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WC: General Talk '14 — Czech Republic

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Final result : 3-1

Goals : 6. Brunner (Hollenstein), 24. Josi (Romy, Hollenstein), 56. Pestoni (Monnet, Brunner) – 57. Vondrka (Radil)
 
Kesid said:
It is, but he is making his first strides in the NHL. No need to risk any injury, which could cost him his career or next contract.

Olympic games are special, you play with/against the best players in the world. WC is every year and it's not the best tournament (especially in Olympic year).
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First and foremost, they're hockey players and as such they should be playing hockey. Not playing to avoid a risk of injury seems a bit strange to me. And if these three kids from Tampa think that they're too good for the World Championships, well that's a problem. 40+ year old Hašek or Jágr showed a lot more hunger than them (in 2010 and 2011), they just wanted to play and weren't looking for excuses.
 
Rexor said:
First and foremost, they're hockey players and as such they should be playing hockey. Not playing to avoid a risk of injury seems a bit strange to me. And if these three kids from Tampa think that they're too good for the World Championships, well that's a problem. 40+ year old Hašek or Jágr showed a lot more hunger than them (in 2010 and 2011), they just wanted to play and weren't looking for excuses.
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Palát and Gudas are injured, so we can talk about Šustr. I don't think that they "think they're too good for the WC". It's more about future and their careers.

Å ustr is a professional hockey player paid by his club in the NHL. He worked very hard to make it to the NHL so you think he is gonna throw everything away now? Serious injury could end his NHL career. It doesn't mean it would happen, but what do we know? Hockey is rough sport, anything can happen.

It's not strange to choose not to play to avoid injury. Penguins didn't play Crosby in last 2 games of the regular season.

Also I would rather have a guy who will give me a full effort, work hard and block shots without worrying about injury. If he worries about something like that during the game, it means he is not going to play very well.

Hašek did not attend any WC when he played in the NHL. Jágr is a different story. Same thing goes to Jordán, who is also without contract, but again - different story. He is AHL player who needs to prove he can play and earn the new contract (probably in Europe) .
 
Kesid said:
Palát and Gudas are injured, so we can talk about Šustr. I don't think that they "think they're too good for the WC". It's more about future and their careers.

Å ustr is a professional hockey player paid by his club in the NHL. He worked very hard to make it to the NHL so you think he is gonna throw everything away now? Serious injury could end his NHL career. It doesn't mean it would happen, but what do we know? Hockey is rough sport, anything can happen.

It's not strange to choose not to play to avoid injury. Penguins didn't play Crosby in last 2 games of the regular season.

Also I would rather have a guy who will give me a full effort, work hard and block shots without worrying about injury. If he worries about something like that during the game, it means he is not going to play very well.

Hašek did not attend any WC when he played in the NHL. Jágr is a different story. Same thing goes to Jordán, who is also without contract, but again - different story. He is AHL player who needs to prove he can play and earn the new contract (probably in Europe) .
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I'm not sure about Gudas' condition but Palát did play the last game against he Habs. No one wants Šustr to "throw everything away", if he gets injured during the WCH so what, injuries are part of hockey. Would no NHL club ever give him another contract in case he's got an injury in May? And there's an insurance covering career ending injuries. Also, I'm not sure he's done a lot more as a hockey player than Jordán.

Crosby's case is completely different. He didn't play so that he could be ready for another part of the season. He didn't say "Oh well I'd rather skip this year's playoffs altogether, injuries happen and I prefer being ready for next season."

Again, notice that this "I've got no contract" excuse has been a new phenomenon, we wouldn't hear it even a few years ago.

I was talking about Hašek and Jágr playing in their 40's and making themselves available for the national team. Hašek didn't eventually participate at the 2010 WC but he made clear it was up to the coach to decide. We both know how loyal Jágr was. I just think it's sad to see these old farts showing more enthusiasm than kids who still have everything to prove.
 
Kesid said:
Å ustr is a professional hockey player paid by his club in the NHL. He worked very hard to make it to the NHL so you think he is gonna throw everything away now? Serious injury could end his NHL career. It doesn't mean it would happen, but what do we know? Hockey is rough sport, anything can happen.
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I think this "he can get injured" thing is little overrated. As you said, hockey is a rough sport and you can get injured any time, any other place. You worry about this, then don't play at all. Players in these days see just the NHL but national team jersey should be the most important jersey you can put on. I know it's not a best on best tournament but it's not like it's just a tourney full of completely meanigless games either (at least for our nation).

If he got seriously injured and got the contract..what would happen? Would he get healed by that? It's a different story when you're older player and injury prone, for example Hemsky. I can understand that. But as a young D-man he should be playing as much as possible and this could be also good experience for him (he would probably get good ice time). He could've think of it as if he was sent down to AHL. Or would he not be playing for Syracuse if they got to the Play-offs because he'd be afraid to get injured?

Also I would rather have a guy who will give me a full effort, work hard and block shots without worrying about injury. If he worries about something like that during the game, it means he is not going to play very well.
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Complety agree on this one.
 
How about to try Vrana and Pastrnak after they finished WC U18? I think they would have a solid chance to make it and it would really help them towards their future careers.
 
I attended the Switzerland - Czech Rep. game yesterday, thought you guys would be interested by some considerations.

The Czech started the game well and found some good shooting positions, thanks mainly to good passing plays but also with individual skills, especially by Vondrka and Ruzicka. Switzerland then scored on the first power play of the game and the end of the first period was more balanced. Overall, the Czech republic would have deserved a better score after 20 minutes.

The 2nd period was all Switzerland, with agressive forechecking and good offensive zone play, which lead to a lot of good scoring opportunities and several power plays. Salak played very well and is the main reason there was only one goal in this period. The Czech only showed some offense in the last few minutes.

The Czech then put a lot of pressure in the third period, often pinning Switzerland deep in its defensive zone, but only the Ruzicka - Zohorna - Buchtele line was able to regularly create scoring chances out of this pressure, as the Swiss defense clearly dominated in their own slot. Then midway through the third period, the Czech ran out of gas and Switzerland was happy to simply control the puck for most of the last 10 minutes.

Overall, this team gave the impression to be well coached and to know what it's doing, but lacked the player material to execute the game plan. Just adding Cervenka and Rolinek probably would have brought some more offensive creativity.

Individually, Ruzicka was the most dangerous Czech player, showed some nice playmaking skills, and his line was the most dangerous, also thanks to Buchtele's good work in front of the net and along the board. Zohorna on the other hand didn't do much help his linemates. Vondrka also created a lot, but his linemates weren't much noticeable. The bottom six was well organised, but the only player to stand out was Filippi, who made a great job keeping the puck deep in the offensive zone. The defense was pretty weak (hard to point out individuals, I wasn't in a great spot and I'm not familiar with a lot of them), Switzerland got in a lot of good shooting positions when they managed to control the puck in the offensive zone and Salak had many saves to do.
 
stv11 said:
I attended the Switzerland - Czech Rep. game yesterday, thought you guys would be interested by some considerations.

The Czech started the game well and found some good shooting positions, thanks mainly to good passing plays but also with individual skills, especially by Vondrka and Ruzicka. Switzerland then scored on the first power play of the game and the end of the first period was more balanced. Overall, the Czech republic would have deserved a better score after 20 minutes.

The 2nd period was all Switzerland, with agressive forechecking and good offensive zone play, which lead to a lot of good scoring opportunities and several power plays. Salak played very well and is the main reason there was only one goal in this period. The Czech only showed some offense in the last few minutes.

The Czech then put a lot of pressure in the third period, often pinning Switzerland deep in its defensive zone, but only the Ruzicka - Zohorna - Buchtele line was able to regularly create scoring chances out of this pressure, as the Swiss defense clearly dominated in their own slot. Then midway through the third period, the Czech ran out of gas and Switzerland was happy to simply control the puck for most of the last 10 minutes.

Overall, this team gave the impression to be well coached and to know what it's doing, but lacked the player material to execute the game plan. Just adding Cervenka and Rolinek probably would have brought some more offensive creativity.

Individually, Ruzicka was the most dangerous Czech player, showed some nice playmaking skills, and his line was the most dangerous, also thanks to Buchtele's good work in front of the net and along the board. Zohorna on the other hand didn't do much help his linemates. Vondrka also created a lot, but his linemates weren't much noticeable. The bottom six was well organised, but the only player to stand out was Filippi, who made a great job keeping the puck deep in the offensive zone. The defense was pretty weak (hard to point out individuals, I wasn't in a great spot and I'm not familiar with a lot of them), Switzerland got in a lot of good shooting positions when they managed to control the puck in the offensive zone and Salak had many saves to do.
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Thanks a lot for your input. It's appreciated. ;)
 
Rexor said:
I'm not sure about Gudas' condition but Palát did play the last game against he Habs. No one wants Šustr to "throw everything away", if he gets injured during the WCH so what, injuries are part of hockey. Would no NHL club ever give him another contract in case he's got an injury in May? And there's an insurance covering career ending injuries. Also, I'm not sure he's done a lot more as a hockey player than Jordán.

Crosby's case is completely different. He didn't play so that he could be ready for another part of the season. He didn't say "Oh well I'd rather skip this year's playoffs altogether, injuries happen and I prefer being ready for next season."

Again, notice that this "I've got no contract" excuse has been a new phenomenon, we wouldn't hear it even a few years ago.

I was talking about Hašek and Jágr playing in their 40's and making themselves available for the national team. Hašek didn't eventually participate at the 2010 WC but he made clear it was up to the coach to decide. We both know how loyal Jágr was. I just think it's sad to see these old farts showing more enthusiasm than kids who still have everything to prove.
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It’s playoff hockey, players play through injury. Palát missed a game in the playoffs because of an upper-body injury and will use his off-season to heal. Radko Gudas has sustained a lower-body injury and did not play game 4.

If he (Šustr) gets injured during the WHC then it’s gonna affect his offseason training and it could affect his position in Tampa organization during training camp or even during the season. It could affect his contract talks too.

Btw. Yzerman could easily re-sign him during the season. We all know it’s gonna happen anyway.

I’m not an expert on insurance, but I guess if he has a contract in the NHL the money would be better?

Jordán is in different situation than Šustr. Šustr has a better position in his organization, played 41 games in the NHL in his first full pro season. Jordán spent 4 years in Carolina and didn’t even get call-up this season. Fact is he did want to come back to Europe in last offseason.

Jordán needs to prove something, he could earn another NHL contract (in Carolina under new management or make himself valuable for another team to trade for his rights) or better offer from Europe.

Why aren’t you upset with other players which used „no contract“ excuse like Frolik?

Jágr is enjoying his last hockey years, his career is going to end in few years. The fact that he has no family helps.
 
joey16 said:
I think this "he can get injured" thing is little overrated. As you said, hockey is a rough sport and you can get injured any time, any other place. You worry about this, then don't play at all. Players in these days see just the NHL but national team jersey should be the most important jersey you can put on. I know it's not a best on best tournament but it's not like it's just a tourney full of completely meanigless games either (at least for our nation).

If he got seriously injured and got the contract..what would happen? Would he get healed by that? It's a different story when you're older player and injury prone, for example Hemsky. I can understand that. But as a young D-man he should be playing as much as possible and this could be also good experience for him (he would probably get good ice time). He could've think of it as if he was sent down to AHL. Or would he not be playing for Syracuse if they got to the Play-offs because he'd be afraid to get injured?
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He can get injured in offseason training or playing golf, but chances are higher during a hockey game. Why risk it? I don’t think he would worry about it if he had a contract. If he rejected the offer when he is healthy and under the contract, then I’m not okay with it.

Teams will use every leverage which they can get during contract talks. They don’t want to pay players more than they have to (obviously some GMs are dumb and pay millions for UFA). But Šustr is RFA. Stepan missed the training camp just because of contract talks. Subban missed a start of the lockout season.

Of course he would play for Syracuse if Tampa would have sent him down and if Syracuse would play playoff, because he would be under the contract.
 
DN28 said:
How about to try Vrana and Pastrnak after they finished WC U18? I think they would have a solid chance to make it and it would really help them towards their future careers.
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There is simply not enough time for this (only 4 games left before WHC) and I think some older guys should get the call before them (Sekáč, Honejsek, Přibyl...).
 
stv11 said:
I attended the Switzerland - Czech Rep. game yesterday, thought you guys would be interested by some considerations.

The Czech started the game well and found some good shooting positions, thanks mainly to good passing plays but also with individual skills, especially by Vondrka and Ruzicka. Switzerland then scored on the first power play of the game and the end of the first period was more balanced. Overall, the Czech republic would have deserved a better score after 20 minutes.

The 2nd period was all Switzerland, with agressive forechecking and good offensive zone play, which lead to a lot of good scoring opportunities and several power plays. Salak played very well and is the main reason there was only one goal in this period. The Czech only showed some offense in the last few minutes.

The Czech then put a lot of pressure in the third period, often pinning Switzerland deep in its defensive zone, but only the Ruzicka - Zohorna - Buchtele line was able to regularly create scoring chances out of this pressure, as the Swiss defense clearly dominated in their own slot. Then midway through the third period, the Czech ran out of gas and Switzerland was happy to simply control the puck for most of the last 10 minutes.

Overall, this team gave the impression to be well coached and to know what it's doing, but lacked the player material to execute the game plan. Just adding Cervenka and Rolinek probably would have brought some more offensive creativity.

Individually, Ruzicka was the most dangerous Czech player, showed some nice playmaking skills, and his line was the most dangerous, also thanks to Buchtele's good work in front of the net and along the board. Zohorna on the other hand didn't do much help his linemates. Vondrka also created a lot, but his linemates weren't much noticeable. The bottom six was well organised, but the only player to stand out was Filippi, who made a great job keeping the puck deep in the offensive zone. The defense was pretty weak (hard to point out individuals, I wasn't in a great spot and I'm not familiar with a lot of them), Switzerland got in a lot of good shooting positions when they managed to control the puck in the offensive zone and Salak had many saves to do.
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:handclap: Thank you for your report.
 
Kesid said:
He can get injured in offseason training or playing golf, but chances are higher during a hockey game. Why risk it? I don’t think he would worry about it if he had a contract. If he rejected the offer when he is healthy and under the contract, then I’m not okay with it.

Teams will use every leverage which they can get during contract talks. They don’t want to pay players more than they have to (obviously some GMs are dumb and pay millions for UFA). But Šustr is RFA. Stepan missed the training camp just because of contract talks. Subban missed a start of the lockout season.

Of course he would play for Syracuse if Tampa would have sent him down and if Syracuse would play playoff, because he would be under the contract.
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I can understand that just partly. I know he wants to get as best contract as possible and finacially secure himself but... It's hard to imagine myself in his position and I'd probably have different thinking but I'm not sure if I would voluntarilly miss the opportunity to play for national team on a tournament that is important quite a lot to our nation.. it should be the most you can achieve, to play for your own country a game that you love. I'm just little suprised by him since it's the first time he has this opportunity (in senior NT) and he's throwing this away (talented as he is, he might never get another chance again, you never know)..

I absoultely loved Zidlicky's decision last year to help guys even though he had no contract. And he was in completly different position, the risk was much higher for him. That shows heart.
 
Linhart, Kudělka, Smoleňák, Filippi and Valský out. But especially Filippi is promising for the future. Great performance from what I heard/seen.
 
joey16 said:
I can understand that just partly. I know he wants to get as best contract as possible and finacially secure himself but... It's hard to imagine myself in his position and I'd probably have different thinking but I'm not sure if I would voluntarilly miss the opportunity to play for national team on a tournament that is important quite a lot to our nation.. it should be the most you can achieve, to play for your own country a game that you love. I'm just little suprised by him since it's the first time he has this opportunity (in senior NT) and he's throwing this away (talented as he is, he might never get another chance again, you never know)..

I absoultely loved Zidlicky's decision last year to help guys even though he had no contract. And he was in completly different position, the risk was much higher for him. That shows heart.
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I think his agent talked him out of it, because he has to protect his client’s interests It’s really hard to make it to the NHL and even harder to stay in the NHL.

You’re right, you never know, but most players who were once in NHL/AHL usually are invited to play for national team even when they come back to the Europe. There are too many examples (Vincour, Vrána, Kašpar, MojžÃ­š etc...). Even guy like Kalus did get a chance.

Let’s not make a competition out of it. Židlický is 37 yrs old, Šustr is 23. In best case scenario a lot of good hockey is ahead of him But yes, I agree – vets like Židlický or Jágr deserve credit.
 
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Kesid said:
Anyway OP updated, added Voráček, Hertl, Havlát and Hejda as possible options too. They all are under the contract.
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As a Flyers fan and a Norwegian I rather see the Flyers defeat the Rangers (Norway desperately needs Zuccarello as Thoresen won't be there) - but if the worst happens, Voráček would be a nice addition for the Czech team (if he says yes, of course).
 
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