Czech Prospects
Jul 29, 2003 18:53:47 GMT -5
Post by montreal on Jul 29, 2003 18:53:47 GMT -5
Since it's a slow day, I thought I would share an email I got from the HF Czech writer, on a discussion we had on the Czech Hab prospects. Something to read, it covers Linhart, Plekanec and Halak.
"Hi Dan,
first thanks for the good words on my article! You will find attached an article on Tomas Linhart I released at HF in May, 2002, hope this helps you a little, there is everything I know about him, including playing style. I watched Tomas (Thomas is an English misspell) play many times back in the Czech Republic, but haven't seen his performance in the OHL in 2002-2003. However, I have heard that he didn't have an overly good season and had some trouble with adjusting to the OHL style of play. I still think that the Canadiens made a reach in selecting him in the second round of the draft, with many other good players still on the board. He needs to have a good 2003-2004 campaign in order to get a contract from the Canadiens, his stock in the organization may have dropped a bit because of the sub-par 2002-2003 season.
I have seen Jaroslav Halak play once in 2002-2003 in an exhibition game of the Czech and Slovak Under-18 teams, so unfortunately I can give you only very brief notes. He is a talented netminder, has good reflexes and athleticism, is tough to beat on all initial shots, skates quite well and has a solid focus. On the downside he doesn't cover much of the net and could play the puck better. The Habs added him probably for more depth at the goaltender position. Halak is a longshot, but could eventually reach the NHL as a backup goalie. One side note, in your draft review (very interesting article!) you mentioned Halak playing in the Czech junior Extraleague. Sorry but this is a mistake, Halak plays for HC Slovan Bratislava in the Slovak junior Extraleague.
I have good news for you as a Tomas Plekanec fan. He has his own website, www.plekanec.cz, where can be found all the needed info about him. I think there is also an English version included, so you won't have any trouble with translation. And here is my personal opinion on Plekanec's playing style (I haven't seen him play for more than one year, so his drawbacks may not be so glaring as in the days when he was a junior):
Tomas can turn out to be a steal for the Habs in the third round. A diminutive center but extremly smart with an excellent hockey
sense. He is a very good skater with an above-average agility and acceleration. With his speed
and a great pair of hands he can be a scoring threat, he also handles the puck well. Tomas is talented offensively
and he can score goals and prepare chances equally well. Only his size matters. Tough defensemen
can make trouble to his offensive output, but Plekanec isn't playing afraid and will fight in the corners. He is average in his commitment to the defensive side of his game. Tomas surely has the tools to make it to the NHL, he just needs some seasoning in the minors."
"Hi Dan,
first thanks for the good words on my article! You will find attached an article on Tomas Linhart I released at HF in May, 2002, hope this helps you a little, there is everything I know about him, including playing style. I watched Tomas (Thomas is an English misspell) play many times back in the Czech Republic, but haven't seen his performance in the OHL in 2002-2003. However, I have heard that he didn't have an overly good season and had some trouble with adjusting to the OHL style of play. I still think that the Canadiens made a reach in selecting him in the second round of the draft, with many other good players still on the board. He needs to have a good 2003-2004 campaign in order to get a contract from the Canadiens, his stock in the organization may have dropped a bit because of the sub-par 2002-2003 season.
I have seen Jaroslav Halak play once in 2002-2003 in an exhibition game of the Czech and Slovak Under-18 teams, so unfortunately I can give you only very brief notes. He is a talented netminder, has good reflexes and athleticism, is tough to beat on all initial shots, skates quite well and has a solid focus. On the downside he doesn't cover much of the net and could play the puck better. The Habs added him probably for more depth at the goaltender position. Halak is a longshot, but could eventually reach the NHL as a backup goalie. One side note, in your draft review (very interesting article!) you mentioned Halak playing in the Czech junior Extraleague. Sorry but this is a mistake, Halak plays for HC Slovan Bratislava in the Slovak junior Extraleague.
I have good news for you as a Tomas Plekanec fan. He has his own website, www.plekanec.cz, where can be found all the needed info about him. I think there is also an English version included, so you won't have any trouble with translation. And here is my personal opinion on Plekanec's playing style (I haven't seen him play for more than one year, so his drawbacks may not be so glaring as in the days when he was a junior):
Tomas can turn out to be a steal for the Habs in the third round. A diminutive center but extremly smart with an excellent hockey
sense. He is a very good skater with an above-average agility and acceleration. With his speed
and a great pair of hands he can be a scoring threat, he also handles the puck well. Tomas is talented offensively
and he can score goals and prepare chances equally well. Only his size matters. Tough defensemen
can make trouble to his offensive output, but Plekanec isn't playing afraid and will fight in the corners. He is average in his commitment to the defensive side of his game. Tomas surely has the tools to make it to the NHL, he just needs some seasoning in the minors."
