Grigs Getting Better!

[Seth 0]

I dunno if theres a thread already out there on this but here ya go. Straight from the Red Wings Central Hot Plate enjoy folks!! http://www.allsports.com/nhl/redwings/stor...kingUpdate.html

[Aussie_Wing 354]

“We’d really like to bring him over for next year,� said Nill. “The game plan was to bring him over this year, but we couldn’t the way the rules were with the new CBA (collective bargaining agreement).�

So they were prepared to take a gamble and bring him over, I like their thinking

[eva unit zero 271]

Forward Tomas Kopecky (Grand Rapids, American Hockey League) has added strength and is asserting himself physically, which has reestablished him as a prospect

11  Tomas Kopecky (NR)  C  6.02  202  Grand Rapids (AHL)

Is it too early to call out the "I told ya so" on Kopecky?

Edited January 11, 2006 by eva unit zero

[Heaton 1]

Probably, a lot of people were appualed at the fact that Babcock liked Lebda earlier in the year.

[eva unit zero 271]

Probably, a lot of people were appualed at the fact that Babcock liked Lebda earlier in the year.

One of the reasons for that is because Lebda was rated a 3.5 by Hockeysfuture, did not have a good season in Grand Rapids last year, and was generally considered as a prospect who would NEVER make the NHL.

[Heaton 1]

One of the reasons for that is because Lebda was rated a 3.5 by Hockeysfuture, did not have a good season in Grand Rapids last year, and was generally considered as a prospect who would NEVER make the NHL.

Always nice to see pleasent surprised, eh?

[Hatcher#2 13]

How do they rank the prospect over at redwingscentral? because there is no way Bootland should be at 17, he is having a great year and they move him down to 17 from 16 last year. They posted an article the other day about how Bootland and Kopecky's next step is the NHL, but they have guys above Bootland in the prospect rankings who haven't even played a game in North America. Out of all the prospects in that list Bootland has the most NHL experience, he has even scored at the NHL level.

[Barnes52 0]

How do they rank the prospect over at redwingscentral? because there is no way Bootland should be at 17, he is having a great year and they move him down to 17 from 16 last year. They posted an article the other day about how Bootland and Kopecky's next step is the NHL, but they have guys above Bootland in the prospect rankings who haven't even played a game in North America. Out of all the prospects in that list Bootland has the most NHL experience, he has even scored at the NHL level.

I noticed that and have no idea how they come up with their rankings. It must come from Ken Holland, that's the only way you can explain why they rank Bootland 17th even though he's scoring, playing on the penalty kill and their sole physical presence (Outside of Amadio). It's sad to think that if Bootland sewed his gloves on, and didn't draw any penalties or more importantly, stick up for his teammates, he'd probably be higher ranked

Edited January 11, 2006 by Barnes52

[Hatcher#2 13]

I noticed that and have no idea how they come up with their rankings.  It must come from Ken Holland, that's the only way you can explain why they rank Bootland 17th even though he's scoring, playing on the penalty kill and their sole physical presence (Outside of Amadio).  It's sad to think that if Bootland sewed his gloves on, and didn't draw any penalties or more importantly, stick up for his teammates, he'd probably be higher ranked

It may be from Holland and thats what i would like to know, is it just the writers personal opinion or is it from Nill maybe.

Edited January 11, 2006 by Hatcher#2

[RyanBarnes! 293]

It may be from Holland and thats what i would like to know, is it just the writers personal opinion or is it from Nill maybe.

I can't imagine it being much more than the writers personal opinion. Management would never publish such a list I think.

I think these lists generally put too much emphasis on pure talent like skating, puck handling and best case scenarios and not enough on actual probability to make the NHL, style of play and determination. Bootland would definitely be higher on such a list.

Edited January 11, 2006 by RyanBarnes!

[Hatcher#2 13]

I can't imagine it being much more than the writers personal opinion. Management would never publish such a list I think.

I think these lists generally put too much emphasis on pure talent like skating, puck handling and best case scenarios and not enough on actual probability to make the NHL, style of play and determination. Bootland would definitely be higher on such a list.

Thats what i was thinking and what i said above was the reason why i couldn't see how they had some of the guys who havent played in North America above a guy who has NHL experience.

[eva unit zero 271]

their sole physical presence

Not according to other reports...

[Hatcher#2 13]

Not according to other reports...

What? He leads the team in fighting majors and is one off the league lead, who else has been more physical.

[GuloGulo 0]

What? He leads the team in fighting majors and is one off the league lead, who else has been more physical.

Fighting majors =/= physical

[Hatcher#2 13]

Fighting majors =/= physical

What does that mean?

[RyanBarnes! 293]

What does that mean?

He's trying to say that FM isn't necessarily an indication of playing a physical brand of hockey. Bootland does however play physical hockey.

[GuloGulo 0]

Gathering fighting majors doesn't necessarily mean you're a physical presence on the ice.

edit: ah Barnes alreday clarified that.

Edited January 11, 2006 by GuloGulo

[Hatcher#2 13]

Gathering fighting majors doesn't necessarily mean you're a physical presence on the ice.

edit: ah Barnes alreday clarified that.

Ok gotcha, Barnesy also replied to you for me.LOL Bootland has been playing physical.

[eva unit zero 271]

What? He leads the team in fighting majors and is one off the league lead, who else has been more physical.

You took what I said TOTALLY the wrong way.

What I meant was that Bootland has not been the only physical presence. As I quoted earlier in the thread, Kopecky has been pplying well physically this year. Probably partially as an influence of playing with Bootland, but he has done so nonetheless.

[Hatcher#2 13]

You took what I said TOTALLY the wrong way.

What I meant was that Bootland has not been the only physical presence. As I quoted earlier in the thread, Kopecky has been pplying well physically this year. Probably partially as an influence of playing with Bootland, but he has done so nonetheless.

Ok i misunderstood what you typed, now i agree with what you said but in terms of enforcing he has been their sole presence.

Edited January 11, 2006 by Hatcher#2

[Barnes52 0]

You took what I said TOTALLY the wrong way.

What I meant was that Bootland has not been the only physical presence. As I quoted earlier in the thread, Kopecky has been pplying well physically this year. Probably partially as an influence of playing with Bootland, but he has done so nonetheless.

I give credit to Kopecky, he has stepped up his game, but when things get ugly they all turn to Bootland to step up..physically speaking wise that is

[Hatcher#2 13]

You took what I said TOTALLY the wrong way.

What I meant was that Bootland has not been the only physical presence. As I quoted earlier in the thread, Kopecky has been pplying well physically this year. Probably partially as an influence of playing with Bootland, but he has done so nonetheless.

I give credit to Kopecky, he has stepped up his game, but when things get ugly they all turn to Bootland to step up..physically speaking wise that is

Exactly

[Seth 0]

What gets me about this list is Hollands faith in players like Ko-puke-y. Those who don't play with any form of heart except when their going from one contract to the next. Its an embrassment to the game and to so many players who work year after year to get where they are. Its hard for me to watch guys him Kopocky get a decent playing time night after night in GR when there are far better prospects who are far more deserving.

[J-Swift 0]

What gets me about this list is Hollands faith in players like Ko-puke-y. Those who don't play with any form of heart except when their going from one contract to the next. Its an embrassment to the game and to so many players who work year after year to get where they are. Its hard for me to watch guys him Kopocky get a decent playing time night after night in GR when there are far better prospects who are far more deserving.

I am not a fan of Kopecky by any stretch of the imagination, but he was given one last chance with this organization, and he stepped up his game significantly. I'm not too happy about him only really putting an effort in this season, but isn't it better than him not playing well at all? I don't know that Tomas has the skills to be a scoring line player, so he'll have to develop into a checking role. He could easily make it on the fourth line one day.

I know these are only the opinions of Red Wings' Central, but I'm glad to see them talking about certain prospects in such high regard, more specifically, Abdelkader, Kindl, and Quincey.

I have been very pessimistic and somewhat critical about Justin Abdelkader, but it's nice to see him getting some praise. In my mind, Justin's still probably going to be a third/fourth line checker, but Matthew Wuest seems to have more faith in him, and though Wuest is just a fan like I am, it'd be kinda stupid of me to think I know more about Wings' prospects than he does.

It's also nice to see Kindl in the top five, and I'm glad to see how highly regarded he is. Jakub was a risky first round pick, but has made significant improvement this season, and if given time, he could develop into a top four defenceman.

Kyle Quincey is another interesting prospect, and IMO, is one of the most underrated in the entire system. He's not a future Norris-trophy winner, but, according to everything I've read, he's been absolutely solid in GR and has adapted nicely to the pro game. There was even a nice little article about him in The Hockey News mentioning how impressive he's been as a rookie d-man. Kyle's not the punishing defenceman oh so many of us here would like, but he's at least as physical as anyone on our blueline right now.

[eva unit zero 271]

I am not a fan of Kopecky by any stretch of the imagination, but he was given one last chance with this organization, and he stepped up his game significantly. I'm not too happy about him only really putting an effort in this season, but isn't it better than him not playing well at all? I don't know that Tomas has the skills to be a scoring line player, so he'll have to develop into a checking role. He could easily make it on the fourth line one day.

I know these are only the opinions of Red Wings' Central, but I'm glad to see them talking about certain prospects in such high regard, more specifically, Abdelkader, Kindl, and Quincey.

I have been very pessimistic and somewhat critical about Justin Abdelkader, but it's nice to see him getting some praise. In my mind, Justin's still probably going to be a third/fourth line checker, but Matthew Wuest seems to have more faith in him, and though Wuest is just a fan like I am, it'd be kinda stupid of me to think I know more about Wings' prospects than he does.

It's also nice to see Kindl in the top five, and I'm glad to see how highly regarded he is. Jakub was a risky first round pick, but has made significant improvement this season, and if given time, he could develop into a top four defenceman.

Kyle Quincey is another interesting prospect, and IMO, is one of the most underrated in the entire system. He's not a future Norris-trophy winner, but, according to everything I've read, he's been absolutely solid in GR and has adapted nicely to the pro game. There was even a nice little article about him in The Hockey News mentioning how impressive he's been as a rookie d-man. Kyle's not the punishing defenceman oh so many of us here would like, but he's at least as physical as anyone on our blueline right now.

Pardon my comments..but you have paid very little attention to our prospects.

Kopecky has FAR more chance at being a scoring type player than a fourth liner. His skills have always been there, it's the effort and physical play that wasn't always there. And as we all know, the fourth line guys are the ones who need to be putting out the effort and physical play every night because they AREN'T the ones doing the scoring. Of course it's ideal that everyone is putting in effort and physical play, but if anyone is allowed to slide on physical play it would be the scorers.

Kindl was NOT a risky pick. He was rated a top five pick overall in the draft going into 04-05. He had a disappointing season due in large part to culture shock and a lack of ice time, and that cause his stock to slip. The Wings felt they got a steal in getting him, and he proved them right. With the graduation of Andre Benoit to the AHL, Kindl got a huge increase in ice time and has become maybe the best defenseman in the OHL, and is outshining every other defenseman on the Rangers by a large margin, including two other first round picks (2004 #10 overall Boris Valabik and 2005 #22 overall Matt Lashoff)

I agree Quincey should be a solid top-four defenseman.