Kopecky finally waking up?

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Kopecky to me has never been pegged to be more than a 3rd liner this year anyways, so I don't really get how he was just completely sleeping to begin with. He's just been one of the unfortunate scapegoates in here who gets overdramatized criticism more often than not.

He hasn't done a whole lot of things gloriously but it's not like he's been flat out terrible (see scapegoat reference again). I realize he was scratched for a game, but I think that can be attributed to Downey and Ellis playing very well, making the most of their limited chances earlier this season.

Downey and Ellis has deserved some more PT I think, but they have not been so dominating that it warrants Kopecky sitting out 5-10 games straight when everybody is healthy.

This situation is good for everybody, it creates a healthy competition for ice time for these three as well as Drake, because all of these guys have been playing very well recently.

The problem ive had with Kopecky is that he wasnt playing the role i expect out of a 4th line grinder type. Criticism isnt just for the top echelon guys. He may not have been making big errors, but he wasnt doing much physically to make his presence in the lineup warranted. And when you have a guy that will guaranteed play that role in Downey being scratched, it just makes Kopecky catch the heat for it. Babcock said it himself when he scratched him that "Kopecky needs to play tougher". He's come out and done that since....which is great and what he needs to do, I just have reservations as to whether this intensity will keep up.

[eva unit zero 271]

Kopecky showed nothing like this last season. Hey, Im all for guys who are willing to scrap and hit, so if he keeps this up i dont have any problem with being in the lineup. But lets still keep things in check here...he has still yet to show any goal scoring potential at all to this point. I dont really see how you can peg his upside as a possible 2nd liner...or even 3rd for that matter.

Kopecky has the offensive instincts and raw skill that, if he develops to his potential, could make him a 15-25 goal scoring physical winger. Depending on where in that range he falls and how consistently he produces will determine whether he is closer to a second liner or a third liner. I've always maintained this position. Let me give you a better idea of what I have always seen in Kopecky; Mikael Samuelsson with a physical edge and the ability to play any forward position. And whether you like it or not...that's a second liner.

[Skiing - Puck 0]

IMO Kopecky might post one more fight this season, and that is doubtful. Also, Lilija might drop his mitts once this season. We probly won't see another fight till Drake gets the cage off or if a forward gets injured and Downey gets inserted.

[Grittzkey 1]

koko, fought for 1 reason. he knew he could win. big ole koko versus sharp? common gimme a break.

Kopecky is just like rex, good offensive skill but just cant get it clicking at all cylinders right yet. Kopecky has a good chance of not ever getting it clicking, because he dosnt have the PT to do so. he gets 5 minutes to impress, its much easier to just CnB. then try and make something happen with trash linemates. Rex on hte other hand gets good PT and PP PT so he has more OPP to get his offence clicking.

If i was detroit i would make a huge attempt to get Kopecky going. he has huge upside believe it or not.

Personaly i would like Z and Dats split up, they are doing great now sure. but when it comes to play off time, you need more then 1 line contributing.

Flipper/Datz/Homer - Waterd down version of ZDH

Rex/Zette/Sammy - Waterd down version of ZDH

Cleary/Drapes/Malts - Same Ole

Drake/Kopecky/Franzen - Crash And Bang crew

on PP

Z/Datz/Homer/Lids/Raf

Rex/Flipper/Kopecky/Lebda/Sammy

Its a sort of addition my subtraction type deal.. You subtract a amazing line to make 2 great lines.

far fetched? yes.. will it happen? no.. but i like it.

GIVE KOPECKY PT TO ME THE PLAYER HE CAN BE.. A SOLID PF@@@

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Kopecky's potential is to be a crash and banger. I'll leave him doing that. Playing physical and fighting doesnt warrant PP time over better players

[Grittzkey 1]

by no means, did i mean that he warranted the pp2 rotation spot. but i seriously think, he needs some playing time to show his real worth. and that is not a crash and banger.. thats not his game. he's doing it to keep his spot on the roster.. he knows he is an offensive player not a CnB'r

why let him turn out to be the next Kurt Maltby when he has the potential to be the next Dustin Penner?

Thats like saying man this hamburg is raw, and not cooking it. and just going to throw it away.

btw, what better playrs are you talking about only ones left are Franzen,Draper,Maltby,Drake. Franzen would be better then cleary.. i wouldnt risk puttin draper infront of the next.. Maltby maybe.. Drake.. never..

Franzen.Kopecky can do it. both are big and can block the goalies view, alot more then Cleary.. Cleary plays with such heart and grittyness.. the last think you need is a puck/defencment/goalies hacking at him all game. Put franzen/kopecky people who get less PT, take the abuse. not to mention cleary aint that good at it anyway

Edited November 13, 2007 by Grittzkey

[motorcitykid 42]

I'm one fan who thinks Tomas could play a bit of a larger role here. I dig the fight the other night, but what I'd really like to see is him start scoring some. Last season after the collarbone injury he didn't look much the same when he came back, but let's hope he's back on track now, this season. More goals dammit!!

[redwingfan19 293]

he definitley has some offensive skill check out this sweet shootout goal, don't like the crap he does after the goal but hey still a nice goal.

Kopecky the hotdog

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Kopecky has the offensive instincts and raw skill that, if he develops to his potential, could make him a 15-25 goal scoring physical winger. Depending on where in that range he falls and how consistently he produces will determine whether he is closer to a second liner or a third liner. I've always maintained this position. Let me give you a better idea of what I have always seen in Kopecky; Mikael Samuelsson with a physical edge and the ability to play any forward position. And whether you like it or not...that's a second liner.

Since you usually like to do this : In Samuelsson's first year (not counting the 4 games for SJ), he scored 6 goals in 67 games. Kopecky so far has 0, including some games where he played on the 2nd line. From what ive seen I'd peg his upside AT BEST in the 8-10 range. 15-25?? Not a chance imo.