An Odd Feeling

[HOCKEY MATTERS 167]

didn't a Pred bump Conky just before that? I thought it was a good message....refs don't call a bump on our netminder, weeeellll we'll be crashing yours!

[thegoalie030 0]

There's an appreciable difference between "driving to the net" and "taking a bad penalty."

I agree BAD penalty! Nashville got their momentum from that, scored on THAT powerplay in 8 seconds then quickly scored again to make it a 3-2 game. It almost cost the Wings the game.

[therock48880 14]

I've been wondering if I'm the only person here who does not hate Kopecky. I propose that his whipping boy situation this year is inescapable:

Sammy is playing well on a small contract.

Lilja is playing well on a small contract.

Lebda has been playing better, and doesn't play half the time.

Cheli is too old and doesn't play enough to be a real whipping boy.

Everyone seems to like Meech.

Datsyuk rocks.

Zetterberg rocks.

Hossa rocks.

Lidstrom rocks.

Raffi has high point totals.

Kronwall has good point totals and has been better defensively lately.

Stuart is on IR.

Homer is injured, and is too likable when he isn't.

Hudler has been a surprise.

Franzen is solid.

Flip is one of our top ES point producers.

Cleary PKs well.

Helm has played a handful of games.

Leino has played a handful of games and kicked ass.

Osgood always gets flak regardless of circumstance and is thus exempt.

Conklin has done well.

Draper is a vet and still does faceoffs well.

Maltby gets a lot of leeway for being a vet and playing on the PK.

Kopecky plays on the 4th line with the 2 least offensively talented people on the team and thus doesn't put up numbers: Target sighted!

I actually usually like what I see from this guy (given his role) when he plays. He works hard. He has an acceptable skill set. I think we'd see him on the 3rd line more (And thus putting up better numbers), but we have a very desirable problem: too much talent in the upper echelons. He's thus doing well at filling his current role: thump and bang. In case noone noticed, the 4th line doesn't have crappy +/- because of terrible defense.. it's because their offensive production is so low it's a ******* celebration when Draper scores anything other than an EN.

I keep thinking back to how Kopecky was playing the few weeks before he was injured. He was becoming a physical force on the ice and his ice time was climbing. Whenever someone has a serious knee injury it will often take them up to two years to regain their form, not so much physically as mentally. For those who don't remember him playing well: http://blog.mlive.com/state_sports/2008/04...ps_red_win.html

Considering it hasn't even been a year since he blew his knee out, (April 2, 2008) I think we need to exercise some patience as fans.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Yes, you are alone.

We are all alone in some ways, but on this topic most of us band together. I hope you can join us soon.

[Guest MrSandMan]

There's an appreciable difference between "driving to the net" and "taking a bad penalty."

Which is why I said he is excused for taking the penalty. I want to see him (and other Red Wing players) drive the net more often. It should be encouraged.

We can't help that it was a bad call by the refs.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

We can't help that it was a bad call by the refs.

Well, there's no use in arguing that, being as up for interpretation as it was.

But being argumentative sunnuvabitch that I am, let me say this: Kopecky was going way to fast to stop on a dime an inch in front of Rinne, whether or not he was given a love-tap from behind five feet in front of the cage. I don't think it was intentional or malicious or that Kopecky is a dirty player that runs goalies, but he mis-judged it or something and was destined to slam into him one way or the other.

Edited February 11, 2009 by Heroes of Hockeytown

[esteef 2,679]

Eat THIS Haters!

[Datsyerberger 279]

Well, there's no use in arguing that, being as up for interpretation as it was.

But being argumentative sunnuvabitch that I am, let me say this: Kopecky was going way to fast to stop on a dime an inch in front of Rinne, whether or not he was given a love-tap from behind five feet in front of the cage. I don't think it was intentional or malicious or that Kopecky is a dirty player that runs goalies, but he mis-judged it or something and was destined to slam into him one way or the other.

Actuallly, he was shoved as he was starting to glide to Pepperoni's left. As he was shifting his balance, he got shoved, which is why he lost it so easy... and since it was before his turn really started it was doomed to collide. Had he not been shoved he goes just wide of the net. Thought that was pretty easy to see on the replay.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Ho-hum.

Generally, I'm pretty happy when my 4th liners go unnoticed, because it means they're not making horrible defensive gaffs or gathering up a plethora of stupid penalties.

What? He doesn't score 50+?

What? He doesn't fight often? (Who on the Wings does?)

What? He doesn't commit often to dirty hits in an attempt to make them look 'big'?

What? His line gets scored against every so often?

What? He doesn't rack up PIMs for my fantasy team?

Worthless player.

Haha, thats it? A good hit on Carle. Wow. And on the second one, Kopecky went through the glass, not Gauthier. That 2nd clip is a perfect example of Kopecky being a crappy hitter, and how chipped glass can shatter instantaneously.

I see you have a cute little crush on Kopecky, but at least you got one part right - that hes a worthless player.

PS there are more videos on youtube of Kopecky being hit, than Kopecky dishing a hit - and there are only two of those - both of which you posted.

Edited February 11, 2009 by YoungGuns1340

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Actuallly, he was shoved as he was starting to glide to Pepperoni's left. As he was shifting his balance, he got shoved, which is why he lost it so easy... and since it was before his turn really started it was doomed to collide. Had he not been shoved he goes just wide of the net. Thought that was pretty easy to see on the replay.

I'd take another look if there was a video around, otherwise I'll just have to say I disagree.

[Datsyerberger 279]

I'd take another look if there was a video around, otherwise I'll just have to say I disagree.

I'm sorta surprised there isn't, actually. Big collisions usually make it onto youtube.

Then again, it's the Preds.. who cares?

[Glubki 17]

It was a bad penalty but it still cracks me up....

[Echolalia 2,961]

I like Kopecky for the price and the cap situation that the team is in. He's a cheap fourth liner who knows his role and fits it nicely. Holland could go out and spend 2M on a fourth liner who knows how to score occasionally and fights on a regular basis, but thats 2M less that he can use for Franzen, Hossa, Hudler, etc. Kopecky is a good economic player, which is what the Wings need.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

If that same play was Hossa, we wouldn't be having this debate. Only because of the name on the back of the jersey is why some view it as a bad play.

Nah.

[steveyzerman 0]

Kopecky > Sammy

[titanium2 867]

Looks like we're grooming the new whipping boy now that Sammy's likely gone and Lilja's finally a player.

[chrisdetroit 189]

The bitching about Kopy sounds just like what we heard on LGW all last year about Dallas Drake.

Until the playoffs started.....

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

I keep thinking back to how Kopecky was playing the few weeks before he was injured. He was becoming a physical force on the ice and his ice time was climbing. Whenever someone has a serious knee injury it will often take them up to two years to regain their form, not so much physically as mentally. For those who don't remember him playing well: http://blog.mlive.com/state_sports/2008/04...ps_red_win.html

Considering it hasn't even been a year since he blew his knee out, (April 2, 2008) I think we need to exercise some patience as fans.

Nicely stated.

Remember after Jiri Fischer messed his knee up pretty bad? He certainly had his fair share of struggles coming back from a knee injury. I blew out my knee and it's been close to 5 years since I had reconstructive surgery on it and it still doesn't feel right 100% sometimes.

It wouldn't kill me to see him go, but not everybody is going to put up 80 points a year or have 50 fighting majors. If you are on the 4th line I better not hear as much about you at least in the con category. That means you are doing your job. I don't hear much about Kopecky from the con category accept for people in here who overanalyze like it is another full time job for them.

Again he's not my favorite but he's not going to be noticed much being on the 4th line. I know I'm probably in the minority thinking this but if you (not you specifically rock) don't like it, that's not my problem. I get that people think he is terrible, it's only been said about 5003234 times in here. If he was so terrible he wouldn't be playing on the team right now and he could've been easily put on waivers despite the cap situation. And spare me the whole best friends for life situation with Hossa. That means nothing.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Kopecky > Sammy

Based on what?

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

The bitching about Kopy sounds just like what we heard on LGW all last year about Dallas Drake.

Until the playoffs started.....

Right, because Kopecky has been waiting his whole career to win the Cup, which explains why he plays so physical all the time, and gets into a few fights here and there.

Come off it man, there's no comparison between those 2 players.

[therock48880 14]

Nicely stated.

Remember after Jiri Fischer messed his knee up pretty bad? He certainly had his fair share of struggles coming back from a knee injury. I blew out my knee and it's been close to 5 years since I had reconstructive surgery on it and it still doesn't feel right 100% sometimes.

It wouldn't kill me to see him go, but not everybody is going to put up 80 points a year or have 50 fighting majors. If you are on the 4th line I better not hear as much about you at least in the con category. That means you are doing your job. I don't hear much about Kopecky from the con category accept for people in here who overanalyze like it is another full time job for them.

Again he's not my favorite but he's not going to be noticed much being on the 4th line. I know I'm probably in the minority thinking this but if you (not you specifically rock) don't like it, that's not my problem. I get that people think he is terrible, it's only been said about 5003234 times in here. If he was so terrible he wouldn't be playing on the team right now and he could've been easily put on waivers despite the cap situation. And spare me the whole best friends for life situation with Hossa. That means nothing.

I had forgotten about Fischer's knee problems. He was horrible the year following his surgery and gradually improved from there. I agree with you, I'm not a huge fan of Kopecky when he's playing like he is now. However, I think it'd be worth signing him to a small contract based on how he was playing before he was injured. Plus, it would help with re-signing Hossa. I had my knee done last March and I'm not even close to 100%, I can't imagine how he only missed 4 months of playing time.

[Spinner 6]

I don't hate Kopi, I just see all the talent we have waiting in G.R.