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Post by montreal on Jun 4, 2004 17:33:17 GMT -5
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Post by Cranky on Jun 6, 2004 9:53:56 GMT -5
IS Pleks moving into the "Koivu Jr." mould that I am projecting for him?
I have not seen him live for a LONG time and I hoping that his progress will make him a NHL'er next year.
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Post by montreal on Jun 6, 2004 14:03:59 GMT -5
IS Pleks moving into the "Koivu Jr." mould that I am projecting for him? I have not seen him live for a LONG time and I hoping that his progress will make him a NHL'er next year. Well I'm one that shys away from any NHL/prospect comparisons, but Koivu would be a good place to start. I don't think he'll be as good (I'm a huge Koivu fan) but he does play a solid offensive game, and while small has some sandpaper in his game. I'd say he's not as fiesty as Koivu, but a little more of a dirty player. I'm not saying Pleks is dirty, but some of his hits/slashes seem more viscous (sp?) I do hope he makes the team next year if there's a season, or at least play in a large chunk of games if they want to ease him in. He's one prospect that doesn't get the press of a Kastsitsyn, Hainsey, Hossa, Perezhogin but he's looking like a great 3rd round pick by Savard. If he turns out anything close to Koivu we will big time!  |
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Post by blaise on Jun 6, 2004 15:40:44 GMT -5
I've liked Plekanec since the first time I saw him in a 2002 preseason game at the Bell Centre. What impressed me then was that for a young player he knew what he was doing at all times.
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Post by Skilly on Jun 6, 2004 18:00:28 GMT -5
In all bulldog games I have seen over the past couple of years (about 16-20), Plekanec was the best player on the ice in about 15 of them. I have to admit I am at a loss as to why he doesn't get a call up for an extended stint.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2004 20:39:32 GMT -5
With a lot of older players not being re-signed, Plekanec has an opportunity to even steal the 2nd line from Ribeiro.
We'll see what happens.
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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Jun 7, 2004 5:46:45 GMT -5
I think I'll add my name to the Pleky Admiration Society list. Guy Robillard - Canadian Press
In the fight which encompasses the young centers on the Canadiens in the absence of Saku Koivu, Chad Kilger and Benoit Gratton, one shouldn't forget Tomas Plekanec. He's probably closer to the NHL than Chris Higgins, after one season in the elite Czech league when he was still of junior age, followed by another in the American League.
This 71st choice (third round) is also likely to benefit from the old saying "one man's misfortune is another man's good luck."
"I don't want to think about that", said the 2001 WJC gold medal-holder, who will be only 21 years old in October. "It would be pleasant to stay in Montreal, but I just want to concentrate on doing my best."
Claude Julien had only good things to say about this player who he coached in Hamilton, and who had already been noticeable in his first camp with the Canadiens.
"He's a very talented player who doesn't fear going in the corners and getting involved. For a guy who was in his first year in North America, I found that he adapted very quickly and developed a lot during the course of the season.
"He's also a player on who one can count for a big play or a big goal when the situation requires it", continued the coach, who estimates that all that Plekanec is lacking is experience. However, the player himself acknowledges that he must improve his defensive play, even if he considers that he progressed last season.
Julien requires constant defensive involvement from his players: "I like offensive play better, but I understand the situation", says he who was converted to LW from C upon his arrival from the Czech Republic.
Plekanec measures only 5'10", but weighs 202 pounds and he seems very solid. And is a fast skater.
"I don't have a problem with that", he says of the physical play, even if it's the most obvious change in play since he left his country.
"It's much tougher along the boards, we don't play like that back home."
- www2.canoe.com/sports/nouvelles/archives/2003/09/20030924-160452.html The AHL's season scoring summary has him listed as a LW (http://www.theahl.com/AHL/stats_official.html). Though since Gratton went down in December, at roughly the midway point of the season it's likely Pleky finished with a considerable number of games back at his natural position.
It seems that forces beyond the control of the Habs are sparing plucky Pleky the fate of many another young C in the organization. A good omen in his case, perhaps. ...Tomas was a C back home who was converted to LW once over here. I had a suspicion that this was the case, and so did a little digging:
HC VAGNERPLAST KLADNO
Player: Tomas Plekanec Position: C
Born: 31/10/1982 Shoots: L
Height: 5'10" Weight: 190
Drafted: 71st overall (3rd round) in 2001 by Montreal.
Tomas Plekanec, a dynamic and spunky center, is a very intriguing prospect
and a personal favorite of mine.
Last year's Extraliga Rookie of the Year had a fairly good start, but has
struggled along with his team (last place Kladno has just 2 regulation wins
this season). A change of coaches has only reduced his icetime, and perhaps
they need to find themselves a real coach, and some real talent. No team has
scored less than Kladno, and Plekanec's offensive totals have suffered due to
the lack of talent around him.
Positives: Upbeat attitude, slick stick-handling, expert vision, passing, and
offensive creativity. A captain of the National team efforts in the past, he is
a possible captain candidate for the Czechs at the upcoming U-20 WJC.
Plekanec has scored some highlight reel goals, and won a Zlata Helma (Golden
Helmet) one week last year for a blessed effort as he deked around Libor
Prochazka (former Olympian) for an astonishing goal.
Negatives: Despite his love of dishing out some hits, Pleky's lack of size has
been noticeable, and he can be pushed off of the puck somewhat easily. He will
shy away from traffic in front of the net. His defense could also use some work,
but Plekanec would benefit from a more defined role.
Despite his lack of size, Plekanec is an offensive dynamo who is very exciting
to watch. If Plekanec can dedicate himself to adding some weight, and getting
more comfortable in traffic, he can become a big steal for the Canadiens. Has
already posted better totals than many prospects, including Novotny.
- www.hockeysfuture.com/article.php?sid=3386
*
Also a nice pre-draft article on him here:
- www.hockeysfuture.com/article.php?sid=2350
*
Note that the nickname that he carried over from the Czech Republic, and which he occasionally uses to sign posts on his Web site, is "Pleky". I think it's been a good camp.
The Brisebois boil has been lanced. A system of team responsibilty seems to be taking hold on ice. Souray's wrist seems fine and he doesn't seem too rusty for a guy who hasn't played in almost two seasons. No serious injuries, barring the Kilger scare. Garon is showing why we don't have to worry if and when Théo doesn't play.
Among the kids we see who's been over-hyped and who's been under-appreciated. Higgins and Perezhogin have shown talent, but also the need for seasoning in the AHL. No big disgrace. Odds are they will rip it up down there and will soon be knocking on the door. OTOH, Ryder and Pleky are working their way onto the club out of camp. Beauchemin has been steady. Hainsey has had a good camp. For me the only disappointment has been Ward; I somehow expected more of a presence. Pleky will see plenty of ice time as the Dogs' number one centre. I'll bet a pair of size 30 spats that we'll see him wear a Habs jersey at some point this season. Pleky will make the Habs out of camp this summer, if there is a new CBA.
He leads the Dogs in points (21-43-64 in 73 games), assists (43), +/- with +20, and game winning goals with 9. All that and he's defensively responsible and a regular dynamo out there. I wouldn't be surprised to see both Plekanec and Perezhogin make the jump next season.
Current crop of centres
Koivu C 5'10 181
Ribeiro C 6' 176
Bégin C/LW 5'11 185
x Dowd C 6'1 190
x Juneau C/LW 6' 193
x Perreault C/LW 5'11 184
x = quite possibly gone.
Plekanec C/LW 5'10 200
Heights and weights are as per the Habs official Web site. As it stands, Plekanec would be our most solid centre physically, and being the youngest would be a good bet to add useful weight.
Bulis, Dagenais (?), Perreault (x), Sundstrom (who may also be gone - though I hope not) and Langdon are the competition on LW. Plucky Pleky plays proficiently puckless. Pleky's puck possession prowess praised. Please promote Pleky! |
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Jun 8, 2004 14:33:14 GMT -5
Current crop of centres
Koivu C 5'10 181
Ribeiro C 6' 176
Bégin C/LW 5'11 185
x Dowd C 6'1 190
x Juneau C/LW 6' 193
x Perreault C/LW 5'11 184
John Ferguson, Steve Begin and Goldie Goldthorpe were all 5'11" 185 lbs. (coincidence?)
Dagenais is 6'5".
Size alone doesn't tell the way a player plays.
We desparately need a power forward who plays big and bangs the puck into the net. We need to win more battles along the boards and knock the opposing forwards off the puck.
Nobody is giving away that kind of player.
One experiment I would like to try (I know it won't be popular) is a free agent named Lindros. He has played big in the past, he is big too, he can score and fill up the slot. He has a bad attitude and he has had his bell rung more often than George Chuvalo, but if there is anything left in his 31 year old tank and "The Price is Right", lets see if Gainey can work with him.
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Post by rhabdo on Jun 8, 2004 16:43:20 GMT -5
Lindros sounds more like a Mike Keenan retread than a Bob Gainey project.
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