Thanks to thedoctor for this link that confirms what we all knew was coming - Jaroslav Hlinka is headed back to Europe, signing with a Swedish club. That is a Swedish club, right?
Even though we all knew he wouldn’t be back, I’m sorry to see Hlinka go. I enjoyed watching him play - especially when he was on his game, which, unfortunately, wasn’t quite often enough. I think with a little more seasoning he could be a useful player in the NHL, but the Avs just didn’t have the luxury of giving him the ice time he needed to develop. I wonder what would have happened if he’d come over the season before…
I’m not sure that Hlinka really counts as part of the following group, but this does follow the trend of NHL veterans heading over (or back) to Europe as their NHL flames dwindle. It’s just May and already we’ve seen Petteri Nummelin (one of the few players who hit less than Tyler Arnason) head to Switzerland while Chris Simon and John Grahame are on their way to Russia. Hlinka is the 3rd Avalanche to head back across the pond in two years (Antti Laaksonen and Ossi Vaananen went to Europe last summer). That’s great news for Arnie, as that gives him several roommate options when he makes his own move next year.
HA!
yeah, we wish about Arnason. I can’t see us getting rid of him this offseason though.
Don’t let the door hit you on the way out, Hlinka. Especially since, given your toughness, it would probably knock you into next week.
ooh, new offseason moves tab (or maybe I’m just noticing it). that’s going to be useful, nice work.
yeah, just added that today.
You know I think with some adjustment he would be a decent NHLer. I know he’s a bit soft, but there’s a lot of Euros who need some of the physical conditioning before developing into good NHL players.
I like the offseason tab too.
Galardi (sp?) is probably a long shot to make the team though. Maybe we will see this Chris Stewart people have been talking about though. I’m starting to think he doesn’t actually exist though.
Oops, thats a lot of “though”. Sorry.
It’s a shame that Hlinka couldn’t have been better utilized. Much like Vitaly Kolesnik, Hlinka’s talents were squandered by awful coaching and man management. Woulda been nice to see what he could have done under the new regime, but I look forward to seeing what he will do with Lingkopings.
Inyoface — I doubt we see Stewart this year either. there’s just too much RW depth on this team with Hejduk and Svatos still around (and Jones too, I guess). His promotion probably depends as much on his own play as Svatos’ this year.
Inyoface,
“No one” thought that Stastny, Liles, Wolski or Svatos could make the team as pure rookies out of camp either.
There’s always at least one or two rookies who make huge impressions in camp. Galardi, Mercier (if he leaves Miami) or perhaps even Nigel Williams (with Finger and Sauer not resigning / injuries etc…) could make the club. Always keep an eye on the pipeline, it’s almost a certainty that some kid will make it. Stewart on the other hand is in Boychuck territory. Everyone is on the edge of their seat because of his talent but he’s just not proving it on the ice yet. I hope I’m wrong about Stewart but so far he’s been just so so.
Yeah. You guys are right. Stewart is kind of turning into the “what could have been” player.
I like Williams’ chances. However, if Galardi does make the team along with Hensick, what one earth would we name there line if they play together. T2J2? Then the avs should go after a third TJ.
Tim Jackman ftl