You have to consider that this is from a player's perspective. Keith, Weber, Suter, Pietrangelo could all qualify.
So san jose is the front runner for sure hehe.
You have to consider that this is from a player's perspective. Keith, Weber, Suter, Pietrangelo could all qualify.
It says that he already signed a contract with a team but doesn't want to confirm until Worlds are over. Gudas gave a little hint during a recent interview that Simek will play for a team that has an outstanding defender ("one of the best in the league throughout the last years"). Don't know if that really narrows it down, but maybe he means Ottawa?
Gudas is talking about Polak.
Does anyone watching the Worlds think he can be an NHLer now? Would he be above Heed on the depth chart?
Serious question, do you think Simek is currently a top 3 Czech defenseman? Gudas and Kempny are the only ones I would rank ahead of him.
Quote from a czech poster on the trade boards:
If he can replace Schlemko, I think that would open up a valuable trade chip. I think Schlemko did an amazing job this season and in the play-offs - which given his excellent contract and offensive RHD status could allow for a great return.
I watched the shift-by-shift video that someone posted in the trade forums Simek thread. Seemed like a very Paul Martin type of player. I was not overly impressed but it was just 20 minutes of film, so I'm not drawing any conclusions.
It doesn't make sense for him to sign in San Jose. The Sharks are loaded with defensive depth.
Well we could lose some of that depth in the expansion. So this is either preparing to replenish after that, or maybe we're looking to trade someone. Or both.
I think the "or both" line of thinking is most likely. I think SJ could easily lose two D-Men from their top 6 this year. One in the expansion draft (Martin/Dillon/Schlemko) and a trade of Braun in a package for a top 6 forward (JVR comes to mind with Toronto's need for a top 4 D-Man). So this would leave the D-corps somewhat thin, but also open up cap room. The defense was excellent this year, but with Burns extension kicking in and Vlasic needing a big extension next year DW is going to need to clear out some money from the defense to facilitate these deals while not completely neglecting the forwards.
So I think two D-Men leave from last year. Demelo gets promoted to play with Vlasic (assuming Braun is moved) and the Sharks have Heed, Mueller, and Sidek battle it out for the 6th and 7th spots in the lineup or bring in a veteran D-Man (Hello Cody Franson) to replenish one of the spots.
But what if he was magics his way into being good?
Are you saying you don't want a younger Paul Martin?