Gui...Gui...Gui

Numerous posts about Guillaume Latendresse across hab sites.

Half or more comments have a negative tone …"Habs only kept him with the big club because he is French Canadian". "Gui is slow, does not hit enough for his size", "not a fighter", "has not scored enough goals", "the only goals he did score were of the fire hydrant variety" … etc. "Why oh why did the Habs take Lats with the 45th pick of the 2005 draft when (insert name here) was available".

Some less negative comments suggest that if only BG had allowed Gui time in the AHL to mature, he might be the 1st or 2nd line power forward some envisioned when drafted. Truth is he was ineligible for AHL and could only have been sent back to Jr or kept with the big club.

Come on people … Gui has been an active Hab for three years and well over 200 games. Why is he not scoring 40+ goals, and doing a Milan Lucic impression?

While Lats has played (3) NHL seasons, consider this before running him out of Montreal:
• Gui is 21 years old.
• Plus / minus rating has progressively improved (-20, -2, +4)
• One PP goal in 2008/09. Majority of his goals are 5 on 5… a positive sign on this team.
• Lats and Laps formed effective 3rd line duo in 08/09, his first season on a regular line.
• The shoulder injury on Feb 01 (Bruins) cost Gui a career year for points.
• Ranked 3rd (Habs 08) for hits (140). Komi and TK were #’1 & 2.. both now with new teams.
• Gui worked on power skating and trains hard in off season to prepare for 2009/10.
• Points per game avg avg has increased each year (0.36, 0.37, 0.46)
• Other 0.46 PointsPG avg players 2008/09 … Upshall, Nylander, … cost significantly more.
• Gui signed for 2009/10 at $803,000.
• Did I mention Gui is 6’2” and 222 lbs on a team with smaller front line forwards?

Let’s revisit the 2005 draft where Gui was drafted mid second round (45th):
• Only three others in the ENTIRE draft have more goals thus far (Crosby / Kopitar / Stastny)
• Contrary to some posts, Habs did not have an opportunity for Paul Stastny, drafted #44.
• Only three others have played more games (Crosby / Vlasic / Kopitar)
• Gui is also top five in PIM’s for this draft class as well.
• Some 1st round 2005 (top 10) picks have not succeeded (Brule / Pouliot)

It is likely that Gui was somewhat overwhelmed with his status in Montreal the first couple of years, and there was certainly enough media attention to provide Lats with a show biz type spotlight beyond his years and level of execution. Yes, he is French Canadian… and there is a long history of Hab fans giving locals iconic status… (why not?) … not much a 19 – 20 yr old could do about that other than live it up right…? Well, most stories involving Gui on a personal level describe him as responsible and the father of a young child. No mention of mob connections, drug traffickers, Hell’s Angels pics, or pub crawls.

Gui now has serious competition for the “power forward” role in Montreal. Max P is a 1st round selection who has seen a quick path to success as well. Instead of viewing Lats as a redundant piece now that Max P is in the mix, let’s remember the earlier point that the top two lines could stand an injection of size. I believe having both of these players vying for the 6th spot or greater improves the Habs chances for success.

It is also possible that Gui may be a good longer term fit on the 3rd line. Does it need to be top 6 or down the road for this 2nd round pick? Gui is not making 1st / 2nd line cash and it is always handy to have size, grit, and SOFT hands on a third line.

Gui signed a one year make / break contract. This is his 4th season … which has proven to be a significant breakout year for other NHL players.
Let’s root for a successful season and dispel negative posts.

Thoughts?