Prospect Info: Jakub Malek (100th Overall)

[FinnishDevil]

Ilves with a 3-2 OT win to get back in the series. Malek made 18 saves on 20 shots. No chance on goals. Game 4 on Wednesday.

Well Ilves lost 4-2 in regulation and KalPa can clinch the series today in Tampere. Malek made 22 saves on 25 shots but probably shouldve had atleast one of the goals in the third when Ilves had the lead.

I've seen all the games and I would argue he's the main reason theyre still playing today. Ilves (#2 seed in regular season, 120 pts) is one of the biggest favorites to win the championship and they've been completely outplayed in this series (KalPa, #7 seed 94 pts, had to get to quarter finals through a play-in round)

But Ilves coach must disagree since he has benched the kid for game 5 today. Lets see how that works. Here's the highlights from game 4.

Spoiler: penalty shot save in the first and some celebrations to the away crowd

Spoiler: full highlights, allowed goals 2&3 start at 4:50

 

[NJ07102]

But Ilves coach must disagree since he has benched the kid for game 5 today. Lets see how that works.

Not so good... Gunnarsson gave up 4 goals on 18 shots and Kalpa is leading 4-2 with about 7 minutes left to play.

 

[FinnishDevil]

Not so good... Gunnarsson gave up 4 goals on 18 shots and Kalpa is leading 4-2 with about 7 minutes left to play.

Yeah. KalPa with a huge upset to beat Ilves in 5 games. Dont think I've seen a bigger chokejob in Liiga since early 2010s.

Dont know whats next for Malek. He signed an extension with Ilves earlier this year that takes him to 2025, but I'm sure if the Devils would like him to go to Utica/Adirondack that can be arranged. Devils havent signed him to ELC yet and I think we hold his rights for another year? Theres a chance he gets signed and then loaned back to Ilves for another year.

Kinda hard to know what Devils want since no clue what happens with goaltending at the NHL level or AHL level. Maybe one of Schmid or Daws goes in a trade.

As of whats next right now. He played for Czechia in EHT this season and didnt do amazing. Next EHT games arent until another month just before World Championships which are held in Czechia too. I guess he could join a training camp roster and try to make the team.

Here are his full stats since leaving Czechia to go play in Liiga.

 

[forceten]

His stats aren't blowing me away (a .920+ would do that) but .915 in the top league in Finland is nothing to ignore. He also did .910 in the playoffs and that's higher pressure. Ilves didn't do him any favors it seems.

I think we have to sign him and get a look at him. We don't have the luxury of being lax with this position. And if we end up with Daws, Schmid, Poulter, and Malek (and maybe Brennan) all being candidates for AHL/NHL roles that means we could move one or two in a trade.

 

[devilsblood]

His stats aren't blowing me away (a .920+ would do that) but .915 in the top league in Finland is nothing to ignore. He also did .910 in the playoffs and that's higher pressure. Ilves didn't do him any favors it seems.

I think we have to sign him and get a look at him. We don't have the luxury of being lax with this position. And if we end up with Daws, Schmid, Poulter, and Malek (and maybe Brennan) all being candidates for AHL/NHL roles that means we could move one or two in a trade.

Given Poulter Schmid and Daws i think if we can stash Malek in Europe for another year or two. that would be for the better.

 

[Devs3cups]

Another prospect signs their ELC! Malek did pretty well in Liiga this season.

 

[Zippy316]

If he’s coming over to NA, it has to mean that one of Schmid or Daws is moving this summer. Maybe the plan is for him to sign, play one more year in Finland, and then come over.

1A
Allen
———
Schmid (RFA)
Daws (RFA)
Malek
Poulter
——————
Brennan

 

[Cheddabombs]

Maybe we've finally found our starter with this guy

 

[Guadana]

Fitz is working. Thats great.

If he’s coming over to NA, it has to mean that one of Schmid or Daws is moving this summer. Maybe the plan is for him to sign, play one more year in Finland, and then come over.

1A
Allen
———
Schmid (RFA)
Daws (RFA)
Malek
Poulter
——————
Brennan

May be its time to trade Schmid. Even if we dont like it. Or roll three goalies in NHL roster.

 

[Forge]

Is the expectation that we would keep him loaned out to Liiga?

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

I don’t think there’s any way to know where he ends up next year until after the offseason goaltending carousel finishes spinning.

 

[FinnishDevil]

I dont think its too farfetched to say he could split next year between Utica and Adirondack. Kid has never played in NA and is still only 22 years old. No need to rush him.

 

[Forge]

 

[MasterofGrond]

Makes sense. No harm in him playing another year in Europe. Goalies often tend to come over directly, or with minimal AHL time.

 

[Saugus]

Makes sense. No harm in him playing another year in Europe. Goalies often tend to come over directly, or with minimal AHL time.

Agreed. Coming over as a goalie requires less adjustment. The goal is the same size in every league.

 

[My3Sons]

Agreed. Coming over as a goalie requires less adjustment. The goal is the same size in every league.

Yeah but what if you are a goalie in Australia? Wouldn't the puck spin the other way when it comes off the stick like the toilets below the equator?

 

[forceten]

Yeah but what if you are a goalie in Australia? Wouldn't the puck spin the other way when it comes off the stick like the toilets below the equator?

Yes, and you also have to worry about kangaroo punching you and huntsman spiders attacking you

 

[Lou is God]

Yes, and you also have to worry about kangaroo punching you and huntsman spiders attacking you

My irrational fear of spiders will ensure I'll never step one foot in Australia.

 

[Xirik]

My irrational fear of spiders will ensure I'll never step one foot in Australia.

This is what ruined Australia for me.

 

[Forge]

My irrational fear of spiders will ensure I'll never step one foot in Australia.

I love Australia. My favorite place to visit.

 

[Lou is God]

I love Australia. My favorite place to visit.

I would probably love it too, but the thought of those funnel spiders, yeah I'm good where I'm at.

 

[beekay414]

I love Australia. My favorite place to visit.

Yeah, you can have your spiders, you spider lover. Probably why you live where you do. So you can be near the desert and scorpions and spiders. You...you weirdo!

 

[Forge]

Yeah, you can have your spiders, you spider lover. Probably why you live where you do. So you can be near the desert and scorpions and spiders. You...you weirdo!

Scorpions are cool when you find them in the back yard with a black light!

But otherwise, they totally suck. Especially the ones here that have particularly painful stings and are hard to see

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

 

[Ripshot 43]

He’s going back to @StevenToddIves ?!?