egroen 384 Report post Posted October 13, 2008 (edited) I remember many on this forum were high on Latendresse and wanted the Wings to draft him not only in the 2nd round, but also even in the 1st round of the 2005 draft. Latendresse was taken shortly after by Montreal and has now played two seasons in the NHL all ready. Knocks were that he was not defensively responsible and not a very good skater - all true. But he still projects to be a top 2 line power forward and has had over 30 goals in the NHL (amongst the 4th most of his draft class to date). I like him just because he had a run in with Patrick Roy. Roy had said he thinks the only reason 19-year-old rookie Latendresse remains with the Canadiens is because he's a francophone, suggesting if he was named Smith or Brown he'd be back in the Quebec major junior league. Guillaume talked briefly about it. '"It's me who's supposed to be 19, not him," said Latendresse. "I will act like a man. I'll leave it to him to act like a child. I don't know why he's acting like that. I've never spoken to him. He should be delighted by the success of young Quebecers in the NHL instead of making stupid comments." Ultimately, Kindl and Abdelkader were chosen because they could be held back in the organization for a long time and develop... and they fit the Red Wings "mold" more... but just curious what others think. Edited October 13, 2008 by egroen Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reds4Life 51 Report post Posted October 13, 2008 The less frenchies on the team the better if you ask me. I am sure Terrible Ted would agree with me Kindl and Abdelkader will be solid players for the Red Wings imho. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
red_wing 1 Report post Posted October 13, 2008 Personally, I like Kindl, and I've heard nothing but Praise for Abdelkalkdlkd;lalkjer whereas Latendresse only has 30 goals in two years. Chances are, these two will score more than 30 in their first two years once they've been trained in the AHL for a while. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bliz 0 Report post Posted October 13, 2008 The way I look at it, Latendresse would be in the AHL same as Kindl and Abdelkader if the Wings had drafted him--and rightfully so, considering his awful plus/minus. Long term, the Habs might have been better off letting him develop. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted October 13, 2008 Latendresse will be by far the best player of the 3. I like what Abdelkader brings, and the fact he's a Michigan boy so the fans will have someone's name to cheer in a couple years. I'd much rather have Latendresse then Kindl though, not a fan of his. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thedisappearer 291 Report post Posted October 13, 2008 Personally, I like Kindl, and I've heard nothing but Praise for Abdelkalkdlkd;lalkjer whereas Latendresse only has 30 goals in two years. Chances are, these two will score more than 30 in their first two years once they've been trained in the AHL for a while. Combined over their first two full seasons, Kindl and Abdelkator will not net 30 goals. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
red_wing 1 Report post Posted October 13, 2008 I won't lie, that was a blind quote of mine, haha. Upon looking into these prospects, Justin is a two-way forward and Kindl is a defenceman. So, clearly, Holland didn't want another scoring forward at that point and that's why he passed on Latendresse. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heaton 1 Report post Posted October 13, 2008 Combined over their first two full seasons, Kindl and Abdelkator will not net 30 goals. Different players. Abdelkator is a 3rd line/4th line energy/heart guy with some offensive ability and Kindl is a defensemen. Latendresse is a good player but I still would rather have Kindl and Gator. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T.Low 1,011 Report post Posted October 13, 2008 Personally, I like Kindl, and I've heard nothing but Praise for Abdelkalkdlkd;lalkjer whereas Latendresse only has 30 goals in two years. Chances are, these two will score more than 30 in their first two years once they've been trained in the AHL for a while. Abdelkadekadader, Adkeldodader, Abkadakaderkdkdlrdkrrr Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DatsyukownzU13 1 Report post Posted October 13, 2008 Abdelkader + Latendresse >>> Abdelkader + Kindl That said, it's a draft so you never really know. He's not the ideal person for the Wings system. If you want to look in retrospect at the draft, I wish we could have gotten James Neal at Kindl's spot and Latendresse at Abdelkader's. But I think they will both work out ok. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rivalred 630 Report post Posted October 13, 2008 Awaiting NN's response to this thread. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted October 13, 2008 Abdelkader + Latendresse >>> Abdelkader + Kindl That said, it's a draft so you never really know. He's not the ideal person for the Wings system. If you want to look in retrospect at the draft, I wish we could have gotten James Neal at Kindl's spot and Latendresse at Abdelkader's. But I think they will both work out ok. Or James Neal and Abdelkader, lots of grit Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted October 14, 2008 Latendresse is overrated. I said it then, I continue to say it. I would take Abdelkader over Latendresse then, and I would do it now. Better player for Detroit's system, and a better player overall. Latendresse might be slightly more capable offensively (we'll see) but Abdelkader is significantly more complete; he's a much better skater, much better defensively, and much more versatile. I'm not even getting into the Kindl debate because they are completely different players and Latendresse was drafted just after Abdelkader in the second round, so that's who he should be compared to. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thedisappearer 291 Report post Posted October 14, 2008 Different players. Abdelkator is a 3rd line/4th line energy/heart guy with some offensive ability and Kindl is a defensemen. Latendresse is a good player but I still would rather have Kindl and Gator. Hence my statement. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aussie_Wing 354 Report post Posted October 14, 2008 Good post eva, pretty much sums it up for me. I can't help but get the feeling Latendresse is overrated, he's a solid young player who has good size and is pretty effective on the PP, but he's hardly set the NHL alight. Abdelkader is a pretty complete player who doesn't have any real weaknesses. He’s a real good skater, plays physical, can score and is very responsible defensively. Babcock will love him. He’s probably just an all-round better version of Kopecky. Kindl, well he’s my favourite prospect and despite a rough initiation in the AHL he’ll be fine. He seems to have a tough time adjusting to a new level but when he does he plays with real confidence. I’m sure he’ll have a much improved season with the Griffins and will have a fine NHL career. His upside is enormous. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
soultrain 43 Report post Posted October 14, 2008 well i enjoyed his quote about roy, because roy is a classless piece of s***. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted October 14, 2008 If Latendresse is overrated, then so is Kindl. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted October 14, 2008 If Latendresse is overrated, then so is Kindl. People on here act like Latendresse is some kind of star forward. Kindl is a good defensive prospect who could be a top-pairing two-way defenseman down the road. People have a very realistic view of Kindl's potential; on this board, Kindl probably even gets shortchanged. Latendresse gets star treatment on LGW...like he's some kind of established power forward. Here's his career stats. 153 GP, 32g-24a-56pt. Most of this has been done playing on the first line due to injury fill in time playing for Chris Higgins. Latendresse gets a lot of love around here because he is considered a power forward. Justin Abdelkader is a better player and a better fit for the Wings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ben_usmc 253 Report post Posted October 14, 2008 (edited) Quick question about Kindl, I was under the impression he was a checker and would fight. But from what I've seen he is a pretty skinny guy was I wrong about him? Is he more of a skilled offensive defenseman, either way I'd like to see him once he is acclimated to NA style. Oh and who gives a sh.t about Latendresse WE HAVE LEINO Edited October 14, 2008 by ben_usmc Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skacore 2 Report post Posted October 14, 2008 Quick question about Kindl, I was under the impression he was a checker and would fight. But from what I've seen he is a pretty skinny guy was I wrong about him? Is he more of a skilled offensive defenseman, either way I'd like to see him once he is acclimated to NA style. Oh and who gives a sh.t about Latendresse WE HAVE LEINO Kindl is fiesty at times but not much of a hitter, I've seen him fight out of rage a couple times but not really someone you can rely on to change the momentum of a game or stick up for teammates on a consistent basis. But a lot of guys are like that in junior and I wouldn't expect him to put up 100+ PIM in the AHL/NHL like he did in the OHL. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deker 0 Report post Posted October 14, 2008 I have to agree with eva's statement. Why are people acting like Latendresse is some kind of a star? He's not horrible, but it's not like he beat out a whole lot of talent to make Montreal's squad at the time. He had one really good preseason for the Habs and the fans loved him, so they kept him up. I don't think Roy's comments at the time were totally off base. He's been alright, and he's made strides in his game since, but he hasn't exactly lit up the Bell Centre. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DatsyukownzU13 1 Report post Posted October 14, 2008 I have to agree with eva's statement. Why are people acting like Latendresse is some kind of a star? He's not horrible, but it's not like he beat out a whole lot of talent to make Montreal's squad at the time. He had one really good preseason for the Habs and the fans loved him, so they kept him up. I don't think Roy's comments at the time were totally off base. He's been alright, and he's made strides in his game since, but he hasn't exactly lit up the Bell Centre. He's on the 1st line... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted October 15, 2008 He's on the 1st line... How many times do you see a first line forward who is a defensive liability, and is not top six on his team in goals, assists, or points at the end of the season? That combination is pretty rare. Usually such a player is a Tomas Holmstrom type of player who brings an indispensable skill that keeps him his top-line position he would otherwise not have...Latendresse has no such specialty skills. Wouldn't you consider that kind of player overrated? I sure as hell do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
