Kopecky

[RedFX 48]

The play of Darren Helm over these playoffs all but guaranteed himself a spot on next year's roster. So what happens then to the man he replaced, Tomas Kopecky? I really thought in the month before he was injured that he was really starting to improve his game.

[JeeSpot82 10]

I think they switch him over to a Wing (unless Helm continues to be just average at faceoffs). And this is IF Helm sticks with the club, which isn't a lock given how the Wings like to let their prospects develop naturally and slowly.

I hope he stays with the team, because he really did rock it out in the playoffs. His legs were always moving - and he got the hang of the speed/style of the NHL relatively quickly.

[Hank Dats 'N Homer 81]

The play of Darren Helm over these playoffs all but guaranteed himself a spot on next year's roster. So what happens then to the man he replaced, Tomas Kopecky? I really thought in the month before he was injured that he was really starting to improve his game.

Seems very injury prone, and the time i have seen him play ive only seem him play well in a handful of games. I like him, but i think helm is a better fit (although we havent seen much of him either so the jury is still out) i hate to trade away good young players but if we can get something good for kopecky than i say take it. I dont think he will get the playing time he deserves here in Detroit and he may be usefull elsewhere. Although we dont really know how helm will play next year, so maybe you keep them both for insurance purposes. I dont know. Im glad im not babcock and Holland because we have such good young players that i would feel bad about wasting their talent in the AHL, but at the same time you dont want to give away talent just because you wells are stocked... haha cant have the best of both worlds i guess

[JeeSpot82 10]

Also, don't forget -- Tomas Kopecky will start the season on IR. So, they don't have to make a decision anytime soon about what to do with the extra bodies and who replaces who, etc.

If Darren Helm starts the season in Kopecky's place, they can re-evaluate that decision in December or January or whenever Kopecky's supposed to return.

Following up on that, they can't trade Kopecky while he's hurt, because no team would take that offer, obviously. So a trade is out of the question for the time being.

[Turretin 0]

Kopecky was big, and that's why we all had a lot of hope for him. I never felt like Kopecky was that good though. Maybe he'll pull a Franzen and come out of nowhere, but so far he has been very underwhelming.

[ben_usmc 253]

I feel bad for Kopecky he can't catch a break I hope we have another Kronwall incident, where everyone wants him gone for injuries or not breaking out but next season just tears it up. But I do love Helm to damn our team is to ******* good.

[VM1138 1,921]

Kopecky has never done anything really well. His "great play' streaks are "worst play" streaks for any other player on the team. He's done a whole lot of nothing and should probably be let go in favor of someone who can have some sort of impact.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

There's people here who claim that him skating around in circles is somehow useful, but I fail to see it so far.

If he was moved somehow, I wouldn't blink an eye, considering how many fan favorites have left this team in the last 5 years or so.

[KDDRWINGS1 9]

4th line Hudler Helm Sammy/Kopecky combo - maybe Leino

Sounds good to me

[CrossoverThrash 0]

Kopecky just has to spend some time with pavel in the wieght room and needs to learn how to keep his head up, if pav can teach him some things i could see Kopecky as a physical player maybe as a replacement oneday to maltby along with helm replacing drapes, if kopecky bulked up i could see him pull a jiri fischer and blast a guy through the glass with his large size and hunger to check. Kopecky just usually gets the worse end of the deal due to his weakness when he throws a check

[Yemack 1]

my thought on Kopecky is that he always rushed to make plays this season. He rarely had time to look around him and because he looked to be in such a hurry all the time, his shots weren't that accurate. IMO this playoff run could have really helped Kopecky and slow things down for him. Too bad but he will have to prove himself once again next season.

[uk_redwing 495]

4th line Hudler Helm Sammy/Kopecky combo - maybe Leino

Sounds good to me

God help us if thats ever our 4th line.

[KDDRWINGS1 9]

God help us if thats ever our 4th line.

sorry DMAC FEDOROV AVERY

or

SUNDIN ROLSTON SHANNY

Its a fourth line, who do you expect on it? When Kopecky and Helm get stronger and these guys get more experience it's another energy line with some scoring and a physical presence.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

I hope they trade him, soft for a big man and not very good. He's 26, and hasnt progressed alot in the past 3 years.

[RWK23 0]

God help us if thats ever our 4th line.

Uhh, what?

If you substitute McCarty into Samuelsson's spot, that was our fourth line through most of the playoffs and it was highly effective. Now, as much as I love McCarty, Samuelsson is a MUCH better player. This would be one of the better fourth lines in the league. I have no idea what you're talking about.

[thedisappearer 291]

Uhh, what?

If you substitute McCarty into Samuelsson's spot, that was our fourth line through most of the playoffs and it was highly effective. Now, as much as I love McCarty, Samuelsson is a MUCH better player. This would be one of the better fourth lines in the league. I have no idea what you're talking about.

You are so right all I can say is...

...Uhh, what?

If you substitute McCarty into Samuelsson's spot, that was our fourth line through most of the playoffs and it was highly effective. Now, as much as I love McCarty, Samuelsson is a MUCH better player. This would be one of the better fourth lines in the league. I have no idea what you're talking about.

[uk_redwing 495]

Uhh, what?

If you substitute McCarty into Samuelsson's spot, that was our fourth line through most of the playoffs and it was highly effective. Now, as much as I love McCarty, Samuelsson is a MUCH better player. This would be one of the better fourth lines in the league. I have no idea what you're talking about.

Because 4th lines arnt there for scoring, theyre mainly for energy and to crash and bang. Plus the 4th line is where you'd find an enforcer.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Because 4th lines arnt there for scoring, theyre mainly for energy and to crash and bang. Plus the 4th line is where you'd find an enforcer.

What if the 4th line also had some scoring like it look like Detroit's 4th line might have, along with those other things? Would having a line of scoring, and energy/crashing/banging work out then?

[uk_redwing 495]

What if the 4th line also had some scoring like it look like Detroit's 4th line might have, along with those other things? Would having a line of scoring, and energy/crashing/banging work out then?

Thats fine obviosuly. Just if you put out a 4th line of Hudler-Leino-Sammy for example, aside from returning to the softest team in the world we'd lose the energy the old 4th line with Drake and Downey had. Who didnt get a buzz of watching Downey and Drake run everything is sight?

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Thats fine obviosuly. Just if you put out a 4th line of Hudler-Leino-Sammy for example, aside from returning to the softest team in the world we'd lose the energy the old 4th line with Drake and Downey had. Who didnt get a buzz of watching Downey and Drake run everything is sight?

I certainly enjoyed Drake and Downey's prescence, but saying the Detroit was the softest team in the league is melodramatic, especially since Babcock made this team have a tough-as-nails philosophy before Downey and Drake even came here.

Soft doesn't necessarily mean "not retaliating" after a dead whistle or giving people a whole bunch of pushes and shoves and the like. The Red Wings just do not retaliate all that much to where they will constantly be putting themselves in the box? Does that make the team soft? I don't think so. They do however, bust their butts with hard skating and fighting for pucks in the corner and going to the front of the net. We started to see that in the 2006-07 playoff season. That certainly isn't soft to me. Did guys like Downey and Drake help this year? Without question. The Wings weren't a soft team before their arrival though.

As for Kopecky, time will only tell. I thought he was playing his best hockey of the season prior to injury. Torn ACLs are a tough deal though, I can personally attest to having reconstructive surgery years and years ago and my knee still isn't the same (although it is obviously better than if I would have used it with a torn ACL). We saw Derian Hatcher struggle after a torn ACL in his brief time with the Red Wings, same with Fischer I think in that same season in 2004. If he can rediscover that game where he started to use his body more on people, I think Kopecky can at least be a solid 3rd liner and potentially develop into somewhat of a 2nd line role down the road if he gets some scoring touch. Whether he will develop into more of a scoring role with Detroit or another team, who knows as he still has plenty of years left in this league if he can get healthy on a consistent basis.

[lfd250 1]

I think you have to look at who has the option to go up and down.

[eva unit zero 271]

Kopecky was big, and that's why we all had a lot of hope for him.

I would like to see you post a list of names of people on this board who, until Kopecky was playing really well in the middle of last season, ever believed he was capable of being a full-time NHLer.

I'll give you a hint, this list is exactly one name long. And it doesn't allow you to use the term 'we' as you are not included on the list.

[Turretin 0]

I would like to see you post a list of names of people on this board who, until Kopecky was playing really well in the middle of last season, ever believed he was capable of being a full-time NHLer.

I'll give you a hint, this list is exactly one name long. And it doesn't allow you to use the term 'we' as you are not included on the list.

Holy sh*t. Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed eva? My point was this: every Red Wings fan that kept his or her eye on prospects saw Kopecky's big body and hoped he would be someone that could use it.

BTW, I stand by my assessment: I don't think Kopecky will ever be an impact player. Hope I'm wrong, but I just don't think he has "it."

[Opie 308]

Do you know how many IMPACT players there are in the game? Let alone on one team?

Not every player on the team is going to be a Datsyuk or Lidstrom, every once in a while you need a Maltby, Drake, Chelios, Helm, etc.....

You should stop using phrases like "EVERY RED WINGS fan", because you don't speak for me and have no clue what I think until I post it.

Stick with your opinion, leave mine up to me!

Edit: Clarity

Edited June 12, 2008 by Opie

[Turretin 0]

What in the hell is going on here? I seem to have stepped into the middle of a LGW's stress fest. I am not speaking for you I am just giving my opinion. By impact player I meant "player who can make an impact." I don't think Kopecky is one of those guys. I don't think he will ever pan out to be an everyday guy on the Wings. If I was wrong about the hopes of fans, then fine I was wrong, but calm down. This is the internet, there is no way I can not "leave your opinion up to you." Am I taking crazy pills here? Let's get back on topic and talk about Kopecky.