Confirmed with Link: Sharks claim Rudolf Balcers

[tealzamboni]

Really refreshing to watch Rudolfs Bure play. Moves really well and always trying to do something with the puck.

 

[Xspyrit]

Oh I agree. I was just making a joke based on the funny notion that there needed to be a message sent and a promising prospect got waived for it.

Dorion just gave up a 2nd round pick during a rebuild for an over the hill vet with a 6.5 cap hit while there is a global pandemic affecting the whole NHL market. If it wasn't enough, Stepan doesn't want to be in Canada right now. He wants to be closer to family

I wouldn't take anything he does as the norm.

No, I'm there with you. Sens where actually terrible and he couldn't stick. I'll be surprised if he outplays anyone on the roster vying for the 3rd line at this point.

Again, always take anything related to DJ Dorion with a big grain of salt

Balcers looked good in his 21 y/o season (14 pts in 36 GP). He got injured (torn MLC) in 2019-20 training camp. Pretty sure he would be a full time NHLer if that didn't happen. Hopefully for him he's able to get back on track.

 

[Mattb124]

He looked more poised than the other young players that have filtered through the lineup.

 

[Doctor Soraluce]

Balcers looked good in his 21 y/o season (14 pts in 36 GP). He got injured (torn MLC) in 2019-20 training camp. Pretty sure he would be a full time NHLer if that didn't happen. Hopefully for him he's able to get back on track.

I would love it if he becomes a regular and is effective. Good to know about his injury. Hadn't seen that mentioned anywhere.

He looked more poised than the other young players that have filtered through the lineup.

I thought he looked like he was standing around a lot and kept collapsing to the net which the winger shouldn't be doing. To be fair it was one game and he now has to learn a new system. I hope he gets at least a handful of games to get comfortable before they take him out.

 

[Big Muddy]

How is Balcers doing? Looks like he's only played 7 games.

Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Cas]

How is Balcers doing? Looks like he's only played 7 games.

Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.

He's been in the lineup for the last five games, and is playing with Hertl and Meier now. He took a while to get here and ready to play, but since being ready he's only sat out one game.

 

[Big Muddy]

He's been in the lineup for the last five games, and is playing with Hertl and Meier now. He took a while to get here and ready to play, but since being ready he's only sat out one game.

Has he looked good?

I know he has 3 points, but has he been showing offensive production potential? And, how is his defensive play?

Thanks again.

 

[AndrewGaze]

Has he looked good?

I know he 3 points but, has he been showing offensive production potential? And, how is his defensive play?

Thanks again.

Rudy seems confident and fast on the ice and offense, like someone before mentioned, he seems to have good poise.
Definitely top6 potential and he looks solid, we'll see where it goes.

 

[hotcabbagesoup]

Love him so far.

Especially impressed with his defense. Surprised that even though he plays wing, he often gets in deep to support the d-men and get the puck out or act as the bumper on the boards. He finda ways to get the puck put of the zone. Much better defensively than Meier or Gregor who are both really passive.

 

[tealzamboni]

Has he looked good?

Basically the MVP.

He has really helped the 1st line gel and that line is the only consistent threat so far. So, basically he's the catalyst for the entire offense.
He's done alright in physical play and defense.
He is probably the most skilled Sharks forward, so if he keeps getting playing time, maybe there's potential to continue carving out his role.

 

[Kcoyote3]

Basically the MVP.

He has really helped the 1st line gel and that line is the only consistent threat so far. So, basically he's the catalyst for the entire offense.
He's done alright in physical play and defense.
He is probably the most skilled Sharks forward, so if he keeps getting playing time, maybe there's potential to continue carving out his role.

not sure if you’re joking or not but he is not the Sharks most skilled forward

 

[PacificOceanPotion]

He's pretty well rounded. I really like Balcers game. I can see his confidence improving each game. He's much more of a playmaker for his linemates.

 

[Big Muddy]

Thanks to those that responded with info.

 

[The Nemesis]

He's the best #92 in Sharks history.

 

[tealzamboni]

Rudolfs "Latvian Chocolate" Balcers had some nifty dangling sprees yesterday. I think a few times he went 1v5 and got to the net. And one time he went between a defender's legs twice.

 

[JungleBeat]

Brown and Branstrom were 1st round picks with pedigree. Balcers was a 5th rounder that no one expected much from. I have a hard time believing he feels that entitled.

There were no rumours of him feeling entitled in Ottawa, where is this coming from?

 

[Lebanezer]

There were no rumours of him feeling entitled in Ottawa, where is this coming from?

The poster supsens wrote that some young players in Ottawa were feeling entitled. It was 2 posts above the one you quoted. I hadn’t heard anything about him feeling entitled, but I also don’t pay close attention to the Senators.

 

[jarr92]

I have a feeling Ottawa will regret losing Balcers, he doesn't look out of place whatsoever in the top 6 IMO. A bit funny to see after what Pierre Dorion said and seeing where Ottawa is in the standings.. makes losing Norris and the Stutzle pick slightly easier.

 

[umma gumma]

I have a feeling Ottawa will regret losing Balcers, he doesn't look out of place whatsoever in the top 6 IMO. A bit funny to see after what Pierre Dorion said and seeing where Ottawa is in the standings.. makes losing Norris and the Stutzle pick slightly easier.

I don't think Dorion will regret it. I mean, the day he traded Mark Stone for Brannstrom he said it was his proudest moment as a general manager. Imagine that?

Glad Rudi is getting a chance. I'd always refer to him as Rudolfs Balstards.

 

[Quid Pro Clowe]

He reminds me a bit of Nils Ekman.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

He reminds me a bit of Nils Ekman.

Doesn't seem to go offsides as much as Ekman did. lol

 

[Quid Pro Clowe]

Doesn't seem to go offsides as much as Ekman did. lol

He was just ahead of his time...

...I’ll walk myself out.

 

[OscarsCards]

I got tired of hockey a bit so hasn't watched any games lately.

So is he any good? How's he playing? Adapted well?

 

[tealzamboni]

I got tired of hockey a bit so hasn't watched any games lately.

So is he any good? How's he playing? Adapted well?

He's been a fixture in the top 6. He's surprisingly alright with the physical play, but he has made defensive mistakes. Still, he moves well on offense and is better than many others with the puck, so he's still in the top lines.

If the Sharks continue this latest 5 game of trend of playing around Karlsson, then maybe we'll see a little more of what Balcers can do.

 

[hohosaregood]

I think Balcers can be a long term middle 6 playmaker for us. He might not be well rounded enough or skilled enough to be a bonafide top 6 in the long run but he fills a slot in the top 9 at the very least.