Confirmed with Link: Sens sign free agent Jiri Smejkal 1 year ELC

[Bileur]

Step 1: Give this guy hours of video of Johan Franzen to study.
Step 2:
Step 3: Dynasty

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Should we expect him back? Looks like nothing criminal coming. They haven't even pressed charges on anyone like a year later. Time to move on and bring him back. We can suspend him and get rid of him if evidence comes out that he had any wrongdoing. In the meantime we shouldn't be treating him as guilty until proven guilty. Bring the man back.

Assuming there is no definite knowledge of Formenton's involvement as compared to the other 6/7 players that were allegedly involved. Hopefully the new owners won't have the blinders on for one player that did not have a contract as this current regime did.

 

[Golden_Jet]

love this. not because i have ever seen him play but im convinced these type of depth signings of in prime european talents is so much better than out of prime NHL cast offs dorion gets like Hamonic, Brassard, etc.

6 ft 4 220 pounds and PPG in top euro leagues. cheering for him.

Brassard was a great 13th forward signing, and Hamonic has been a good mentor and the only physical presence we had on back end.

 

[Sun God Nika]

Crazy how this thread is at 4 pages

 

[Que]

Crazy how this thread is at 4 pages

Sens fans bro.

 

[senswon]

Anybody watch him play during the latest tournament and have a report?

Is his lack of speed glaring?
Can he be mean/bruising?
Hands?

 

[jhutter]

Anybody watch him play during the latest tournament and have a report?

Is his lack of speed glaring?
Can he be mean/bruising?
Hands?

I watched him a little, but not enough to come to any kind of conclusion. 1 assist in 8 games and a -7 on a fairly strong team isn't what we hoped to see.

 

[bicboi64]

I like this signing, more of these please. 6ft3 207 pound Finnish RD depth for the AHL that can cook and maybe step up in the future.

 

[maclean]

Anybody watch him play during the latest tournament and have a report?

Is his lack of speed glaring?
Can he be mean/bruising?
Hands?

He was injured leading up to the tournament (broken jaw, had to wear a mask) so his performance can't entirely be considered indicative

 

[DanyHeatley]

I think this guy can make it out of training camp

Smejkal - Pinto - Joseph
Third line

 

[Xspyrit]

I think this guy can make it out of training camp

Smejkal - Pinto - Joseph
Third line

It's not like making this team is one of the hardest thing to do. We have 8 NHL forwards (9 if you count Greig), including two 4th liners on a contending team

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

It's not like making this team is one of the hardest thing to do. We have 8 NHL forwards (9 if you count Greig), including two 4th liners on a contending team

We are three months away from the season. Might want to pace yourself.

 

[Xspyrit]

We are three months away from the season. Might want to pace yourself.

Tkachuk - Stutzle - Giroux
LW2 - Norris - Batherson
Greig - Pinto - RW3
LW4 - Kastelic - Joseph
Kelly

Chabot - Chychrun
Sanderson - JBD
Brannstrom - Zub
Thomson

Korpisalo
Forsberg


We have $6,044,287 in cap space for :

LW2
LW4
RW3

We basically can only take 1 forward back for DeBrincat (hopefully LW2 or RW3 at worst)

Smejkal, Sokolov, Crookshank and Highmore all have a very good chance to make this team.

 

[GCK]

"He's a big body, like a Czech Hulk," Filander said. "I mean, he is very fit, so strong. (He doesn't have) the smoothest stride, but he's fast for a big guy, and he can protect the puck. So for us, he had a direct impact offensively. He could make something happen and score or create stuff just on his own with his brute force... Really good around the net and around the boards."

Hopefully this translates to the NHL. Looking solely at those traits I could see him on the left side of Pinto.

 

[jbeck5]

"He's a big body, like a Czech Hulk," Filander said. "I mean, he is very fit, so strong. (He doesn't have) the smoothest stride, but he's fast for a big guy, and he can protect the puck. So for us, he had a direct impact offensively. He could make something happen and score or create stuff just on his own with his brute force... Really good around the net and around the boards."

Hopefully this translates to the NHL. Looking solely at those traits I could see him on the left side of Pinto.

It also sounds like draft writeups of 4th round picks.

Can anyone explain why I keep seeing people penciling him on the third line next to Pinto?

The guy was 3rd on his team in points and 18 and 23 points behind 1 and 2.

He was 4th on his team in PIMs so he isn't necessarily roughing it up either.

It's way more likely that he's just a big guy who's not the greatest skater, gets shat on for not being more physical at that size(like a Radek bonk physically), and has very limited puck skills for the NHL.

When I heard of this signing I figured he was bolstering our AHL team.

Then I see a bunch of people who likely haven't seen anything but highlights (which always make the player look good) penciling him on our 3rd line with playoff aspirations????

I'm getting Christoph Schubert on forward vibes, but without the big forecheck hits that schuby made. So not 3rd line material.

I predict he plays top 6 in the AHL and gets a dozen games for injuries replacements.

 

[Ice-Tray]

It also sounds like draft writeups of 4th round picks.

Can anyone explain why I keep seeing people penciling him on the third line next to Pinto?

The guy was 3rd on his team in points and 18 and 23 points behind 1 and 2.

He was 4th on his team in PIMs so he isn't necessarily roughing it up either.

It's way more likely that he's just a big guy who's not the greatest skater, gets shat on for not being more physical at that size(like a Radek bonk physically), and has very limited puck skills for the NHL.

When I heard of this signing I figured he was bolstering our AHL team.

Then I see a bunch of people who likely haven't seen anything but highlights (which always make the player look good) penciling him on our 3rd line with playoff aspirations????

I'm getting Christoph Schubert on forward vibes, but without the big forecheck hits that schuby made. So not 3rd line material.

I predict he plays top 6 in the AHL and gets a dozen games for injuries replacements.

He was signed to audition for the pro team not for the AHL. He can be sent to the AHL if he needs help transitioning, but he was a ‘free wallet’ pro aquisition.

Penalty minutes doesn’t mean he isn’t rough, could mean he isn’t cheap. Sounds like he uses his body to take and protect the puck, like Yashin used to do, or Jagr was epic at, rather than skating around hitting people.

He is also apparently a fierce competitor.

I’m not sure about the third line stuff either, unless it’s to spread around the wingers to make more complete lines. I always assumed that he was battling for a 4th line spot with guys like Kelly.

Could be a solid player for us, could not be, but that’s the beauty of a ‘free wallet’ guy. Zub worked out nicely for us, with more pedigree for sure, but you never know, and we’re talking about bottom 6 depth.

Can’t wait until camp! (I can totally wait as I love summer

 

[bicboi64]

He was signed to audition for the pro team not for the AHL. He can be sent to the AHL if he needs help transitioning, but he was a ‘free wallet’ pro aquisition.

Penalty minutes doesn’t mean he isn’t rough, could mean he isn’t cheap. Sounds like he uses his body to take and protect the puck, like Yashin used to do, or Jagr was epic at, rather than skating around hitting people.

He is also apparently a fierce competitor.

I’m not sure about the third line stuff either, unless it’s to spread around the wingers to make more complete lines. I always assumed that he was battling for a 4th line spot with guys like Kelly.

Could be a solid player for us, could not be, but that’s the beauty of a ‘free wallet’ guy. Zub worked out nicely for us, with more pedigree for sure, but you never know, and we’re talking about bottom 6 depth.

Pretty much this. He's a low risk signing with a lot of size. Is a good placeholder for anyone on the fourth line to have to surpass.

Then again, I could just be having rose tinted glasses since he's 6ft3 and 205 pounds

 

[Icelevel]

"He's a big body, like a Czech Hulk," Filander said. "I mean, he is very fit, so strong. (He doesn't have) the smoothest stride, but he's fast for a big guy, and he can protect the puck. So for us, he had a direct impact offensively. He could make something happen and score or create stuff just on his own with his brute force... Really good around the net and around the boards."

Hopefully this translates to the NHL. Looking solely at those traits I could see him on the left side of Pinto.

Gauthier replacement
Hopefully

 

[Cosmix]

According to Elite Prospects and Capfriendly Smejkal is: 6'4', 223 lbs, age 26 (27 in November), LW/C, 49Games, 23G, 20A, 43 Pts, 30 Pims, with a Standard 2-way contract (not ELC).

Looks like a 4th liner at best in the NHL and probably bound for the AHL for his career in N.A.

 

[barriers]

According to Elite Prospects and Capfriendly Smejkal is: 6'4', 223 lbs, age 26 (27 in November), LW/C, 49Games, 23G, 20A, 43 Pts, 30 Pims, with a Standard 2-way contract (not ELC).

Looks like a 4th liner at best in the NHL and probably bound for the AHL for his career in N.A.

Just pointing out that Capfriendly is mistaken. It's probably just a default built into their system but 25-27 year-olds coming from Europe still have to sign an ELC that North American skaters wouldn't if they came to the NHL at the same age.

Senators sign forward Jiri Smejkal to a one-year, entry-level contract | Ottawa Senators

OTTAWA - The Ottawa Senators announced today that the team has signed Czech forward Jiri Smejkal to a one-year, entry-level contract.

www.nhl.com

 

[Cosmix]

Just pointing out that Capfriendly is mistaken. It's probably just a default built into their system but 25-27 year-olds coming from Europe still have to sign an ELC that North American skaters wouldn't if they came to the NHL at the same age.

Senators sign forward Jiri Smejkal to a one-year, entry-level contract | Ottawa Senators

OTTAWA - The Ottawa Senators announced today that the team has signed Czech forward Jiri Smejkal to a one-year, entry-level contract.

www.nhl.com

I am not sure about that. Below is a contract note from Capfriendly that is still on their site:

"CONTRACT NOTE: This contract was signed as an entry-level; however, was later determined to be ineligible for entry-level and converted to a standard (Breaking Source: CapFriendly on May 26, 2023)"

 

[aragorn]

Smejkal is a wild card, I don't think anyone knows what his ability will be & whether he has NHL potential or not. Too bad about Formenton but it is what it is. I think they have a much better defence now than they did to start last season & have improved in goal. They have a very good top six & just really need to improve their bottom six. They have some very good bottom six prospects coming, but whether they are NHL ready is anyone's guess but they are a better team going into this season than they were last yr. And they have enough assets to make another move or two to improve certain positions & a few guys in Belleville that could steal jobs in Ott in time.

- Jarventie or Greig could take Joseph's spot, but they would need to trade Joseph which won't be easy with that contract.
- Kleven could replace Brannstrom, but who knows if there is a market for Brann.
- Sogaard could at some point take Forsberg's spot, if he doesn't bounce back.
- JBD might be able to replace Zub in another yr or so.
- Boucher or Petersson could replace Sokolov in a yr or so.
- any number of guys might be able to replace Kelly, like Smejkal, Ostapchuk, Crookshank or Reinhardt.
- they have the assets to add another good top nine player.

TKachuk - Stutzle - Giroux
Kubalik - Norris - Batherson
Joseph - Pinto - Sokolov
Kelly - Kastelic - MacEwen/Smejkal

Chabot - Chychrun
Sanderson - Zub
Brannstrom - Hamonic/JBD

Korpisalo - Forsberg/Sogaard

 

[GCK]

Gauthier replacement
Hopefully

So much better. People seem to have a hard concept with big guys having longer development curves. If he spends more than 2 months in Belleville I’ll be shocked. I think he makes the club out of camp.

 

[DylanSensFan]

Taken from the main board:



The bolded kinda raised my eyebrows.

He weighs 220 and they're suggesting he needs to put weight on?

 

[DylanSensFan]

This is so on brand. Simply not understanding leadership or veteran dynamic in a dressing room.

If he scores as many goals as Brassard or logs as many important minutes as hamonic I will be shocked.

That being said I like the signing. Big guy longer dev curve. Looks to have really come into his game at 24/25 hopefully the upwards trajectory continues.

Just so everyone knows before writing him off Sokolov is 22.

How old was Alfie when he came to the NHL?