Tomas Plekanec, an ignored "asset"
Nov 9, 2004 15:08:46 GMT -5
Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Nov 9, 2004 15:08:46 GMT -5
09-11-2004
Mathias Brunet
La Presse
Tomas Plekanec is undoubtedly the Canadiens most ignored prospect in Hamilton.
Mike Komisarek, Alexander Perezhogin, Marcel Hossa, Ron Hainsey, Chris Higgins and even Andrei Kostitsyn have received more publicity than him these past few years.
However, Plekanec finished at the head of the Bulldogs' leaderboard last year with 66 points, including 23 goals, in 74 games, even though he was only 21 years old. He still dominates the attack this season with 11 points, including six goals, in 12 games.
"He is our big leader in spite of his youth", mentions Doug Jarvis, the coach of the Bulldogs. "Tomas is apparently invisible out there most of the time, but when he picks up his play a notch, the whole team follows. He provides a beautiful example of hard work and perseverance for our young players."
The young man of Czech extraction is a bit of a victim of the syndrome of players chosen late in the draft: One gives less attention to them than the first round choices. Plekanec was selected in the fourth round (71st) in 2001, behind Komisarek (7th), Perezhogin (25th) and Duncan Milroy (37th).
Plekanec also has the misfortune of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. This center is not very tall, 5 feet 10 inches and 200 pounds, and he plays a position where the Canadiens already count on two offensive centers, Saku Koivu and Mike Ribeiro, definitely less robust men than average.
With anything other than a big break, like a major injury to a Canadiens center, Plekanec will pursue his career in the NHL with another team a few years from now. Besides, he formed part of a small group of prospects offered to the Rangers at the trade deadline last spring in order to obtain the services of Alex Kovalev. The Rangers chose Jozef Balej over Plekanec, Hainsey and Hossa.
Plekanec constitutes what is called in the world of hockey an "asset", a young player of talent to be exchanged at a convenient time. It is however necessary to use this "asset" knowledgeably. Several years ago, the old administration of the Canadiens had made a gift of Craig Conroy to the Blues in the trade which sent Pierre Turgeon to Saint Louis in return for Shayne Corson and Murray Baron, because the team counted on a surplus centers. Darcy Tucker had gone to the Lightning with Stéphane Richer and David Wilkie in exchange for Patrick Poulin, Mick Vukota and Igor Ulanov for the same reasons.
Up to Bob Gainey to await a favorable opportunity. Because, according to many, the young man will have a beautiful career in the NHL. "He is truly distancing himself from other players in the American Hockey League", Jarvis states. "He continues to make his mark and is forcing the decision-makers to take notice."
Plekanec however had an ordinary year in Hamilton two years ago, in his first season in North America. Proof that the adaptation to the American League is not always easy for a young European hockey player. He had tallied 46 points, including 10 goals, in 77 matches.
"He played under a very different system in the Czech Republic", mentions André Savard, the GM of the Bulldogs. "He played too defensively and consequently his offensive play suffered. He has become very dangerous on offense. That simply shows that the process of development for a young player can sometimes take more than one season."
Kostitsyn will have to pass more
Andrei Kostitsyn had a difficult adaptation to the American League but coach Jarvis wants to make sure that he picks up good habits. The first choice of the Canadiens in 2003 (10th over all) scored his third goal in 12 games last weekend (only Plekanec, Ward and Locke have more goals) but he plays little.
"He has talent but one can see his inexperience", mentions Jarvis. "He is learning how to deal with more physical opponents. He needs to use his team-mates more, pass more often instead of trying to go through the other team singlehanded. Alexander Perezhogin had the same situation at the beginning of last season, and then he adjusted. But Kostitsyn understands instructions better. He began his English courses and he understands what one says to him."
Chutzpah, Duncan!
Duncan Milroy was always a frightening scorer in Junior. But he registered only four goals in 50 games last year in his first year in the AHL, and one in ten games this season. "He has the tools to become a good scorer, excellent hands, but he must go into traffic, to find ways to score when the opposition plays physically against him", Jarvis notes. "In other words, to overcome his fears and to accept punishment..."
Big night for Chipchura
The first choice of the Canadiens this summer (18th over all), Kyle Chipchura, continues to produce in the WHL. Chipchura took part in his team's three goals (two goals and an assist) Sunday, and the Prince Albert Raiders beat Medicine Hat the best team with the standing. He now has 20 points in 19 games.
"I've just returned from a trip out West and he really impressed me", says Trevor Timmins. "If you see the team, he is very poorly complemented but nevertheless succeeds in producing. He must do all the work by himself. He would have many more points with a more talented team. I hope that he is selected for the WJC team, but I know that many veterans are returning. Perhaps he can win a place on the third or fourth line. I hope so. Chipchura could render invaluable service to them because he is highly reliable defensively and can also produce on offense. His progress is really admirable."
- www.cyberpresse.ca/sports/article/article_complet.php?path=/sports/article/1,154,1881,112004,836906.php
I assume the cheque is in the mail.
Mathias Brunet
La Presse
Tomas Plekanec is undoubtedly the Canadiens most ignored prospect in Hamilton.
Mike Komisarek, Alexander Perezhogin, Marcel Hossa, Ron Hainsey, Chris Higgins and even Andrei Kostitsyn have received more publicity than him these past few years.
However, Plekanec finished at the head of the Bulldogs' leaderboard last year with 66 points, including 23 goals, in 74 games, even though he was only 21 years old. He still dominates the attack this season with 11 points, including six goals, in 12 games.
"He is our big leader in spite of his youth", mentions Doug Jarvis, the coach of the Bulldogs. "Tomas is apparently invisible out there most of the time, but when he picks up his play a notch, the whole team follows. He provides a beautiful example of hard work and perseverance for our young players."
The young man of Czech extraction is a bit of a victim of the syndrome of players chosen late in the draft: One gives less attention to them than the first round choices. Plekanec was selected in the fourth round (71st) in 2001, behind Komisarek (7th), Perezhogin (25th) and Duncan Milroy (37th).
Plekanec also has the misfortune of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. This center is not very tall, 5 feet 10 inches and 200 pounds, and he plays a position where the Canadiens already count on two offensive centers, Saku Koivu and Mike Ribeiro, definitely less robust men than average.
With anything other than a big break, like a major injury to a Canadiens center, Plekanec will pursue his career in the NHL with another team a few years from now. Besides, he formed part of a small group of prospects offered to the Rangers at the trade deadline last spring in order to obtain the services of Alex Kovalev. The Rangers chose Jozef Balej over Plekanec, Hainsey and Hossa.
Plekanec constitutes what is called in the world of hockey an "asset", a young player of talent to be exchanged at a convenient time. It is however necessary to use this "asset" knowledgeably. Several years ago, the old administration of the Canadiens had made a gift of Craig Conroy to the Blues in the trade which sent Pierre Turgeon to Saint Louis in return for Shayne Corson and Murray Baron, because the team counted on a surplus centers. Darcy Tucker had gone to the Lightning with Stéphane Richer and David Wilkie in exchange for Patrick Poulin, Mick Vukota and Igor Ulanov for the same reasons.
Up to Bob Gainey to await a favorable opportunity. Because, according to many, the young man will have a beautiful career in the NHL. "He is truly distancing himself from other players in the American Hockey League", Jarvis states. "He continues to make his mark and is forcing the decision-makers to take notice."
Plekanec however had an ordinary year in Hamilton two years ago, in his first season in North America. Proof that the adaptation to the American League is not always easy for a young European hockey player. He had tallied 46 points, including 10 goals, in 77 matches.
"He played under a very different system in the Czech Republic", mentions André Savard, the GM of the Bulldogs. "He played too defensively and consequently his offensive play suffered. He has become very dangerous on offense. That simply shows that the process of development for a young player can sometimes take more than one season."
Kostitsyn will have to pass more
Andrei Kostitsyn had a difficult adaptation to the American League but coach Jarvis wants to make sure that he picks up good habits. The first choice of the Canadiens in 2003 (10th over all) scored his third goal in 12 games last weekend (only Plekanec, Ward and Locke have more goals) but he plays little.
"He has talent but one can see his inexperience", mentions Jarvis. "He is learning how to deal with more physical opponents. He needs to use his team-mates more, pass more often instead of trying to go through the other team singlehanded. Alexander Perezhogin had the same situation at the beginning of last season, and then he adjusted. But Kostitsyn understands instructions better. He began his English courses and he understands what one says to him."
Chutzpah, Duncan!
Duncan Milroy was always a frightening scorer in Junior. But he registered only four goals in 50 games last year in his first year in the AHL, and one in ten games this season. "He has the tools to become a good scorer, excellent hands, but he must go into traffic, to find ways to score when the opposition plays physically against him", Jarvis notes. "In other words, to overcome his fears and to accept punishment..."
Big night for Chipchura
The first choice of the Canadiens this summer (18th over all), Kyle Chipchura, continues to produce in the WHL. Chipchura took part in his team's three goals (two goals and an assist) Sunday, and the Prince Albert Raiders beat Medicine Hat the best team with the standing. He now has 20 points in 19 games.
"I've just returned from a trip out West and he really impressed me", says Trevor Timmins. "If you see the team, he is very poorly complemented but nevertheless succeeds in producing. He must do all the work by himself. He would have many more points with a more talented team. I hope that he is selected for the WJC team, but I know that many veterans are returning. Perhaps he can win a place on the third or fourth line. I hope so. Chipchura could render invaluable service to them because he is highly reliable defensively and can also produce on offense. His progress is really admirable."
- www.cyberpresse.ca/sports/article/article_complet.php?path=/sports/article/1,154,1881,112004,836906.php
I assume the cheque is in the mail.
