newfy 695 Report post Posted June 20, 2010 Okayi ts been a while but heres another one of those threads to talk about a possble grinder for the 4th line that is hard to play against. Nill said they have people in mind to fill the role of the vacated Brad May so they might go for someone who is a little like Drake and a little like May. He plays over 8 minutes a game so hes better then some of the fighter types we've had here in the past who only play like 5. He is won of the best face off men in the league at over 62% for the season. For his limited time he put up a pretty high number of hits, and he led the league in fighting majors. He showed at the AHL level he can score goals so I'm sure if he gets the puck around the net and down low he knows what he's doing. What do you guys think? http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/91150 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uk_redwing 495 Report post Posted June 20, 2010 Very active fighter, although not really the best at it. Brilliant at faceoffs but never really put the points up at Tampa for whatever reason. I'd approve. Kenny wouldn't. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockey God 9 Report post Posted June 20, 2010 id love to get him, Carcillo, or Ashum Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haroldsnepsts 4,826 Report post Posted June 20, 2010 I don't know much about Konopka, but I don't think you can call him one of the best faceoff men in the league. Yes he was 62%, but that was on a total of 462 faceoffs. Compared to Lecavalier taking 1449 and Stamkos taking 1004. He must be pretty good at faceoffs, but if he were a specialist, I'm guessing they'd have him out there taking more draws. All that being said, I'd love for the Wings to add some sandpaper. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Winged_Wheeler 3 Report post Posted June 20, 2010 Our team is basically set in stone. We're the losing 2009-2010 Red Wings with the addition of Hudler. 1 LeftWinger reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uk_redwing 495 Report post Posted June 20, 2010 Our team is basically set in stone. We're the losing 2009-2010 Red Wings with the addition of Hudler. No we're not. There will be no Maltby. No Williams. No Lilja. No Lebda. Probably no Meech. There's going to be at least one and probably two more additions to the roster. 1 miller76 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newfy 695 Report post Posted June 20, 2010 Our team is basically set in stone. We're the losing 2009-2010 Red Wings with the addition of Hudler. We're gonna add a grinder. None of the RFAs have resigned theres a chance Eaves and Miller could be let go for all we know( I don't think Eaves will but hopefully Miller is gone ) 1 Zeowingsfan reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haroldsnepsts 4,826 Report post Posted June 20, 2010 No we're not. There will be no Maltby. No Williams. No Lilja. No Lebda. Probably no Meech. There's going to be at least one and probably two more additions to the roster. Good point. That's addition by subtraction right there. The loss of Lillypads is the only one that gives me pause, depending on who fills his role and which Ericsson shows up this season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029 Report post Posted June 20, 2010 He's #1 on my wishlist.Skates fairly well,good on faceoffs (as mentioned),will throw with anyone.Just a great team player.I'd love to have him here.He'd be dirt cheap as well.He'd take care of the majority of the rough stuff.I'd love to see him in a Wings sweater. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newfy 695 Report post Posted June 20, 2010 I don't know much about Konopka, but I don't think you can call him one of the best faceoff men in the league. Yes he was 62%, but that was on a total of 462 faceoffs. Compared to Lecavalier taking 1449 and Stamkos taking 1004. He must be pretty good at faceoffs, but if he were a specialist, I'm guessing they'd have him out there taking more draws. All that being said, I'd love for the Wings to add some sandpaper. He's not really a specialist but he could be one day. Last year was his first full season in the NHL so he wouldn't be given that role yet even if he was worthy. You also wouldn't have him out there in those situations when you have Vinny L that is good on the draw and a great hockey player. No we're not. There will be no Maltby. No Williams. No Lilja. No Lebda. Probably no Meech. There's going to be at least one and probably two more additions to the roster. There better not be a Maltby. He would just take up a spot of a guy who could play Maltbys role better then him. If we resign Malts but don't sign Burish, who is basically a tougher Maltby clone then I would be pissed. Burish isn't even my first choice of players to sign but over Maltby I would love him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WorkingOvertime 536 Report post Posted June 20, 2010 (edited) I'd be more than happy if the Wings picked up Konopka. He has the ability to put up some points and isn't afraid to throw them with anyone. That mic'd video is great- I love how he goes after Stortini. Here's another example of him being a good policeman. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D40sIBQAPvE&feature=player_embedded#! Edited June 20, 2010 by WorkingOvertime Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newfy 695 Report post Posted June 20, 2010 I'd be more than happy if the Wings picked up Konopka. He has the ability to put up some points and isn't afraid to throw them with anyone. That mic'd video is great- I love how he goes after Stortini. Here's another example of him being a good policeman. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D40sIBQAPvE&feature=player_embedded#! It really would be nice to have someone on the wings who is willing to step in like that when a cheap shot happens. If that was this last year after May was gone noone would've even done a thing. Our PP would've been our enforcer With a guy liek Konopka or May in the lineup we probably would've had a few guys willing to step in because they know someone has their back and a tough guy makes every one play a little tougher which is nice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029 Report post Posted June 20, 2010 I looked him up on google to see if there were any articles on whether Tampa plans on re-signing him.Couldn't find anything so i'll take that as a good sign Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted June 20, 2010 Woh-- 62% in the circle? That's pretty useful to have in a 4th line guy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwingfan19 293 Report post Posted June 20, 2010 Konopka would be great, but would kenny really sign this guy? lol ASSETS: Comes to play every night and isn't afraid of dishing out punishment. Possesses sound defensive acumen and plays with energy. Can drop the gloves and is also good on face-offs. FLAWS: Is limited in the offensive zone and only suited for a fourth-line role. Must avoid taking too many bad penalties that place him team in a tough spot. CAREER POTENTIAL: Rugged depth forward. sounds like he would fit the system perfectly. I hope we sign this guy instead of someone like maltby. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Finnish Wing 110 Report post Posted June 20, 2010 (edited) If he can play well besides fighting as well, then I've got nothing against it. Players who don't do anything else but fight are pretty useless nowadays. Edited June 20, 2010 by Finnish Wing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uk_redwing 495 Report post Posted June 20, 2010 If he can play well besides fighting as well, then I've got nothing against it. Players who don't do anything else but fight are pretty useless nowadays. So useless I could name you about 10 or 15 of them in the NHL off the top of my head. Not that Im going to, obviously. Aaron Downey anyone? Depends on the make up of the team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029 Report post Posted June 20, 2010 I can name plenty of "useless" guys that are in their team's lineup the majority of the season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
soultrain 43 Report post Posted June 20, 2010 seems like he would fit right in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newfy 695 Report post Posted June 20, 2010 Konopka would be great, but would kenny really sign this guy? lol ASSETS: Comes to play every night and isn't afraid of dishing out punishment. Possesses sound defensive acumen and plays with energy. Can drop the gloves and is also good on face-offs. FLAWS: Is limited in the offensive zone and only suited for a fourth-line role. Must avoid taking too many bad penalties that place him team in a tough spot. CAREER POTENTIAL: Rugged depth forward. sounds like he would fit the system perfectly. I hope we sign this guy instead of someone like maltby. I didn't know about his defensive game but if its good then I've heard enough. 62% on faceoffs and a solid defensive guy that hits and fights. Thats a classic 4th line guy right there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Finnish Wing 110 Report post Posted June 20, 2010 (edited) So useless I could name you about 10 or 15 of them in the NHL off the top of my head. Not that Im going to, obviously. Aaron Downey anyone? Depends on the make up of the team. I'm talking about guys like Colton Orr who really don't add anything besides that fighting element. It would've been different ten or twenty years ago. Players like Orr are easy to ignore by opponents and they tend to take stupid penalties trying to instigate a fight, because they can't play regular hockey.As I said, if Konopka can play regular shifts, keep up the pace and kill some penalties I have nothing against it. Players like Colton Orr, Riley Cote are pretty useless. If you can't play normal competitive hockey besides fighting you don't belong in the NHL. Edited June 20, 2010 by Finnish Wing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uk_redwing 495 Report post Posted June 20, 2010 Players like Colton Orr, Riley Cote are pretty useless. If you can't play a regular shifts besides fighting you don't belong in the NHL. And yet they're there and just last offseason Kenny tried to sign the very Colton Orr you're talking about. What does that tell you? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WorkingOvertime 536 Report post Posted June 20, 2010 I'm talking about guys like Colton Orr who really don't add anything besides that fighting element. It would've been different ten or twenty years ago. Players like Orr are easy to ignore by opponents and they tend to take stupid penalties trying to instigate a fight, because they can't play regular hockey. As I said, if Konopka can play regular shifts, keep up the pace and kill some penalties I have nothing against it. Players like Colton Orr, Riley Cote are pretty useless. If you can't play a regular shifts besides fighting you don't belong in the NHL. While there are some players like that still in the NHL (Godard, Cote, Koci), I would be careful to call Orr a one-dimensional player. Orr can play a regular shift and has played all 82 games the past two seasons. IMO he is the best enforcer in the league and his 1m salary is evidence of this. 1 Zetts reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Finnish Wing 110 Report post Posted June 20, 2010 And yet they're there and just last offseason Kenny tried to sign the very Colton Orr you're talking about. What does that tell you? That he avoided a mistake there. It's not like Kenny doesn't make any mistakes. Just re-signed Bertuzzi and gave media comments about re-siging Maltby. While there are some players like that still in the NHL (Godard, Cote, Koci), I would be careful to call Orr a one-dimensional player. Orr can play a regular shift and has played all 82 games the past two seasons. IMO he is the best enforcer in the league and his 1m salary is evidence of this. How is he the best "enforcer" exactly? Do you mean he's best because he's good at fighting or best because he's the best player of all the enforcers? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newfy 695 Report post Posted June 20, 2010 That he avoided a mistake there. It's not like Kenny doesn't make any mistakes. Just re-signed Bertuzzi and gave media comments about re-siging Maltby. How is he the best "enforcer" exactly? Do you mean he's best because he's good at fighting or best because he's the best player of all the enforcers? And signed that finnish plug Filpulla with no potential at 28 years old. Yeah he does make mistakes Orr is a good all around player. Just as good as a guy like Draper at this point in his career but is also probably the second toughest guy in the league. He's one of the best at his role. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites