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Post by switchback on Dec 19, 2021 22:02:53 GMT -4
I trust Hulton just sometimes it takes the full trade period to understand the whole “Hulton Process” I can almost guarantee there’s at least one more forward coming in Hulton is a smart hockey man and knows Oliver needs replaced and that’s going to likely be a more experienced veteran that has been on a run before. Zac Roy from the Armada always catches my eye when searching for a good top 6 Hulton type player
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Post by Score on Dec 19, 2021 22:49:35 GMT -4
I think you will definitely see a fw added and a bottom pairing safe, stay at home dman.
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Post by Score on Dec 20, 2021 8:45:22 GMT -4
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — It didn’t take the Charlottetown Islanders long to make a splash when the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League trade period opened on Dec. 19.
The Islanders acquired 19-year-old veteran goaltender Francesco Lapenna, a seventh-round draft pick in 2022 and a 2023 third-round selection from the Drummondville Voltigeurs in exchange for 18-year-old goaltender Jacob Goobie, 17-year-old forward Sam Oliver and third- and fourth-round picks in 2024.
“I’m really, really happy to go to such a great organization that has such promise for the playoffs,” Lapenna told the SaltWire Network in a phone interview on Dec. 19. “I'm excited to get to the Island and get started.”
Lapenna joins an Islanders’ team with championship aspirations. Charlottetown entered the Christmas break atop the 18-team league’s overall standings with a record of 22-7-2 (won-lost-overtime losses).
“With the position we put ourselves in at this time, I think we are a bona fide contender, and when we studied what teams have done in the past, the vast majority had a proven 19-year-old goaltender,” said Islanders general manager and head coach Jim Hulton. “We thought that is one of the pieces we had to have to ensure ourselves of hopefully a long run.
“When we looked around the market, Lapenna was, far and away, the best available.”
Lapenna, in his third season in the QMJHL, went 9-7-5 (won-lost-overtime losses) with a 2.99 goals-against average and .906 save percentage with the Voltigeurs this season.
Hulton described Lapenna as an athletic and experienced player with a gregarious personality.
“To me, we are getting a bona fide game-breaker in net,” said Hulton. “He’s proven that in the past and carried a really, really young Drummondville team into the playoffs last year.
“If you talked to the people who followed the team, they put a lot of it on his shoulders.”
Lapenna, who plans to drive to P.E.I. on Dec. 26, said the Islanders are getting a player who plays with a lot of passion, competes and hates to lose.
“I’m a guy who will never give up on a play and work my butt off for the team and organization,” said Lapenna. “I always play with a lot of pride.”
“We obviously got some insight from Simoneau (on Lapenna) because one of the concerns, when you make a trade, is you want to make sure the person coming in fits into the team chemistry,” said Hulton. “He and Simoneau have a friendship dating back to their time in Drummondville.”
Hulton acknowledged it’s tough to trade young players and noted that Goobie and Oliver were big parts of the Islanders and the community.
In 18 games this season, Goobie is 12-5-1 with a 2.54 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage. Oliver recorded 14 points, including eight goals, in 31 games. Both were second-round picks of the Islanders – Goobie in 2019, 31st overall, and Oliver in 2020, 27th overall.
“I think there is some solace in the fact they are going into a really good hockey situation into what is developing into being a potential powerhouse in Drummondville if you look at the ages they are building around,” said Hulton. “From a hockey perspective, it allows Sam to play a legitimate top-line role, which is important in his draft year, and Jacob will go in and be a bona fide No. 1 goalie.
“From a hockey perspective, once they have time to absorb everything, they will be pleased from that aspect of it.”
Quick glance
A look at Charlottetown Islanders goaltender Francesco Lapenna:
Age: 19.
Height: Six feet.
Weight: 190 pounds
Hometown: Laval, Que.
Catches: Right.
QMJHL: Drafted in the fourth round, 57th overall, by the Val-d’Or Foreurs in 2019. After starting the 2019-20 season with Val-d’Or, Lapenna was traded to Drummondville on Dec. 15, 2019. He played in Drummondville until the trade with the Islanders on Dec. 19.Statistics: In 77 career regular-season games in the QMJHL, Lapenna has a 37-38 record with a 3.00 goals-against average, a .906 save percentage and three shutouts.NHL: In 2021, invited to the Toronto Maple Leafs’ rookie camp.Quote: “For the first time in my career I will be in an English town and ordering some food in a restaurant in English is going to be some fun. I also know the team is the only team on P.E.I., and fans are really passionate about protecting the Bridge and being the home of the Island. For me, that’s going to bring a lot of pride to my game, too, and to the city as well. When I went two weeks ago with (Drummondville) Maritime trip, everybody was really nice and friendly. I’m really happy and looking forward to it.”
Asked if the current COVID-19 situation factors in doing deals this year, Hulton answered not really. Hulton explained things are a lot different than last year because of vaccinations.
Although cases are presently surging, Hulton remains optimistic the QMJHL season will continue.
“Last year, there was a real fear of the season getting completely wiped out,” said Hulton. “I don’t have that same fear this year.
“There could be a pause or delay, but I think it’s the old adage this shall pass. I think we have a lot more knowledge of the situation now and comfort level with the vaccinations that there will be a season.”
The trade period is open until Jan. 6. Hulton confirmed there are discussions ongoing regarding other potential deals.
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Post by switchback on Dec 20, 2021 21:13:29 GMT -4
Well I don’t expect we see many more moves now with the uncertainty of the league.. looks more like a shut down tomorrow
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Post by countryboy on Dec 21, 2021 10:43:15 GMT -4
Islanders acquire Jeremie Biakabatuka from Rimouski.
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Post by Briwhel on Dec 21, 2021 10:46:43 GMT -4
Islanders acquire Jeremie Biakabatuka from Rimouski. Love the player for your team. Not sure how/if Charlottetown adds FW at this point. |
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Post by islander19 on Dec 21, 2021 10:49:56 GMT -4
Still lots of futures to be had. Plandowski, Guay and Trudeau would all fetch a good haul as futures.
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Post by Captain Obvious on Dec 21, 2021 10:49:58 GMT -4
Islanders acquire Jeremie Biakabatuka from Rimouski. Love the player for your team. Not sure how/if Charlottetown adds FW at this point. that's quite the top 5(Cormier Trudeau Laouaan Plandowski Biakabutuka) on D plus Lapenna in nets... |
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Post by jordo999 on Dec 21, 2021 10:50:47 GMT -4
that's a pretty huge add on D, definitely one of the best if not best D core in the league. I still think you guys need to add a forward or 2...
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Post by Captain Obvious on Dec 21, 2021 10:51:08 GMT -4
Still lots of futures to be had. Plandowski, Guay and Trudeau would all fetch a good haul as futures. Trudeau could be playing pro at 20, though Montreal has guys like Guhle Norlinder plus possibly Harris and Struble all joining Laval/Montreal next yaer. |
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Post by Score on Dec 21, 2021 10:52:50 GMT -4
Great fit for this team.....best D core in the league.....making Lapenna's job that much more easier.
Laaouan
Cormier
Trudeau
Plandowski
Biakabatuka
Maynard
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Post by countryboy on Dec 21, 2021 10:53:35 GMT -4
Ryan Greene and Matvei Michkov…..I wish! that's a pretty huge add on D, definitely one of the best if not best D core in the league. I still think you guys need to add a forward or 2... |
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Post by Briwhel on Dec 21, 2021 10:53:58 GMT -4
Still lots of futures to be had. Plandowski, Guay and Trudeau would all fetch a good haul as futures. You can't trade futures if you don't have any picks to link them to At this point, the highest pick you own is a 3rd (which may not be good enough to link). Also, you owe Chicoutimi a future already. |
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Post by islander19 on Dec 21, 2021 10:54:05 GMT -4
Still lots of futures to be had. Plandowski, Guay and Trudeau would all fetch a good haul as futures. Trudeau could be playing pro at 20, though Montreal has guys like Guhle Norlinder plus possibly Harris and Struble all joining Laval/Montreal next yaer. Yeah, of course there’s always a chance but as a late draftee, there’s certainly a decent shot that he’s back next year looking to head to a contender. |
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Post by Score on Dec 21, 2021 11:12:08 GMT -4
Would like to see 1 fw who could play 2nd line and also help boost the 2nd pp unit.
A team where he won't have the pressure as he may have had before. A team where he has strong support around him.
I really want Stairs.
Wouldn't cost as much as the other high profile players that may be a available, but I think his play would improve a great deal here.
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