Slovakia: The Slovak Hockey Transactions and News Thread

[Kamzik]

Watched Andrej Sekera last night. He looked calm, cool and dangerous. He was getting major playing time on the first pairing with Tyler Myers. Anyhow after his streak of 5 straight multi-point games, he has two assists so far this afternoon so that makes a two game point streak. He has 13 points in his last 8.5 games [2+11].

I think Dukla Trencin could have used Andrej in the lineup today versus Kosice. Oh well.

 

[Kamzik]

I am currently watching Ottawa versus Toronto. Marek Svatos was injured in the game by a hit from Jay Rosehill. They are saying Svatos has a concussion and won't return this game.

 

[lukkas]

And Visnovsky left the game against Sharks with shoulder injury. But at the moment there's no information on severity of injury.

 

[Harv]

 

[Kamzik]

And Visnovsky left the game against Sharks with shoulder injury. But at the moment there's no information on severity of injury.

As you are by now probably aware, Visnovsky played tonight. His goal tied a career high 18, and set a new franchise record for the Ducks (set by him the game before). He now sits at 66 points, four ahead of Nicklas Lidstrom and one point back of his career high 67. He has four games remaining.

 

[Kamzik]

Lubomir Visnovsky has an assist tonight, he has tied his career high of 67 points. He has an outside chance at 70 points, what a nice number that would be. One of the best seasons ever by a Slovak player in the NHL.

 

[Harv]

Visno finished up his season tonight.

81 games played, 18 goals, 50 assists, 68 points.

2nd in D goals.
1st in D assists.
1st in D scoring.
1st in D shooting percentage.

The Norris has his name written on it this year.



As far as the other Slovaks in the NHL this year:

12 skaters and 2 goalies played at least 1 NHL game this year. Only 8 of the skaters seeing regular time. Jaro played 57 games, Peter 44.

1 Lubomir Visnovsky ANA
2 Marian Hossa CHI
3 Marian Gaborik NYR
4 Zdeno Chara BOS
5 Tomas Kopecky CHI
6 Andrej Meszaros PHI
7 Michal Handzus LAK
8 Andrej Sekera BUF
9 Milan Jurcina NYI
10 Marek Svatos NSH, OTT
11 Mario Bliznak VAN
12 Tomas Tatar DET
13 Jaroslav Halak STL
14 Peter Budaj COL


To compare:

2009-2010 had 16 skaters
2008-2009 had 16 skaters
2007-2008 had 21 skaters
2006-2007 had 24 skaters
2005-2006 had 30 skaters
2003-2004 had 30 skaters
2002-2003 had 30 skaters
2001-2002 had 30 skaters
2000-2001 had 30 skaters
1999-2000 had 19 skaters
1998-1999 had 13 skaters
1997-1998 had 13 skaters

So in 5 years, over a 50% reduction in Slovak players.

 

[slovakiasnextone]

More importantly, it´s as if our NHL players reall won´t want to play at the IHWC. I´m kind of almost expecting Bruins, Rangers, Ducks, Kings and Hawks to prevail to the 2nd round. Only "luck" is that Flyers and Sabres will play each other, however Sekera has some (day-to-day) injury......

 

[Kamzik]

More importantly, it´s as if our NHL players reall won´t want to play at the IHWC. I´m kind of almost expecting Bruins, Rangers, Ducks, Kings and Hawks to prevail to the 2nd round. Only "luck" is that Flyers and Sabres will play each other, however Sekera has some (day-to-day) injury......

Of course that is not a fair statement, I am sure most want to represent but they are paid millions of dollars to play for their clubs and have pressure to succeed.

Not sure why you are expecting the Rangers to make it to the second round. You do realize it is Washington they are playing? Also the Ducks will have a difficult time versus San Jose, and who knows how Chicago will do versus Vancouver? The only safe bet in my opinion is that the Bruins will make it past Montreal.

 

[slovakiasnextone]

Of course that is not a fair statement, I am sure most want to represent but they are paid millions of dollars to play for their clubs and have pressure to succeed.

Not sure why you are expecting the Rangers to make it to the second round. You do realize it is Washington they are playing? Also the Ducks will have a difficult time versus San Jose, and who knows how Chicago will do versus Vancouver? The only safe bet in my opinion is that the Bruins will make it past Montreal.

Lol, I wasn just kidding on both statements.....with the first one though, don´t you have the feeling that there´s some higher power against us? For example the Rangers making it thanks to Carolina.....

With the 2nd one, well all the other Slovak fans seem to be 1000% certain that most of the teams with Slovak players won´t make it past round 1 (just look at "their" rosters they write into the comments on various Slovak websites) , so it can´t hurt to bring some realism into this....... And no series between the Bruins and Canadiens is a safe bet......

 

[alko]

Of course that is not a fair statement, I am sure most want to represent but they are paid millions of dollars to play for their clubs and have pressure to succeed.

Not sure why you are expecting the Rangers to make it to the second round. You do realize it is Washington they are playing? Also the Ducks will have a difficult time versus San Jose, and who knows how Chicago will do versus Vancouver? The only safe bet in my opinion is that the Bruins will make it past Montreal.

Im not sure about Boston. Montreal is IMO the dark horse of playoff...

 

[Indian]

An article about HC Kosice winning three consecutive champion titles on iihf, nice read
link: http://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/news/news-singleview/article/hat-trick-heroes.html?tx_ttnews[backPid]=10&cHash=78e66e311e

 

[Harv]

BIG Z.

First ever Slovak captain to lead his team to a Stanley Cup final.

 

[zorz]

I'd like to know why Lev Poprad didn't sign Bliznak. He's exactly the example of a guy they could go after this offseason.

 

[slovakiasnextone]

I'd like to know why Lev Poprad didn't sign Bliznak. He's exactly the example of a guy they could go after this offseason.

uhm, he doesn´t fit into the Czech(o)Slovak NT geriatrics that Lev Poprad will most probably become?

 

[Harv]

YES!

Chara is Stanley Cup champion. Only 2nd European captain ever. First central or eastern euro also.


This is the 4th year in a row that the cup will be going to Slovakia. (Kopy, Miro, Majo/Kopy, and Z.)

 

[slovakiasnextone]

Congrats!

 

[Indian]

Wheeeee :>

 

[Harv]

This is amazing..

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/pu...a-8217-s-many-faces-of-Stanley?urn=nhl-wp7530

 

[slovakiasnextone]

Marek Zagrapan has signed with HPK of the Finnish SM-liiga. Sounds like a good step since the SM-liiga is kind of becoming the go to league for our young players who´ve lost their mojo.

 

[Harv]

Tomáš Kopecký rights traded to the Florida Panthers.


Hossa on suicide watch.

 

[Harv]

I guess they'll have to find a younger, cheaper Slovak to carry Marian Hossa's bags.

http://www.secondcityhockey.com/2011/6/27/2247377/and-joining-campbell-on-that-bus

 

[Kamzik]

Peter Budaj gets himself a nice new NHL contract. He is now a Montreal Canadien. I think it is his good attitude and support of the starting goaltender that really helps him stay in the NHL. He is a solid guy. Should have been on the World Championship team. Bondra thought so too. Not saying it would change anything, just putting it out there.

 

[Harv]

Michal Handzuš signs with San Jose. 2 year deal.

Brother Otto pleased.

 

[Harv]

Big Boris Valábik signs a two-way deal with my Pittsburgh Penguins.