[Signing] Flames sign CZE D Jakub Nakladal to 1 year ELC

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

He's 6'2" and 205 which is average for a defenceman but bigger than any of our top four.

Sure, but our top 4 is probably the smallest in the league. I was just questioning calling this guy "BIG". It sounds like he's more of a positional defender than someone who is going to be a physical presence.

In other words, he really is a Smid replacement.

[Enoch Root]

Very low cost (50 man roster spot) and very low risk. Love these signings - sooner or later, one will pan out and make all the efforts very worthwhile.

IMO he is replacing Smid in the organization. And worst case scenario: he adds depth and experience to the Stockton blueline.

Giordano - Brodie
Russell - Wideman
Schlemko - Engelland
UFA/Diaz - Nakladal
Wotherspoon - Morrison

I would think they only re-sign Diaz if they can't land a UFA.

Then you hope that someone steps up. I predict that either Schlemko, Nakladal, Wotherspoon or Morrison starts getting top 4 minutes by the trade deadline.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Then you hope that someone steps up. I predict that either Schlemko, Nakladal, Wotherspoon or Morrison starts getting top 4 minutes by the trade deadline.

Over Gio, Brodie, Wideman or Russell?

[Enoch Root]

Wideman - as great as he was this year, the team would be better off going forward if he were getting #5 minutes and offensive situations.

[ricardodw]

How bad of skater can he be? If he is on a National team on the big ice surface at the world championships he would be better by default than say 1/3 of the NHL d-men.... Engelland for example would have significant trouble on the larger ice surface.


serious question .... are there D-men at the worlds that showed up in the NHL without being able to skate at the NHL level?

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Isn't he 6'1" or 2"? That's pretty average for a defensive d-man, no?

I guess so..

Still hoping the Flames get a big, punishing badass top four blueliner.

[calgaryboy]

Hello guys from Czech republic. Really happy about this signing. Nakladal is one of the best Czech defencemen last few years, very reliable, logging big minutes. He has a very hard shot, he is big and plays physical. In this WC he was clearly the best Czech defender. I think this will turn out to be great signing fo us. Low risk, and everything you can ask for in one package, big, strong, physical, great shot, mobile def. So that is a little look from me. GO FLAMES!

[Righteous1]

Future Conn Smyth??

[Tinordi]

How many contracts do we have now?

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

How many contracts do we have now?

I think 45, this one doesn't start till July 1st.

The Flames will likely drop a few as well, so its up in the air.

[Murph]

Originally Posted by getbak

He played this season in Turku. If there's one thing I know about Turku, it's that he's probably a goalie now.

So what your saying is, if we stick this guy on the ice with Russell it'll be like having three goalies on the ice at once?

[Murph]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

How many contracts do we have now?

With this we have 30 players signed, 15 RFA's and 8 UFA's.

[FusionX]

Originally Posted by calgaryboy

Hello guys from Czech republic. Really happy about this signing. Nakladal is one of the best Czech defencemen last few years, very reliable, logging big minutes. He has a very hard shot, he is big and plays physical. In this WC he was clearly the best Czech defender. I think this will turn out to be great signing fo us. Low risk, and everything you can ask for in one package, big, strong, physical, great shot, mobile def. So that is a little look from me. GO FLAMES!

I know similar posts have been made before in the past but this is what makes this community so great. We sign a relatively unknown Czech defender and we manage to get an insider's view from one of our own! Not to mention that this info is probably the closest, best and most trustworthy (IMO) out of any media outlet out there at the moment. Take that TSN and Sportsnet! Also, thanks Calgaryboy!

[flamesfan55]

Originally Posted by calgaryboy

Hello guys from Czech republic. Really happy about this signing. Nakladal is one of the best Czech defencemen last few years, very reliable, logging big minutes. He has a very hard shot, he is big and plays physical. In this WC he was clearly the best Czech defender. I think this will turn out to be great signing fo us. Low risk, and everything you can ask for in one package, big, strong, physical, great shot, mobile def. So that is a little look from me. GO FLAMES!

Thanks for the info. I have heard that he has a great shot several times now but his point total is quite low. Does he not utilize the shot enough or just unlucky. You would think a guy like him with a great shot would be logging PP time?

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by calgaryboy

Hello guys from Czech republic. Really happy about this signing. Nakladal is one of the best Czech defencemen last few years, very reliable, logging big minutes. He has a very hard shot, he is big and plays physical. In this WC he was clearly the best Czech defender. I think this will turn out to be great signing fo us. Low risk, and everything you can ask for in one package, big, strong, physical, great shot, mobile def. So that is a little look from me. GO FLAMES!

Sounds like he could be a good signing. One question will be how well he adapts to North America as it seems harder for older players to adjust to the different culture. It may take him half the season to feel comfortable.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Sounds like he could be a good signing. One question will be how well he adapts to North America as it seems harder for older players to adjust to the different culture. It may take him half the season to feel comfortable.

Pretty good sign would be how soon he gets over to Calgary and settles in.

IIRC Cervenka showed up at training camp and had poor English, wasn't in good shape, had blood clots and was adjusting to many things at the same time. Almost forced Hudler to be his handler and Hudler had issues of his own.

That was Hudler's worst NHL season.... partly having Cervenka as a linemate along with him being in Europe during Training camp due to his father's death.

The other poor season Hudler had was the year he rejoined the Wings after his going back to Europe for a year.

Cervenka played in 39 out of 48 games in 2012/13 Only 3 seasons ago.... what a difference in the Flames

Lineup in Cervenka's first game as a Flame

M. Backlund C
S. Baertschi LW
J. Bouwmeester D
T. Brodie D
M. Cammalleri LW
R. Cervenka C
B. Comeau LW
M. Giordano D
C. Glencross LW
J. Hudler LW
J. Iginla RW
B. Jones C
C. Sarich D
D. Smith D
M. Stajan C
L. Stempniak RW
A. Tanguay LW
D. Wideman D

with Begin, Jackman and Butler on the Bench.

Gio, Brodie, Wideman, Backlund, Stajan Hudler left from that team...... All the guys left over are better than they were in 12/13

Boy was that team small.

[cannon7]

What does he project to?

Umm...he's 27, o, he's a depth defenceman it turns out.

[FlamesFanFromBC]

He (#87) played recently with Roman Cervenka (#10) at the IIHF world championship. 10 GP, 0 G, 5 A, 5 PTS, -3, 4 PIM, 14 SHOTS.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Looking at that first picture, it looks like he plays flames hockey!

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by cannon7

What does he project to?

Umm...he's 27, o, he's a depth defenceman it turns out.

So when Gio was 25 in October 2008 and he signed a 3 year 891 K/year deal coming back from the KHL. He was supposed to be a good bottom pairing depth guy.

Hard to say what Nakladal projects to.

Nakladal has a really good shot at some NHL time... He is better positioned then when Gio came back. Gio was deep on the depth chart behind Phanuef, Regehr, Aucion, Sarich, Pardy and Vandermeer and 1st round pick Pelech was supposed to be almost ready.