Kopecky key to Hossa signing

[Shutemdown 23]

Link:

http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/spo...fc8&k=27299

"The season is still a month away, but Tomas Kopecky may have recorded the most important assist of the Detroit Red Wings' campaign to repeat as Stanley Cup champs by helping the team land free-agent winger Marian Hossa this summer.

Hossa credited Kopecky with an impressive sales job after he signed July 2 with the Wings.

Kopecky sees his role more as just a chance for two close friends to play together in pursuit of a common goal.

"We grew up five minutes from each other (in Slovakia)," Kopecky said.

"We're really good friends.

"Our friendship has just really grown. We work out everyday together in the gym, on the ice and have lunch. He's one of the guys I like to be like."

Hossa is expected to join his new teammates for their informal skates at Joe Louis Arena this morning.

He won't have to worry about finding a place to live for the season as Kopecky and his wife have offered Hossa a place to stay in their home.

Mod edit: Don't post full articles.

Edited September 8, 2008 by Heaton

[LeftWinger 5,148]

Link:

http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/spo...fc8&k=27299

...very good read! Lets get the season started! Lets Go Red Wings!

...btw, received my Hossa T-shirt in the mail the other day (the one that was posted on here from eBay.) It looks totally awesome! Wore it a little this morning (taking kids to school and some shopping) I got a few "heys" in the store! I would say the fans are ready for the season to get started!

[Shutemdown 23]

...very good read! Lets get the season started! Lets Go Red Wings!

...btw, received my Hossa T-shirt in the mail the other day (the one that was posted on here from eBay.) It looks totally awesome! Wore it a little this morning (taking kids to school and some shopping) I got a few "heys" in the store! I would say the fans are ready for the season to get started!

I've been waiting for mine all weekend! It better come tonight...! >:0

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

It's good to see that Kopecky can at least do something which is useful for a change. Maybe the Wings should make him into a full-time scout, instead of a 4th line jobber.

BTW, what's the age difference between him and Hossa? I figured Hossa was at least 6 or 7 years older than Kopecky, which would have made him too old to be hanging out with Kopecky as kids.

[Guest Dump-N-Thump]

I GOT MY HOSSA SHIRT-JERSYE LIKE 2 WEEKS AGO? WDF SLOW POKES.

and theres a kopecky update, he's been skating for hte past 2 weeks, so theres a big chance he's ready for oct.9th.. i hope he lets it rest though.

[Heaton 1]

It's good to see that Kopecky can at least do something which is useful for a change. Maybe the Wings should make him into a full-time scout, instead of a 4th line jobber.

BTW, what's the age difference between him and Hossa? I figured Hossa was at least 6 or 7 years older than Kopecky, which would have made him too old to be hanging out with Kopecky as kids.

Kopecky was friends with Hossa's younger brother first so I'm assuming that's how they became friends.

[HkyTwn 5]

That's really exciting

[toby91_ca 620]

BTW, what's the age difference between him and Hossa? I figured Hossa was at least 6 or 7 years older than Kopecky, which would have made him too old to be hanging out with Kopecky as kids.

Hossa is only 3 years older, it just seems like he is 6 or 7 years older because he's been around the league since he was 19 and Kopecky just completed his first year at the age of 25.

Hossa is 1 year younger than Datsyuk, but has played 701 games vs. Datsyuk's 445 and compared to Zetterberg's 255 (he's only 1 year older than Zetterberg).

Game experience makes you seem older. Take Crosby for example (not that he seems older yet, but...) he's already played in 213 games (he also missed 29 games last year) and he is 7 years younger than Zetterberg.

For something really funny to think about, when Gretzky was Kopecky's (who's just getting started) age, he had already played 632 games and racked up 543 goals and 1,520 points.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Hossa is only 3 years older, it just seems like he is 6 or 7 years older because he's been around the league since he was 19 and Kopecky just completed his first year at the age of 25.

Hossa is 1 year younger than Datsyuk, but has played 701 games vs. Datsyuk's 445 and compared to Zetterberg's 255 (he's only 1 year older than Zetterberg).

Game experience makes you seem older. Take Crosby for example (not that he seems older yet, but...) he's already played in 213 games (he also missed 29 games last year) and he is 7 years younger than Zetterberg.

For something really funny to think about, when Gretzky was Kopecky's (who's just getting started) age, he had already played 632 games and racked up 543 goals and 1,520 points.

Which proves my theory that Kopecky sucks.

[b.shanafan14 733]

Which proves my theory that Kopecky sucks.

If everyone worse than Gretzky sucks, everyone sucks.

[Dabura 12,232]

If everyone worse than Gretzky sucks, everyone sucks.

That's enough anti-enforcing out of you.

[Guest Dump-N-Thump]

Which proves my theory that Kopecky sucks.

How can you say Kopecky sucks, I mean he is 1 of the few consistent checkers we have on this team. He may not scrap but he is solid defensivly, shows glimpses offensivly. and can throw his weight around a tad.. So chill with the Koko hate. and Up with the Hudler hate

[Namingway 146]

How can you say Kopecky sucks, I mean he is 1 of the few consistent checkers we have on this team. He may not scrap but he is solid defensivly, shows glimpses offensivly. and can throw his weight around a tad.. So chill with the Koko hate. and Up with the Hudler hate

Bah, I can't hate on anyone that's playing for the Wings

but I'm with you about the Kopecky thing. Last season he led our team in hits and he wasn't even there for the whole thing.

I think Kopecky deserves a little more credit. Sure we won the cup without him but he did help us out in his own ways

[YoungGuns1340 1]

As much as it may have helped to have Kopecky on the team, I have a feeling that Hossa was going to sign with the Wings no matter what, considering the terms of his contract. You don't turn down guaranteed millions over what youre making simply to play on the same team with a guy who you likely won't even see ice time with.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

How can you say Kopecky sucks, I mean he is 1 of the few consistent checkers we have on this team. He may not scrap but he is solid defensivly, shows glimpses offensivly. and can throw his weight around a tad.. So chill with the Koko hate. and Up with the Hudler hate

Or, how about not bashing or ripping on somebody with no logic or reasoning whatsoever, in this case Hudler, when they stepped their play up when the games counted most, especially given limited playoff time.

I'm probably going to regret asking this, but what is your deal not liking him anyway?

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Like I said before, I will put up with terrible Kopecky for 20 games, if we get Hossa, and most likely another Cup. I can use a Step Brothers quote here, "Your just here because the Wings decided that we could bring in an all star and try to win another Cup, and put up with the retard" Who retard?" "You are! "HEY YOU DON SAY DAT!"

Sorry, I just love that movie. (Referring to the part of the movie where Dale and Brennan are talking to each other about his mom )

[toby91_ca 620]

Bah, I can't hate on anyone that's playing for the Wings

but I'm with you about the Kopecky thing. Last season he led our team in hits and he wasn't even there for the whole thing.

I think Kopecky deserves a little more credit. Sure we won the cup without him but he did help us out in his own ways

He was 3rd on the team in hits and played on 2 fewer games than the leader and 5 more games than 2nd place.

[Guest Dump-N-Thump]

Or, how about not bashing or ripping on somebody with no logic or reasoning whatsoever, in this case Hudler, when they stepped their play up when the games counted most, especially given limited playoff time.

I'm probably going to regret asking this, but what is your deal not liking him anyway?

He's more of a specialist, then an everyday offensive threat. Like if he isn't scoring, he is invisible. He doesn't make any glaring mistakes but His D game isn't that great.. his size really limits his defensive impact.. When he got a solid amount of playing time last year, He didn't pull his weight which is why he found himself back on the 4th line and the only time he made noise was with 4th line minutes and pp time.

I dont HATE hudler, I would just rather see other people play instead.. I mean i cheered for Rex alot last year, Im not going to say i didn't, But for a 4th liner, I'd rather see an energy player who crashes and bangs and brings emotion into the game. If he could produce consistantly and played a solid 2-way game, like Flipper,Zette,Dats i would have no problem with him, But his 2-way game isn't that great imo..

Edited September 9, 2008 by Dump-N-Thump

[norrisnick 1]

Hossa is only 3 years older, it just seems like he is 6 or 7 years older because he's been around the league since he was 19 and Kopecky just completed his first year at the age of 25.

Hossa is 1 year younger than Datsyuk, but has played 701 games vs. Datsyuk's 445 and compared to Zetterberg's 255 (he's only 1 year older than Zetterberg).

Game experience makes you seem older. Take Crosby for example (not that he seems older yet, but...) he's already played in 213 games (he also missed 29 games last year) and he is 7 years younger than Zetterberg.

For something really funny to think about, when Gretzky was Kopecky's (who's just getting started) age, he had already played 632 games and racked up 543 goals and 1,520 points.

You're 100 shy on Zetterberg. 355 is his total. Since the lockout Z has 215 games to Sid's 213.

[b.shanafan14 733]

You're 100 shy on Zetterberg. 355 is his total. Since the lockout Z has 215 games to Sid's 213.

I knew that was fishy, but was too lazy to look up the numbers. thanks.

[toby91_ca 620]

You're 100 shy on Zetterberg. 355 is his total. Since the lockout Z has 215 games to Sid's 213.

Yeah, I noticed that as I was reading the highlighted part in your quote. My finger must have slipped to the left when I tried to hit the 3.

My point was though, that Crosby, for example, will have played far more games in the NHL by the time he's Zetterberg's age or Datsyuk's age than those two have played so far. Yes, they missed a year due to the lockout, but even considering that, he'll still have far more games anyway.

Lecavalier is another guy I can see people thinking is a little older, although, he's really only come through as a star in most people's eyes the last few years. He's younger than Datsyuk and only a few months older than Zetterberg and he's already played 710 games.

[Kp-Wings 3]

Which proves my theory that Kopecky sucks.

You really know how to get everyone worked up. Nice job.

[chrisdetroit 189]

He's more of a specialist, then an everyday offensive threat. Like if he isn't scoring, he is invisible. He doesn't make any glaring mistakes but His D game isn't that great.. his size really limits his defensive impact.. When he got a solid amount of playing time last year, He didn't pull his weight which is why he found himself back on the 4th line and the only time he made noise was with 4th line minutes and pp time.

I dont HATE hudler, I would just rather see other people play instead.. I mean i cheered for Rex alot last year, Im not going to say i didn't, But for a 4th liner, I'd rather see an energy player who crashes and bangs and brings emotion into the game. If he could produce consistantly and played a solid 2-way game, like Flipper,Zette,Dats i would have no problem with him, But his 2-way game isn't that great imo..

Rex finished 4th among forwards in points for in the most important games - the playoffs. Behind Z, Dats and Mule. Not bad for a 4th liner.

[Guest Dump-N-Thump]

Right.

[Inultus 12]

My point was though, that Crosby, for example, will have played far more games in the NHL by the time he's Zetterberg's age or Datsyuk's age than those two have played so far. Yes, they missed a year due to the lockout, but even considering that, he'll still have far more games anyway.

Maybe Crosby has played a lot of games but he doesn't seem any older to me because his leadership isn't there and I think that's where experience comes into play.