Czechs in North America

[FU Shoresy]

I hope he doesn't sign in Europe.. I hope he gets some insurance money and retires.

I got concussed playing pickup hockey last year.. and that game was very far from NHL level.. or ECHL Level.. or Junior Z level.haha Point being, concussions can happen in any hockey game and he is very vulnerable!

I sound like his mother.lol

Been there done that too. Spent 6 yrs going to specialists. My last time playing was at a tourney in Klasterec. Which was post concussion. I shouldn't have been out on the ice. But it was a fun trip.

 

[martygod12]

I hope he doesn't sign in Europe.. I hope he gets some insurance money and retires.

I got concussed playing pickup hockey last year.. and that game was very far from NHL level.. or ECHL Level.. or Junior Z level.haha Point being, concussions can happen in any hockey game and he is very vulnerable!

I sound like his mother.lol

Its a shame really, but also doesnt understand much the move of signing in ELH or Europe. Sure the hockey is bit slower and maybe not that tough here, but the risk of getting another concussion here is still big.

We are really getting crushed by health issues of our players this year, Voracek and Kase seems to be out of NHL for good cause of health, Vrana is out for most of the season and his NHL future is also bit uncertain. We are losing so many good players lately, which could play in NHL for another couple of years, and there are not enough young guys yet to replace them.

Right now we have only 16! (including also the ones currently injured, and 17 if Vrana can make it back) skaters in NHL, and thats just terrible.

 

[Czechboy]

Its a shame really, but also doesnt understand much the move of signing in ELH or Europe. Sure the hockey is bit slower and maybe not that tough here, but the risk of getting another concussion here is still big.

We are really getting crushed by health issues of our players this year, Voracek and Kase seems to be out of NHL for good cause of health, Vrana is out for most of the season and his NHL future is also bit uncertain. We are losing so many good players lately, which could play in NHL for another couple of years, and there are not enough young guys yet to replace them.

Right now we have only 16! (including also the ones currently injured, and 17 if Vrana can make it back) skaters in NHL, and thats just terrible.

I'm 50-50.. I think we are rebuilding and getting slowly stronger.

The 6 NHL goalies over .905 is nice. Finland doesn't have that for instance. The 7th one being Mrazek and he's good. Then you've got Suchanek winning MVP, Hrabal probably going first round. Then you've got guys like Patera, Skarek, Dobes all on a NHL path similar to Vladar/Vancecek/Vejmelka (around 24).

The D sucks but Hronek is legit top 30 in the NHL and we haven't had that in awhile. I'm not saying he'll win a Norris but he keeps very good company statistically. Jiricek on the way (Gudas on the way out though). Hopefully this next gen of D get drafted in first 100 and start making NHL clubs.

Forward wise... no Voracek HURTS! No Kase sucks! But we also have Chytil, Necas and Zacha taking off! And they are mid 20's. Sale and Kulich look to be Top 6 guys in the future (I hope). Palat is finally back and doing great after a slow (expected) start. Pasta is still top 10 in the world and is not old.

And soon our AHL guys will either become NHLers OR return to Europe as very strong European options like Chlapik and Spacek.

But, I'm the optimist.lol

 

[martygod12]

I'm 50-50.. I think we are rebuilding and getting slowly stronger.

The 6 NHL goalies over .905 is nice. Finland doesn't have that for instance. The 7th one being Mrazek and he's good. Then you've got Suchanek winning MVP, Hrabal probably going first round. Then you've got guys like Patera, Skarek, Dobes all on a NHL path similar to Vladar/Vancecek/Vejmelka (around 24).

The D sucks but Hronek is legit top 30 in the NHL and we haven't had that in awhile. I'm not saying he'll win a Norris but he keeps very good company statistically. Jiricek on the way (Gudas on the way out though). Hopefully this next gen of D get drafted in first 100 and start making NHL clubs.

Forward wise... no Voracek HURTS! No Kase sucks! But we also have Chytil, Necas and Zacha taking off! And they are mid 20's. Sale and Kulich look to be Top 6 guys in the future (I hope). Palat is finally back and doing great after a slow (expected) start. Pasta is still top 10 in the world and is not old.

And soon our AHL guys will either become NHLers OR return to Europe as very strong European options like Chlapik and Spacek.

But, I'm the optimist.lol

Again I hope you are right

With the Gs I dont know if Skarek or Dobes can make NHL, but Stezka will probably go after this season, maybe he will be next Vejmelka lol, lets hope. There is of course Dostal, Hrabal and Suchanek. Yeah goalie wise we look solid.

What do you mean about Gudas? I mean I know his contract running out, but he should be offered a new one in other NHL team right? He is not that old yet and can add another 3-4 seasons. Otherwise yeah D is terrible right now, but lets hope that our young guys will come through and we see the revival. Lets hope Jiricek D. will be the star he looks so far, lets hope his brother Adam will be "even better" as it is often said all around lol. Also that guys like Svozil, Spacek, Galvas T., Badinka, Dvorak can make it to the NHL one day. Not sure about Moravec and Hamara though.

And as for forwards we are still strong here, plus Kulich, Sale and Benak on the way. But to grow our numbers we must also hope that some of those "less likely" guys can make it to be the NHL regulars, like Sapo, Brabenec, Mysak, Stancl, Sprynar, Jecho etc.

From AHL I believe Blumel, Rousek and Galvas will also make it, others are not very likely, but maybe Jenik, Lauko and Kaut can still make it.

So as I write it, it looks good and if everything goes as planned I am confident we could have around 25-30 skaters in 5 yrs from now. But that a very optimisic prognosis and it rarely actually happens this way

 

[Czechboy]

Again I hope you are right

With the Gs I dont know if Skarek or Dobes can make NHL, but Stezka will probably go after this season, maybe he will be next Vejmelka lol, lets hope. There is of course Dostal, Hrabal and Suchanek. Yeah goalie wise we look solid.

What do you mean about Gudas? I mean I know his contract running out, but he should be offered a new one in other NHL team right? He is not that old yet and can add another 3-4 seasons. Otherwise yeah D is terrible right now, but lets hope that our young guys will come through and we see the revival. Lets hope Jiricek D. will be the star he looks so far, lets hope his brother Adam will be "even better" as it is often said all around lol. Also that guys like Svozil, Spacek, Galvas T., Badinka, Dvorak can make it to the NHL one day. Not sure about Moravec and Hamara though.

And as for forwards we are still strong here, plus Kulich, Sale and Benak on the way. But to grow our numbers we must also hope that some of those "less likely" guys can make it to be the NHL regulars, like Sapo, Brabenec, Mysak, Stancl, Sprynar, Jecho etc.

From AHL I believe Blumel, Rousek and Galvas will also make it, others are not very likely, but maybe Jenik, Lauko and Kaut can still make it.

So as I write it, it looks good and if everything goes as planned I am confident we could have around 25-30 skaters in 5 yrs from now. But that a very optimisic prognosis and it rarely actually happens this way

Everyone says goalies are voodoo.. and I agree. What I'm noticing though is that a lot of goalies go down this path:

Drafted in rounds 3 to 7
Go to ECHL, AHL
Appear in NHL 7 years later

We have a lot of good goalies on that particular path. Dostal and Hrabal are on a quicker path. Eg. Vejmleka was drafted around the same time as Vanecek and Vladar.. they all ended up in the NHL around the same age. Vanecek spent time in ECHL at one point. Stezka is a great example too! Also, more Czech goalies make the NHL.. more they get scouted, drafted and considered. Nick Malik is another one!

As far as am I right? Definitely not! I'm still waiting for Spacek to get his NHL game.lol

Sapo and Brabenec should easily become bottom 6 NHL players in 3 seaons. So should Mysak. Guys like Raska, a recovering Novak all have chances. Then you get guys like Blumel who get let go of contract and he will probably become a full time NHLer too.

Gudas.. you're right, he's not done this season! I just mean that we will probably never see a Top 4 of Jiricek, Hronek and Gudas. By the time Jiricek is the guy, Gudas will be back in Europe or bottom pair. FTR.. love Radko, but he plays a very physical game and is in his 30's.

It's all hope... but we have a lot more players in North America trying to make it then whatever countries are ranked 7 to 10. ,If a few D can develop and become good to great NHLers then it'll be a big 6 again IMO. Our probelm wasn't lack of NHL players, it's lack of D! Heck, even Krejci is on a near career best year!

 

[martygod12]

Everyone says goalies are voodoo.. and I agree. What I'm noticing though is that a lot of goalies go down this path:

Drafted in rounds 3 to 7
Go to ECHL, AHL
Appear in NHL 7 years later

We have a lot of good goalies on that particular path. Dostal and Hrabal are on a quicker path. Eg. Vejmleka was drafted around the same time as Vanecek and Vladar.. they all ended up in the NHL around the same age. Vanecek spent time in ECHL at one point. Stezka is a great example too! Also, more Czech goalies make the NHL.. more they get scouted, drafted and considered. Nick Malik is another one!

As far as am I right? Definitely not! I'm still waiting for Spacek to get his NHL game.lol

Sapo and Brabenec should easily become bottom 6 NHL players in 3 seaons. So should Mysak. Guys like Raska, a recovering Novak all have chances. Then you get guys like Blumel who get let go of contract and he will probably become a full time NHLer too.

Gudas.. you're right, he's not done this season! I just mean that we will probably never see a Top 4 of Jiricek, Hronek and Gudas. By the time Jiricek is the guy, Gudas will be back in Europe or bottom pair. FTR.. love Radko, but he plays a very physical game and is in his 30's.

It's all hope... but we have a lot more players in North America trying to make it then whatever countries are ranked 7 to 10. ,If a few D can develop and become good to great NHLers then it'll be a big 6 again IMO. Our probelm wasn't lack of NHL players, it's lack of D! Heck, even Krejci is on a near career best year!

It would be cool if also Malik and Malek would make NHL.

Lets hope our optimistic prognosis will fulfill.

On different note. What about Stanislav Svozil for the WC this season. I know it sounds crazy, but there is a fair chance Regina will be eliminated in the first round of PO, hell they may even not make the PO at all. (only like two points from non PO spot right now).

So if he is available, I would definitely try him, considering how weak our D is shaping up to be this yeat at WC. He could possibly be available even for the friendlies before Czech games, so why not try him at least here if possible and maybe he will be so good, that he earn a spot for the WC. ... I know it sounds a bit crazy and probably not gonna happen, but I would rather see a young guy like him instead of slow Kempny or Jordan

 

[Czechboy]

It would be cool if also Malik and Malek would make NHL.

Lets hope our optimistic prognosis will fulfill.

On different note. What about Stanislav Svozil for the WC this season. I know it sounds crazy, but there is a fair chance Regina will be eliminated in the first round of PO, hell they may even not make the PO at all. (only like two points from non PO spot right now).

So if he is available, I would definitely try him, considering how weak our D is shaping up to be this yeat at WC. He could possibly be available even for the friendlies before Czech games, so why not try him at least here if possible and maybe he will be so good, that he earn a spot for the WC. ... I know it sounds a bit crazy and probably not gonna happen, but I would rather see a young guy like him instead of slow Kempny or Jordan

1. How can Svozil's team be this bad? Don't they have him and Bedard? That goalie must be awful.lol
2. The actual team, I don't think he's close but yes.. I'd absolutely love to see him doing the 1 month warmup going into the tourney to get exposure and growth before heading to AHL which will be a very hard step (it is is for any young D, tough league!)

I'll be in shock if Kempny isn't on the team. I don't disagree with anything you say. But he has a lot of experience and is a locker room leader.

I see our D as a whole bunch of 6 out of 10 type guys. Eg. either they are decent (not elite) in Europe or they are bottom feeders in NHL...

So guys like Mozik, Musil, Kempny, Jerabek, Hajek, Jordan, Kundratek, Moravcik etc. They are all a 6 out of 10. Interchangeable. All have some good qualities but none fo them are great.

My dream Skoda lineup would look like:

Jiricek, Hronek, Kral, Galvas, Simek, Kempny, Klok, Knot or Sklenicka

It'll never happen and it is not even that good.. but that is the D core I'd want for the Skoda's.

Also, I'll be starting a Skoda thread the second the trade deadline is done.haha I think a few Czechs are on the move to playoff teams. At least I hope they are! Vejmelka comes to mind as a guy I see moving. I don't think it will happen, but Vladar is another one I hope gets traded to a team that views him as a starter or a 1B that splits and plays 40 games. None of this win 13 games and get benched bullshit in Calgary.lol

Starting to think Kral and Galvas are the next Masin and Musil. Or maybe even Zboril and Hajek. 4 guys that just aren't getting into the NHL conversation!

 

[Mione134]

Read a report today that Ondrej Kase maybe done in the NHL and heading back to Czech after this year. Concussions have taken their toll on him. Too bad he was once a promising player. I had season seats in SD for the Gulls when he was coming up. I always enjoyed watching him play. He was always on of the better skaters on the ice. Hope he gets his health back.

He should of retired 2 years ago. The constant concussions really scared me not just as a fan of hockey, but as someone who is concerned of his overall health. Your brain shouldn't even have ONE, let alone...7 I believe. I hope he'll be okay and later in life won't suffer. It's scary.

Seems like a great kid. Very talented. But his skating with his head down ALL.THE.TIME. and was never corrected...it was bound to happen over and over again. I wish him all the best. And good health.

 

[martygod12]

1. How can Svozil's team be this bad? Don't they have him and Bedard? That goalie must be awful.lol
2. The actual team, I don't think he's close but yes.. I'd absolutely love to see him doing the 1 month warmup going into the tourney to get exposure and growth before heading to AHL which will be a very hard step (it is is for any young D, tough league!)

I'll be in shock if Kempny isn't on the team. I don't disagree with anything you say. But he has a lot of experience and is a locker room leader.

I see our D as a whole bunch of 6 out of 10 type guys. Eg. either they are decent (not elite) in Europe or they are bottom feeders in NHL...

So guys like Mozik, Musil, Kempny, Jerabek, Hajek, Jordan, Kundratek, Moravcik etc. They are all a 6 out of 10. Interchangeable. All have some good qualities but none fo them are great.

My dream Skoda lineup would look like:

Jiricek, Hronek, Kral, Galvas, Simek, Kempny, Klok, Knot or Sklenicka

It'll never happen and it is not even that good.. but that is the D core I'd want for the Skoda's.

Also, I'll be starting a Skoda thread the second the trade deadline is done.haha I think a few Czechs are on the move to playoff teams. At least I hope they are! Vejmelka comes to mind as a guy I see moving. I don't think it will happen, but Vladar is another one I hope gets traded to a team that views him as a starter or a 1B that splits and plays 40 games. None of this win 13 games and get benched bullshit in Calgary.lol

Starting to think Kral and Galvas are the next Masin and Musil. Or maybe even Zboril and Hajek. 4 guys that just aren't getting into the NHL conversation!

Yeah I was suprised too, but it is possible, that he will be available.

I know Kempny will be there, I just dont like him after the last tournament, he was a complete disaster there lol.

Hronek, Jiricek, Klok is very possible and very good. Simek if he is healthy also good acquistion. Maybe even Rutta will be available, cause the first round of PO will definitely be over by the time of WC. I personally would add Kostalek, he is probably the best D in ELH right now.

I would be content with the D looking like this: Hronek, Jiricek, Rutta, Simek, Klok, Kostalek, Kempny, Sklenicka (Svozil??). Nothing strong, but decent.

 

[Czechboy]

He should of retired 2 years ago. The constant concussions really scared me not just as a fan of hockey, but as someone who is concerned of his overall health. Your brain shouldn't even have ONE, let alone...7 I believe. I hope he'll be okay and later in life won't suffer. It's scary.

Seems like a great kid. Very talented. But his skating with his head down ALL.THE.TIME. and was never corrected...it was bound to happen over and over again. I wish him all the best. And good health.

The last one I saw (I didn't see the one this year) was a very clean and normal shoulder on shoulder check.. not even a devastating one. Like a routine make contact to knock him off the puck type play that you see a million times a day. It knocked him out cold. That was terrifying. Another guy is Jujhar Khaira.. same thing, he's gone 'nighty night' a few times off of routine hits. Another guy I really liked but think he might want to stop.

Also, f*** Drew Doughty!

He screamed 'f*** that' and ran him in a preseason game and knocked him silly... prick. Not even a suspension.

 

[Czechboy]

This is amazing to me.

1. Carolina is a damn good team!
2. Svech and Aho are very different but both are unbelievable players
3. He's ahead of them by a little, I don't care if he leads the team in scoring but he's clearly contributing like they are and that's awesome!

 

[Goodman68]

As for the goalkeepers.. It seems that we are really on the right track here and we will not have a problem at this post. However, Skarek has consistently bad numbers and I don't know how this goalkeeper could get into the NHL, sorry Czechboy Even the retired Schneider has a class of better statistics. I'm surprised he even catches the AHL.. Vejmelka, Vladař, Vaněček are currently the best Czech goalkeepers, maybe Dostál will join. Dobeš, Hrabal, maybe Suchánek and someone else are promising and can catch in the NHL.
Defense in the championship.. I didn't see the whole last tournament, but from what I saw, Kempný seemed fine to me, I would also be surprised if he didn't play. From our league, Kundrátek, if he doesn't lose form, he must be there, the best defender in the league in previous years, and it wasn't even close. Unfortunately, the coaches didn't use him as much as they should have, but he played excellently even at the WJC or the Olympics. Then there were various names, it's clear that Hronek will be the most important player, others like Hájek certainly not, the last time he was on the field he didn't know where north was and where south was..
I wonder what's up with Král, he's not playing at all..
And in the attack, the situation is quite sad, as already written, health problems and poor performance at other times somewhat spoils the idea of many players breaking into the NHL.. At least Nečas, Chytil and Zacha have the seasons of their lives, even though Zacha may not be Czech..

 

[Czechboy]

As for the goalkeepers.. It seems that we are really on the right track here and we will not have a problem at this post. However, Skarek has consistently bad numbers and I don't know how this goalkeeper could get into the NHL, sorry Czechboy Even the retired Schneider has a class of better statistics. I'm surprised he even catches the AHL.. Vejmelka, Vladař, Vaněček are currently the best Czech goalkeepers, maybe Dostál will join. Dobeš, Hrabal, maybe Suchánek and someone else are promising and can catch in the NHL.
Defense in the championship.. I didn't see the whole last tournament, but from what I saw, Kempný seemed fine to me, I would also be surprised if he didn't play. From our league, Kundrátek, if he doesn't lose form, he must be there, the best defender in the league in previous years, and it wasn't even close. Unfortunately, the coaches didn't use him as much as they should have, but he played excellently even at the WJC or the Olympics. Then there were various names, it's clear that Hronek will be the most important player, others like Hájek certainly not, the last time he was on the field he didn't know where north was and where south was..
I wonder what's up with Král, he's not playing at all..
And in the attack, the situation is quite sad, as already written, health problems and poor performance at other times somewhat spoils the idea of many players breaking into the NHL.. At least Nečas, Chytil and Zacha have the seasons of their lives, even though Zacha may not be Czech..

I won't believe Zacha is Czech until I see him play with a Czech jersey.lol

 

[Czechboy]

When I go to the Detroit section on here, my takeaway is that Kubalik sucks. I looked him up and he's one of the best forwards in Detroit for points. Very confused.

He's not far off his career best year of

I doubt he gets 30 goals... 20 seems very reasonable though and I think he can get to 46 points (on a 55 point pace).

 

[Chainshot]

Kulich with a goal and an assist:



Rousek had two assists and was stopped on a penalty shot.

 

[martygod12]

Great night for Czech U20 guys overall. Kulich 1+1, Jiricek 1+1, Svozil 0+2, Brabenec 0+4, Sprynar 2+1, Melovsky 0+2 ... Thats what I like to see

 

[Czechboy]

No one is talking about this so I will!lol

Vitek's last loss was on December 28th! Only 2 games under .900 in that span. NJ is a beautiful team too... and Palat is playing very well again.

I'm an Oiler fan and feel they are very flawed. Some teams that I think are built beautifully this season are the Canes, Rangers and Devils. All have prominent Czechs which is nice! And I didnt' even mention Boston!

 

[Czechboy]

A perfect pic of a few guys I would like to see in the NHL and the Skoda Cup.

 

[Czechboy]

Kaut with a glorious chance here... Doubt he has many left.

Zadina with 3pts in first 6 games back...

 

[Czechboy]

1 goal behind Connor and a game in hand. Just sayin!

 

[Chainshot]

 

[Czechboy]

I'm 50-50 on this tbh.

I feel the Avs gave him a legit chance to play. They also aren't that good this year. I know they are Stanley Cup champs but all those injuries and losing a few guys and they may not make the playoffs. Their regular season has been oridnary. This isn't a juggernaut with no openings. He didn't really seize it to my eye.

So not sure why he's asking for trades?

I'm obviously a big fan of the kid and hope he makes it in SJ. Happy he's with Hertl and SJ is a weak roster about to lose Meier so no excuses if he can't crack this roster in his D + 3 as a first rounder.

 

[Czechboy]

I'm 50-50 on this tbh.

I feel the Avs gave him a legit chance to play. They also aren't that good this year. I know they are Stanley Cup champs but all those injuries and losing a few guys and they may not make the playoffs. Their regular season has been oridnary. This isn't a juggernaut with no openings. He didn't really seize it to my eye.

So not sure why he's asking for trades?

I'm obviously a big fan of the kid and hope he makes it in SJ. Happy he's with Hertl and SJ is a weak roster about to lose Meier so no excuses if he can't crack this roster in his D + 3 as a first rounder.

FTR.. he got 14 minutes and 2 minutes of PP time (led the team in PP minutes today) so a fair chance.

Anyone know where Hertl is? Out for personal reasons?

 

[Chainshot]

FTR.. he got 14 minutes and 2 minutes of PP time (led the team in PP minutes today) so a fair chance.

Anyone know where Hertl is? Out for personal reasons?

More -

 

[Czechboy]

More -

This made me laugh! He's not wrong. Let's see how it goes in SJ.. didn't realize he was so close with Hertl. That could be good.