The latest Ottawa Senators prospect to be looked at in greater depth in our ‘get to know your prospects’ series is Czech centreman Filip Chlapik.
Filip Chlapik is an interesting prospect since he has had success in the AHL but hasn’t really had much opportunity in the NHL with the Ottawa Senators.
Selected in the second round (48th overall) of the 2015 draft, the Senators had high hopes for the Czech Republic native.
His draft year saw him also play his first year on North American ice, for the Charlottetown Islanders of the QMJHL, getting 33 goals and 42 assists in 64 games in the process.
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But his sophomore season in major junior, after being drafted by the Senators, didn’t go as well.
He struggled with injuries and only played in 52 regular-season games, getting 12 goals and 42 assists.
He quickly rebounded in his third season, however, and earned 34 goals and 57 assists for 91 points in only 57 regular-season games, adding an impressive five goals and 19 total points in 13 playoff games with the Islanders.
After that season the Senators management decided to call him up to play for their AHL affiliates, the Belleville Senators.
Chlapik had a successful rookie season on a talent-deficient Belleville team, getting 11 goals and 21 assists for 32 points in 52 games, which was good enough to lead the team.
He also had a brief stint with the Ottawa Senators that year, playing 20 games for them and getting a goal and three assists.
His next season went pretty much the same as he scored 16 goals and had 34 total points in 57 games, making a further five appearances in the NHL – scoring one goal.
The Senators management sees that he has the skill to be a good player in the NHL but there isn’t room on the Senators roster for him currently, so there’s a real chance they’ll trade him after the 2019-20 season.
At 6-foot-1 and 196 pounds, he has the size to be an NHL player but since the Sens have so many prospects and players trying to find a spot in the lineup it will be very difficult for him to find quality minutes in the NHL.
It seems the management is giving him one more year to prove himself before they make the ultimate decision on where his future lies – be it with the Senators organisation or elsewhere.
What do you think Sens fans? Where do you think Filip Chlapik will play after this upcoming season? Will he play a role in the team’s rebuild or will he be dealt for other assets? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!