Is Kindl following Ericsson’s footsteps?

[Guest mindfly]

TRAVERSE CITY – Jonathan Ericsson is one part defenseman, one part seer. At least that’s how it look early last season to Jakub Kindl.

Ericsson and Kindl were both defensemen with the Grand Rapids Griffins and two of the Detroit Red Wings’ highest regarded prospects. Kindl was coming off a rookie season as a professional that wasn’t very good. Ericsson was coming off his second season as a pro … one during which he was named an American Hockey League all-star.

“You’re going to have the same kind of year I had last year,†Ericsson told Kindl. “I can see that in you.â€

Ericsson was prophetic.

Teammates with the Griffins last winter, it was Kindl who played in the AHL all-star game, not Ericsson.

Ericsson’s career by no means went backwards. The big blue-liner got a late-season call-up from the Red Wings and never returned to the minors. He played 19 regular-season games, then 22 more in the playoffs. Ericsson was on the ice in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final and there’s not much more praise that an organization can give than that.

Now at Red Wings’ training camp together, Kindl is hoping to follow Ericsson’s path some more.

Ericsson is slated to be with the Red Wings at the start of the season. Kindl is likely heading to Grand Rapids as the ninth defenseman on the Detroit depth chart.

“I would rather and I think they would rather too that I play 20 minutes in Grand Rapids than be one of eight defensemen in the NHL and hardly play,†said Kindl.

That was the logic used in keeping Ericsson in Grand Rapids for three seasons. That’s likely Kindl’s fate for the better part of this season.

“He knows what it’s all about,†said Ericsson. “It took me a few seasons. I think he would like to follow the same steps that I did. He knows that they will be patient, give him time to be really ready when he gets the call.â€

One difference between Kindl and Ericsson is this. Ericsson came to the Red Wings as the final pick of the entire NHL draft. Kindl was the 19th overall selection in the 2005 NHL draft.

That makes Kindl the Red Wings’ highest draft pick in the past 18 years. You have to go back to Martin Lapointe being taken 10th overall in 1991 to find a higher-drafted Red Wing.

“He certainly has a great chance,†said Jiri Fischer, the Red Wings’ director of player development, who was the 25th overall pick in 1998. “In our organization, everybody has to earn the chance, then everybody has to grab the chance. I think he’s on the right path, the way he’s been working and progressing. I’m hoping he’s going to have a good camp and good season as he did last year, as long as he keeps working.â€

Kindl has always been an impact offensive defenseman. He generated offense as a youth in his native Czech Republic and in juniors with the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League.

His rookie season with Grand Rapids, however, Kindl found that defensive lapses meant something different in the pro game.

“In juniors, you can have a few turnovers and nothing happens,†said Kindl. “In pro, you do that it ends up in your own net.â€

That changed in Kindl’s sophomore season.

“He made tremendous progress,†said Fischer. “Confidence wise I think he really established himself in the American Hockey League. For young defensemen, we look for steadiness, no turnovers, leadership. He’s very offensively gifted, very smart.â€

Despite his tools and his all-star season, Kindl still hasn’t played in the NHL. That makes him one of six of the 30 first-rounders of 2005 – a draft that produced Sidney Crosby, Carey Price and Anze Kopitar — that hasn’t debuted in the NHL.

Kindl has watched players taken after him, like Andrew Cogliano of Edmonton, Matt Niskanen of Dallas and Marc-Edouard Vlasic of San Jose, all get significant opportunities. One difference, however, between those players and Kindl is that they’re not playing the NHL’s most successful organization.

“There were guys drafted behind me who have had a chance to play in the NHL,†said Kindl. “But none of them were lucky enough to wear a Red Wings uniform. That’s what I’m looking forward to.â€

The Red Wings signed Kindl for three seasons after this to a one-way contract, just as Ericsson got a one-way deal before last season. And just as Ericsson did at training camp last fall, Kindl skated as Nicklas Lidstrom’s partner during the first day of drills.

“Of course my dream was to make it to the NHL,†said Kindl. “It didn’t happen the first year or the second year. Now this is my third year as a pro. Jonathan Ericsson made the team finally after playing three years in Grand Rapids. Hopefully after him, it will be my chance. I have to be patient.â€

Come on Jakub, you can do it! I'm really looking forward to follow his season and I think he can progress well this season and be in a winged wheel next season.

[seeinred 1,488]

Nice, I love that bolded quote by Kindl. Really excited to see how he pans out.

[thedisappearer 291]

Best bolded quote EVAH!

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Come on Jakub, you can do it! I'm really looking forward to follow his season and I think he can progress well this season and be in a winged wheel next season.

Man I hope he can follow in Ericsson's footsteps but to do so he'll have to become competent defensively. He's definitely an offensively gifted guy but his attention to defensive positioning is severely lacking. He's still young, though, and being defensively weak is a common problem for young d-men. Kindl just needs to stay focused and learn to play with his maximum intensity every night. So far he's been lucky in terms of health (knock on wood!) so he's had tons of experience at the pro level for a 2nd year AHL player.

At this point the depth chart for D-men looks like this:

1. Lidstrom

2. Rafalski

3. Kronwall

4a. Stuart

4b. Ericsson (Based on his play in the playoffs, it looks like Ericsson can jump over Stuart this season)

6. Lilja (2010 UFA)

7. Lebda (2010 UFA-- due for a raise and thus will lose pretty much the only thing keeping him here--price)

8. Meech (2010 RFA-- gonezo unless Lilja impresses and is willing to stay for around his current salary)

Kindl won't play in Detroit next year unless he's secured a spot in the top 6. (He's too valuable to have sitting in the pressbox when he could be developing in GR and the 10-11 season will be his last year with waiver free status)

Assuming Lilja comes back and plays well we know Lebda won't be in Detroit next year.

So basically, Kindl has to have any of the following happen:

--> Outplay Lilja and Meech in training camp next year

--> Stuart gets traded because Ericsson plays him out of a top 4 job AND Holland decides Stuart isn't worth paying 3.75 million to to play on the 3rd pairing while he waits for Lidstrom to retire (since Stuart will be a valuable piece when Lidstrom retires and the top 4 is suddenly about 80% less impresive). Holland needs to decide if he'll try to "replace" Lidstrom via a trade or free agency (replace being used loosely since no one in the league is could replace Lidstrom) or whether he thinks Kronwall has progressed enough to move up to the top pairing and Ericsson/Stuart is a strong enough second pairing. Based on Kronwall's progression I believe he'll be good enough to play on the top line when Lidstrom eventually retires (hopefully he signs a two year deal at the end of this season or even stays longer-- I'd rather he gradually phases himself out than just leave so close to his peak). This situation is dependant on Lidstrom's plans after this season and Stuart, Kronwall, Rafalski and Ericsson's play this season.

--> Lilja doesn't return to form, Lebda out prices himself and Meech doesn't prove he's more than a 7th d-man. In this case Kindl's the only viable option within the organization baring a monster season by Kolosov.

--> Kindl plays so well in the AHL this season that leaving him in GR would be stupid.

If you look at the depth chart below Meech we see this (note that I've ignored Delmore since he's retchedly bad defensively and Janik because he's a 29 year old spare part and not a future piece of the organization):

9. Kindl [22 years old]

10. Kolosov [23] (Strong AHL season last year-- considered most improved player on the Griffins by many)

11. Smith [20] (hasn't played pro yet and won't until next season at the earliest, so unlikely to jump in sooner)

12. Lashoff [19] (OHL last year, playing in the OHL this season too)

13. Nicastro [19] (USHL last year, will play for Boston in the NCAA this season)

14. Pyett [21] (struggled mightily in his rookie AHL season-- looking to bounce back big this season)

15. Piche [21] (QMJHL last year, will be an AHL rookie this year)

16. Ehrhardt [20] (WHL last year, I assume he'll still be in the WHL this season)

17. Rufenach [20] (NCAA last year, will stay in the NCAA this season)

(note that I haven't included 09 picks in this list because the odds of them pushing past Kindl in one year are minuscule when it comes to the Red Wings and how they develop prospects)

So realistically, Kindl's only going to face competition from guys who've played in the AHL if he's trying to win a spot next year (assuming a non-AHL d-man doesn't blow him away in camp and the preseason, but a youngin' hasn't made the team that way since Fischer). Well those d-men only really include Kolosov, Pyett and Piche. Piche is a rookie this season and doesn't really project as more than a 3rd pairing d-man so I doubt Kindl has much to worry about. Pyett would have to have the bounce back season of the century to pass Kindl and Kolosov would have to drastically increase his offensive production (although his defensive game is coming along nicely and he's a very physical player who seems committed to improving and playing hard every night, so Kindl might have to worry about him if he can't put together a strong season this year).

Man, I wish I got bonus points for rambling my way into posts of this ridiculous length.

[The Mule 0]

Kindl will be a star. Mark my words.

[Zion 93]

If I hear one more reference to Stuart being traded, I will lose my mind.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

If I hear one more reference to Stuart being traded, I will lose my mind.

Everyone knows trading Lidstrom is where it's at.

[Echolalia 2,961]

It sounds like he's a team-first type of player in the same sense that Zetterberg, Lidstrom, Datsyuk, and now Leino and Ericsson seem to be. He's not about playing for the glory or the money, he's about doing what's best for the team, even if it means self sacrifice.

[Broken 16 381]

It sounds like he's a team-first type of player in the same sense that Zetterberg, Lidstrom, Datsyuk, and now Leino and Ericsson seem to be. He's not about playing for the glory or the money, he's about doing what's best for the team, even if it means self sacrifice.

Let's not get carried away...

[Echolalia 2,961]

Let's not get carried away...

How about this: he's not about chasing down the highest bidder or the team that can promise him the most minutes. He buys into the Wings philosophy.

[Broken 16 381]

How about this: he's not about chasing down the highest bidder or the team that can promise him the most minutes. He buys into the Wings philosophy.

Ya... I'm loving the quotes coming out lately. Everyone seems really focused.

[Dominator2005 558]

Man I hope he can follow in Ericsson's footsteps but to do so he'll have to become competent defensively. He's definitely an offensively gifted guy but his attention to defensive positioning is severely lacking. He's still young, though, and being defensively weak is a common problem for young d-men. Kindl just needs to stay focused and learn to play with his maximum intensity every night. So far he's been lucky in terms of health (knock on wood!) so he's had tons of experience at the pro level for a 2nd year AHL player.

At this point the depth chart for D-men looks like this:

1. Lidstrom

2. Rafalski

3. Kronwall

4a. Stuart

4b. Ericsson (Based on his play in the playoffs, it looks like Ericsson can jump over Stuart this season)

6. Lilja (2010 UFA)

7. Lebda (2010 UFA-- due for a raise and thus will lose pretty much the only thing keeping him here--price)

8. Meech (2010 RFA-- gonezo unless Lilja impresses and is willing to stay for around his current salary)

Kindl won't play in Detroit next year unless he's secured a spot in the top 6. (He's too valuable to have sitting in the pressbox when he could be developing in GR and the 10-11 season will be his last year with waiver free status)

Assuming Lilja comes back and plays well we know Lebda won't be in Detroit next year.

So basically, Kindl has to have any of the following happen:

--> Outplay Lilja and Meech in training camp next year

--> Stuart gets traded because Ericsson plays him out of a top 4 job AND Holland decides Stuart isn't worth paying 3.75 million to to play on the 3rd pairing while he waits for Lidstrom to retire (since Stuart will be a valuable piece when Lidstrom retires and the top 4 is suddenly about 80% less impresive). Holland needs to decide if he'll try to "replace" Lidstrom via a trade or free agency (replace being used loosely since no one in the league is could replace Lidstrom) or whether he thinks Kronwall has progressed enough to move up to the top pairing and Ericsson/Stuart is a strong enough second pairing. Based on Kronwall's progression I believe he'll be good enough to play on the top line when Lidstrom eventually retires (hopefully he signs a two year deal at the end of this season or even stays longer-- I'd rather he gradually phases himself out than just leave so close to his peak). This situation is dependant on Lidstrom's plans after this season and Stuart, Kronwall, Rafalski and Ericsson's play this season.

--> Lilja doesn't return to form, Lebda out prices himself and Meech doesn't prove he's more than a 7th d-man. In this case Kindl's the only viable option within the organization baring a monster season by Kolosov.

--> Kindl plays so well in the AHL this season that leaving him in GR would be stupid.

If you look at the depth chart below Meech we see this (note that I've ignored Delmore since he's retchedly bad defensively and Janik because he's a 29 year old spare part and not a future piece of the organization):

9. Kindl [22 years old]

10. Kolosov [23] (Strong AHL season last year-- considered most improved player on the Griffins by many)

11. Smith [20] (hasn't played pro yet and won't until next season at the earliest, so unlikely to jump in sooner)

12. Lashoff [19] (OHL last year, playing in the OHL this season too)

13. Nicastro [19] (USHL last year, will play for Boston in the NCAA this season)

14. Pyett [21] (struggled mightily in his rookie AHL season-- looking to bounce back big this season)

15. Piche [21] (QMJHL last year, will be an AHL rookie this year)

16. Ehrhardt [20] (WHL last year, I assume he'll still be in the WHL this season)

17. Rufenach [20] (NCAA last year, will stay in the NCAA this season)

(note that I haven't included 09 picks in this list because the odds of them pushing past Kindl in one year are minuscule when it comes to the Red Wings and how they develop prospects)

So realistically, Kindl's only going to face competition from guys who've played in the AHL if he's trying to win a spot next year (assuming a non-AHL d-man doesn't blow him away in camp and the preseason, but a youngin' hasn't made the team that way since Fischer). Well those d-men only really include Kolosov, Pyett and Piche. Piche is a rookie this season and doesn't really project as more than a 3rd pairing d-man so I doubt Kindl has much to worry about. Pyett would have to have the bounce back season of the century to pass Kindl and Kolosov would have to drastically increase his offensive production (although his defensive game is coming along nicely and he's a very physical player who seems committed to improving and playing hard every night, so Kindl might have to worry about him if he can't put together a strong season this year).

Man, I wish I got bonus points for rambling my way into posts of this ridiculous length.

Great post!!!

I would trade Lebda and Meech, give Kindl spot # 6 - with Delmore # 7.

Delmore is going to have NICE SEASON (mark it here)

Then you have Kolosov and Piché (he was GREAT last season in QMJHL) and very SOLID pick up by Detroit!!!

Detroit is VERY DEEP in DEF departement!!!

[Jedi 1,865]

If I hear one more reference to Stuart being traded, I will lose my mind.

Actually, in this case it's more warranted. Stuart's NTC only covers the first two years of his contract, so he is tradeable for 10-11 and 11-12.

I don't think Kenny would actually move him, of course, but it would be possible.

And I'm really looking forward to Kindl cracking the lineup.

[Lamothe 5]

Kindl will be amazing when his time comes. I've been excited for him since we drafted him, and with this article it makes me even more happy with him because he's so proud to be here.

[albo23 10]

Let's trade Stuart and Rafalski.

[VM1138 1,921]

In my NHL 09 dynasty, Kindl in his first season is one of my best defenseman. So naturally that means he will be awesome in real life, too.

Seriously, it seems mroe and more that the "inconsistency' people worried about was simply him adjusting to the game. I think he's going to be everything the Wings hope he will be.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

The poor judgement he sometimes shows is a little worrisome, but hopefully that'll be corrected with experience.

It'll be great to shed some smaller guys like Lebda and Meech and have a decently-sized defensive corps. Even if Kindl isn't overly physical (yet), he'll still be able to use that size in front of his own net and battling in the corners.

[titanium2 867]

The poor judgement he sometimes shows is a little worrisome, but hopefully that'll be corrected with experience.

It'll be great to shed some smaller guys like Lebda and Meech and have a decently-sized defensive corps. Even if Kindl isn't overly physical (yet), he'll still be able to use that size in front of his own net and battling in the corners.

I really hope so in terms of his hockey sense. Maybe starting him out with 3rd pairing minutes will help him play well.

And as far as him being physical, I mean, he'll likely be more physical than Lebda. Take it where you can get it I guess.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

If I hear one more reference to Stuart being traded, I will lose my mind.

In certain instances (for example-- the scenerio I wrote about above) it makes sense to talk about trading Stuart. An NTC does NOT make a player impossible to trade. Players with NTC's have a history of being traded in the NHL-- the player just gets input as to where they go and whether they're willing to be moved.

Because trading him is possible and makes sense in certain situations you should plan to lose your mind, because people will still talk about it and some of those people will make some sense.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Great post!!!

I would trade Lebda and Meech, give Kindl spot # 6 - with Delmore # 7.

Delmore is going to have NICE SEASON (mark it here)

Then you have Kolosov and Piché (he was GREAT last season in QMJHL) and very SOLID pick up by Detroit!!!

Detroit is VERY DEEP in DEF departement!!!

To be fair, though, I've heard people call him An_y _elmore (in other words-- where's the d?). Apparently he's pretty weak in his own end.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Seriously, it seems mroe and more that the "inconsistency' people worried about was simply him adjusting to the game. I think he's going to be everything the Wings hope he will be.

The inconsistency people talk of refers to how he played lights out for half of last season then became one of the worst d-men on the team in the second half. For example, Griffinscentral.com said the following:

First half report card:

Jakub Kindl B

Kindl rebounded from an abysmal rookie season to become one of the top blueliners on the team. His offensive game has come online faster than expected and he ranks fourth in the league in scoring with 25 points, earning him an all-star game starting nod. He routinely mans the point on the #1 powerplay unit and shows off his low, hard point shot which he can get away quickly. His play without the puck had shown much improvement until recently when he started to backslide to a defensive corps worst -9. If he can tighten his play back up and have a strong second half, the future will look bright for Jakub.

Second half report card:

Jakub Kindl D+

Kindl may have been the biggest disappointment of the second half as the organization's top defensive prospect took a big step back in his development. His offensive game and his confidence dried up in January, followed by a string of poor decisions on the ice leaving some to question his hockey sense. Jakub was a turnover machine in the latter stretches of the season, making the same mistakes over and over again. He will need to come out of the gates strong to avoid being passed over on the depth chart.

That kind of inconsistency is pretty shocking, and not really "getting adjusted". He played a full season with GR in 07-08, so he's already had his 82 game adjustment period. This is a case of a player who simply needs to become more consistent, it's as simple as that. His conditioning should've been up to speck last season after his rookie campaign gave him a taste of the league.

[Konnan511 1,736]

[Very long and accurate post]

Man, I wish I got bonus points for rambling my way into posts of this ridiculous length.

Really all he has to do is outplay Meech and Lebda. That way, he gets spot duty during any defenseive injuries. Since he is waiver expempt he can get 1st line AHL minutes and the occasional 3-6 D-Man minutes depending on who is out for the Wings with an injury. If he outplays Meech and Lebda like he nearly did the other season it gives Holland even more of a boost to trade one of our spare parts to make room for Kindl for a call-up.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Really all he has to do is outplay Meech and Lebda. That way, he gets spot duty during any defenseive injuries. Since he is waiver expempt he can get 1st line AHL minutes and the occasional 3-6 D-Man minutes depending on who is out for the Wings with an injury. If he outplays Meech and Lebda like he nearly did the other season it gives Holland even more of a boost to trade one of our spare parts to make room for Kindl for a call-up.

Agreed. I'm expecting a big, big season from Kindl this year.

[Konnan511 1,736]

Agreed. I'm expecting a big, big season from Kindl this year.

I guess with Lilja on LTIR to start the season, Kindl has a legit shot of starting the season with Detroit? I mean, it's not that hard to beat out Lebda and Meech.

[titanium2 867]

I guess with Lilja on LTIR to start the season, Kindl has a legit shot of starting the season with Detroit? I mean, it's not that hard to beat out Lebda and Meech.

It's so easy even a caveman can do it.

Wait... Oh crap...