EHM The Blue Line

I meant playing right now ... sorry. Old farts don't matter to me...I am the only old fart that matters.

Oh Tomáš Nosek then. Captain at the World Juniors in 2012, but went undrafted by the NHL. Just finshed 10th in scoring in the Czech Extraliga and is currently with the National team although he probably won't make the cut for the World Championships. Might not be the very best player Europe, but at only 21 years old probably has some upside and might get a chance from an NHL club in the future. I'm also assuming you're not counting pre-draft players

Not pre draft. and BEST PLAYER IN EUROPE not drafted, not affiliated at any time in any way with an NHL Club.

Nominee #1 Tomas Nosek-Czech

My memories of Holeček are from the 1976 Canada Cup, where he played poorly (and was outplayed by teammate Dzurilla). I've got his 1972 game against Canada on DVD, as well as the 1976 Gold Medal game (against the Russians) and the 1976 Canada Cup games...IMO Holeček seemed to struggle with the slapshots, and played to deep in his net to be effective against North American Competition.

Tretiak on the other hand had a lot of success against North America! Despite the Russians almost always being outshot/outplayed! So I don't understand (or agree with) Holeček's disparaging comment about Tretiak

batdad wrote:Not to mention the Danes, Poles, Greeks, Turks, Swiss and French

Honestly if anyone can make a compelling case for a player with these nationalities then they have my vote.

batdad wrote:Who is the best player in Europe who has never played in the NHL, and no NHL team has rights to or has ever had rights to? Ie best totally NHL free Euro hockey player?

Let the debate begin....

Alessandro: Russian guy
Manimal: Swedish guy
Archi: SOme Brit ...arhi this is about hockey not grass hockey
Tasku: some silly Finn.
We need someone to step up and rep the Czechs, Slovaks, Germans and Belorussians Latvian and Khazaki monsters.


Not to mention the Danes, Poles, Greeks, Turks, Swiss and French

In Sweden, it is easily Jimmie Ericsson of Skellefteå. A big, strong two-way forward that can play in all positions and situations. He is the captain of his team(last years champions and now leading this years finals 2-0 ) and was the only SHL player on Sweden's Olympic silver-winning team (Do teams win silver? Gold-losing team?)
In this years playoffs he has scored 10 goals in 12 games.
He is the brother of Jonathan Ericsson in Detroit.
He was close to signing in the NHL after last season but decided to stay in Sweden

Dzurilla was a beast. Loved him. Did not even know the other guy.

So the nominees are:

Jimmie Ericsson LW/RW Sweden age 34. Best year 2012-13 Skelleftea SHL- 8-27-35 in 45 games
Tomas Nosek LW/C-Czech-age 21. Best year 2013-14 HC Pardubice Czech 19-25-44 in 52 games.

If you are only interested in stats then I think Pär Arlbrandt is a better option.
The diminutive winger is highly skilled and scored 71pts in 54 SHL games this season.
But I think Ericsson is a better player

No not just #s. just posting them as that is what is available.

Kharlamov and isn't even close

Alessandro wrote:Kharlamov and isn't even close

I tend to agree

batdad wrote:I meant playing right now

How about someone playing now?

Absolutely Kharlamov, but only because Tretiak was drafted. Was Valeri? I cannot recall. If so he is ineligible for best of all time....but yeah, looking at today.

batdad wrote:Absolutely Kharlamov, but only because Tretiak was drafted. Was Valeri? I cannot recall. If so he is ineligible for best of all time....but yeah, looking at today.

I had to look it up! He was drafted in 1972 by the WHA Calgary Broncos! The Calgary Broncos never played a game, becoming the Cleveland Crusaders before the first WHA season started. Given the Draft was in February, they drafted him before the famous Canada/Russia series!

So drafted by a WHA team that never played a game! HaHa

SO he is eliminated from best Euro ever (who was never affiliated with any North American team of any kind in any way shape or form)....BUT....not what I am doing so who cares. Cool though for the Calgary Broncos. LOL

It was supposed to be affiliated with an NHL team, not North American team!

I know...I was being silly as it did not matter to my question anyway...since the specific player is DEAD.

Also doesn't matter, because most everyone who'd play in North America, would probably be affiliated with an NHL team, unless if they've signed a contract with an AHL/ECHL or Junior team independently. Which doesn't happen too often.

Best Finn, huh?
Goalie Petri Vehanen.. still.

Lazion wrote:Best Finn, huh?
Goalie Petri Vehanen.. still.

I agree if I don't forget anyone but he's at least one of the bests in this category.

Other players that should be noted: Sakari Salminen (though still young), Juha-Pekka Hytönen, Juuso Hietanen, possibly Topi Jaakola and possibly Ilkka Mikkola (with his eight Liiga championships). Couldn't find many others with a fast search.

I know a lot of great Russians but they were all drafted so, I'll have to go with Petri Vehanen.

Kärpät just won the gold medal vs. Tappara. It went to game 7 + overtime.

jhcjobpb wrote:Kärpät just won the gold medal vs. Tappara. It went to game 7 + overtime.

EDIT
Post #500.. I can use double bananas

Lazion wrote:Best Finn, huh?
Goalie Petri Vehanen.. still.

So what did he do in his latest two games

Alessandro wrote:

Lazion wrote:Best Finn, huh?
Goalie Petri Vehanen.. still.

So what did he do in his latest two games

I haven't seen those games, only first two.
Quessing that besides two losses he scored Gordie Howe hattrick in first game, hattrick in second, visited the moon and reached world peace.

I'm gonna go watch two games next thursday. There is an Under-20 Super Challenge tournament in Town.
The games I'll see will be Rögle (SWE) versus Jokerit Helsinki (FIN) and home team Färjestad (SWE) against Jungadler Mannheim from Germany.
Maybe I'll try to catch some other games later that week, as well