Confirmed with Link: Libor Hajek recalled

[Edge]

That is what I wanted out of him and what I expected. He could be able to be a 2/3 if he hits his peak. I can see him being a fairly high-end second pairing guy

The higher end might come down to his puck moving and playmaking abilities.

There have been flashes of it over the years, and he looks like the type of prospect who could see that area blossom with additional experience and time, but we'll have to wait and see.

 

[Edge]

Again, this sounds identical to Stralman. Identical. And when Stralman was at his peak his floor was a Top 4 defenseman. Some nights he played like a 2/3.

Hajek is just very steady (as you said Edge) and calming out there.

And like Stralman, it might take a little time for some of the elements that push Hajek up to the higher end of his range to fully develop.

He's got a good shot to come in and be steady pretty early on. But he's also the kind of guy who could get taken for granted by a lot of people. It will require a different kind of patience for a guy like Hajek.

 

[McRanger]

I dont see Rosie at all. Love him or hate him, Rosie was not a keep-it-simple defenseman, he was always trying to make something happen with the puck. Rosie in many ways was the anti-Girardi.

I could see Stralman. Or maybe Karpovtsev if we need a lefty. Or a less nasty Kloucek if we need a young Czech lefty.

 

[Beacon]

I see a steady, not particularly flashy player.

I'll be very happy if he can be a solid, minute-eating, second pair defenseman.

A middle pair defenseman and a middle-6 forward for McDonagh is a big score for the Rangers. If Lundkvist comes through also, that's huge. Either way, if 2 of 3 of those become middle pair/line players, that's a good trade that's needed for a rebuild.

The emergence of 2 of Hajek, K'Andre, Rykov, Lindgren, Rag, Gross, etc as legit NHL LDs would also free up Skjei to be traded for either a forward or to upgrade him to a 1LD.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

Anton at his peak, his first 2 years in Tampa, was a bonafide #1. And was a bonafide #2 for a couple years in NY, but Girardi.....

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

I actually think Roszival could be a good comparison, even if it is a bit lazy based on nationality. Hajek has looked very good so far. Nice mobility, stout defensively and can handle / move the puck pretty well.

I’m impressed.

 

[Larrybiv]

I know it's very early to set your mind on a player, one way or the other.....but lets just say I am totally blown away with this kid.
After a couple of games his teammates were righteously saying "he looks so composed" out there. They would know, and now after 4 games......he has built on the first 2. Did you guys see how he went deep in offensive zone "stayed there" and created more havoc?
That was impressive to see......wasn't worried about getting caught......usually newbies are quite worried about screwing up. I think Quinn "may have" had a little chat with him about "if you see a good opportunity"......take it. Like Yogi Berra said; "if you see a fork in the road, take it".

 

[Levitate]

I know it's very early to set your mind on a player, one way or the other.....but lets just say I am totally blown away with this kid.
After a couple of games his teammates were righteously saying "he looks so composed" out there. They would know, and now after 4 games......he has built on the first 2. Did you guys see how he went deep in offensive zone "stayed there" and created more havoc?
That was impressive to see......wasn't worried about getting caught......usually newbies are quite worried about screwing up. I think Quinn "may have" had a little chat with him about "if you see a good opportunity"......take it. Like Yogi Berra said; "if you see a fork in the road, take it".

honestly I'd be "worried" about the situation where a kid comes in at the end of the season, looks good when under no pressure, raises expectations, then when training camp and the start of next season comes he struggles a bit to get re-accustomed to the NHL and everyone gets antsy about it

 

[aufheben]

I dont see Rosie at all. Love him or hate him, Rosie was not a keep-it-simple defenseman, he was always trying to make something happen with the puck. Rosie in many ways was the anti-Girardi.

I could see Stralman. Or maybe Karpovtsev if we need a lefty. Or a less nasty Kloucek if we need a young Czech lefty.

What about Niklas Hjalmarsson?

 

[NYR Viper]

What about Niklas Hjalmarsson?

I think it was Edge who said Ekholm. That's an interesting one. Ekholm is a pretty physically imposing player on a consistent basis. Hjalmersson is a rock defensively but I never saw the offense I am hoping to see from Hajek.

 

[aufheben]

I think it was Edge who said Ekholm. That's an interesting one. Ekholm is a pretty physically imposing player on a consistent basis. Hjalmersson is a rock defensively but I never saw the offense I am hoping to see from Hajek.

Back in the day Hjalmarsson was seen as having a lot of offensive potential, no?

 

[NYR Viper]

Back in the day Hjalmarsson was seen as having a lot of offensive potential, no?

I don't think so. He was always a stay-at-home guy who skated well from what I remember.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

What about Niklas Hjalmarsson?

Like that one a lot.

The type of guy who is very good defensively while not really contributing much in the offensive zone, but that lack of contribution doesn’t indicate inability to skate/pass the puck efficiently.

 

[Edge]

Hajek is one of those guys who has intriguing tools, but he doesn't quite some totally comfortable deploying them.

He's got good size, but he's not really a guy punishes people.

He's got some good offensive skills, but he's never quite been a more consistent point producer.

That's always been my biggest caution with Hajek. He's got a very good shot to be a steady contributor, but he's also one of those guys who can tease people into thinking he might be a different player than he actually is.

And there's nothing inherently wrong with the player he is; it's just not necessarily what people always think they were getting.

 

[NYR Viper]

Hajek is one of those guys who has intriguing tools, but he doesn't quite some totally comfortable deploying them.

He's got good size, but he's not really a guy punishes people.

He's got some good offensive skills, but he's never quite been a more consistent point producer.

That's always been my biggest caution with Hajek. He's got a very good shot to be a steady contributor, but he's also one of those guys who can tease people into thinking he might be a different player than he actually is.

And there's nothing inherently wrong with the player he is; it's just not necessarily what people always think they were getting.

ie Stralman or Hjalmersson or Ekholm. Guys who fly slightly under the radar but are elite 2nd pairing guys. They all skate well, make the small plays to get the puck moving in the right direction and aren't devoid of all offensive IQ

 

[aufheben]

I don't think so. He was always a stay-at-home guy who skated well from what I remember.

Tbh I’m not sure about that one either, scouting reports from 2005 are more difficult to find than current ones. But for the most part they seem to have a lot in common on paper ... ~6’-2”/~200lb size, two-way game, physical and mobile defensive.

 

[True Blue]

I could see Stralman. Or maybe Karpovtsev if we need a lefty. Or a less nasty Kloucek if we need a young Czech lefty.

Couldn't you make it an on par nasty Kloucek? LOVED the kid. That knee injury ruined him.

 

[Edge]

Couldn't you make it an on par nasty Kloucek? LOVED the kid. That knee injury ruined him.

I feel like those 97-99 drafts were so promising and should've been homeruns.

Instead they were long outs to the warning track.

 

[CaptTennille]

One thing that stand out to me about Hajek is that he seems to have a good handle on risk mitigation. I've noticed him starting his backwards crossovers early out of the offensive zone a few times now. He really makes sure he will be in a good spot to maintain gap control if the other team exits their zone with speed off of a turnover from the NYR's forwards.

A good sign when compared to Pionk's instincts telling him to attempt an ill advised pinch when two forwards are approaching his keep in attempt with speed.

 

[True Blue]

I feel like those 97-99 drafts were so promising and should've been homeruns.

Instead they were long outs to the warning track.

Some weren't even that long of an out.

Cherniski was a shame from 1'97, a draft that also got York.

'98 was the Malhotra draft. Copley was supposed to be something, but never materalized. Kloucek came out of nowhere.

'99 was of course the Brendl, Lundmark year.

 

[Mac n Gs]

I think it was Edge who said Ekholm. That's an interesting one. Ekholm is a pretty physically imposing player on a consistent basis. Hjalmersson is a rock defensively but I never saw the offense I am hoping to see from Hajek.

It was me last May, but FINE give that punk @Edge all of the credit

 

[Don Chytil]

One thing that stand out to me about Hajek is that he seems to have a good handle on risk mitigation. I've noticed him starting his backwards crossovers early out of the offensive zone a few times now. He really makes sure he will be in a good spot to maintain gap control if the other team exits their zone with speed off of a turnover from the NYR's forwards.

A good sign when compared to Pionk's instincts telling him to attempt an ill advised pinch when two forwards are approaching his keep in attempt with speed.

I've noticed that as well - part of me wonders if it's the reason Quinn likes putting them together, so that when Pionk pinches in Hajek can be there to back him up. But either way it's definitely a good sign from a young player like Hajek.

Oh, and welcome!

 

[leetch99]

Not going to matter who we draft if we cannot develop them properly.....get that farm system FIXED !!!! Get some good people in there and the heck with the costs or hiring ex Rangers or friends.....get the best available !!! Groom those baby gems to be future Rangers and protect them so they have room to grow and blossom for us . They might not all be needed by us...but they can still be turned into trade chips and replacements when we get tight on Cap . Plus...If we have some Euro kids...make sure there are people in place on the farm and in NYC to help them adjust and feel comfortable . We have the money for this stuff...spend some of it . We have a lot of Swedish prospects...get a Swede in Hartford on the coaching staff or as head coach . Opps...forgot what thread I was in...sorry

 

[Larrybiv]

honestly I'd be "worried" about the situation where a kid comes in at the end of the season, looks good when under no pressure, raises expectations, then when training camp and the start of next season comes he struggles a bit to get re-accustomed to the NHL and everyone gets antsy about it

Yeah, i know bud. And am a bit concerned as well, because that "coukd happen"......but my gut is telling me he is NOT the 2nd coming of Michael Del Zotto. Yes, he is similar in that he is young and dumb and full of......oh wait, that dumb part would be MDZ, not so much this kid. Seems smart and talented. We shall see how this all shakes out.
If this kid pans out and even if Howden falls off the map, we will win this trade. Regardless if its a 1st or 2nd, because eventually Namestnikov will return something or we keep him at a lesser price moving forward. We WILL win this trade. They WILL win their cup.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Grats on your first NHL goal kid!