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Post by legaspesien on Oct 9, 2003 18:33:03 GMT -5
HAMILTON - Sometimes being first is not all it's cracked up to be. Jozef Balej knows that first hand. Balej, a forward for the Hamilton Bulldogs was the first player from last year's team to be assigned to Hamilton from the Montreal Canadiens. Balej was demoted on Sept. 19, three days prior to the Bulldogs first day of training camp at Chedoke Twin-Pad Arena. The 21-year old didn't expect to be sent down to the minors very early in training camp. www.canoe.ca/Bulldogs/News/2003/10/09/221687.html |
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Post by Thomas on Oct 11, 2003 23:39:05 GMT -5
He was great 1 or 2 camps ago, but seems to be having trouble ever since. Hes a great offensive player, but do we really have space for another 1 dimensional small player. He seems like Audette with more speed right now, but hopefully he can turn it around and he could be used to seal a deal for a bigger player that were lacking.
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Post by montreal on Oct 12, 2003 0:07:44 GMT -5
Savard said on a radio interview the other night, that Plekanec and Balej were the two best players in the game. (the first game of the season)
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Post by Bob on Oct 12, 2003 9:10:29 GMT -5
He was great 1 or 2 camps ago, but seems to be having trouble ever since. Hes a great offensive player, but do we really have space for another 1 dimensional small player. He seems like Audette with more speed right now, but hopefully he can turn it around and he could be used to seal a deal for a bigger player that were lacking. You can't teach scoring and speed... Balej has the speed and needs to regain his scoring touch. You can teach defensive responsibility and, in fact, speed helps with defensive reponsibilities, too. I certainly wouldn't want to give up on him too soon. |
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Post by Thomas on Oct 12, 2003 10:27:06 GMT -5
You can't teach scoring and speed... Balej has the speed and needs to regain his scoring touch. You can teach defensive responsibility and, in fact, speed helps with defensive reponsibilities, too. I certainly wouldn't want to give up on him too soon. It's obvious he has the stellar offensive talent and speed, a Petrov who can finish, but do we have room for another small forward for the top 2 lines? If we get a big #2 center then there is possibly room for him, or else hopefully he can be part of a package to get that missing piece or big top 6 forward. |
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Post by Bob on Oct 12, 2003 10:53:45 GMT -5
but do we have room for another small forward for the top 2 lines According to the Bulldogs website he is 6'0 and 191 lbs. That is bigger than a lot of the Montreal forwards and he will probably continue to bulk up has he matures. While the prospect of getting a big strong number 2 center is enticing, I don't think we should abandon the plan of prospect development too quickly. And at this point, Balej probably would add much value to a trade package because of the year he had last year. Personally I think his trade value is currently much lower than his developmental value |
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Post by Thomas on Oct 12, 2003 12:12:15 GMT -5
According to the Bulldogs website he is 6'0 and 191 lbs. That is bigger than a lot of the Montreal forwards and he will probably continue to bulk up has he matures. While the prospect of getting a big strong number 2 center is enticing, I don't think we should abandon the plan of prospect development too quickly. And at this point, Balej probably would add much value to a trade package because of the year he had last year. Personally I think his trade value is currently much lower than his developmental value I agree, im just saying that if ever BG finds a deal where he can get a big top 6 forward or center, and that Balej is the missing piece of the puzzle, I wouldnt mind seeing him traded considering the depth we have in top 6 scoring forwards at the moment (will they all develop is another question). I first thought he was smaller than that, I guess hes got decent size, but were still missing that big guy that can score and has a mean streak. We have gotten tougher on the 3rd and 4th line and D, but our first 2 lines are still below average in size. |
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Oct 13, 2003 22:37:37 GMT -5
I agree, im just saying that if ever BG finds a deal where he can get a big top 6 forward or center, and that Balej is the missing piece of the puzzle, I wouldnt mind seeing him traded considering the depth we have in top 6 scoring forwards at the moment (will they all develop is another question). I first thought he was smaller than that, I guess hes got decent size, but were still missing that big guy that can score and has a mean streak. We have gotten tougher on the 3rd and 4th line and D, but our first 2 lines are still below average in size. Balej has incredible speed and that makes him a better prospect than a lot of other guys. No amount of practice can make ahossa as fast as Balej, If he still plays like Brian Savage when he is 27, then I'll give up on him. Right now he has too high an upside to risk trading as a filler in a package. |
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