Similar to Last Word On Sports’ Meet a New Canuck, a feature from Ken Hill (@LWOSPuckHead) and Markus Meyer (@Markus_Meyer27), Meet a New Hab offers a look into the newest additions of the Montreal Canadiens and offer insight on the impact they could have with their new team.
Meet A New Hab: AHL/ECHL Edition
Name: George “Bud” Holloway
Position: Right Wing
Contract: One year, $575,000 AAV
For the last four seasons, Holloway has played the game in Europe. Last season, he was a member of the Bern team in the Swiss National League and put up 13 goals and 37 points in 42 games. The previous three seasons were spent with Skelleftea AIK, which include his league leading campaign in 2012-13 when he produced 20 goals and 71 points in 55 games. Prior to his journey to Europe, Holloway had spent three years with the Los Angeles Kings’ AHL affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs. After registering 55 goals and 66 points in 191 games, the belief was that he’d get his shot in the NHL. When that didn’t happen, he took his talents over-seas.
At 27, it’ll be interesting to see what he shows management at training camp and during pre-season. He has a solid frame to work with (6’0, 200 pounds) and NHL-caliber speed. His shot and hockey IQ are also up to par with the standard set in the big league. If he is sent to St. John’s, he’ll need to clear waivers, however in previous years this has been the same procedure for players like Drayson Bowman and Eric Tangradi. Holloway could still surprise at camp, however it’s more likely he plays in a top-six role with the IceCaps to start, and possibly a call-up to Montreal following a few injuries.
Name: Mark Barberio
Position: Defense
Contract: One year, $600,000 AAV
One of the more surprising signings of the off-season for the Canadiens was the acquisition of Barberio, a former 6th-round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 6’1 defenseman has quite the track record in both the NHL and AHL, playing in three full seasons in Norfolk before moving on to the NHL. In the last two seasons, Barberio has appeared in 101 games, registering 6 goals and 11 assists with the club, while also appearing in three playoff games and recording 6 penalty minutes. His progress in Tampa was on the right track and he had gained the confidence of general manager Steve Yzerman. So much so, that the team passed up on drafting Seth Jones, who would have filled a big need at the time, in favour of Jonathan Drouin.
Barberio, 25, has good size, is NHL-tested and can be a cheap fixture on the blue line in Montreal should injuries strike the team. With the defense position already clogged up, Barberio will almost certainly be playing top-pairing minutes in Saint-John’s to start the season. Marc Bergevin has placed himself in a fantastic position with multiple options, as he can lean on Barberio if defensemen Greg Pateryn and Jarred Tinordi can’t grab a hold of one of the final spots in the line-up.
Name: Joel Hanley
Position: Defense
Contract: One year, $667,500 AAV
All it takes in life sometimes is a chance to prove your worth. Last season, Hanley scored two goals and added 15 assists in 63 games with the AHL’s Portland Pirates and showcased a display of good offensive-minded talents for a defenseman, along with solid defensive work in the neutral and defensive zones. In 78 games with the Pirates, spread over two seasons, the 24-year-old blue liner amassed 22 points and proved to be a leader on the ice. His work ethic and positive attitude, matched with his tenacity and aggressiveness on each shift, led to Marc Bergevin signing him to a one-year deal, convinced his attitude was right for their AHL farm club.
Efficient in all three zones, Hanley is the type of defenseman the IceCaps could use in their top-four rotation this season. He can play in all situations, going from manning the point on the powerplay to blocking shots and taking away passing lanes on the penalty kill. He is extremely cerebral on the ice, can read plays well and enjoys jumping into the rush. He’s a good puck-mover and utilizes his foot-work to deceive opposition as he leads the play up the ice. He won’t let his dream of playing in the NHL die just yet, and he’ll look to impress during his team with the Canadiens organization.
Name: Ryan Johnston
Position: Defense
Contract: Two years, $680,000 AAV
Adding to the list of free agents who went undrafted, Ryan Johnston will likely join the IceCaps after spending the last three seasons at Colgate University. In 110 games with the team, he registered 5 goals and 37 assists. Mid-way through his 2014-15 season with the Raisers, the Canadiens organization had talked to him about their development camp. Accepting the invite, Johnston impressed enough to earn a deal with the club. The year prior to this one, Johnston had earned an invite from the New Jersey Devils camp but did not receive much interest afterwards.
There was some untapped potential in his offensive abilities during his rookie campaign in the 2012-13 season but after following it up with 19 and 15 points the following two seasons, Johnston caught up with the speed and skill level of opposition that were older than him and at a higher level in their development. He is somewhat undersized, at 5’10 and 177 pounds, but he has learned to play with his disadvantages and found a way to play around it. In St. John’s, he would be fighting for ice-time and could be featured on a bottom-pairing, but his talents could be better served in the ECHL, at least to start the year.
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