still be preferable if he was the key offensive threat for the team.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Flames1217

That's exactly the case.

Francis is getting alot of hard minutes at the moment and is pretty much their entire second line.

He is producing though in this role which is good but it would still be preferable if he was the key offensive log for the team.

I believe I owe you the credit for reporting this in the first place. Thank you!

[Flames1217]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I believe I owe you the credit for reporting this in the first place. Thank you!

Also of it helps he has spent the year switching from RW to Center quite often.

Things will probably start to change for him going forward though. Prior to the Q trade deadline Francis had been primarily playing with MacDonald and a rotating cast of misfits on LW. The Sea Dogs brought in quite a bit of talent and now have two " first lines". Francis will likely be playing with Ansons and Doaust which is a huggggge upgrade talent wise. I wouldn't be shocked to see his offensive output spike in the coming weeks.

[Sandman]

Feb.5th:

Huckins 1a,+2 in a 5-2 win over Blainville. 25gp/11g/12a/23pts,+7, 41 PIM.

No Whynot for Halifax.

No Jordan for MJ.

Ciona second star with 2g,+1, 5 shots. 36gp/13g/11a/24pts,+15, 65 PIM. If he keeps up this pace, I may have to take back all the crappy things I've said about him.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

Do you think it was a mistake to send Francis and Kuznestov back to junior instead of letting them play in the AHL and learn to be pros? Don't seem to see the growth or success you'd be hoping for

IMO, in the case of Francis (and Scorp could speak on this better than me), it was the right move as he was pretty invisible in his 4-game AHL audition, from what I've been told, and there's not a lot of room on the Heat anyway. I like the way the farm has been set up-a good mix of young draftees, mixed with a healthy group of vets to bring them along. Also IMO, Quebec league kids have a somewhat steeper learning curve than the other 2 leagues in the CHL, as the style of play is more wide open. Plus, as mentioned above, Francis now has some players to play with on his line.

In the case of Kuz, I think he should've just stayed in College. It would've given him the opportunity to keep developing against men, at a lower level than pro. I thought he was coming along nicely there-11 pts in 34 games, followed by 6 pts in 16 games, down to 3 pts in 5 junior games. From what I've read, he didn't look out of place in the NCAA. What is you opinion?

[Lanny_McDonald]

I'm torn on this, more so on Francis than Kuz. Kuz should not have been sent to junior, especially the QJMHL where defense is many times an after thought. Kuz should have been kept in the AHL and allowed to play against men, learning to play defense against better players. Junior is a backwards step in development for a guy that has been in college and the pros. I think this was a mistake.

Franics is a guy that I think could gain benefit from either league, but the Flames should have found out if he was going to be getting prime playing time, or playing second banana. If he was not going to be the go-to guy, they should have kept him in Stockton and kept challenging him. Maybe they felt they had too many small players in Stockton already and that played into the decision. I'm just cautious about possible stagnation of the player by playing at the same level for too long. I can understand why they would send Francis down, but I would have liked to see him in the primary center role rather than playing down the lineup.

[Flames1217]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

I'm torn on this, more so on Francis than Kuz. Kuz should not have been sent to junior, especially the QJMHL where defense is many times an after thought. Kuz should have been kept in the AHL and allowed to play against men, learning to play defense against better players. Junior is a backwards step in development for a guy that has been in college and the pros. I think this was a mistake.

Franics is a guy that I think could gain benefit from either league, but the Flames should have found out if he was going to be getting prime playing time, or playing second banana. If he was not going to be the go-to guy, they should have kept him in Stockton and kept challenging him. Maybe they felt they had too many small players in Stockton already and that played into the decision. I'm just cautious about possible stagnation of the player by playing at the same level for too long. I can understand why they would send Francis down, but I would have liked to see him in the primary center role rather than playing down the lineup.

Francis has a far larger chance developing as a winger though. I think the flames thought that he would be the guy, unfortunately for them Dufour decided that he would become the best shooter in the league.

I was really high on Francis and I still am but the way he plays won't transition into a center role in the bigs. He is tenacious and loves to cut into the middle to attack sure but there are other factors at play. He isn't strong on the dot, he also loves to set up plays with his backhand. As a winger this makes you unpredictable but as a center they benefits are not as important. The others factors are size, strength and the usual bla bla for small centers.

Francis just needs time to be honest, his offensive IQ and work ethic are top notch. If he was put into Dufour's spot the points would be there without a doubt. You have to understand that he was literally their second line and had pretty much no offensive support. All the focus was on him. Now with the arrival of some support I fully expect a jump in his production.

Don't be overly concerned, I still think he ends the season quite strongly.

[Naitix]

I mean just looking at the stats, Francis has 24 points in 19 games, and what I assume his line mates are - they have 17 points in 29 games and 14 in 25. This is quite a big point discrepancy in linemates, I am actually surprised Francis has this many points while playing with plugs. Seems like Saint John traded for 2 forwards over the break that are over ppg in QMJHL and were drafted so he will have quality linemates now.

[Sandman]

Feb.6th:

Kerins with 2a,+2 in a 6-3 win over Sudbury. 42gp/26g/47a/73pts,+7, 18 PIM, still first in OHL scoring by 2.

Saint John beats Rimouski 6-3. Kuznetsov with 1a, +4. 6gp/1g/3a/4pts,even, 2 PIM.

Francis with 2a,+1. 20gp/6g/20a/26pts,+7, 12 PIM.

Poirier with 1a,+2. 32gp/9g/24a/33pts,+12, 20 PIM.

No Whynot for Halifax.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

I'm torn on this, more so on Francis than Kuz. Kuz should not have been sent to junior, especially the QJMHL where defense is many times an after thought. Kuz should have been kept in the AHL and allowed to play against men, learning to play defense against better players. Junior is a backwards step in development for a guy that has been in college and the pros. I think this was a mistake.

Franics is a guy that I think could gain benefit from either league, but the Flames should have found out if he was going to be getting prime playing time, or playing second banana. If he was not going to be the go-to guy, they should have kept him in Stockton and kept challenging him. Maybe they felt they had too many small players in Stockton already and that played into the decision. I'm just cautious about possible stagnation of the player by playing at the same level for too long. I can understand why they would send Francis down, but I would have liked to see him in the primary center role rather than playing down the lineup.

Further to your point regarding Kuz, if they sent him down to perhaps build his confidence offensively, then that could be an iffy move too IMO, as he's playing behind Poirier and Villeneuve...

[Flames1217]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Further to your point regarding Kuz, if they sent him down to perhaps build his confidence offensively, then that could be an iffy move too IMO, as he's playing behind Poirier and Villeneuve...

Kuz plays on the second pairing with Poirier.

Prior to the acquisition of Sevigny he was playing above Poirier on the first pairing.

Kuz is getting plenty of minutes at the moment, nothing to worry about there.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Flames1217

Kuz plays on the second pairing with Poirier.

Prior to the acquisition of Sevigny he was playing above Poirier on the first pairing.

Kuz is getting plenty of minutes at the moment, nothing to worry about there.

So is Sevigny with Villenueve?

[Flames1217]

Originally Posted by Sandman

So is Sevigny with Villenueve?

Yupp!

[Sandman]

Feb.8th:

Saint John beats Baie-Comeau 7-5. Kuznetsov with 1a,-2. 7gp/1g/4a/5pts,-2, 2 PIM.

Francis had no points,-2. 21gp/6g/20a/26pts,+5, 12 PIM.

Poirier 1g,1a,-1. 33gp/10g/25a/35pts,+11, 22 PIM.

Whynot had no points,+2 in a 7-5 win over Rimouski. 29gp/3g/12a/15pts,-1, 34 PIM.

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Feb.8th:

Saint John beats Baie-Comeau 7-5. Kuznetsov with 1a,-2. 7gp/1g/4a/5pts,-2, 2 PIM.

Francis had no points,-2. 21gp/6g/20a/26pts,+5, 12 PIM.

Poirier 1g,1a,-1. 33gp/10g/25a/35pts,+11, 22 PIM.

Whynot had no points,+2 in a 7-5 win over Rimouski. 29gp/3g/12a/15pts,-1, 34 PIM.

I appreciate how objective you are with your updates - regardless of whether the prospects had great games or bad games.

It gives us a more realistic impression on the progress of the prospects.

[Sandman]

Feb.9th:

Saint John beats Chicoutimi 5-1. Kuz with 1g,+1. 8gp/2g/4a/6pts,-1, 2 PIM.

Francis had zeroes across the board. 22gp/6g/20a/26pts,+5, 12 PIM.

Poirier with 1a,even. 34gp/10g/26a/36pts,+11, 22 PIM.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

I appreciate how objective you are with your updates - regardless of whether the prospects had great games or bad games.

It gives us a more realistic impression on the progress of the prospects.

Thanks! I always check the scores in the CHL, watch the stats, highlights, and standings, and read/digest whatever I can. It's a nice little hobby to be able to pass it on.

[Cheese]

Got tickets for the top prospects game here in Kitchener. Should be fun!

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Cheese

Got tickets for the top prospects game here in Kitchener. Should be fun!

I’m envious!!

[Sandman]

Feb.10th:

Huckins had 1a, even in a 5-2 win over Blainville. 26gp/11g/13a/24pts,+7, 43 PIM.