Confirmed Signing with Link: [FLA] D Uvis Balinskis signs ELC with the Panthers (1 year, $870k)

[MMC]

Click to read more...

 

[SatanicToedrag]

It's finally happened. Now I can die in peace.

 

[Nikolajs Sillers]

It's finally happened. Now I can die in peace.

Is that for real?

I hope he makes it.

 

[BabyBennettov]

How would you describe his style of play ?

Probability of making it to the big show ?

 

[SoundAndFury]

How would you describe his style of play ?

Probability of making it to the big show ?

Very mobile two-way defenseman which is kinda small-ish by the NHL standards. While his 11 goals, 35 points this season might look impressive not really an offensive defenseman per se.

I'd say the chances are slim. While his style smooth skating two-way style of play is almost perfect for a modern defenseman I think he is just too small in the D zone to make it work in the NHL. But I hope I'm wrong, maybe he puts himself on some crazy training program in the summer and gains 10 pounds

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Is this the 1st NHLer with a first name starting with 'U' ?

 

[Sticktape]

Is this the 1st NHLer with a first name starting with 'U' ?

Ulf Samuelsson?

 

[VijayPatel11]

Is this the 1st NHLer with a first name starting with 'U' ?

ukko pekka luukkonen
there are a bunch of "ulf" too i think

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Ulf Samuelsson?

Ahh yeah, what a complete blank by me.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

So happy when players from smaller markets earn contracts.

Hoping him the best, good two-way defender. hopefully he gets his shot.

 

[Bounces R Way]

that's not a real person no way

 

[Charlie Conway]

Very mobile two-way defenseman which is kinda small-ish by the NHL standards. While his 11 goals, 35 points this season might look impressive not really an offensive defenseman per se.

I'd say the chances are slim. While his style smooth skating two-way style of play is almost perfect for a modern defenseman I think he is just too small in the D zone to make it work in the NHL. But I hope I'm wrong, maybe he puts himself on some crazy training program in the summer and gains 10 pounds

Is he smaller than that listed 6’ and 190?

That’s basically Adam Fox’s and Makar’s size.

 

[Tasteless Beaver]

Strong hockey name, he has my support.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Is he smaller than that listed 6’ and 190?

That’s basically Adam Fox’s and Makar’s size.

Yes but he doesn't have the skills of Adam Fox or Makar. In which case some size would help. Sure many players make it work (someone like Michal Kempny would be a great comparable in many ways) but it doesn't give him any advantage when it comes to fighting for a bottom-pair role.

 

[biturbo19]

Sir, are you aware your Uvis is showing? The whole Balinskis just right out there...

 

[Dr Quincy]

Ulf Samuelsson?

Uwe Krupp

 

[wmupreds]

What the heck? Lol I follow Latvian hockey a fair amount (don't ask me why) and I like this guy's game well enough but I did not expect to see him come over to NA at 26.

 

[Namejs]

Yes but he doesn't have the skills of Adam Fox or Makar. In which case some size would help. Sure many players make it work (someone like Michal Kempny would be a great comparable in many ways) but it doesn't give him any advantage when it comes to fighting for a bottom-pair role.

He's not a bottom pairing D, though.

He's a good skater, as you said, but he's also great at making plays and moving the puck.

Can it translate well to the NHL? We shall see, I would not say the chances are slim.

But it would not make any sense to make him fill the role of a purely defensive D. That's not going to work, no.

 

[SoundAndFury]

He's not a bottom pairing D, though.

But it would not make any sense to make him fill the role of a purely defensive D. That's not going to work, no.

Not really sure what are you even saying. Being a bottom pair D doesn't mean your role is "purely defensive", it means you play the least amount of minutes. You can have Erik Gustavsson playing on your bottom pair, or Jacob Bryson or whoever.

Guys like Bryson, or Kempny whom I mentioned before, are pretty much role models for him. Guys who had a fair bit of offense at the lower level but whose primary task is to not suck defensively and hopefully move the puck out of your own end. "Making plays" is cool and all but once they stop accomplishing their primary objective they are out of the league.

 

[Fig]

Solid name. His name in reverse even seems like a solid hockey name. (Sivu Siksnilab vs Uvis Balinskis)

Based on the description so far, he might be someone like a Troy Stetcher?

 

[GermanPanther]

Panthers have better expierence with Veteran from smaller Leagues and outisde of North American Market. Aslong you have good expierence with it keep on trying.
We will see how he fits in and from who he was wished to get.

 

[Nikolajs Sillers]

Uvis Janis Balinskis .That's his full name.

 

[Tasteless Beaver]

Uvis Janis Balinskis .That's his full name.

I said this out loud and my furniture started floating

 

[WarriorofTime]

He lead all Defensemen in the Czech Extraliga in scoring this season with 35 points.

 

[Bubbles]

First NHL goal! First goal scored in the NHL by the name of Uvis.