Monday, February 27, 2012

Press Release - Habs Recall Blake Geffrion, Send Louis Leblanc to AHL

7:38 PM  Unknown  15 comments

Canadiens recalled Blake Geoffrion from the Hamilton Bulldogs - Louis Leblanc assigned to Hamilton

MONTREAL (February 27, 2012) – The Montreal Canadiens announced today that forward Blake Geoffrion has been recalled from the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs. Geoffrion will join the team in Tampa Bay and will be available for the game against the Lightning on Tuesday, February 28. The Club announced that forward Louis Leblanc has been assigned to Hamilton.

The 24-year old Geoffrion took part in five games with the Bulldogs since being acquired from the Nashville Predators on February 17. He collected eight points (2 goals, 6 assists), with a +1 plus/minus differential and 20 shots on goal. One of his goals was tallied on the power play.

The 6’01’’, 190 lbs left winger played 22 games with the Predators this season. He registered three assists, 29 hits and 17 penalty minutes, playing an average of 10 minutes and 20 seconds per game. In his second year in professional hockey this season, Geoffrion also played with the AHL Milwaukee Admirals recording nine points, including two goals, in 20 games.

A native of Plantation, Florida, Geoffrion was drafted in the second round, 56th overall by the Predators at the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He was awarded the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, as the Top U.S. Collegiate Player in 2010.

Recalled from the Bulldogs on February 1, the 6’ and 184 lbs centre played 26 games with the Canadiens this season, including his first NHL game on November 30 against the Ducks in Anaheim. Leblanc recorded seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) including his first career NHL goal on December 15 against the Philadelphia Flyers. He registered 33 shots on goal, 42 hits and displayed a +2 plus/minus differential, while playing an average of 10 minutes and 26 seconds per game.

The 21-year old Pointe-Claire, Quebec native posted 17 points (9 goals and 8 assists) in 25 games thus far with the Bulldogs this season. Leblanc scored two of his goals on the powerplay. He added 92 shots on goal.

The Canadiens’ first round selection, 18th overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Leblanc signed a 3-year contract with the Club on July 30, 2010.

Posted in: ,,,,,

15 comments:

It will be interesting to see what Geoffrion can bring.
At 24 years old he should be NHL ready.
Hopefully a solid 3rd line winger with 15 goals in him next season.
By the way, great site guys....keep up the good work!

@Hockeyhype: Thanks for the accolades and thanks for reading!

As for Geoffrion, you nailed it...this kid SHOULD be a solid third line type of guy. I think him on one side and White on the other could be a solid combo...

If nothing else, you know he'll be uber-motivated to perform wearing the same jersey his hall of fame Grandfather wore!

@Hockeyhype

I second Kamal. Thanks for the kind words and for reading us!

As for Geoffrion, he should be motivated, but let's hope the Montreal fans and media don't overburden him with pressure.

Personally I saw the potential of a Geoffrion-Eller-Leblanc third line. 3 guys with size, grit and good 2 way game.

Next year perhaps.

I hope people do not put to much pressure on the kid because othe name because so far e hasn't lived to expectation. None the less the kid looks primed to be an NHLer and that's all you can ask for.

Thanks for the read, Kamal!
It's been awhile.

I'm with you, BW- let's hope the Habs faithful don't crush this kid before he has a chance to get his skates dull. It will be very interesting to see how RC decides to use him during the game in Tampa, given that the pressure of preforming in front of an away crowd will be substantially lower.

@Bryan: Wait, fans and media in Montreal putting undue pressure on a young player coupled with unrealistic expectations?

That doesn't sound very likely.

:-)

It's not like the kid has a pedigree of NHL experience right

@JohnnyFivestar: Yep, you're right about their being less pressure starting on the road.

I really think that the Habs need to do a good sell job with this kid... i.e. make sure fans understand that he is a bottom-6 players, gritty, physical but he's not going to put up crazy numbers.

That really is a marketing issue and, if they handle it right, people will understand that Blake is different player from his hall of fame Grandfather!

I think this is a great addition to the bottom six, with possible fill in on top lines when needed(short term). Going forward, I think if Moen is willing to accept a discount to stay, then we must resign him. By having Moen, Geoffrion, White, Staubitz in the bottom six I feel we have a good mix of energy and grit. I would be excited to have this as the bottom six to start next year

@geoff s: Yep, I agree. The Staubitz pickup is a bit surprising, to say the least, but I can't say the Habs weren't in need of an enforcer.

Ryan White has the heart of a lion but is by no means a heavy weight.

This will take some pressure off of him. However word has it that, like Laraque before him, Staubitz is fighter who doesn't really have the passion to fight anymore.

We'll see how that plays out...

But, to your point, the Habs now finally have some major thump to their bottom-6. Too bad they don't play the Bruins again this year!

KP.....I think the difference between the 2 is that Laraque could fight but that's it. Staubitz struggles in his game but at least can skate better meaning we at least have another forechecker.

A fringe NHLer who will fight but who can at least keep up.

When Laraque was here, by the time he was in on the D-man for the forecheck the puck was already in the neutral zone

@Bryan: Very true. I like the Staubitz pick up, it's just that the timing of it seems strange to me. Kinda out of the blue.

Like, why pick this guy up with 20 games left to play?

To me, that speaks to a change at the top. Perhaps Tony Marinaro isn't that far off in saying Gauthier is no longer running the ship!

I think the answer is that teams know they can give up points to Montreal so why not take liberties with Subban, Price, Emelin, etc....

The way Barch was going after Palushaj was horrible.

Now at least there is someone to watch their back.

So why not take Staubitz at 50% of his salary over say a guy like Schultz who still needs work on his game at the full price.

@Bryan: For sure...my point is just that Staubitz is not a PG kinda guy...so the whole thing is strange.

Then again, there isn't much that ISN'T strange about this season!

I wonder what the scenario is.

There are those who say Martin didn't want a fighter so never recalled one, then there was the whole recall Schultz for Boston and then send him down before the game.

Something is up, no doubt

Post a Comment