Oilers European free agent targets: Nick Malik showing promise as one of Czechia’s top goaltenders |
We’ve already covered a European goaltender worth keeping an eye on in the free-agent market, but KHL star Alexander Smolin isn’t the only name drawing interest.
This time of year also brings reclamation projects into focus, and Nick Malik is one that NHL teams appear to be circling back on. Son of former NHL defenceman Marek Malik, Nick was originally selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the fifth round (160th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, just two picks after the Edmonton Oilers selected goaltender Samuel Jonsson.
In his original draft write-up at EliteProspects, they had this to say:
“When it comes to all the little technical areas that a goaltender can work on, Malik has very little to worry about. His skating and his speed are above average, both in the Czech Republic and in North America, and he’s got active hands that he isn’t afraid to use.”
Originally passed on twice, Malik was eventually selected as a 20-year-old overager, already........