Prucha revisited
- Thread starter SnowblindNYR
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Spent the last few years in the KHL playing for SKA St. Petersburg. Had a solid year last season with like 40pts, don't know what his production is like this year.
This probably doesn't deserve it's own thread.
This probably doesn't deserve it's own thread.
My favorite moment of Prucha's career was his shootout winner in 2005 against the Panthers I believe it was. Deadly snipe glove side, think it even went in off of the crossbar. He really did have a nice, hard, accurate shot but he was so fragile. I also remember him bouncing up as fast as he could after getting hit most times, it definitely wasn't a lack of heart, just his size. He was just too small, but even still, I would choose him over Zuccarello.
SingnBluesOnBroadway
Retired
Machinehead
HFNYR MVP
I liked Prucha. Great natural scorer. I definitely think that injury had some effect.
The problem with Prucha I think, is I remember how much he liked to throw hits like a maniac and he would just bounce off people. I admired the little guy's heart but he was too small to be doing that and didn't have the strength. I think that's what led to injury issues.
The problem with Prucha I think, is I remember how much he liked to throw hits like a maniac and he would just bounce off people. I admired the little guy's heart but he was too small to be doing that and didn't have the strength. I think that's what led to injury issues.
Yeah, it's too bad things didn't work out for him. Played with a lot of heart and had good skill to boot.
NYR Sting
Heart and Soul
Prucha's first season was a lot like Brian Boyle's season a couple of years ago in the sense that no one knew he had a good shot.
2 years ago, Boyle and Prust were able to keep the puck in the other team's zone, Boyle would shuffle himself in front of the net, and get some quick shots off because opposing defenders weren't paying him much heed.
Prucha was able to get to the slot a lot, too, especially on the PP, and at first, garnered no significant defensive attention. Jagr and company would feed him, and he got off shots.
The problem for both was that soon, teams caught on. Adjustments were made, and pretty soon, there were far fewer wide open opportunities from key scoring areas on the ice.
Prucha, of course, was also diminutive and not physically ideal for handling the rigors of the NHL game. He was a fun player to watch, and an easy player to root for. Worked hard, brought a lot of energy, and played the game with exuberance. Sad to see him cast off, but the reality was he simply wasn't a particularly effective NHL player. Can he play in the league? Probably, but he's able to earn more and feature more in the KHL.
2 years ago, Boyle and Prust were able to keep the puck in the other team's zone, Boyle would shuffle himself in front of the net, and get some quick shots off because opposing defenders weren't paying him much heed.
Prucha was able to get to the slot a lot, too, especially on the PP, and at first, garnered no significant defensive attention. Jagr and company would feed him, and he got off shots.
The problem for both was that soon, teams caught on. Adjustments were made, and pretty soon, there were far fewer wide open opportunities from key scoring areas on the ice.
Prucha, of course, was also diminutive and not physically ideal for handling the rigors of the NHL game. He was a fun player to watch, and an easy player to root for. Worked hard, brought a lot of energy, and played the game with exuberance. Sad to see him cast off, but the reality was he simply wasn't a particularly effective NHL player. Can he play in the league? Probably, but he's able to earn more and feature more in the KHL.
Nanaki
Registered User
distraught? I was a little sad to see him go but by the time he left he wasn't even close to the same player. It was a sad sight to be honest.
slipknottin
Registered User
Never understood why they didnt just force him to go to the gym more. He could have got up to 195+ pounds. He has the frame for it.
When I first saw him play, I was 11. When people mention their favorite childhood player. He was mine.
When I first saw him play, I was 11. When people mention their favorite childhood player. He was mine.
I feel old.
I was 11 when you were 3.When I first saw him play, I was 11. When people mention their favorite childhood player. He was mine.
Yeesh.
Now I feel spoiled having been able to grow up watching players who are in the rafters.
I did love Pru, though. Kid didn't give up.
smoneil
Registered User
When I first saw him play, I was 11. When people mention their favorite childhood player. He was mine.
I don't think it was the injury or anything like that. After the lockout, the refs started calling the games VERY tightly. Players backed off, which created a lot more space. Offensive players (especially smaller offensive players who would have been NHL tweeners in the clutch and grab era), racked up the points in 05-06 and (to a lesser extent) 06-07. The refs quickly started letting more and more go, which brought point totals back down to earth and made some guys (like Prucha) ineffective.
Prucha was my favorite Ranger after the lockout as well, but once he lost that extra bit of space he had (particularly since he really couldn't make his own space), he just didn't have the time to get his shot off--thus the plummeting point totals.
And incidentally, when Snowblind was 11 and Bob Richards was 3, I was 17, so I don't want to hear any "OMG I'm so OLD" comments out of you, whippersnappers. Hahaha
I was 23. Just how young is everyone on this place?
NYR Sting summed up Prucha prefectly
Apparently too young. Put it this way, guys like Prucha, Ruchinsky and Sandis Ozolinsh are considered old timers to me.
Well Ruchinsky and Ozolinsh are like 50 now, so they're old timers to me too.
Hah, I mean in terms of alumni. People like my dad reminisce about the days of Zubov, Larmer and Beezer. I haven't been around long enough.
The fact that your DAD reminisces about players I was old enough to watch scares me.
The fact that your DAD reminisces about players I was old enough to watch scares me.
He has only been a Rangers fan since the late '80s.
Edit: Bah, I'm derailing this thread now. Sorry. Petr Prucha it is.
smoneil
Registered User
Slick Rick 61
Registered User
- Jul 11, 2007
- 435
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You're right: Prucha was never the same after that knee injury he suffered in Philly. Guy always played with reckless abandon.
He was MONEY on the PP. Especially on that backdoor stuff in play. Jagr must have set him up for that 5 times or so back in 06. To think there were trade rumors linking the Rangers to Brent Seabrook for Prucha.
He was MONEY on the PP. Especially on that backdoor stuff in play. Jagr must have set him up for that 5 times or so back in 06. To think there were trade rumors linking the Rangers to Brent Seabrook for Prucha.
