FanShot

Short Q and A with Konopka

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Found it a little while ago, just felt like posting it up. He tells his strengths: fighting, face offs, and KILLING PENALTIES. SO, it looks like he will be given at least a shot, if not a spot on a penalty killing line to replace park/bergenheim. My view on konopka: he's a better all around thompson and a better fighter then jackmen. Bigger(6'1'' 215), tougher (drops the gloves with just about anyone), a better face off man(forgot the number but a high percentage), better offensively, and a penalty killer(but I have no visual evidence of his abilities but they can't be horrible). His ahl #'s show he has some respectable offensive ability (I'd say at least great 3rd line potential) too. Weird a player like him never made it to the nhl till 28. Seems like a solid 4th line enforcer that doesn't take that many bad penalties (only 40 of his 265 pim were from non-fighting or game misconduct(don't even think he got many) penalties). Great 4th line guy who brings a lot to the table and a great clubhouse guy too. Much needed imo, and will be more important to us then a lot of people will give him credit for.