After their surprising Calder Cup championship what’s next for the members of the Hamilton Bulldogs. One thing we know for sure is that the team next will look different next year. But how different? Who’s moving up to the Canadiens and who is maybe moving somewhere else? Who’s ready to make the jump to Hamilton from the Canadiens ECHL affiliate in Cincinnati? What does the imminent future hold for this championship team? These are the questions facing Habs general manager Bob Gainey and his staff.
Here is a look at the immediate future of the Hamilton Bulldogs, player by player.
Goalies
Yann Danis
Goalie – signed as a free agent 2004
After starting the 2005/06 season as Jose Theodore’s backup, Yann Danis has become the victim of bad luck more than anything. First he was displaced by Christobal Huet in Montreal, and more recently in the AHL by Jaroslav Halak and Carey Price. Yann seems to be lost in the shuffle, and his contract is now up. Montreal wants to re-sign him but he has a better chance of making the NHL with another team.
Cedrick Desjardins
Goalie – signed as a free agent 2006
He quietly went and won the most valuable goalie in the ECHL this past year with Cincinnati. He played 3 games this year in Hamilton and figures to play more next year. Cedrick was a former teammate of Sydney Crosby with Rimouski in the Quebec league.
Carey Price
Goalie – selected in the 1st round (5th overall) in the 2005 NHL entry draft
Clearly his performance during the Bulldog’s Calder Cup run has accelerated his development process and heightened expectations about his future. At worst, he will begin the 07/08 season as the starter with Hamilton but there is a distinct possibility that he will open the season in Montreal.
Philippe Sauve
Goalie – loaned to Hamilton by the Boston Bruins March 1st, 2007
A key part in the quick development of Carey Price (he was his roommate on the road). A valuable tutor for Price, Montreal would love to keep him in Hamilton in next year but that depends on the Bruins plans for the much travelled goaltender.
Defense
Andrew Archer
Defense – selected in the 7th round (203rd overall) in the 2001 NHL entry draft
He appeared in 16 games during the regular season but was a key component of Hamilton’s playoff run. Figures to spend next year in Hamilton.
Andre Benoit
Defense – signed as a free agent
Benoit contributed another solid regular season and playoffs. Questions remain about many aspects of his game but he puts up points and good plus/minus statistics. It’s becoming increasingly tough to ignore his production.
Mathieu Biron
Defense – obtained from the San Jose Sharks on December 14th, 2006 in exchange for Patrick Traverse
Has played 253 games in the NHL but seems destined to remain in the AHL. Simply too far down on the depth chart to be given a serious chance of making the Canadiens this fall.
Jean-Philippe Cote
Defense – signed as a free agent 2004
In last years training camp he had a decent chance to make the team but injuries derailed him. A slow start in Hamilton and another injury during the playoffs have seriously hurt his chances of competing for a roster spot in Montreal this fall. He is an unrestricted free agent July 1st.
Jon Gleed
Defense – selected in the 7th round (212th overall) in the 2004 NHL entry draft
Gleed played 8 regular season games with the Bulldog’s. He figures to be in the Bulldogs plans for next seasons or at worst Cincinnati in the ECHL.
Danny Groulx
Defense – signed as a free agent 2006
He had a solid season in Hamilton with a 16 assists but exploded in the playoffs for 6 goals. He will probably spend next year in Hamilton but his stock has definitely improved.
Dan Jancevski
Defense – signed as a free agent 2006
Led all Hamilton defensemen with 13 points in the playoffs and almost made the Canadiens at last fall’s training camp. But he is an unrestricted free agent and there are doubts that he will resign with the Canadiens.
Ryan O’Byrne
Defense – selected in the 3rd round (79th overall) in the 2003 NHL entry draft
People around the team feel that he may be ready to compete for a roster spot at the training camp. However, Gainey seems to feel that he still needs to improve his puck skills. If he doesn’t make the team in the fall he’s a good candidate to be a mid to late season call up.
Forwards
Mathieu Aubin
Forward – selected in the 5th round (130th overall) in the 2005 NHL entry draft
He made the jump from the ECHL to Hamilton this year. His 17 games in Hamilton showed glimpses of his potential. He will probably spend all of next year in Hamilton in a larger role.
Ajay Baines
Forward – signed as a free agent 2006
AHL journeyman was a solid contributor to the Bulldogs this year. Whether he will remain with the Bulldog’s next year remains to be seen.
Troy Bodie
Forward – on loan from the Edmonton Oilers
Jimmy Bonneau
Forward – selected in the 8th round (241st overall) in the 2003 NHL entry draft
He played only nine games with the Bulldog’s this season and none in the playoffs. At best, he plays in Hamilton next year, at worst he spends another year in Cincinnati.
Kyle Chipchura
Forward – selected in the 1st round (18th overall) in the 2004 NHL entry draft
If the Habs choose not to bring back Radek Bonk, the path for Chipchura to begin the season in Montreal opened up. While his offensive skills still need development the Habs brass love his defensive attributes and the style of play he brings to the table. The Canadiens hope that his 6 goal, 6 assist playoff performance is a sign of things to come. He could open the season as the third line center.
Matt D’Agostini
Forward – selected in the 6th round (190th overall) in the 2005 NHL entry draft
Probably too young and experienced to make the Canadiens in the fall, his improvement throughout the past year has been noticed by the Habs brass. A good candidate to be a mid to late season call up especially if his play continues to improve at this rate.
Jonathan Ferland
Forward – selected in the 7th round (212th overall) in the 2002 NHL entry draft
He has played a couple of games for the Canadiens but is really on the bubble. At best he may become a fourth line player, but younger players are passing him on the depth chart.
Mikhail Grabovski
Forward – selected in the 5th round (150th overall) in the 2004 NHL entry draft
A stellar regular season and excellent playoff with the Bulldogs have made him a serious candidate to make the Canadiens in training camp. He will be given a serious look at training camp by the Habs coaching staff.
Andrei Kostitsyn
Forward – selected in the 1st round (10th overall) in the 2003 NHL entry draft
In the second half of the season Kostitsyn clearly established himself in Montreal on a line with Tomas Plekanec and Chris Higgins and should find himself starting the season in Montreal.
Sergei Kostitsyn
Forward – selected in the 7th round (200th overall) in the 2005 NHL entry draft
Last year the led the CHL with 91 assists with the London Knights and finished third in the OHL scoring race. He just signed a three year deal with the Canadiens and figures to spend next year in Hamilton.
Michael Lambert
Forward – selected in the 4th round (99th overall) in the 2002 NHL entry draft
Left winger does have scoring touch but needs to work on many aspects of his game. He will likely spend next year in Hamilton.
Maxim Lapierre
Forward – selected in the 2nd round (61st overall) in the 2003 NHL entry draft
Lapierre finished the season in Montreal and was only sent down to the AHL for the Bulldog’s playoff run. He did not disappoint with his performance including being in on both goals of the Cup clincher. He should be starting the season in Montreal.
Francis Lemieux
Forward – signed as a free agent 2005
His progress was stunted this year as injuries stalled his development. He will be playing next year in Hamilton. Health is a major concern for him.
Corey Locke
Forward – selected in the 4th round (113th overall) in the 2003 NHL entry draft
Locke finally seemed to break out this year in Hamilton. He followed a solid season with a great playoff. His switch to the wing may be the final piece of his puzzle. He’ll be a long shot at training camp and is more likely to get another year of seasoning in Hamilton.
Eric Manlow
Forward – signed as a free agent 2006
Manlow, a career Ahl’er was a solid contributor to the Bulldogs this season and figures to do more of the same next year.
Duncan Milroy
Forward – selected in the 2nd round (37th overall) in the 2001 NHL entry draft
He led the Bulldog’s in scoring this year but tailed off in the playoffs. He will get a serious look at training camp but figures to begin the year in Hamilton. A serious candidate for a mid to late season call up.
Ryan Russell
Forward – acquired in trade with N.Y. Rangers in 2007
Russell, just completed his fourth season in the Western Hockey League and figures to spend the year in Hamilton with the Bulldogs.
Greg Stewart
Forward – selected in the 8th round (246th overall) in the 2004 NHL entry draft
He enjoyed a solid rookie pro season in Cincinnati and is a candidate to move up to play with the Bulldogs next year.
Zack Stortini
Forward – on loan from the Edmonton Oilers
Cory Urquhart
Forward – selected in the 2nd round (40th overall) in the 2003 NHL entry draft
A free agent, it remains to be seen whether Montreal will resign him.
Conclusion
The members of this year’s Hamilton Bulldogs won’t have much time to enjoy their Calder Cup victory. Some members of the team are off to Montreal, some will leave as free agents, and some will stay in Hamilton for next year. Some will be successful in their future NHL careers and some won’t, but they will always be a member of the 06/07 Calder Cup winning team.