| Jeremy Langlois | Cape Breton Eagles | QMJHL | L | D | 6’1″ | 185 | Cape Breton Eagles | 2019 | Québec, QC | 2003 | 2021-2022: B |
QMJHL: Cape Brenton Eagles vs Acadie-Bathurst Titan, March 17, 2022: In the 4-2 loss to Acadie- Bathurst Langlois earned 24:54 in total ice time, including 7:33 while on the power play and 2:41 while shorthanded. Statistically he finished with 0 points, an even plus / minus, 1 shots on goal (1PP), 0 grade “A” scoring opportunity, 1 minor penalty, had 3 shots blocked and had 4 giveaways versus 9 takeaways. As we’ve become accustomed to, Langlois is a talented offensive defenseman who has high level puck poise and passing skills. In this one he made an indirect stretch pass from deep in his end to the far blueline look easy as well as all of the normal passes we expect him to make. Defensively he played with a tighter gap, but we would still like to see him recognize where his back-checkers are in relation to the puck carrier so he can use his feet to force opponent’s decisions earlier in the neutral zone.
Langlois is an offensive minded defenseman who is still learning how to be effective on the defensive side of puck. This does not mean we do not like him. In all honesty it means we are very interested to watch his continued development. He is an explosive skater who can stop on a dime and then explode out of the stop with a cross-under that allows him to be at top speed in a single step. He plays with his eyes up scanning the ice for opportunities and is very aware who is a righty or lefty and who is a one-time option. He understands creating and taking open ice so that he or his teammates have more time to make a play. These same skills and off puck awareness are the things we will be watching for Langlois to be using on the defensive side of the puck because once he utilizes this skill set he can have a long professional career.
QMJHL: Cape Breton vs Gatineau Olympiques, October 31, 2021: In the 5-2 loss to Gatineau Langlois earned 23:57 in total ice time, including 4:44 while on the power play and 1:11 while shorthanded. Statistically he finished with 0 points, an even plus / minus, 4 shots on goal (2PP), 1 grade “A” scoring opportunity, 1 minor penalty, had 1 shot blocked and had 7 giveaways versus 7 takeaways. Langlois was constantly looking to provide offense. He generally moved the puck quickly in transition, but we loved the poise he showed when he swiveled his hips or adjusted his stick blade to make Gatineau’s forwards reach or lean to pick off passes that he never intended to send. He showed a powerful shoulder width skating base and a very quick first step while jumping into the play or racing t loose pucks. In the defensive zone he looked more patient than we’ve seen in the past as the weakside defender.
QMJHL: Cape Breton Eagles vs Moncton Wildcats, October 8, 2021: In the 6-5 loss to Moncton Langlois earned 22:47 in total ice time, including 1:39 while on the power play and 0:50 while shorthanded. Statistically he finished with 1 assist, was -1, had 3 shots on goal (1PP), 0 grade “A” scoring opportunities, 1 shot that was blocked and 4 giveaways versus 8 takeaways. Langlois is an offensive minded defenseman who showed the deceptive qualities to be effective at higher levels. He looked comfortable handling passes on both his forehand or backhand while showing the quick hands to move the to his forwards without needing to over stickhandle or constantly be settling the puck down. Langlois showed acceleration and quickness when jumping into the play, but we loved that he showed the game awareness to not jump past his forwards on every rush. His ability to make his opponents move their sticks while he’s on the power play opening passing seams is a skill that professional teams crave. Langlois may still be developing his defensive game and attention to details away from the puck, but his skating skills make us believe that he can be taught to defend.
QMJHL: Cape Breton Eagles vs Halifax Mooseheads, February 7, 2021: In the 6-4 Cape Breton win Langlois earned 21:08 in total ice time, including 4:08 while on the power play and 2:08 while shorthanded. Statistically he had 1 goal and 2 assists, was +2, had 4 shots n goal (2PP), 0 grade “A” scoring opportunities, 1 hit and 4 give aways versus 4 takeaways. Langlois highlighted his offensive talents tonight showing high end edge work, elusiveness as the puck carrier and deception on his passes. His power play back door pass was a thing of beauty. He received the puck high on his strong side as he accelerated through receiving the pass to the dot lane which exposed an open seam through the royal road for a beautiful one-time goal. Langlois’ goal was a seeing eye snap shot from the point and his second assist was a primary helper on a D to D for a one timer by his defensive partner. Defensively Langlois was a bit of a puck watcher. While defending the cycle he drifted towards the puck and there were times that his opponents beat him off the wall after contact. We feel this is just attention to detail and these are correctable traits that will improve through coaching.
QMJHL: Cape Breton Eagles at Charlottetown Islanders, January 29, 2021: Langlois (2022 Draft Eligible) produced some mixed results in this one. On the positive side, he skated the puck out of trouble with ease, and he made a number of nice passes to clear the defensive zone and hold the offensive blue line. On the negative side, he followed the puck carrier away from the net during an Islanders three-on-two in the second period, leaving the slot wide open for Charlottetown’s Cedric Desruisseaux to receive a pass and bury his league- leading 22 nd goal of the season. It was a case of poor awareness, as Langlois left the league’s top sniper all alone in the slot. That being said, Langlois has showed much improved play lately. He’s handling the puck with more confidence, and looks good playing the point on the Eagles’ power play. He’s also doing an improved job of neutralizing opposing forwards in front of the Cape Breton net. Rating: C+
QMJHL: Charlottetown Islanders at Cape Breton Eagles, November 21, 2020: Langlois (2022 Draft Eligible) used his strong skating to clear the puck out of the Eagles’ end of the rink, outskating opposing forwards and d-men to move the puck out of trouble. He also pushed the play offensively by skating the puck through the neutral zone and into the Islanders’ zone, allowing the Eagles to set up offensively. However, a knock on him in this game was some indecisiveness in the defensive end when the puck was on his stick. On a few of occasions in the first period Langlois failed to move the puck quickly to his wingers. The result was his late passes getting picked off by Charlottetown, or with Langlois getting overwhelmed by opposing forwards and turning the puck over. Quicker decision making would have produced clean zone exits, instead of prolonged pressure by the Islanders. Rating: C+
QMJHL: Cape Breton Eagles vs Halifax Mooseheads, October 23, 2020: The best word to describe Langlois in this game is smooth. His skating, puck handling, and decision making looked like it came easy. He was especially effective on the penalty kill, where he used his mobility to keep Halifax forwards to the outside and keep the play away from the net. He didn’t pick up a point in this game, but he pushed the play offensively, skating and passing the puck out of the defensive zone and joining the rush when it was advantageous to do so. Grade: B+ 2022 NHL Draft Prospect
QMJHL: Cape Breton Eagles vs Halifax Mooseheads, October 2 and 3rd, 2020: (10/3/20) Langlois had another solid game, and looked impressive moving the puck around the offensive zone. Very strong on the puck in this one, and his puck handling in general continues to impress. Had an assist and was +2 while playing in all situations. Grade: B+ (10/2/20) Langlois used his strong skating and passing skills throughout the game to lead defensive zone exits and offensive zone entries. Looked like a solid overall defender, although he didn’t display a physical game in this one. Grade: B
QMJHL: Cape Breton Eagles NHL Prospects, December 10, 2019: The late-2003 born skater displayed his mobility and puck movement skills in this game. He doesn’t get as much ice time as some of the older D on his team, but he fits right in out there. He was quick to get back to pucks, and made good decisions on outlet passes. He got a shot through from the point, but impressed with his poise to keep the puck in and then have the presence of mind to slide it D-to-D as opposed to jamming it down the wall, resulting in an assist when the team was chasing the game. Would like to see a bit more aggression–especially in his own end–but there is a lot to like about this kid. Game Grade: B-
| Francois-James Buteau | Cape Breton Eagles | QMJHL | L | D | 6’4″ | 194 | Cape Breton Eagles | 2020 | Blainville, QC | 2004 | 2021-2022: C+ |
QMJHL: Cape Brenton Eagles vs Acadie-Bathurst Titan, March 17, 2022: In the 4-2 loss to Acadie- Bathurst Buteau earned 14:40 in total ice time, including 0:31 while shorthanded. He did not contribute to the power play. Statistically he finished with 0 points, an even plus / minus, 1 shots on goal (0PP), 0 grade “A” scoring opportunity, 2 minor penalties, had 0 shots blocked and had 5 giveaways versus 4 takeaways. The reason we liked Buteau’s game was the simple fact that the defenseman had 2 minor penalties for taking runs at Titan players. At 6’4″ we like the fact that Buteau is adding a mean streak to his game. When you combine this with his fight on March 13 versus Sherbrooke we feel that he is beginning to feel comfortable with who he is and how he is going to create space for himself in the future.
Buteau is a hulking 6’4″ defender who has the skating base that will allow him to carry much more than his current 194lbs. He shows nice hip flexibility, knee flexion and his return leg lands on his outside edge when it returns after a stride. He defends with his stick on the ice and he poke checks in a north south manner rather swinging his stick east to west. In the defensive zone Buteau defends from the backside post so he can get a clear view of his opponents and then uses his legs to drive opposing forwards from the shooting lanes. Buteau is not an offensive defenseman, but he shows the awareness to move his feet after receiving passes and is more than willing to carry the puck to the redline before getting it deep. His size makes him instantly attractive to NHL scouts and we feel he moves well enough right now to warrant consistent views, but as with all big young players Buteau will need to continue working off the ice to gain power, agility and balance to have a professional career.
| Lucas Canning | Cape Breton Eagles | QMJHL | L | LW | 6’1″ | 203 | Cape Breton Eagles | 2020 | Stellarton, NS | 2004 | Not yet rated |
QMJHL: Cape Brenton Eagles vs Acadie-Bathurst Titan, March 17, 2022: Canning did not play
Canning is a big winger who competes and plays like a power forward. We feel he is still adjusting to life in the QMJHL, but there is a lot to like about his straight forward approach to the game. Canning takes the most direct route to the puck and is not worried about contact or running over opponents on his way to the battle. He has a nice frame, but we think that through off-ice commitment to training and gaining strength that he may pop as an 18 year old next year.
| Jacob Squires | Cape Breton Eagles | QMJHL | R | D | 6’1″ | 190 | Rouyn-Noranda Huskies | 2019 | Charlottetown, PE | 2003 | 2021-2022: C |
QMJHL: Cape Brenton Eagles vs Acadie-Bathurst Titan, March 17, 2022: In the 4-2 loss to Acadie- Bathurst Squires earned 12:40 in total ice time, including 2:09 while shorthanded. He did not contribute to the power play. Statistically he finished with 0 points, was-1, 1 shots on goal (0PP), 1 grade “A” scoring opportunity, 0 minor penalties, had 0 shots blocked and had 0 giveaways versus 1 takeaways.
Squire is in his second year of NHL Draft eligibility. He looks stronger and much more confident so far this year. He is playing a little over seventeen minutes per-game and is a fixture on Cape Breton’s penalty kill unit. As a 6’1″ right shot defenseman who is continuing to improve and becoming a more impactful player, Squires is a player we will continue to monitor.
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