The Ottawa Senators have reportedly waived forward Filip Chlapik and will terminate his contract. This move comes on the heels of Derek Stepan‘s injury. The 23-year-old Chlapik will be free to sign with another team assuming his contract is indeed terminated. The Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch announced the move early Thursday afternoon.
Filip Chlapik's price tag on waivers at $125 indicates his contract is being terminated. #Sens
— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) February 25, 2021
Senators Waive Filip Chlapik
Chlapik had played in just one game in 2020-21 with no points and one hit. He has just five games since last year ended between the organization’s AHL affiliate in Belleville and HC Sparta Praha in the Czech Republic with one goal over those few contests. The 6’2″ centre has seen significant action since 2019-20 when he skated in 68 games between Ottawa and Belleville with 13 goals and 28 points.
Ottawa originally drafted Chlapik in the second round of the 2015 Draft, but he has just 57 games across parts of four seasons. His best stint was last year when he played in 31 games at the NHL level. Three goals and six points, out of the 13 and 28, came at the NHL level, the rest came at the AHL level. Chlapik also had 71 hits and 11 blocks, which reflects a willingness to engage in some of hockey’s grittier aspects.
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What This Means for the Future
This is truly a bizarre move from the Senators. It’s fairly obvious the young Czech isn’t a true scoring threat, but he has the size and seems to know how to handle the puck; a career 50.9 percent corsi for reflects that ability in some small way. He also cost very little money towards the cap. It’s not as though he’s received a huge raise in restricted free agency either. Chlapik’s motivations to return to Europe must be a big part of the conversation as he is just as playable as some of the team’s current bottom-six options. It’s possible he returns to North America in the future with a strong season or two overseas.
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