Time to line up for your crow.

[uk_redwing 495]

I'll only eat crow once Ive seen the statistical evidence from an unnecassarily long winded and annoyingly fonted post from eva.

[eva unit zero 271]

I'll only eat crow once Ive seen the statistical evidence from an unnecassarily long winded and annoyingly fonted post from eva.

Nice timing, uk.

As possibly the only LGW member who has supported Kopecky since before he played a single NHL game, I can say that development into a second line power forward is something I was expecting. I wouldn't say he is there yet, but he is well on his way the way he has been playing.

Kopecky has been consistently improving all areas of his game over the past few years when he has been healthy, which cannot necessarily be said of all team members. He is one of the few forwards who can play center or either wing, and can play both special teams effectively. He's not a star, but he's a useful utility part of the team and for the skills he brings you won't find anyone cheaper in the NHL.

I just hope Holland can get him extended for the league minimum or close for several years before the playoffs, because Kopecky is better now than any UFA you'll find at that price, and Kop is improving.

[Echolalia 2,961]

As possibly the only LGW member who has supported Kopecky since before he played a single NHL game

Sorry Eva, I've been there with you since day one, or at least since I've known enough of him to make an opinion.

Edited March 4, 2009 by Echolalia

[Mors 201]

The guy gets a whopping 5 points (26 in his entire career) and now he's an up and coming second line power forward at age 27?

You guys are hilarious, I can go to sleep amused tonight.

Honestly, I'll hope for the best.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Didn't we have a topic like this when Kopecky was bumped up to the 1st line/1st PP unit, had 1 goal on the PP - what was thought to be 2 - and suddenly he was the 2nd coming of Franzen?

The guy is 27. He has 16 points on the season. He has to do a lot more than pull of a 3 point night or have a mini hot streak to warrant a crow eating thread.

At this point, hes nothing more than the 10th most skilled guy on a team packed full of skilled guys. Every game, he looks more and more like George Laraque circa his "I'm not going to fight because I want to be considered a skilled forward" Edmonton days. Hes giving us skill and pretty plays, which is nice, but if thats what hes going to be, I'd rather see him shipped for a pick and replace him with a guy who actually agitates, fights, or pulls off quality hits instead of mere quantity. We have enough skill - we need balance.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

I think it is WAY to early to make a judgement on Kopy or Ozzie, but since we are so quick to jump on them when they screw up we might as well me equally quick to jump on them when they do a great job!

I'm happy for his sudden surge in production...but don't get it twisted, he's gonna have to keep up his progress before I admit any error in my previous statements about him.

See the area I highlighted in Booster's comments. They hit the nail on the head. I certainly don't anticipate this kind of production to be an sort of norm for Kopecky (he looks like a career banger no matter how you slice it- anything else is an unexpected bonus). That doesn't mean we can't give him a virtual pat on the back, especially considering how he's generally viewed on these forums (with good reason- he really is one of it not the weakest links on the team).

Definitely premature,

This thread should be about Hudler IMO

Nope. I've been shouting Hudler's praises since the 06-07 season. There's no need for me to post this kind of thread about someone I've liked since they played in Grand Rapids.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Tonight's a special case that should be disregarded. My guess is that kopy was playing with emotion due to hossa's injury, and babcock played into it.... Kopy being on the ice at that time (during special teams play) is evidence of it.

We're all aware that this isn't the norm in regards to Kopy, but that doesn't preclude us from giving him a pat on the back and admitting he exceeded our expectations, even if only for a brief time.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Didn't we have a topic like this when Kopecky was bumped up to the 1st line/1st PP unit, had 1 goal on the PP - what was thought to be 2 - and suddenly he was the 2nd coming of Franzen?

The guy is 27. He has 16 points on the season. He has to do a lot more than pull of a 3 point night or have a mini hot streak to warrant a crow eating thread.

At this point, hes nothing more than the 10th most skilled guy on a team packed full of skilled guys. Every game, he looks more and more like George Laraque circa his "I'm not going to fight because I want to be considered a skilled forward" Edmonton days. Hes giving us skill and pretty plays, which is nice, but if thats what hes going to be, I'd rather see him shipped for a pick and replace him with a guy who actually agitates, fights, or pulls off quality hits instead of mere quantity. We have enough skill - we need balance.

You must not be including defensemen in your skill rankings.

He's still been playing great since being benched. It's only fair to give credit where it's due. I'm not saying he's a top six forward, just that he's been playing the best hockey of his NHL career over the last two weeks.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

The guy gets a whopping 5 points (26 in his entire career) and now he's an up and coming second line power forward at age 27?

You guys are hilarious, I can go to sleep amused tonight.

Honestly, I'll hope for the best.

I'll give Eva the benefit of the doubt given his excellent case history.

[elriqo28 2]

So... Kopecky. 1 goal, 2 assists and a +2 tonight. He's put 6 points up in his last 5 games. That's a damn nice stretch of hockey for someone almost everyone gave up on.

Yeah- I'll eat my crow for saying Kopecky should be shown out of town. Turns out Kopecky needs confidence and a full season of play to really get up to speed. He looked great out there tonight and has looked great for a few weeks now.

I just hope he can keep this play up until June

He's doing more than enough for a 4th liner. I don't know why people wouldn't want him. He is cheap and probably the most skilled player on the 4th line. Not as good defensively as Maltby or Draper, but a lot more offensive ability. Plus if he has to he can be physical. I understand that as a prospect he was supposed to be so much more than what he has turned out to be, but as long as he is willing to be paid nothing, there is no reason not to keep him.

[Grim 5]

He's doing more than enough for a 4th liner. I don't know why people wouldn't want him. He is cheap and probably the most skilled player on the 4th line. Not as good defensively as Maltby or Draper, but a lot more offensive ability. Plus if he has to he can be physical. I understand that as a prospect he was supposed to be so much more than what he has turned out to be, but as long as he is willing to be paid nothing, there is no reason not to keep him.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Considering I've never had anything but confidence in Kopecky's game, I'm not sure what I've got to own up to.

I'll say this, he's come on something fierce in the last three games. If he can keep half of this kinda effort up he might just win me over.

[Guest mindfly]

Nope he's still pretty useless, every player get on hot streaks once in a while... if he fought, had more muscle, power and grit and didn't fell every time when he layed hits he would be better but i dont like his style of play.

[XxGoWingsxX 0]

Tell me please WHAT does eat crow mean? i mean obviously you said something wrong and you're paying for it lol but whats with the "CROW"? I've wondered this forever. Thanks

[The Secret 304]

I'll give him the credit on producing. But man is he weak.

He's finally put together a few productive games but I'm not convinced. The guy is physically weak and weak on his skates. I will give him credit for the few good games he's had... finally! But I am not ready to eat anything and still feel that we have way better options available and I would still gladly hold the exit door to make it easier for Kopecky to leave.

[lets go pavel 2]

Tell me please WHAT does eat crow mean? i mean obviously you said something wrong and you're paying for it lol but whats with the "CROW"? I've wondered this forever. Thanks

from Wikipedia:

"Eating crow (archaically, eatin boiled crow) is an English idiom meaning humiliation by admitting wrongness or having been proven wrong after taking a strong position.

It is most likely an Americanization of the English “to eat humble pie.” The English phrase is something of a pun—“umbles” were the intestines, offal and other less valued meats of a deer. Pies made of this were known to be served to those of lesser class who did not eat at the king’s/lord’s/governor’s table.

It may also be the American version of "umble," since the Oxford English Dictionary defines crow (sb3) as meaning 'intestine or mesentery of an animal' and cites usages from the 1600s into the 1800s (e.g., Farley, Lond Art of Cookery: "the harslet, which consists of the liver, crow, kidneys, and skirts."

Another dish likely to be served with humble pie is rook pie (rooks being closely related to crows). This may be another clue as to how humble pie became boiled crow."

... but what's really important is that it tastes great!

Edited March 4, 2009 by lets go pavel

[55fan 5,133]

Tell me please WHAT does eat crow mean? i mean obviously you said something wrong and you're paying for it lol but whats with the "CROW"? I've wondered this forever. Thanks

Here you go: eat crow

Ignore this, it's the same as lets go pavel's.

Great minds think alike, eh?

Edited March 4, 2009 by 55fan

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

I'm pretending to give Kopecky an awkward hommie bear hug right now.

Edited March 4, 2009 by SouthernWingsFan

[b.shanafan14 733]

One good night amongst a season of flop does not a good player make.

[XxGoWingsxX 0]

Here you go: eat crow

Ignore this, it's the same as lets go pavel's.

Great minds think alike, eh?

Thank you pavel and 55fan, i appreciate the reply with no flames attatched to it. Very mature of you both.

[3chrisosgood0 7]

im not ready to say Kopeckys any good yet

if he plays well for the rest of the year and play offs id be willing to change my opinion

but id still rather

Abdelkator, downey, leino, helm in that spot on a consistant basis

[egroen 384]

I was big on Kopecky when he was in GR, liked him last year where he seemed to play with more of a chip on his shoulder and defended him in the first couple months of this year. But I fell pretty solidly off that bandwagon midway through season where he proved to be almost entirely useless for long stretches at a time. I wondered if it was still his knee, and maybe it was, but I'll need more than a handful of good games to hop back on. At this point, I still could care less if he is on or off next year's team.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

What is the meaning of this thread?

Kopecky has sucked all year, and last night was the exception. Is the OP actually criticizing us for being hard on a player who's done nothing all year but take up a roster spot?

[Frozen-Man 144]

Tell me please WHAT does eat crow mean? i mean obviously you said something wrong and you're paying for it lol but whats with the "CROW"? I've wondered this forever. Thanks

Nobody really knows where it came from there are some stories about American and British soldiers during the war of 1812 forcing each other to eat crows but from what I have read most likely it just comes from the fact that crow is supposed to taste really really bad. Sorry I can't give you a better answer.

[OsGOD 3]

Good god talking crow already... great way to stand behind your words!!! why don't you say something and mean it instead of always saying "time to eat my crow" how does ONE game sway your opinion so much?!?!?!

oh well... no crow for me please, i don't believe in it.. and it doesn't taste like chicken

ps... if this is the case where is all the crow for all the Ozzie naysayers... i mean in ONE game he just got a SHUTOUT?!