TB signs Zenon Konopka

[Sotnos]

http://blog.syracuse.com/crunch/2008/07/z_you_later.html#more

2 year deal, looks like a career minor leaguer, but was told by Melrose he'll have a chance of making the team here, 2 way deal this year 1 way the next

Hockeydb stats (http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid%5B%5D=42428)

[Evan]

link doesn't work. (first one)

[Sotnos]

Fixed

I forgot to add: best name ever

[timothy]

This one works:

http://blog.syracuse.com/crunch/2008/07/z_you_later.html#more

I suspect you've just seen Norfolk's captain signed, and here's Chad "big" center that Melrose likes to center the 4th line. He'll push for a roster spot in camp.

However the interesting thing about his two-year deal is that the 2nd year is a one-way contract. With Gary Roberts on a one-year deal, and Ouellet in the last year of his deal, there should be some roster spots open next season and I'm guessing they like Konopka alot.

This is a good signing for Norfolk. Konopka is a career better-than-a-point-per-gamer in the AHL. Last year he put up 24-31-55 in 64gp for Syracuse with a whopping 194 PIMs. He was also 3-7-10 in 13 playoff games this spring with another 42 PIMs in those games. He's one of those guys that comes to play everynight and maintains a pro career more because of his heart, work ethic, and toughness than due to raw skill and talent.

[chad]

Norfolk is looking fairly strong down the middle with Smith-Konopka-Szczechura-Jones ... and Fadden to be signed.

[timothy]

Konopka vs. Matt Walker of the Blues...

4B7AR3Yu8Ts

There's plenty of Zonopka on YouTube, including one of him with a mohawk during the Syracuse playoff run.

[Jester47]

BTW, some nice props for BP from EE (http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/sports/related/C189/)... I know he has told me that he surfs around the blogs & MBs, just it's nice to see he gave BP some love... well done boss lady!!!

[Sotnos]

I am embarrassed to say where I got that link from lol :blush:

It's very nice to see this site's name in the papers! :happydance:

[Netminder]

I like the guy,a heart ans soul,give it all you got,guys.
Good teams always have some of them,Bad team have all the Talent guys.

Plus he looks like he can TCB,if he needs to.

[chad]

I like the guy,a heart ans soul,give it all you got,guys.
Good teams always have some of them,Bad team have all the Talent guys.

Plus he looks like he can TCB,if he needs to.

Yup. Seems ideal for a 4th line center. Or a 2-way C in Norfolk to help keep things together down there.

[timothy]

I am embarrassed to say where I got that link from lol :blush:

It's very nice to see this site's name in the papers! :happydance:

I will say that one of the benefits of opening a MB at BP is that we have ALOT of eyes scouring the Net for news!.

Props to all posters... and especially Sotnos with this one.

[CTLightning26]

good signing. the guy can play.
Norfolk + Calder Cup???