Zajjac and Calder?....

I realize it's only two games and he's probably a long shot especially if Malkin has a Crosby/Ovechkin type rookie season. However, with his all-around polished game and if he nets over 50 pts and Malkin doesn't blow past all the other candidates, from watching his play thus far I believe this kid may just have a shot. Especially, if he plays all season long like he has his first two games.

I think that Kopitor kid in LA has the early lead on the Calder but that said, it's only been 2 games so who knows.

I think that Kopitor kid in LA has the early lead on the Calder but that said, it's only been 2 games so who knows.

I think Kopitar will win it, regardless of Malkin.

I think Kopitar will win it, regardless of Malkin.


Didn't quite a few teams pass him over?

Didn't quite a few teams pass him over?

I couldn't believe he fell to the Kings at #11 I do believe....Defintely a steal for the Kings......

I couldn't believe he fell to the Kings at #11 I do believe....Defintely a steal for the Kings......

Wasn't part of the reason for that because he was from Slovenia, a place which had never produced an NHL caliber player before?

Wasn't part of the reason for that because he was from Slovenia, a place which had never produced an NHL caliber player before?


Absolutely. Before Kopitar got drafted, I don't think the words "Slovenia" and "hockey" had ever been used in the same sentence before. It definitely loooks like he could have gone much higher in that draft. But then...what's scouting like in Slovenia? How many NHL teams probably hadn't even scouted this kid? I can't imagine there were too many NHL teams that had their head scout trolling around in Slovenia looking for the next young stud to come in to the league.

Didn't quite a few teams pass him over?

Ya, I think it's the biggest mistake the Habs made drafting Carey Price over him......I mean Kopitar is a 1st line C easily and the Habs needed a guy like that. I would have traded up to grab Kopitar at 10th or something, I liked him for awhile before the draft, thought he'd go top 5 easy.

Ya, I think it's the biggest mistake the Habs made drafting Carey Price over him......I mean Kopitar is a 1st line C easily and the Habs needed a guy like that. I would have traded up to grab Kopitar at 10th or something, I liked him for awhile before the draft, thought he'd go top 5 easy.

I think most were thinking the Habs would go with Gilbert Brule at that spot. At the time Price seemed an odd choice given that they had Theodore and just signed Danis to a nice entry level deal. Still too early to write off Price. Not like Kopitar was a sure thing (then again who is) but he did tumble further down simply because he was from Slovenia.

I know a few of my SJ friends were mad that they picked Setoguchi instead of Kopitar at #8.

I'm a solid Devils fan I don't really think that Zajac has a chance over Malkin, Kopitar and Carle. He's a good young prospect, but I think that the 3 players I've mentionned are in a different class.

I think most were thinking the Habs would go with Gilbert Brule at that spot. At the time Price seemed an odd choice given that they had Theodore and just signed Danis to a nice entry level deal. Still too early to write off Price. Not like Kopitar was a sure thing (then again who is) but he did tumble further down simply because he was from Slovenia.

I know a few of my SJ friends were mad that they picked Setoguchi instead of Kopitar at #8.

I tought is was a Zajac board:confused:

I'm a solid Devils fan I don't really think that Zajac has a chance over Malkin, Kopitar and Carle. He's a good young prospect, but I think that the 3 players I've mentionned are in a different class.


I forgot about Carle. He will be one heck of a defensemen. Real smooth player.

I think most were thinking the Habs would go with Gilbert Brule at that spot. At the time Price seemed an odd choice given that they had Theodore and just signed Danis to a nice entry level deal. Still too early to write off Price. Not like Kopitar was a sure thing (then again who is) but he did tumble further down simply because he was from Slovenia.

I know a few of my SJ friends were mad that they picked Setoguchi instead of Kopitar at #8.

Brule fell because of conditioning issues I believe.

I don't see why Kopitar fell. He played in Sweden, there were plenty of NHL scouts there and he obviously did very well. Where someone is from should have no bearing on their draft status. All that matters is the level of competition.

I don't see why Kopitar fell. He played in Sweden, there were plenty of NHL scouts there and he obviously did very well. Where someone is from should have no bearing on their draft status. All that matters is the level of competition.

I agree, and he played with Bergfors in Sweden.

Am I wrong to be so excited about Zajac? :dunno:

I don't think the Calder is a possibility but I still really like this kid.....A Lot!!

Am I wrong to be so excited about Zajac? :dunno:

I don't think the Calder is a possibility but I still really like this kid.....A Lot!!

No, you're not wrong. I even took Zajac as a sleeper pick in pools.

I don't see why Kopitar fell. He played in Sweden, there were plenty of NHL scouts there and he obviously did very well. Where someone is from should have no bearing on their draft status. All that matters is the level of competition.I agree but still.

How many Top 10 picks from Non-traditional hockey countries really made an impact in the NHL, not too many. It's still weird that anyone from freaking Slovenia could become a starplayer in the world's most competitive hockeyleague. Any team that has a Top10 pick don't want to pick a BUST and will take the safe route.

No, you're not wrong. I even took Zajac as a sleeper pick in pools.

:shakehead

:shakehead

What? You don't even know me son, so get the **** out my face.

I agree but still.

How many Top 10 picks from Non-traditional hockey countries really made an impact in the NHL, not too many. It's still weird that anyone from freaking Slovenia could become a starplayer in the world's most competitive hockeyleague. Any team that has a Top10 pick don't want to pick a BUST and will take the safe route.

Vanek seems to be doing OK.

Vanek seems to be doing OK.

Vanek is from Belarus I think.

Vanek is from Belarus I think.

Switzerland, but close.

Switzerland, but close.

Didn't he play on the Belarus team for a tournament?

Switzerland, but close.

Austria :) http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3344

LOL @ one person correcting another on Vanek's nationality

Belarus and Switzerland. Wow. And to think all you need to do is check their team page to know where they're REALLY from.

Austria :) http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3344

:dunce: :dunce: :dunce: I KNEW that too.....I was just reading TSN about Aebischer getting the start for the Habs tonight and I put in Switzerland, **** beans.