DET
(30-38-4)
CAR
(42-23-8)
PNC Arena
NYI
(38-25-8)
FLA
(30-35-7)
FLA Live Arena
PHI
(53-17-3)
MTL
(20-34-17)
Centre Bell
CHI
(33-32-7)
OTT
(33-32-5)
Canadian Tire Centre
CBJ
(43-25-4)
PIT
(25-35-11)
PPG Paints Arena
WAS
(45-24-2)
TOR
(14-51-6)
Scotiabank Arena
SJS
(37-33-1)
MIN
(43-23-5)
Xcel Energy Center
CGY
(48-17-6)
STL
(34-32-6)
Enterprise Center
VGK
(43-24-5)
WIN
(35-28-9)
Canada Life Centre
NYR
(20-43-9)
COL
(39-26-7)
Ball Arena
LAK
(41-23-7)
EDM
(42-19-9)
Rogers Place
NSH
(41-27-4)
ARI
(48-20-4)
Gila River Arena
ANA
(25-40-7)
SEA
(18-42-11)
Climate Pledge Arena
DAL
(45-20-8)
VAN
(30-35-7)
Rogers Arena

Karel The Thrill

The Goalie of Your Dreams
8/9/2022 • Justin Levergneux

          The new addition to the Tampa Bay Lightnings is 26 year-old Czech goalie Karel Vejmelka! Vejmelka is a welcome addition to the Lightning locker room, at just 26 years-old he is viewed as the future in net for the Lightning after signed a 4 year 5.25 million dollar contract. When looking at the landscape of the goaltending free agent market, GM Levergneux spoke too the agents of several former all-star goaltenders in the twilight of their careers, but once Tampa met with Karel they knew he was the one for them.

In Karel’s 1st season in the NHL, he played in a total of 52 games (17th best in the league) for the Arizona Coyotes leading a young team with a diminished back-end. Karel faced above 32 shots per game coming in just short of 1,700 total shots against on the year. Arizona’s D-core was regarded as the worst in the league, highlighted by Jakub Chychrun & GhostBear Arizona defense was filled in with young draft picks & lifetime AHL talent. Considering the high shot volume and unspectacular d-core in front of him Karel finished with a 0.899 save percentage & a inflated 3.68 GAA. He followed up his rookie season by leading a Czech team filled with Czech league & young talent (excluding Pasta) to a bronze medal at the world championship!

After a overall successful first season in the NHL that saw Karel have his ups and downs GM Levergneux expects Karel too excel in year 2 of the NHL and too be in ROY conversation in his 1st DCHL campaign.

NHL Predictions

Wins: 25 (doubling year 1 wins while playing in 60 GMs for the Coyotes)

SV%: .910

GAA: 2.90

SO: 4

DCHL Predictions

Wins: 18 (60+ games)

SV%: .901

GAA: 3.20

SO: 3