Tyler Cameron: Who is Matej Chalupa? Who is this newly signed Czech RW, Matej Chalupa?

Excellent question. I had heard of his name as a possible hockey player making the move from the European ranks to the NHL.

That was it.

So, what have I found out?

Just another lotto ticket I feel if he scores half of what Kubalik does it’s a win

This Chalupa sounds like an easy story to get a handle on

The kid won a scoring title. If he was Superman NHL teams would have been lining up, or he would have been drafted.

Wiz commented on the signing. Tyler is continuing the wait and see approach. Which is correct; let us see what we see with him in Rockford. There is good or promising points about his style. Transfer to a higher standard of play and a new culture is not automatic, you think, particularly for a young kid. Of course talent can trump shortcoming on and off ice.

He will be interesting to watch in Rockford. Tyler makes a good point too when he points out that the Czech players their scouts have unearthed have turned out to be NHL capable. Next up: Chalupa.

This Chalupa sounds like an easy story to get a handle on

The kid won a scoring title. If he was Superman NHL teams would have been lining up, or he would have been drafted.

Wiz commented on the signing. Tyler is continuing the wait and see approach. Which is correct; let us see what we see with him in Rockford. There is good or promising points about his style. Transfer to a higher standard of play and a new culture is not automatic, you think, particularly for a young kid. Of course talent can trump shortcoming on and off ice.

He will be interesting to watch in Rockford. Tyler makes a good point too when he points out that the Czech players their scouts have unearthed have turned out to be NHL capable. Next up: Chalupa.
- jhawk59

Well he has got good size ,that is a good start . Noticed Cech players as a whole play with some edge to their game ,Kubilik finished his check's .
Nobody may have been lining up for him ,but what did we pay for Kubilik a 5th Rd. pick. Like everyone else take a wait and see approach .

Worst case - Jacob Nilsson

Best case - Anton Wedin

Worst case - Jacob Nilsson

Best case - Anton Wedin
- DarthKane

Worst case Sanderson at 9th

Best case Askarov at 31st

The elephant in the room is that his last name is also a tasty Taco Bell Americanized Mexican food meaty crunch boat.

Tyler Cameron: Who is Matej Chalupa?
Who is this newly signed Czech RW, Matej Chalupa?

Excellent question. I had heard of his name as a possible hockey player making the move from the European ranks to the NHL.

That was it.

So, what have I found out?
- Tyler Cameron

You mean Chalupa Batman right?

May sound simple enough but realistic expectations: don't expect Kubalik yet expect better than Nilsson, Wedin, and hopefully Kampf.

Comparing him with Kampf, Chalupa is more skilled offensively and is a better skater but not a shutdown defender. Not yet at least.

In a season or two, I would hope to expect the 4th line to have Entwistle centering Highmore and Hagel or perhaps Soderlund and Barratt in the mix as well.

May sound simple enough but realistic expectations: don't expect Kubalik yet expect better than Nilsson, Wedin, and hopefully Kampf.

Comparing him with Kampf, Chalupa is more skilled offensively and is a better skater but not a shutdown defender. Not yet at least.

In a season or two, I would hope to expect the 4th line to have Entwistle centering Highmore and Hagel or perhaps Soderlund and Barratt in the mix as well.
- AEL_Fox

I can't wait for the new Blackhawks. Speedy, gritty, some talent and hungry.

Besides general scouting reports where is Chalupa praised for his skating, fancy stats suggest:

1. he is great at transition, getting out of the zone and entering the zone. Top 20 league-wide in CZE

2. he is good at generating chances and points

3. he is poor at Corsi and similar stats, but I suppose defending and playing without the puck relies heavily on the system and can be taught

4. his shooting percentage was only 5.8 last year

via https://hokej.cz/hokej-v-...zil-smlouvu-v-nhl/5048974

Worst case - Jacob Nilsson

Best case - Anton Wedin
- DarthKane

And then of course there's the timing of the signing and as per usual, Stan Munson'ed it, yet again.

Once the playoffs start, NHL plans on testing every single player, probably staff, every day.

4. his shooting percentage was only 5.8 last year



This might mean he's not afraid to shoot and does so a lot. More chances for rebounds if they can get someone to crash the net.

I can't wait for the new Blackhawks. Speedy, gritty, some talent and hungry.
- jhawk59

Meet the new hawks. Same as the old hawks. "Won't get fooled again"

Breadman, how’s school going? I would imagine it’s all 100% online. Also, in one of your last posts you mentioned our goalie and defense was suspect for the playoffs, no confidence in Crow?

Meet the new hawks. Same as the old hawks. "Won't get fooled again"
- I Am The Breadman

And when the playoffs start “I’ll get on my knees and pray”

Hey TC. Any chance that the Hawks (an other teams) may start piling up some of these type of signings and get rid of bottom 6 contracts like Smith considering the NHL as a whole will be losing money for at least this year and likely next as well?

Breadman, how’s school going? I would imagine it’s all 100% online. Also, in one of your last posts you mentioned our goalie and defense was suspect for the playoffs, no confidence in Crow?
- Angotti

It's going fine. Work & school online.

More of a comment of will he be play lights out after this layoff. Will he be good to go or need to shake off the rust? I was one of the few when Lehner was here always saying it was Crow's net to lose. But it was also a comment about Edm's goalie situation more & net matchup.

Great The Who response. I'll be praying too. Haha.

Hope you & your loved ones are safe & healthy.

Hey TC. Any chance that the Hawks (an other teams) may start piling up some of these type of signings and get rid of bottom 6 contracts like Smith considering the NHL as a whole will be losing money for at least this year and likely next as well?
- Chunk

I'm not sure getting rid of contracts saves any cash when you have to pay a replacement? Compliance buyouts definitely add cost.

It's going fine. Work & school online.

More of a comment of will he be play lights out after this layoff. Will he be good to go or need to shake off the rust? I was one of the few when Lehner was here always saying it was Crow's net to lose. But it was also a comment about Edm's goalie situation more & net matchup.

Great The Who response. I'll be praying too. Haha.

Hope you & your loved ones are safe & healthy.
- I Am The Breadman

That can be applied to all the players couldn't it?

We should probably be hand-wringing on whether Toews does his typical "start the season slow" routine. It'll be a quick series if he does.

I'm not sure getting rid of contracts saves any cash when you have to pay a replacement? Compliance buyouts definitely add cost.
- rpeters01

You're right. I was not thinking straight on this.

That can be applied to all the players couldn't it?

We should probably be hand-wringing on whether Toews does his typical "start the season slow" routine. It'll be a quick series if he does.
- Rota's Rooter

Of course, I just worry about games where we have to outscore our opponent because of our (team) defense. If Crow can keep out a lot more, the better for our younger, non-playoff experienced players.

Let the hand-wringing begin.

I'm not sure getting rid of contracts saves any cash when you have to pay a replacement? Compliance buyouts definitely add cost.
- rpeters01

So, 1 Goal

I'm not sure getting rid of contracts saves any cash when you have to pay a replacement? Compliance buyouts definitely add cost.
- rpeters01

I am not sure the Hawks organization is overly concerned with saving cash ,they sell liquor don't they .That is like printing money .
Getting rid of bad contracts and adding better players to replace them makes the team better makes more money .Have to spend money to make money ..