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Chicago Blackhawks: Does Dominik Kubalik have a chance?

By Vincent Parise

GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 23: Dominik Kubalik #18 of the Czech Republic controls the puck against Nikita Nesterov #89 of Olympic Athlete from Russia in the second period during the Men's Play-offs Semifinals on day fourteen of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre on February 23, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 23: Dominik Kubalik #18 of the Czech Republic controls the puck against Nikita Nesterov #89 of Olympic Athlete from Russia in the second period during the Men's Play-offs Semifinals on day fourteen of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre on February 23, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The Chicago Blackhawks have a young forward that they brought over from the Czech Republic. Not many people may know him, but he might just make an impact.

The Chicago Blackhawks may have found a gem when they signed Dominik Kubalik to a contract for the 2019-20 season. He is a left-wing from the Czech Republic. He was a seventh-round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft by the Los Angeles Kings. The Kings traded his rights to Chicago on January 24th, 2019. At 24 years old, he has been given another chance in the NHL as the Blackhawks are hoping to unlock something in him.

He is the type of guy who is going to get a chance to play in the Blackhawks lineup from day one. You would assume that Alex DeBrincat will play left win on the second line with Dylan Strome. That would mean that Kubalik would fit in on any other line.  There is even a spot on the top line left wing spot, presumably with Jonathan Toews at the center and Patrick Kane on the right-wing. It might be given to a more proven player at first, but you never know what happens.

He spent 2018-19 with HC Ambrì-Piotta of the Swedish league. He played in 50 games and had 25 goals and 32 assists for 57 points. That half a goal per game average is impressive for any league and Kubalik has shown at many different levels that he can be an offensive player.  Those 57 points led the NLA and earned him the name of league MVP.

This is a low risk, high reward move for the Hawks as he is only on a one year deal. He is also eligible to be assigned to the Rockford Ice Hogs if needed without waivers and his contract includes a European assignment clause. If he is awesome they can just use his RFA status to try and bring him back. If he is good enough to crack the NHL squad, there will be no shortage of talent around him to help.

light. Related Story. A look at the Blackhawks' top-5 prospects

The Blackhawks have been good at bringing in these players with potential and giving them what they need to be successful. Kubalik could have the potential to be one of those players. If he is, that would just be another step forward for what could be a pretty deep forward group.

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