This former Bruin is generating NHL interest after a season overseas.
This former Bruin is generating NHL interest after a season overseas.
During the 2019-20 season, the Boston Bruins acquired Ondrej Kase from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for David Backes, Axel Andersson, and a 2020 first-round pick (Jacob Perreault).
The expectation was that Kase would be a strong addition to their top six, but injury trouble took away almost all of his Bruins tenure. He played in just nine regular-season games for the Bruins between 2019-20 and 2020-21, where he had one assist. He also played in 11 playoff games for the Bruins in 2020, where he had four assists.
Unfortunately for Kase, his concussion-related symptoms continued after his time with the Bruins. He had a solid season with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2021-22, posting 14 goals and 27 points. However, he was still limited to only 50 games. Then in 2022-23 with the Carolina Hurricanes, a concussion ended his season after just one game played.
Yet, after an excellent season with HC Litvinov of the Czech Extraliga and a strong showing at the IIHF World Championship, Kase could return to the NHL. According to NHL insider Chris Johnston, Kase is generating "considerable interest" from NHL scouts.
Kase, 28, stayed healthy this campaign with Litvinov and put up some marvelous numbers. In 48 games, the skilled winger had 23 goals and 54 points.
Kase also told Johnston that he has not experienced any setbacks since his last injury with the Hurricanes. Sports concussion specialist Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher also told Johnston that Kase does not have a "permanent brain injury" but rather a "complex set of neurological variables that needed to be treated comprehensively."
It's great to see that Kase's health has improved and that he's garnering interest around the NHL again. It will be interesting to see if he lands a deal from an NHL club for the 2024-25 season. It would make for a good comeback story.
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