Former NHLers Stole the Show at World Hockey Championship

When Roman Cervenka arrived above to the NHL in 2013, Calgary supporters ended up elated.

Cervenka led the KHL in scoring with 31 targets in 2010-11, and then had the most playoff factors the yr immediately after. Increase in an Olympic appearance and a World Championship gold with Czechia and Cervenka did all the things he perhaps could though playing abroad.

Sadly, he under no circumstances did appear far too at ease in Calgary. Coming into the league at 26 a long time previous, Cervenka had just nine objectives and 17 points in the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season and was again to the KHL the next 12 months. He in no way could uncover his old form yet again in Russia and has invested the earlier 6 seasons in Switzerland.

Prior to the Beijing Olympics, Cervenka experienced been fingers off with the nationwide staff considering that the 2018 Entire world Championship, when he recorded just two helps. Cervenka then laid a beating on the major Swiss league for four seasons prior to returning for the Olympics in February, main the group with 5 factors in four video games.

So, Cervenka somebody Czechia was counting on in this match and he sent. Cervenka finished first in scoring with 17 factors in 10 games en route to bronze and the tournament’s leading forward honor. Cervenka himself as the excellent enhance to the formidable top-line duo of David Pastrnak and David Krejci that finally proved also harmful for the United States in the third-area sport.

Switzerland’s Denis Malgin was a substantial explanation why his workforce gained the Team A title in the spherical-robin. Malgin had 4 aims and 12 factors en route to an eventual quarterfinal decline to the United States.

Malgin’s NHL tenure commenced in 2016-17 when he skated in 47 games with Florida. He spent four several years there prior to getting traded to Toronto, the place he failed to document a point in 8 online games in advance of returning to Switzerland in 2020-21 on loan. Past summer season, Malgin signed a four-yr contract to engage in with Zurich, and he had a vocation-significant 52 details and led all playoff performers with 9 plans.

Malgin is also good to be taking part in the top league in Switzerland, but is he very good ample to get a next shot at the NHL?

Malgin has a deal in Switzerland until eventually 2024-25. There is an arrangement letting teams to signal gamers out of Switzerland, and Malgin could perhaps struggle for a base-six function with Jason Spezza out of the photograph. But that is still asking a good deal out of a 5-foot-9 forward who struggled to alter to the physicality of the NHL.

As extended as the Leafs maintain tendering him a agreement, Malgin will keep on being Leafs assets. So neither facet is in a hurry, but the techniques Malgin took this period to truly create himself as a deadly offensive menace has turned some heads.

But as a cut price possibility? Malgin is an beautiful get, and could even be utilised as a trade chip to a workforce that could make the most of him far better.

Cervenka will hardly ever participate in in the NHL once again, but observing him glance like his young self on Czechia’s top line was entertaining to see. Malgin may possibly have a likely next prospect at an NHL job, but he won’t have a long runway if he receives a shot, wherever that finishes up happening.

No matter, viewing former NHLers prosper on the countrywide phase is always pleasurable, and throwbacks are usually a excellent time.