Zenon Konopka a Mighty Duck

The Ducks have acquired Zenon Konopka. He might not be a top 3 line type of player, but with Krog on his way out, this guy can defintely replace Krog. Back in 2002, there were players taken from East and West and the top 3 were given in different categories. Here are some of the statistics from that poll.
Smartest Player
Jason Spezza, BELV (30)
Zenon Konopka, OTT (21)
Eric Staal, PBO (20)

Hardest Worker
Zenon Konopka, OTT (24)
Matt Ellis, TOR (16)
Fraser Clair, BAR/Cody McCormick, BELV (tie) (12)

Best Playmaker
Jason Spezza, BELV (43) *
Jamie Johnson, PBO (16)
Zenon Konopka, OTT (10)

Best on Face-offs
Zenon Konopka, OTT (37)
Matt Ellis, TOR (18)
Jason Spezza, BELV/John Kozoriz, MISS (tie) (8)

Best Checker
Zenon Konopka, OTT (30)
Cody McCormick, BELV (21)
Jon Howse, PBO (14)

Best Defensive Forward
Zenon Konopka, OTT (32)
Matt Ellis, TOR (25)
Matt Stajan, BELV (12)

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/article.php?sid=4333

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/transactions.asp

two-year contract.

with Krog on his way out, this guy can defintely replace Krog.

More likely for AHL depth I think.

More info:

http://www.cincinnatimightyducks.com/news/stories/04-05/konopka-signing-9.1.04.htm

198 pims in 43 AHL games.

also had 82 pims in 23 ECHL games(this guy isn't NHL ready if he spent time in ECHL last year).

He will be at the Rookie Tournament. :yo:

Too small to be a big time enforcer, and not exactly blessed with the greatest offensive abilities.

What exactly is his specialty?

I like it!

Zonopka & Burnett on the fourth line should make Ducks games a little more interesting. Give them a defensively responsible energy center such as Disco Dan and you have a great 4th line.

4th line is a stretch for a player who couldn't even get full-time work in the AHL last year. And Disco Dan has retired, look for him to take over a Cincy Assistant Coach vacancy in the near future.
Konopka is an agitator type guy, similar to Laperriere I guess, but definitely not as skilled. He's good on faceoffs and can pass the puck well. A pest, he's dropping the gloves a lot to make a name for himself. (and what a name that is...)

Too small to be a big time enforcer, and not exactly blessed with the greatest offensive abilities.

What exactly is his specialty?

He replaces Cam Severson, from the sound of it.

I think Bylsma will probably never be back in the NHL. I think a few more seasons in the AHL... then hes probably going to be a coach of some sort....

he retired...

I think Bylsma will probably never be back in the NHL. I think a few more seasons in the AHL... then hes probably going to be a coach of some sort....

he retired already...he is ready for coaching...

4th line is a stretch for a player who couldn't even get full-time work in the AHL last year. And Disco Dan has retired, look for him to take over a Cincy Assistant Coach vacancy in the near future.

I know Disco Dan retired, I meant 4th line needs a player like him, a good energy center who can take care of things defensively.

Konopka is an agitator type guy, similar to Laperriere I guess, but definitely not as skilled. He's good on faceoffs and can pass the puck well. A pest, he's dropping the gloves a lot to make a name for himself. (and what a name that is...)

From what I read on Prospect board I think Zenon has potential to be a NHL-regular atleast considering his success in juniors.

From what I read on Prospect board I think Zenon has potential to be a NHL-regular atleast considering his success in juniors.

hard to say
I mean, we have another guy in our organization, Cory Pecker who lit it up in Junior, turned into a pest type for minor pro and hasn't really gotten much of a look for the big league

Zenon is much more physical than Pecker which might allow him to become a Severson-like 4th line physical player/agitator. I'd like to see him and Burnett stir up things, Ducks are IMHO way too passive physically and need to be more active.

Ducks are IMHO way too passive physically and need to be more active.

Agreed

*cue for Burnett to take a randmom 5 minute major*

As a Steelhead fan who went to a few games I think this is a good signing for the Ducks. He should be cheap and he's got great heart. One reason why he didn't play in the AHL as much was partly because the Steelies were doing so well, he definately helped them win the ECHL championship. If he makes the Ducks right away I doubt it, will probably spend time with their AHL affiliate, but still a very solid signing IMHO, you guys better enjoy him, I know i'll miss seeing him in a Steelie jersey.

As a Steelhead fan who went to a few games I think this is a good signing for the Ducks. He should be cheap and he's got great heart. One reason why he didn't play in the AHL as much was partly because the Steelies were doing so well, he definately helped them win the ECHL championship. If he makes the Ducks right away I doubt it, will probably spend time with their AHL affiliate, but still a very solid signing IMHO, you guys better enjoy him, I know i'll miss seeing him in a Steelie jersey.
Where do the Steelheads play?

Where do the Steelheads play?

Boise. They are affiliated with the Stars. This last season their AHL affiliate was Salt Lake, but now Salt Lake is the Coyotes AHL affiliate. As such for next 'season', I'm not sure if we're still going to be affiliated with the Stars, and who will be our AHL affiliate.

This guy has the skills to be an NHL 4th liner just hasnt gotten any breaks.
He reminds me of Jordin Tootoo in the way he plays and is a fan favorite anywhere he goes.

A great kid if nothing else.

As somebody who watched Konopka for years back with the 67's, he's a Brian Kilrea boy all the way. He's not big, but he's a very solid 6'1" with plenty of bulk. Nobody's going to call him a pure skill player, but he isn't a bad set-up man. His finishing skills leave plenty to be desired, and his skating is kind of choppy, but it's not horrible. In Ottawa, he wasn't a goon. He was a heart and soul player. There have been few players to wear a 67's uniform who embody more of what Brian Kilrea hockey is about.

Anyways, it's good news for him. For a while I didn't think Konopka would go anywhere in hockey. Not because he lacked effort, but because he simply wasn't particularily talented, nor was he a pugilist. Apparently he's started fighting a lot more, which in some ways is dissapointing, but if it gets him to the NHL, then hopefully it works out for him. He and his brother in law opened a restaurant a few years ago just about 5 minutes from my place, and this was kind of one more sign of how great he was in the community. The guy was amazing in the community, another reason why he was so highly thought of by many.

So all in all, I'm glad for him. He's far from the most skilled, but he's got a great head on his shoulders, and a motor that never stops. I could see him making it more in a Shaun Van Allen type of role to be honest.

A great kid if nothing else.

As somebody who watched Konopka for years back with the 67's, he's a Brian Kilrea boy all the way. He's not big, but he's a very solid 6'1" with plenty of bulk. Nobody's going to call him a pure skill player, but he isn't a bad set-up man. His finishing skills leave plenty to be desired, and his skating is kind of choppy, but it's not horrible. In Ottawa, he wasn't a goon. He was a heart and soul player. There have been few players to wear a 67's uniform who embody more of what Brian Kilrea hockey is about.

Anyways, it's good news for him. For a while I didn't think Konopka would go anywhere in hockey. Not because he lacked effort, but because he simply wasn't particularily talented, nor was he a pugilist. Apparently he's started fighting a lot more, which in some ways is dissapointing, but if it gets him to the NHL, then hopefully it works out for him. He and his brother in law opened a restaurant a few years ago just about 5 minutes from my place, and this was kind of one more sign of how great he was in the community. The guy was amazing in the community, another reason why he was so highly thought of by many.

So all in all, I'm glad for him. He's far from the most skilled, but he's got a great head on his shoulders, and a motor that never stops. I could see him making it more in a Shaun Van Allen type of role to be honest.
In other words, he's the antithesis of Sergei Fedorov.

The Ducks can sure use players with some heart. That was so obviously lacking last season, no one seemed to give a rat's a$$. I hope Konopka finally makes it to the big time and gives some of the lazy players a run for their money!!! :D

In other words, he's the antithesis of Sergei Fedorov.

I'll put it this way: You put Konopka's heart and drive into Sergei's body... watch out.

I'll put it this way: You put Konopka's heart and drive into Sergei's body... watch out.
Too bad we can't...if we could we'd have an MVP type of year from him.

Well I much rather see a less-talented player play his heart out than a talented floater.

So if I have to choose between Holmqvist and Zenon for 4th line duty, it's Zenon all the way.

And no, I don't like Holmqvist too much, IMHO he's not talented enough for top3 lines and doesn't have the grit & energy to be on 4th line.