The refresh button has been pressed on the Chicoutimi Saguenéens. Mid-way through last season, the general manager and head coach were fired, both replaced by Yanick Jean. The Sags free-fall to the bottom of the standings slowed down, but they were first round casualties at the hands of the Moncton Wildcats.
A near bottom placement could happen again with an inexperienced roster featuring 12 rookies, including four of the six d-men. Most of the new rookies were selected by Yanick Jean as he starts to forge the roster to his liking.
Prediction
Fifth in the East Division. A young team is set for success in the future, but will find it difficult to win this year.
Forwards
This time last season, Nicolas Roy was locked in as a first-round pick in the NHL draft. But like the rest of the Saguenéens team, he fell short of expectations and only matched his rookie goal total of 16. His draft stock plummeted, landing him with the Carolina Hurricanes in the fourth round (96th overall). With the departure of top center Laurent Dauphin, Roy needs to step up his game this season. All the tools are still there for the 6-foot-4, 202-pound prospect loaded with potential.
Gabryel Paquin-Boudreau was off to a hot start last season, averaging over a point-per-game, but a serious wrist injury limited him to seven games. Originally drafted in the second round by the San Jose Sharks in 2013, he re-entered the draft this year. He was passed over, but has a training camp invite once again with then Sharks. The Saguenéens could use his offence and he’ll be motivated to earn a pro contract.
Gabryel Paquin-Boudreau re-entering the draft is interesting. Tough with 2013-14 being rough and the injury last year, but high upside.
— Dustin Nelson (@dlukenelson) June 5, 2015
Vancouver Canucks prospect Dmitry Zhukenov joins the team after going 10th overall in the CHL Import draft. The two-way forward from Russia could provide some much needed offense if he can quickly adjust to the North American game.
After being selected in the CHL Import Draft – 2015 4th round pick Dmitry Zhukenov will play for @SagueneensLHJMQ next season #Canucks
— Ryan Biech (@ryanbiech) June 30, 2015
Defence The Saguenéens blue-line underwent a complete facelift in the offseason. Only Frédéric Allard returns, joined by Julien Carignan-Labbé (acquired from Drummondville) and four rookies. Defence was clearly tops on the team’s priority list entering the draft as they used all three of their first-round picks — Alexander Krief (16th), Jeremy Groleau (17th) and Keenan MacIssac (19th) — to bolster the blueline. They used their second CHL Import pick, 70th overall, on Russian rookie Artem Maltsev. This could be one of the best bluelines down the road, but this season will be a challenge for the young group.
Goaltending Julio Billia returns for his fourth season between the pipes for Chicoutimi. Despite playing behind a mediocre team, Billia had moments of brilliance last year. He captured league goaltender of the month honours in December and March. He’s backed up by rookie Xavier Potvin, acquired from the Québec Remparts in August for a 2017 eight-round pick. Originally drafted in 2013, he’s only started one game in the QMJHL.
NHL prospect watch Nicolas Roy, C, Carolina Hurricanes (2015, 96th overall) The tools are there for the big, but raw prospect. Originally projected as a first-rounder, the Carolina Hurricanes will find out this season if they got away with larceny selecting Roy in the fourth round, or if the other 29 teams were correct in passing on him. He’ll need to improve on his 50 points from last season.
Carolina takes Chicoutimi C Nicolas Roy #96. Good gamble at that position.
— Willy Palov (@WillyPalov) June 27, 2015
NHL draft watch
Frédéric Allard, D
The only returning d-man for Chicoutimi, Allard will be relied on for offense and leadership on a young blueline. The playmaker could see a modest bump from his 30-point season last year if he sees regular time on the powerplay.
