Czech youngsters who could break into the NHL next season

That Czech hockey is on the decline and doesn’t produce as many players as it used to? That is definitely true. Still, there are some talented youngsters who have a chance to break through in the NHL. Who could establish themselves in the best league in the world starting next season?

David Jiricek – 19 years old, defenseman, Columbus Blue Jackets
2022/23
Columbus BJ – 4 games, 0+0
Cleveland Monsters (AHL) – 55 games, 6+32

Probably the biggest Czech prospect. David Jiricek has had his first year overseas at the age of 19 and was selected by Columbus as an overall top six pick last year. He played 4 games for the A-team in the NHL, but otherwise had a great season in the AHL, scoring 38 points in 55 games for 6+32.

A month ago, his move to the NHL was almost certain, but with the arrival of coach Babcock and two quality defensemen Provorov and Severson, it’s a bit more complicated, but both are left-handed and Jiricek as a right-handed defenseman might not be as much of a threat, as Babcock is strict about the left-right defense. He should start in the NHL.

Jiri Kulich – 19 years old, forward, Buffalo Sabres
2022/23
Rochester Americans (AHL) – 74 games, 31+26

Jiri Kulich had a great season in the AHL as well, and he’s been pretty vocal about his chances among the elite. In the regular season he collected 46 points (22+24) in 62 games, in the playoffs he scored 7 goals and added 4 assists in 12 games, he also broke records as the youngest player in the AHL to score that many goals.

Rochester made it to the semifinals, where they fell to the Hershey Bears. There’s talk he could be headed to the NHL this summer.

Jakub Lauko – 23 years old, forward, Boston Bruins
2022/23
Boston Bruins – 26 games, 4+4
Providence Bruins – 36 games, 10+7

Jakub Lauko was able to make his way onto the most successful NHL team ever in the regular season, playing 23 games with a 4+3 record in the regular season, and in the playoffs he appeared in three games and had one assist.

Even on the farm he had a successful season, so the goal for next year is to settle permanently in Boston. On the Bombs to the Stick podcast, he let it be known that he was heading for a one-way deal, which would mean he would stay in the NHL and the Bruins couldn’t send him to the farm. He could stay on the Bruins fourth or third line.

Lukas Dostal – 22 years old, goaltender, Anaheim Ducks
2022/23
Anaheim Ducks – 19 games, SV% 90.13
San Diego Gulls – 32 games

Lukas Dostal won’t be a complete rookie next season either. the 22-year-old Anaheim goalie got a sniff at 19 NHL games this season and will put even more pressure on number one John Gibson next year.

He’s taking incremental steps, in the last season he played in 4 NHL games, in the previous one he played 19. In the next one the logical goal is to add as many games as possible.

Stanislav Svozil – 20 years old, defenseman, Columbus Blue Jackets
Balance 2022/23
Columbus BJ – 2 games
Cleveland Monsters (AHL) – 1 game
Regina Pats (WHL) – 63 games, 15+76

Another great Czech defensive talent signed by Columbus. Svozil was drafted a year earlier than Jiricek, made his Blue Jackets debut this past season, and spent the entire season in Canadian juniors for the Regina Pats.

There he played alongside the No. 1 overall pick Connor Bedard and had an outstanding season, scoring 91 points (15+76). For the captain of the Silver 20, the situation is a bit worse than Jiricek.

Just two weeks ago there was a lot of hope that he would move up to the NHL, but the arrivals of stars Provorov and Severson have pretty much curtailed his hopes of a Top 6 finish with the Blue Jackets as a left wing. It’s not out of the question that Columbus will draft him, as defensive hopes are currently overflowing.

Martin Kaut – 23 years old, forward, San Jose Sharks
2022/23
Colorado Avalanche – 27 games, 1+2
San Jose Sharks – 9 games, 3+2
Colorado Eagles (AHL) – 10 games, 5+3
San Jose Barracuda (AHL) – 19 games, 3+11

The player who has played the most NHL games on our list, but he too hopes to be fully established among the elite next season. In Colorado he played 27 games for the Avalanche and 10 games on the farm for the Eagles, after his trade to San Jose he played 9 NHL games for the Sharks and 19 games on the farm for the Barracuda.

The youngest participant of the Czech team at the World Championship, his contract expired and he will become an RFA. In order for San Jose to retain the rights to him, they must offer him a qualifying offer of $874,000.

Matěj Blümel – 23 years old, forward, Dallas Stars
2022/23
Dallas Stars – 6 games, 1+0
Texas Stars – 64 games, 19+26

Matěj Blümel has had his first year overseas and can certainly evaluate it positively. He had a good year on the farm, scoring 44 points (19+26) in 64 games. He also managed six games in the NHL, where he also scored his debut goal.

“I was told in interviews that I had a good season with ups and downs. It was my first season, they saw me as a rookie, it was more challenging. They told me, “You’re close to the first team.” But I take it that it’s still a long way off,” Blümel said in an interview with Hockey.cz.

The goal is clear for Blümel to make the first team, although it will be quite difficult in a loaded Dallas roster.

Lukas Rousek – 24 years old, forward, Buffalo Sabres
2022/23
Buffalo Sabres – 2 games, 1+1
Rochester Americans – 84 games, 21+47

When if not now? Lukas Rousek had a great season in Rochester, scoring 56 points (16+40) in 70 games and had a great playoff run, scoring 5 goals and adding 7 assists in 14 games. His teammate Jiri Kulich also played in two games for Buffalo, scoring once and assisting once.

At the age of 24, it’s high time for him to move on to the NHL, ideally now after an excellent playoff run.

Jan Jeník – 22 years old, forward, Arizona Coyotes
2022/23
Arizona Coyotes – 2 games
Tucson Roadrunners (AHL) – 32 games, 7 goals, 18 assists

the 22-year-old forward started two games for Arizona in the NHL, but otherwise spent the season on the farm in the AHL. He played 32 games for Tucson with a 7+18 record.

Jakub Škarek – 23 years old, goaltender, New York Islanders
2022/23
Bridgeport Islanders (AHL) – 34 games

Jakub Škarek’s position with the Islanders is a very difficult one. One of the elite goaltenders Ilya Sorokin is his number one, and the experienced Semyon Varlamov is his number two. However, the latter is already 35 years old and could make a name for himself in the future.

He played 34 games on the farm and is still waiting for his first NHL start. Hopefully he’ll come next season.

Kristian Reichel – 25 years old, Winnipeg Jets
2022/23
Winnipeg Jets – 2 games
Manitoba Moose (AHL) – 61 games, 9+15

Kristian Reichel made his NHL debut last season, scoring 1+1 in 13 games, but didn’t follow it up this season, playing just two games in the NHL and spending the rest of the season on the farm, scoring 9 goals and adding 15 assists in 61 games.

Source: NHL, EliteProspect