Sunday, April 24, 2005

 

WC: Looking to Slovakia

The Slovaks are preparing to meet evil Sweden for one more exhibition game before the World Championships.

As Santa Claus prepares his shopping list for this winter, Slovak coach Frantisek HoHoHossa has cast aside a few players on his naughty list (D-men Andrej Meszároš, Tomáš Starosta, Peter Podhradský, Ladislav Čierny and forwards Roman Kukumberg, Jiří Bicek, Andrej Nedorost, Martin Kulha, Miroslav Zálešák and Martin Hujsa) and called on a few good boys as 28 players battle for a spot on the final team.

The roster, to date:

Goalies: Jan Lasak, Rastislav Stana, Krazy Karol Krizan

Defensemen: Martin Strbak, Lubomir Visnovsky, Rene Vydareny, Richard Lintner, Zdeno Chara, Radoslav Suchy, Ivan Majesky, Jaroslav Obsut, Dominik Granak, Richard Stehlik

Forwards: Zigmund Palffy, Jozef Stumpel, Miroslav Satan, Pavol Demitra, Marian Hossa, Marian Gaborik, Michal Handzus, Richard Zednik, Vladimir Orszagh, Marcel Hossa, Ladislav Nagy, Lubos Bartecko, Peter Pucher, Juraj Stefanka, Branko Radivojevic

Out of the 28, I would expect Vydareny, Pucher, Granak, Stehlik, and Stefanka to be cut rather easily. That would leave 23, and leave coach Frantisek Hossa with one tough decision to make.

I was surprised to see Andrej Meszaros cut, but the Slovak roster has depth not available to them in other years, so it's understandable. Leafs draft pick Roman Kukumberg, a fine defensive forward, is a surprise cut to me given the lack of defensive forwards on the current 28-man roster.

* In other Slovak news, Marian Gaborik has been ordered to pay ex-agents Alan Walsh and David Schatia a settlement for what is estimated to be between 225,000 and 425,000$ for giving him bad advice and NOT negotiating his contract.

The American Legal System, punishing victims since 1812.

(assist to the Ice Block for the story)

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