The skinny on Kubalik.
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/tomas_kubalik/
History
2007-08: Kubalik spent another season splitting time between the Czech junior and senior leagues. He was again a top scorer when playing against juniors. Against men he improved his play this season, although was still used sparingly. Kubalik was tied for the tournament lead in goals at the U18 WJC (1A Division), helping the Czech team advance to the top division for 2009.
2008-09: In 32 games with the senior team, scored just two points and posted 64 penalty minutes.
2009-10: In his first North American season, Kubalik appeared in 58 games with the Victoriaville Tigres. He scored 33 goals and 42 assists for 75 points. He also chipped in a team-leading 95 PIMs. In 16 playoff games with the Tigres, Kubalik added 4 goals and 10 assists to his point totals.
2010-11: Kubalik made his NHL debut as a 20-year-old and had two assists in a late-season overtime loss to Washington in the first of four games he would play with the Blue Jackets. Averaging just over 14 minutes of ice time, he was -3 in his brief stint with Columbus. Kubalik led Columbus' AHL affiliate in goals and points, scoring 24 goals with 29 assists in 76 games. He finished the season with a -7 plus/minus and had 43 PMs for the Falcons, who failed to reach the AHL playoffs.
2011-12: Kubalik fell short of the Jackets’ opening day roster for the second straight year and began the season in Springfield. He didn’t show the same promise he did his rookie season averaging .46 points per game, down from his .69 totals from the year prior. He was an emergency call up when Mark Letestu broke his hand. He scored a goal and set up another before being sent back down to Springfield 15 days later. He finished the year out in Springfield with an unimpressive 23 points in 50 games.
Talent Analysis
Kubalik is a chippy forward, always in the middle of scrums. He plays with a bit of an edge, but also brings skill. He is not afraid to go to the net and score dirty goals. Kubalik must continue to work on his skating. He owns a good shot. He needs to continue to develop his physical game, and must increase his strength to compete with bigger stronger players.
Future
This could be the season that Kubalik can crack the Blue Jackets’ roster, but it isn’t going to be easy. He is a role player and plays a chippy game similar to the newly acquired Brandon Dubinsky. If he doesn’t start the season with Columbus he will eventually get the call up and could appear in as many as 40 games.