Drafting a player in the second round at a draft can be tricky for teams. At the 2015 NHL Draft, the Ottawa Senators hoped that Filip Chlapik would turn into a solid pick for being drafted 48th overall.
Unfortunately for the Senators, Chlapik's time in the NHL went rough. From 2017-2021, Chlapik only played in 57 games for the Senators.
Chlapik last played an NHL game in January 2021 and was placed on unconditional waivers in the following month by the Senators. Chlapik hasn't played in another NHL game since being placed on unconditional waivers, but today, he's now playing well in a Czech Republic league.
Chlapik has risen game since leaving NHL in 2021
After being placed on unconditional waivers by the Senators, Chlapik has now spent four seasons with the HC Sparta Praha in the Czech Extraliga (ELH) in Prague. Shlapik's 2024-25 season has been a solid one for the Sparta Praha.
This season, Chlapik is in his second season as an alternate captain for Sparta Praha. Chlapik is showing he's a leader for the Sparta Praha as his 37 points is the most on the team. Chlapik is also first in assists with 25 and is tied for the highest +/- rating on the team of +21.
Since 2021, Chlapik has played in 143 games for the Sparta Praha. In that time, Chlapik has recorded 156 points.
Chlapik's play in the Czech Republic makes the Senators question what could've been in the NHL. In his NHL debut in October 2017, Chlapik recorded an assist, but he didn't do enough to earn full-time play in his four seasons with the Senators.
The hottest stretch Chlapik had was recording a point in four games over a five-game stretch in November 2019. Chlapik never recorded a multi-point game in his career and finished with 11 career NHL points.