Cervenka signs 3-year deal with SKA (KHL)

[BigJim]

Perhaps the Flames didn't see a fit and indicated that they were not going to offer him a new contract. When I see how the Kings, Blues etc. are pounding their opposition with size and strength, the thought of Cervenka being in our top six really hits home how far the Flames need to go. I don't think they saw him as part of the picture moving forward.

[gargamel]

He could have been a nice addition to a team like Boston, but he would have only gotten in the way of developing the young players in Calgary. In that sense, I'm glad to see him go, but it was fun watching him for a year and I wish him nothing but the best.

[SofaProfessor]

I wouldn't have minded seeing him back for a full season starting healthy. That being said, I won't lose any sleep over this. He was nothing special. He certainly has skill and he had some shining moments but when he wasn't scoring he left a lot to be desired.

[devo22]

Too bad, I hoped he'd be back for another year ... healthy and with a full training camp. Surprised he wouldn't even wait till July 5th before bolting back to Europe, but oh well.

Good luck Roman.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Yes. How dare they take a chance in a bid to make the team better.

They took a risk with Cervenka being a top 6 center. They put all their eggs in the Cervenka basket. I think the scouts/management raised expectations too much touting him as a top 6 center when the guy can't even play center in the NHL.

Having said that Roman was a fine winger who I think could've score 25 goals 50 points had be stuck around next year. I think he had what it took to be a decent 2nd line winger in the NHL too bad he took off so quickly.

[JurassicTunga12]

lol:

Mike Halford ‏@HalfordPHT 12m

Cervenka's memories of his one and only NHL season: "Lockout, 48 games in 99 days, and my team traded away all the good players at the end."

[Bourque's Twin]

It would have been nice to see him back because he had yet to reach his potential.
However, I'm not surprised about his decision to go back. He plays better over there, is used to the culture, and succeeds more on the ice.

[Nammer403]

Good luck Roman,

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by gargamel

He could have been a nice addition to a team like Boston, but he would have only gotten in the way of developing the young players in Calgary. In that sense, I'm glad to see him go, but it was fun watching him for a year and I wish him nothing but the best.

I don't understand how some feel that if Cervenka went to Boston or say Detroit things would have been better? Can't see Boston playing him full time being that he is a soft player. Detroit thought Hudlers 2 way game was questionable. Imagine what they would have thought of Cervenka's?

His best shot at making the NHL was probably through the flames. I think he would have been in the pressbox even more if he was on a good team.

The guy has talent but his game is much better suited for Euro hockey. He probably will be paid more over there than what he would ever make in the NHL. Also from all reports they treat him like a god over in Europe. Not a tough decission for him to go back.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by JurassicTunga12

lol:

Mike Halford ‏@HalfordPHT 12m

Cervenka's memories of his one and only NHL season: "Lockout, 48 games in 99 days, and my team traded away all the good players at the end."

Ha ha. You could see from his point of view that his introductory season in the NHL was a little bit of a sh$t show.

Not a big deal though. The Flames tried and it was a low risk, high reward scenario. If it didn't work out no big deal and if it did it would have been coup to get a solid player in his prime without giving anything up or going through the developement. He did show skills but at the end of the day he would have had to put a lot of work into his body and overall game to have a long NHL career. He went back to what was more familiar and comfortable and that's fine. He seemed at least like a good person and never complained when he was benched and playing 4th line. Good luck to him and his family.

[Puppet Guy]

no biggie one way or the other.

[GreenLantern]

No harm no foul, he played OK, obviously didn't like it here and went back to where he is comfortable. I think he had the skill to play in the NHL, but was much too soft.

He did have some pretty nifty plays and was fun to watch.

[Itse]

Well, propably got a much better offer than what anybody in the NHL would have offered.

Actually, propably better than anybody would have ever offered him in the NHL, since he wasn't going to light the world on fire here. Not someone we'll miss either.

[Tinordi]

Good bye, didn't have the guts to cut it.

[Jake]

He could have been a useful player on another team in the NHL, but I didn't think he brought much that the Flames need. He probably could score 20-30 goals with consistent ice time, though he would often be a liability.

[Harvey's Tongue]

And the hits just keep on coming.

[Alberta_Beef]

meh, no room for him anyways

[Roof-Daddy]

Absolutely no room on this team for him.

We have a lot of wingers under contract for next season, and the majority of them are smaller and/or softer, skilled guys. Players like Tanguay, Cammalleri, Hudler, Baertschi and to an extent Glencross and Stempniak.

In fact, the Flames need to find a way to trade one or two of the wingers they already have under contract in order to make room for one or two wingers with size, physicality, toughness and defensive awareness.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Surprised he scampered back so fast. Too bad. Most of his goals were nice to watch.

The irony here is that most of his goals were a result of his failure to scamper back to his own zone. He benefitted numerous times being late coming back and somebody connecting with a long pass while he was way behind the play.

He really added nothing to the team and it is not a big loss.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

The irony here is that most of his goals were a result of his failure to scamper back to his own zone.

That's really just not true.