Chicago Blackhawks' former 30-goal scorer shockingly exits the NHL

After five seasons in the NHL, Dominik Kubalik has decided to leave North America, as revealed by NHL insider Chris Johnston.

The 29-year-old forward, originally from Pizen, Czechia, will return to his former team in Switzerland. Kubalik's move has drawn significant attention, particularly due to his impressive rookie season in 2019-20, where he posted 30 goals and 16 assists in just 68 games with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Most recently, Kubalik played for the Ottawa Senators, where he had a tough season, managing only 11 goals and 4 assists in 74 games. These numbers marked a significant decline from his previous seasons and prompted speculation about his future in the league. Kubalik was an unrestricted free agent this summer, but rather than sign with another NHL team, he chose to return to familiar ice overseas.

Kubalik's history with Ambri-Piotta stretches back to his time in Switzerland before joining the NHL. His last stint with the team was during the 2018-19 season, where he had a standout year, recording 35 goals and 49 assists in 75 games. His return to the team could signal a resurgence in his career, as he seeks to regain the form that initially drew attention in the NHL.

Kubalik was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the seventh round of the 2013 NHL Draft, but it was in Chicago where he made his mark. Traded to the Blackhawks in 2019, Kubalik immediately became a key player for the team.

His time in Detroit and Ottawa, however, did not see the same success, and now Kubalik is looking for a fresh start back in Europe.

Source:
Chris Johnston on X

Source: NHL.com
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