So with preseason coming to an end (finally, dont know why they play that many games, if they cut it in half, season can start earlier and we can see more NHL players at WCH in May every year
)
What do we look at concerning our players:
Sure spot:
Gudas
Pasta
Zacha
Necas
Nosek (when healthy)
Palat
Chytil
Rutta
Faksa
Kampf
Hronek
Hertl
Thats 12 (depresing lol)
For the others:
Jiricek - will probably start the season in CBJ, but he really needs to up his game to remain there full time. Preseason was underwhelming sadly.
Kulich - got a game, but didnt play good. But so did the whole Sabres team. Dont know if he will get more games or be send back to AHL, but I think he will get at least 30 games this season. He needs to show he is ready for being a full time NHLer, which will be very hard in a terrible Buffalo. Honestly best thing for him would be trade to a different and not so shit organization lol, but thats not happening anytime soon probably.
Klapka - big chance to make the team, good preseason, one of few pleasant suprises of the Czech preseason. This can happen.
Lauko - also good preseason, has NHL experience already, I think he should get a spot in the bottom 6 in Minnesota
Vrana - absolutely dont know how he stands so far lol. I think he is still with the team? Or was he send down already and I missed it? I really dont know lol. I guess its 50:50 and we will see next week if he made it or not.
Jenik - got that first amazing game, then nothing. But his ratings dont look so bad, and he is still in the team, so that 4th line in Ottawa can happen.
Ivan - could be the biggest suprise for the opening night from Czech players. Still in the team, getting nice minutes, and still putting up points. Idk dont want to be overly optimistic and I am counting with AHL here lol, but I think he has a real chance to make it for the start of the season.
Blumel - didnt really stand out much in the preseason. Still in the team, but I think he will be send down do AHL again sadly.
Svozil - got called up back again, looked better then Jiricek in that last game lol, but I think AHL too. But he may get some chances during the season.
So out of those guys If I had to rank them by probability of making the NHL lineup:
Jiricek
Lauko
Klapka
Jenik
Kulich
Vrana
Ivan
Blumel
Svozil
I think at least the first two should be pretty safe. So we are looking at 14 skaters at worst and 21 at best for the opening. If we get around 16-17 I would be completey thrilled. But we also need those at least 16-17 to finish the season in the NHL lol, which based on our records lately will be extremely hard.
As for GKs (dont follow those that much, so Czechboy will correct me here lol):
Mrazek - 1st GK
Dostal - 1st GK
Vejmelka - battle for 1st
Vanecek - battle for 1st
Rittich - 2nd GK
Vladar - 2nd GK
Dobes - 2nd GK in Montreal ?
Patera - probably AHL, maybe 2nd in Boston
Others AHL at the moment
And a quick addon lol. AHL players I think could get a chance and can battle for NHL spot this season:
Frk
Svozil
Rychlovsky
Chmelar
Brabenec
Spacek
Rousek
Kral