[GDT] Dec. 11 Heat vs. Americans (5:05 MT, 4:05 PST)

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by 868904

Does Roman HOrak have Jere Lehtinen upside?

Would sure be nice. I doubt Horak scores as much if he stick in the NHL throughout his career.

[moon]

Originally Posted by 868904

Does Roman HOrak have Jere Lehtinen upside?

I know I am looked at as a hater of Flames prospects but that seems a little bit high for me.

Lehtinen was a perinneal Selke nominee and I don't think Horak has that in him.

I would say Tomas Plekanec (and that is recognizing the terrible comparing a Czech to a Czech crutch) is a guy that would be his ceiling. A second line guy that can be the third guy on a top line with decent defense.

I doubt he makes that but that would be more realistic than Lehtinen in my view.

[kirant]

Originally Posted by moon

I would say Tomas Plekanec (and that is recognizing the terrible comparing a Czech to a Czech crutch) is a guy that would be his ceiling. A second line guy that can be the third guy on a top line with decent defense.

Plekanec or Flippula sound like reasonable approximation for absolute ceiling. Flippula is showing signs of getting even better recently, so he might not be great as. Like when comparing Sieloff to Kronwall, people envision what they're like recently, not what the heart of the comparison is.

If we're going down this route, I think a player like Fiddler might be a decent "realistic expectation".

[the-rasta-masta]

Originally Posted by thymebalm

Another point... Having a tough stretch here with one win in their last 5 now.

That coincides with Baertschi getting hurt doesn't it? Obviously a major component of this team.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by the-rasta-masta

That coincides with Baertschi getting hurt doesn't it? Obviously a major component of this team.

Walter was injured for 2 or 3 of those games as well, if I remember correctly they started collecting points again with his return.

Ben and Sven are what stirs this teams drink IMO.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

Walter was injured for 2 or 3 of those games as well, if I remember correctly they started collecting points again with his return.

Ben and Sven are what stirs this teams drink IMO.

I agree. But I'd also add Ben Street to that list as well. More often than not, he's making those around him better (like Sven and Ben do).

If you want evidence, just look at his play each game without those other two. He carries the load with huge minutes, plays all ends of the ice very well, and while he hasn't had mind blowing numbers with those injured guys gone, he's been the catalyst for most of the Heat's offense.

[SuperMatt18]

Style wise the wing is much better for Horak as well.

Horak's biggest strength is that he is able to find open space in the offensive zone when he doesn't have the puck, a ideal strength for a winger.

Watch Horak when he doesn't have the puck and it is amazing at times to see just how smart he is when moving into open spaces in the offensive zone.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Style wise the wing is much better for Horak as well.

Horak's biggest strength is that he is able to find open space in the offensive zone when he doesn't have the puck, a ideal strength for a winger.

Watch Horak when he doesn't have the puck and it is amazing at times to see just how smart he is when moving into open spaces in the offensive zone.

Sure. But his defensive smarts are a good reason to keep him at centre.

Horak is just a smart, hard working hockey player. I think he'll succeed at either position. I love that he's got a newfound scoring touch. He seems to just find rebounds and shovel them on net like crazy.