Schwartz is heading back to Prague
- Thread starter Douggy
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Douggy
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The ticker said it was a 2-year deal with Sparta Prague.
I never heard reports about how he looked in Vancouver (I only saw him at the U20s...) did he play well?? Is this a suprise?
I never heard reports about how he looked in Vancouver (I only saw him at the U20s...) did he play well?? Is this a suprise?
He was a lot like Dan Cloutier when he was with the Giants. He had excellent raw goalie skills and great reflexes, but his mental game was nowhere near NHL ready. He'd always be caught out of position or miscommunicate with his defensemen.
I'm hearing that he's going back to Prague because of his girlfriend (who isn't 18 yet so can't come to NA) and general homesickness.
I'm hearing that he's going back to Prague because of his girlfriend (who isn't 18 yet so can't come to NA) and general homesickness.
i don't think it's ever good when your teams star prospect goes back overseas for 2 years...not having a NHL CBA in place right now isn't an excuse either, as he could of course continue to play in the CHL and even be signed to play in the AHL if necessary.
i guess my question would be is there something legit behind this or is he just homesick/frustrated at not playing as well as he might have liked in the CHL?
i guess my question would be is there something legit behind this or is he just homesick/frustrated at not playing as well as he might have liked in the CHL?
Douggy said:
He was not great with the Giants. He didn't make the difference like most people had anticipated when he decided to play hockey in the WHL. It's not a big loss for Vancouver, but with the WJC there next year, you'd think that would have made a decision to stay alot easier.
Brock
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Levitate said:
It really depends. It could be great, it could be disastrous and on so many different levels. It could be bad if Schwarz goes over there and doesn't get the playing time he would in North America and loses valuable development time. It could be bad if he does get the time and plays awesome and just decides that he doesn't have a need to come back to North America and continues being a star in the Czech League. But it could be awesome if he plays well there and really progresses and comes back in two years as a much stronger prospect.
It's much similar to Kiril Koltsov heading back to Europe.
Who knows how it's going to turn out. But it definitely does give a slight amount of concern for sure.
The Giant's new goalie (Dustin Slade) is probably an improvement over Marek Schwarz at the CHL lever. Mark Schwarz is going to turn into a Roman Cechmanek clone. He makes great saves one minute and then lets in a horrible goal. He is one of the most frustrating goalies to watch (ever more than Cloutier).
Douggy
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I thought that Schwarz was a solid technical goalie who played the butterfly? (The opposite of Cechmanek)Hedberg16 said:
Habsfan 32
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I'm really surprised. I guess he was homesick. This could be great for him but it could also be pretty bad if he decides not to come back at all.
Rabid Ranger
2 is better than one
While it's too early to say for sure, this pick might end biting the Blues in the arse. I think they were so shocked he was available, that they felt they had to take him, even though they had just traded for the ostensible "goalie of the future" in Jason Bacashihua. As a Blues fan, I would have rather seen that pick used on a top offensive talent, which the Blues are seriously lacking in the organization.
I can't believe people are already labelling him a bust because of one mediocre season in the WHL. Funny how nobody has mentioned the bronze medal and being named the top goaltender at the WJC's.
The only reason he even came over last year was because the Blues all but forced him to. It was well known that he wasn't happy with the move. Who here would want to go half way across the world away from your family and friends to make less money?
The only reason he even came over last year was because the Blues all but forced him to. It was well known that he wasn't happy with the move. Who here would want to go half way across the world away from your family and friends to make less money?
Jacobv2 said:
Popperle was loaned to Vsetin, Duba to SaiPa.
New Sparta coach Sindel likes to play young players and in addition Briza is 41 year old so Schwarz should get enough playing time.
One of the main reason of his return is that Schwarz wants to play in men competition. Homesick is another thing. He wasn´t very excited coming over last season but that doesn´t mean he doesn´t want to play in NHL in the future.
From my standpoint, seeing how many very promising Czech prospects(and high draft picks) stagnate in their development in CHL or AHL lately, it could be better for him to stay in Europe for some time.
Cerebral
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Dubnyk > Schwarz... 
It will be interesting to watch this develop. I personally feel it would be better for Schwarz's development to remain with Vancouver and get used to the North American game. Then again, you can't fault the kid if he is truly homesick.
It will be interesting to watch this develop. I personally feel it would be better for Schwarz's development to remain with Vancouver and get used to the North American game. Then again, you can't fault the kid if he is truly homesick.
me2
Go ahead foot
He's had a bit of living in NA now. He'll probably go home, think about it for a year or two and come back more mature and better prepared. I don't think his heading home would worry me any where near as much as his eratic play. Both which are not positives, but also not substantial negatives (its only one year).
Larionov
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The Giants have known since the end of the season that he wasn't coming back, hence the move to pick up Dustin Slade.
FacelessButcher
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