WC: 2018 - Team Czech Republic

[tade]

Turns out Sekáč injury is worse than expected, he will also miss WHC this year. That will make 6 players from Olympic who can't go this year. Nakládal, Radil, Zohorna, Kovář, Sekáč, Kovář + Kolář, Kundrátek probably too and Erat, Němec retired.

Good, rather will see our young players out there, than this generation of average KHLers - except of Jan Kovar.

Time for Chytil, Necas, Galvas, Chlapik and others. We suck anyway.

 

[Maluk11]

Euro Hockey Challenge started for us today. Galvas with his first national team goal. Kaut with two assist.

Czech Republic vs Switzerland 5-2
Goals: 9. Galvas (Tomášek, Kaut), 18. Horák, 27. Pavelka (Tomášek), 54. Hanzl (Kaut, Mozík), 60. Horák (Klok, Hrbas) - 45. Albrecht (Genazzi), 54. Mottet

Line-up
Furch – Mozík, Vitásek, Klok, Polášek, Pavelka, Hrbas, Pyrochta, J. Galvas – Nestrašil, R. Hanzl, Stránský – Řepík, Horák, Kousal – Orsava, A. Musil, D. Šťastný – Kaut, Tomášek, Ordoš

+ we lost training shootout after game (2-3), Hanzl and Kaut scored for us.

 

[tade]

Great, seems like young guys played very well. I am hoping for a fairly young team for this upcoming WHC!

 

[Maluk11]

Great, seems like young guys played very well. I am hoping for a fairly young team for this upcoming WHC!

I think it's probable, there are not much 30+ players who will join. I can think of Gulaš (maybe), NHL players (Sobotka, Frolík) and Červenka, Birner from current team. Bad news is Galvas was injured later in that game, but hopefully he will be alright.

 

[Maluk11]

oh damn, can the czech team compensate for such a loss of experience?

That depens on who is coming. In this moment there will be playoff matchup Boston vs Philadelphia, which could mean Krejčí/Pastrnak or Voráček/Gudas will be there. But that is just hope, more likely young players must take step forward. I think Nečas will be likely given chance to be a leader(if he's not in Charlotte Checkers).

 

[Retroglyphs]

That depens on who is coming. In this moment there will be playoff matchup Boston vs Philadelphia, which could mean Krejčí/Pastrnak or Voráček/Gudas will be there. But that is just hope, more likely young players must take step forward. I think Nečas will be likely given chance to be a leader(if he's not in Charlotte Checkers).

Agreed, one of those duos would add much needed experience. I'm also v much looking forward to seeing Necas play in Copenhagen, a future key player.

 

[Retroglyphs]

Another duo I'd love to see plazing in CPH is Ondrej & David Kase, given the Ducks aren't surviving the 1st PO round.

 

[Maluk11]

Another duo I'd love to see plazing in CPH is Ondrej & David Kase, given the Ducks aren't surviving the 1st PO round.

Ondřej Kaše is RFA, I don't see it optimistic even if Anaheim is out.

 

[joey16]

Well, that would be really nice to ice team including Kase brothers, Necas, Kaut, Chytil.. I feel like now there is a young generation which is actually worth giving a chance...
We'll see how the coaches decide...

 

[Maluk11]

Another games with Switzerland was played today. This time Martin Kaut with his first goal, he played great in both games. The whole Ordoš - Tomášek - Kaut line played well. I also like our defensemen in the offensive zone, Pavelka, Polášek, Galvas played well. Bad news is another injury, this time Vojtěch Mozík. Overall solid games, we were better in both of them and some players show they can have a shot at making the WHC.

Czech Republic vs Switzerland 4-1
Goals: 19. Kaut (Pyrochta, Mozík), 20. Kousal (Červenka, Horák), 33. Polášek (Orsava, Musil), 58. Hanzl - 45. Riat (Lammer)

Line-up
Bartošák – Mozík, Pyrochta, Klok, Polášek (A), Pavelka, Hrbas – Nestrašil, Hanzl, Stránský – Kousal, Horák (A), Červenka (C) – Orsava, Musil, Šťastný – Kaut, Tomášek, Ordoš

Also this time training overtime was played after game. We win 1-0, Filip Pyrochta score the goal.

 

[Jablkon]

Those were quite interesting matchups against Swiss team. Not sure how it should be mixed but these youngs should get more chances. Kaut is proving himself. If he continues like that, he has a legit chance to make it imo. It might be too risky, but I would also take one of young Ds. I like Pyrochta despite he makes mistakes. Not sure about Musil though. Would be awesome to see young line in ------Necas-Kaut but I dont really know how realistic it is especially if others built strong teams. Chances of Chytil and Chalpik are very limited imo. Although, without Kolar, Center possison will be the issue so they might get a chance in some matches. Still C will imo go like Faksa - ------Horak, Necas. Nestrasil or Hanzl might make it but I wasnt impressed by Hanzl and Nesty is not natural center if I am correct. Ouch I forgot about Mertl/Gulas combo but it goes same for Mertl - I wasn very impressed about him.

But overall lot of no names playing very well so far.

Edit: If Galvas is OK, i would prefer him to make it so far.

 

[Maluk11]

Those were quite interesting matchups against Swiss team. Not sure how it should be mixed but these youngs should get more chances. Kaut is proving himself. If he continues like that, he has a legit chance to make it imo. It might be too risky, but I would also take one of young Ds. I like Pyrochta despite he makes mistakes. Not sure about Musil though. Would be awesome to see young line in ------Necas-Kaut but I dont really know how realistic it is especially if others built strong teams. Chances of Chytil and Chalpik are very limited imo. Although, without Kolar, Center possison will be the issue so they might get a chance in some matches. Still C will imo go like Faksa - ------Horak, Necas. Nestrasil or Hanzl might make it but I wasnt impressed by Hanzl and Nesty is not natural center if I am correct. Ouch I forgot about Mertl/Gulas combo but it goes same for Mertl - I wasn very impressed about him.

But overall lot of no names playing very well so far.

Edit: If Galvas is OK, i would prefer him to make it so far.

Kaut suprised me, I knew he was good, but didn't expect he will play this good. I agree about some young D, Pyrochta, Galvas have best shot. If Philadephia is out, I will like to Gudas-Galvas pair, they just have very fitting names. Chytil and Chlapík will both have 6 games (more if they will play with France) to convince the coach, we will see. I am also interested if Zadina get a shot, it will depend on how far Halifax go. Also Sobotka is another possibility at C.

 

[Maluk11]

David Kaše added to the team, he will join next week with Michal Jordán.

Also update on injuries. Polášek, Vitásek, Galvas and Mozík all with some kind of injury. While the first three players should be okay, Josef Jandač said he is not much optimistic with Mozík.

 

[Jablkon]

David Kaše added to the team, he will join next week with Michal Jordán.

Also update on injuries. Polášek, Vitásek, Galvas and Mozík all with some kind of injury. While the first three players should be okay, Josef Jandač said he is not much optimistic with Mozík.

Jesus Jordan. I dont have anything personal against him but this is so....boring

So how are we now?

Francouz
Furch
Bartosak

Polasek - Rutta
Jordan - ........
.............- Galvas
............(Pavelka
(not sure about sides etc. so I just put names there)

Nestrasil - Sobotka (not certain about his shape) - Cervenka
Jaskin - Faksa - Frk
Birner - Horak - Repik (boring
Hanzl - Kampf - Necas
(Kaut, Ruzicka/Musil)

 

[Jablkon]

Jesus Jordan. I dont have anything personal against him but this is so....boring

So how are we now?

Francouz
Furch
Bartosak

Polasek - Rutta
Jordan - ........
.............- Galvas
............(Pavelka
(not sure about sides etc. so I just put names there)

Nestrasil - Sobotka (not certain about his shape) - Cervenka
Jaskin - Faksa - Frk
Birner - Horak - Repik (boring
Hanzl - Kampf - Necas
(Kaut, Ruzicka/Musil)

I think this ads quite a lot of versatility but I would still rather see these Tomaseks, Stransky, Orsava guys. It was so refreshing to see somebody new who is not lost there and playing hockey. Not sure about Swiss shape though.

 

[Maluk11]

I think this ads quite a lot of versatility but I would still rather see these Tomaseks, Stransky, Orsava guys. It was so refreshing to see somebody new who is not lost there and playing hockey. Not sure about Swiss shape though.

Well, Jandač also said some players go to farm after NHL season is over. And when I look at it, I think Frk and Kämpf giving biggest sense. Both two-way and their teams go to the play-off, so I don't know if they come at all. Maybe more like Jaškin - Faksa - Frolík, though Jaškin is RFA.

 

[Jablkon]

Well, Jandač also said some players go to farm after NHL season is over. And when I look at it, I think Frk and Kämpf giving biggest sense. Both two-way and their teams go to the play-off, so I don't know if they come at all. Maybe more like Jaškin - Faksa - Frolík, though Jaškin is RFA.

Thats actually good. I added Kampf just because of political correctness. He is still the best choice but it will be easier without him.This could go like Hanzl-Necas-Kaut/Ruzicka it will be awesome to see hungry Frolik. He somehow looks less motivated just walking through his career without any fanfare. Would be nice to see him finnaly willing to win something. I would like to see Frk but as you said he might go to AHL and his +- is scarry.

I thought I would never say that but I miss Rolinek there. Not sure how he looks now but it needs some diehard enthusiast

 

[Maluk11]

Thats actually good. I added Kampf just because of political correctness. He is still the best choice but it will be easier without him.This could go like Hanzl-Necas-Kaut/Ruzicka it will be awesome to see hungry Frolik. He somehow looks less motivated just walking through his career without any fanfare. Would be nice to see him finnaly willing to win something. I would like to see Frk but as you said he might go to AHL and his +- is scarry.

I thought I would never say that but I miss Rolinek there. Not sure how he looks now but it needs some diehard enthusiast

I agree about that, Rolinek was always good, maybe Koukal will do instead of him? He was great at Olympic. Maybe they can create Pardubice (former) line Tomášek - Koukal - Kaut or Kaše - Koukal - Kaut. Good skill and speed and Koukal bring defense.

 

[Maluk11]

So NHL season is over. We will know who is coming soon.

Free players:

G: Pavelec (UFA)

D: Rutta

F: Faksa, Frk (RFA, but he want to join), Frolík (said he go if healty), Chlapík (should get invite), Chytil (same as Chlapík), Jaškin (RFA), Kämpf, Sobotka, Vrbata (UFA)

Also NHL play-off matchup

Tampa Bay [Šustr (UFA), Palát] - New Jersey [Zacha]

Boston [Krejčí, Pastrňák] - Toronto [Polák (UFA), Plekanec (UFA)]

Pittsburgh [Simon (RFA)] - Philadelphia [Mrázek (RFA), Neuvirth, Gudas, Voráček]

Washington [Kempný (UFA), Jeřábek (RFA), Vrána] - Columbus [Sedlák]

San Jose [Hertl (RFA)] - Anaheim [Kaše (RFA)]

Vegas [Nosek (RFA)] - Los Angeles [none]

Nashville - Colorado [both none]

Winnipeg - Minnesota [both none]

End of AHL season is on April 15.
Current free players: G: Mazanec, Rittich (RFA), Vaneček D: Šimek (RFA) F: Mandát, Safin (Mazanec (NSH), Vaneček (WSH) and Šimek (SJ) teams are still playing in NHL)

From Europe, there is still Dominik Kubalík, Pavel Francouz + Hrachovina and players from Kometa Brno (Nečas, Krejčík,..), Oceláři Třinec (Doudera, Cienciala,...), HK Mountfield (Zámorský, Koukal,...) and Škoda Plzeň (Mertl, Moravčík,... Gulaš is not coming, he is not fit enough)

 

[Eye of Ra]

Vrbata has retired.

Is Petr Nedved still active? He could be a good 2c.

 

[Maluk11]

Vrbata has retired.

Is Petr Nedved still active? He could be a good 2c.

Yeah, I didn't notice news about Vrbata before. Petr Nedvěd retires 4 years ago.

 

[tade]

Vrbata has retired.

Is Petr Nedved still active? He could be a good 2c.

Where is the sarcasm emoji?

It would be really nice if both, Faksa & Frk, joined the team. Need those big, skilled players.

 

[Maluk11]

I am now looking Chytil was sent to AHL yesterday. So he is one of the players who will play next week in AHL. I don't think it make too much sense, as Hartford will likely not make the playoff and Chytil will have smaller chance to make the team, but what can you do.

 

[Wooren]

Vrbata has retired.

Is Petr Nedved still active? He could be a good 2c.

On Jamaica team maybe.

Generation around Kovar, Kundratek or Jordan will never win anything, time to pass the torch to the younger players.

 

[Voodoozz]

Gulaš has played injured the entire playoff so he is not coming. I was looking forward to watch him at the WC level, the guy's been a monster on the ice this year ... oh well.
We might aswell go full youth this time, which would be a good thing - it's time to move on to the late 90's generation.