As we all know, we're currently about 2 weeks and some change from the first game of the season. Not looking so good for the league being back by then. So, naturally, some of the boys have decided to take their game overseas/to the AHL. Figured this would be a good idea to keep track of them and discuss their ongoings.
Just post if you guys hear something, and I'll add it.
Vladimír Sobotka - HC Slavia Praha (Czech Extraliga)
5-9-14 in 10GP (Next game 10/19 -vs- HC České Budějovice @ 10:15 CDT)
Roman Polák - HC Vítkovice (Czech Extraliga)
0-3-3 in 10GP (Next game 10/19 -vs- HC Bílí Tygři Liberec @ 11:15 CDT)
Patrik Berglund - VIK Västerĺs (Swedish Allsvenskan)
4-1-5 in 9GP (Next game 10/20 -vs- Karlskrona HK @ 11:00 CDT)
Alexander Steen - MODO (Swedish Elitserien)
5-9-13 in 10GP (Next game 10/19 -vs- Brynäs IF @ 12:00 CDT)
Chris Stewart - Eispiraten Crimmitschau (German 2nd Bundesliga)
3-5-8 in 7GP (Next game 10/19 -vs- Dresden Eislöwen @ 13:00 CDT)
Matt D'Agostini - SC Riessersee (German 2nd Bundesliga)
0-0-0 in 1GP (Next game 10/19 -vs- SERC Wild Wings @ 13:00 CDT)
Vladimir Tarasenko - SKA (KHL)
6-5-11 in 6GP (Next game 10/18 -vs- HC Sibir Novosibirsk @ 10:45 CDT)
Kris Russell - TPS (Finnish SM-liiga)
1-1-2 in 2GP (Next game 10/19 -vs- Jokerit @ 10:30 CDT)
Last edited by Ronnie Coleman: 10-21-2012 at 09:03 PM.
Steen is now rumored to be signing with MODO along with Tobais Enstrom
Has it been 100% resolved that the SEL cannot compel their member clubs to restrict player contracts to full-season-only deals? I had heard that there were still some legal avenues that the Elitserien was exploring in order to justify their hard-line position.
Has it been 100% resolved that the SEL cannot compel their member clubs to restrict player contracts to full-season-only deals? I had heard that there were still some legal avenues that the Elitserien was exploring in order to justify their hard-line position.
A Swedish court ruled that the teams could sign locked out NHLers but the SEL then appealed so it appears the issue is still not completely decided. I find it odd that the teams are ok with it but the league itself isn't. In the meantime, while the SEL waits for their appeal to be heard, it looks like Steen and others will start playing soon.
Quote:
@TheFourthPeriod: Winnipeg's Tobias Enstrom and St. Louis' Alexander Steen have jumped on with Modo of the SEL & are expected to make their debuts on Tuesday.
Jori Lehtera has 14 pts in 8 KHL games this year. He had a 2 point game today and 5 point game last week.
Yeah, he has had a great start to the season. Hopefully he will make his way to the Blues for the 13/14 season, but I won't hold my breath if he sustains this form!
His fighting though I guess he still won the fight
Yeah, he has had a great start to the season. Hopefully he will make his way to the Blues for the 13/14 season, but I won't hold my breath if he sustains this form!
His fighting though I guess he still won the fight
But WILL he really be able to score easily in The NHL? He'll have a LOT less room to operate and time to initiate his play on the small ice and with the tighter defences and more hitting.
Is he skating significantly better than he did 2 years ago? Does he play, at least passable defence by KHL standards? I haven't watched any KHL games with him playing (only seen a few highlights).
But WILL he really be able to score easily in The NHL? He'll have a LOT less room to operate and time to initiate his play on the small ice and with the tighter defences and more hitting.
Is he skating significantly better than he did 2 years ago? Does he play, at least passable defence by KHL standards? I haven't watched any KHL games with him playing (only seen a few highlights).
His skating is better than it was, but it is far from great. I do think it is overblown by some though, it certainly isn't worse than someone like Antropov. Plus, let's remember what Backes was like a few years ago. If he wants to play in the NHL, then I'm sure he'll get plenty of work done on it.
His defensively play does suffer because of the skating, but he isn't bad. He has been a + player in the KHL for his 2 years, the first on a very good Lokomotiv side and with Sibir last year going against the opposition top line with Enlund & Tarasenko. He is 5-10-15 (9 primary assists) and a +8 in his first 9 games this season.
What would he do in the NHL? Who knows. I think the key factor is that we were in the perfect position to give him a chance when you look at the make up of our team. We need a third line centre, but because we roll 3 scoring lines we don't need the typical idea of an NHL third line centre. We have wingers like Steen or Oshie who could have helped with the transition of the defensive game. We might even have got someone capable of winning faceoffs more than 50% of the time as well! If he did bust, I think we could have coped fine and moved to the backup plan of Steen/Oshie to centre and Schwartz up or whatever.
Who knows what our team will look like next summer, and if it will make any sense to be having a look at Lehterä.
I guess he still won the fight 
