The saga of Tomas Kopecky

if he continues to produce while I sit there muttering about all the things that drive me insane about him (things that oregon_hawk has stated quite well) then I’ll take it.

Probably folks who can’t even tie a pair of skates.

I can tie my skates just fine, thank you :P

I think the fact is, while Kop isn’t ideal 2nd line material, he’s a more known quantity than any other option. Q doesn’t have patience to put Stals or Skills up there, and those two are the only ones I think could possibly be any good up there, given that we don’t want to fuck around with the 3-6 Mafia. Otherwise, I’d be willing to see what Bicks could do up with Sharp & Hossa, although all observations would be done while peeking through my fingers.

you just found yourself a protege! Now you must teach him to photoshop.

some syrup with them waffles?

show me the way oh wise one

his ATOI is up by 7 minutes per game (from 9.48 to 16.56), a 75% increase.

Although, I don’t think I would categorize either of us as Kopecky haters, but simply Kopecky realists. (I do believe Krome falls into this category as well.) None of us wish the guy anything but success. He just simply does not have the talent. Your point by point rebuttal was perfect.

so version 2.0 is in the works :D

especially behind Sharp and Hossa.
(harhar)

In all seriousness, he seems to put out every night. (OK, OK, I’ll stop)

He’s probably one of the least talented players on the team, but I seldom see him slacking off. I can respect that. And I can respect that a lot more than someone much more talented who takes off shifts or doesn’t play up to his ability. It doesn’t mean I want Kopecky on my team, but while he is here I’ll root for him to succeed – while also being the first to make fun of him (tough love).

In regards to Kopecky’s current place on team. Last season I preached that he was miscast on the 4th line and that he had a 2nd line skill set, but he wasn’t talented enough to play there on a contending team. I still feel the same way. There’s really no place for him. He’s the weak link on the 2nd line, the 3rd line seems pretty set, and I don’t see Q putting him on the 4th line.

If you look at the current lines, they’re very similar to last year’s again. 5 of the 6 players on the top 2 lines are the same:

BROUWER-TOEWS-KANE (3/3 same as last year)
KOPECKY-SHARP-HOSSA (2/3 same) Now everyone sing “One of these things is not like the others…”
BICKELL-BOLLAND-PISANI (1/3 same) Difficult to believe, but this line is close to last year’s in many categories
SKILLE-DOWELL-STALBERG (0/3 same) I like Skille and Dowell, but Stalberg is this year’s Kopecky with more talent, but less drive (for lack of a better word). He’s miscast on the 4th line and couldn’t cut it on the higher lines.

(Quick note: I like how Q has gone to the 3-2-1-0 configuration, whether on accident or partial design. Earlier in the season I was an advocate of spreading out the talent and experience with 2-2-2 on the top 3 lines. Q tried something close to that and it didn’t work at the time. This appears to be an effective line-up when the team gives a shit.)

Personally, I feel if the Hawks could shore up the 2nd line on offense and get someone to play consistently with Leddy on defense, then they’re looking like a very strong team. BIG IF, but that’s why you’re seeing people strike out at Kop. Most commenters didn’t like him last season and now he’s in an even higher profile position on a team that is in a dogfight to make the playoffs.