Roman Frickin Horak!

[Super-Rye]

Originally Posted by kirant

Given he's at 29% shooting rate last I checked, it's not going to be sustainable, but I like Horak. Smart player who gets some nice in close goals.

If he keeps improving, he'll probably be a capable bottom 6 forward for the Flames. Decent recoup of Erixon's value.

I see some people saying that Horak will end up being a 3rd or 4th line forward. I would like to know why? Are you saying for the upcoming season, or are you suggesting his career potential is that of a bottom 6 guy? Are you tempering expectations? Or are you just not high on his game?

Now don't get me wrong, I'm don't think he will end up being a top line player or the center this team has been lacking, but here is a kid who, at the age of 20 showed everyone he has the smarts to be a player in the NHL. Now he is showing he has a nose for the net and is building confidence. Perhaps he will be able to build some chemistry with Sven during their time in the AHL. I see him as a possible future top 6 guy who could do 20-30 or 20-40 in his prime. Am I out to lunch? Is that unrealistic for a player of his smarts and skill set?

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

I demand this thread be renamed to Roman Frickin Scorak!

I prefer The Roman Empire as Ryan Pinder tried calling him a couple times.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by kirant

Given he's at 29% shooting rate last I checked, it's not going to be sustainable, but I like Horak. Smart player who gets some nice in close goals.

If he keeps improving, he'll probably be a capable bottom 6 forward for the Flames. Decent recoup of Erixon's value.

No one expects Horak to continue this pace as he is currently at a clip to score about 85 goals in a full 76 game season, which while it would be fricken awesome is more than unlikely. I don't think anyone believes the pace is sustainable, however I do think him scaring at half the pace the rest of the way out is sustainable because of the type of game he plays, which would see Horak end up with 45-50 goals on the season. Which would still be very impressive.

It will also be interesting if Ward keeps the Horak, Baertschi and Walter line together, each has been very impressive so far and they could put up a boat load of points this year.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

At the AHL level, being able to even score 35 goals is an impressive feat. If he can anywhere near 40, he's the real deal.

[Itse]

For others who might be wondering, the goal record for one season in the AHL is 70. (Stéphan Lebeau, Sherbrooke, 1988-89)

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Loob/Backlund

Horak is looking like he will be a solid Calgary Flame, and if Granlund and Wotherspoon turn out to solid Flame players. The Erixon trade could be a huge victory for Feaster and our Calgary Flames.

Horak: 9 games, 10 goals, 1 assist, 11 points, and +4

Granlund: 18 games, 4 goals, 7 assists, 11 points, and +4

Wotherspoon: 14 games, 1 goal, 12 assists, 13 points, and +17


Erixon: 8 games, 0 goals, 2 assists, 2 points, and +1

I'm still puzzled by the Rangers giving up so much for a holding out Erixon.
Best Feaster trade by far.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

I'm still puzzled by the Rangers giving up so much for a holding out Erixon.
Best Feaster trade by far.

I have a feeling the Flames threatened Sather with tampering charges, and he must have felt there was enough reason to be worried that it would cost him more than Horak and two draft picks.


For example, in 1994, the Devils accused the Blues of tampering with RFA Scott Stevens. After a four-year investigation, the Blues were deemed guilty and it cost them $1.5 million cash; one first round draft pick over the next 5 seasons; and the Devils were able to swap first round picks with the Blues in any one of the next 5 seasons.

That was all despite the fact that Stevens was an RFA and the Devils matched the offer sheet: http://www.hockeynut.com/9899/league0199.html


If the Flames had evidence that the Rangers had encouraged Erixon to refuse to sign with the Flames, the penalty against them could have been quite large.

[sureLoss]

I doubt Sather was too worried about tampering charges.

Remember the Flames would receive a 2nd round pick as compensation if Erixon re-entered the draft, so a minimum price was set for Erixon.

Also the rangers would have to hope 14 teams woud pass on Erixon in the first round.

By trading the 2 2nds and Horak, they got Erixon and got to keep their 1st round pick for another player.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Speaking of Tom... he has 3 points tonight for Springfield.

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

I doubt Sather was too worried about tampering charges.

Remember the Flames would receive a 2nd round pick as compensation if Erixon re-entered the draft, so a minimum price was set for Erixon.

Also the rangers would have to hope 14 teams woud pass on Erixon in the first round.

By trading the 2 2nds and Horak, they got Erixon and got to keep their 1st round pick for another player.

Agreed. Besides, a 57-overall and 45-overall isn't worth a 15-overall (which they would have had to spend to get him if Calgary didn't bite).
Horak was expendable (a 5-rounder from the year before) to guarantee they got him and not give up the 15-overall.

Looking back Horak has been a pleasant surprise. But he was below Howse on most peoples prospect rankings at the time of the trade so he really didn't constitute over payment.

I will say this. If there was an Erixon caliber prospect available I would give up Horak, Granlund, and Wotherspoon in a second for him. Some prospect guides have Erixon ranked ahead of Baertschi (though not may updated ones). All of them I have read has him in the top 100. None of Horak/Granlund/Wotherspoon comes close to cracking that.

But it is still nice to have some milk in the glass. It was a pretty gloomy day following the trade.

[MisterJoji]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

I'm still puzzled by the Rangers giving up so much for a holding out Erixon.
Best Feaster trade by far.

Gotta give props to Conroy. Feaster has flat out stated that acquiring Horak in the Erixon trade was mainly due to Conroy's suggestion/scouting. But I love that our GM listens to his colleagues (Conroy, Weisbrod, Ward, etc.) and does not rule by autonomy.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by getbak

I have a feeling the Flames threatened Sather with tampering charges, and he must have felt there was enough reason to be worried that it would cost him more than Horak and two draft picks.


For example, in 1994, the Devils accused the Blues of tampering with RFA Scott Stevens. After a four-year investigation, the Blues were deemed guilty and it cost them $1.5 million cash; one first round draft pick over the next 5 seasons; and the Devils were able to swap first round picks with the Blues in any one of the next 5 seasons.

That was all despite the fact that Stevens was an RFA and the Devils matched the offer sheet: http://www.hockeynut.com/9899/league0199.html


If the Flames had evidence that the Rangers had encouraged Erixon to refuse to sign with the Flames, the penalty against them could have been quite large.

If the Flames actually had evidence i would rather they report them to the league then.

[handgroen]

Originally Posted by kehatch

Some prospect guides have Erixon ranked ahead of Baertschi (though not may updated ones). All of them I have read has him in the top 100. None of Horak/Granlund/Wotherspoon comes close to cracking that.

But it is still nice to have some milk in the glass. It was a pretty gloomy day following the trade.

what if this trend keeps up though? wotherspoon a big physical ppg dman and Horak gets 40 goals in the ahl, i think then you see the talking heads take notice.
just saying these lists are always a bit behind.

[the-rasta-masta]

Originally Posted by kehatch

Agreed. Besides, a 57-overall and 45-overall isn't worth a 15-overall (which they would have had to spend to get him if Calgary didn't bite).
Horak was expendable (a 5-rounder from the year before) to guarantee they got him and not give up the 15-overall.

Looking back Horak has been a pleasant surprise. But he was below Howse on most peoples prospect rankings at the time of the trade so he really didn't constitute over payment.

I will say this. If there was an Erixon caliber prospect available I would give up Horak, Granlund, and Wotherspoon in a second for him. Some prospect guides have Erixon ranked ahead of Baertschi (though not may updated ones). All of them I have read has him in the top 100. None of Horak/Granlund/Wotherspoon comes close to cracking that.

But it is still nice to have some milk in the glass. It was a pretty gloomy day following the trade.

Any guesses as to where Erixon would have been picked if he had re-entered the draft? Just kind of interested in where most scouts might have had him at that point?

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by the-rasta-masta

Any guesses as to where Erixon would have been picked if he had re-entered the draft? Just kind of interested in where most scouts might have had him at that point?

early teens I would guess

[devo22]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

early teens I would guess

seems about right. And hey, you could spin it that way: if Erixon had been picked in that range, that could have caused others to slide a spot. Not unrealistic that we would now have Ryan Murphy instead of Bärtschi ...

[GreenLantern]

Very excited about Horak and very happy he is playing so well.

However, when I see 10 goals/1 assist I start getting a little worried. I think of guys like Kobasew or Moss that just never rounded out their game, and would pitch in that flat goal rate every year but couldn't contribute on any other level. Ultimately we know how they ended up. The fact that he has that many goals this early though keeps me optimistic and I am not trying to rain on the parade (10 goals in 9 games, WOW), just wondering if anyone else shares my concerns OR has some light to shed on areas of his game that are strong I am not aware of.

[_Q_]

I don't think there's anything wrong with Horak turning into a Moss or Kobasew. Those two players are/were legit NHLers. In Moss' case, if it wasn't for all the injuries he would have been a perennial 25g/25a player, which isn't that bad at all. Still, I think Horak has more hockey IQ and drive than either of those two players and I honestly see him as a possible 2nd line player in the future.

[devo22]

agreed. A healthy Moss was capable of 20 goals in 08/09 and had 17 in just 58 games two years later (on pace for 24). Kobasew hit 20 goals three times. If Horak manages 20 at the NHL level at some point in the future, I won't complain.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by devo22

agreed. A healthy Moss was capable of 20 goals in 08/09 and had 17 in just 58 games two years later (on pace for 24). Kobasew hit 20 goals three times. If Horak manages 20 at the NHL level at some point in the future, I won't complain.

Someone sold their soul to satan.