Martin Pospisil helped Slovakia qualify at the World Championships, now he's looking to help the Flames with a breakout sophomore season.
Martin Pospisil is gearing up for a big sophomore season with the Calgary Flames after an impressive summer representing Slovakia on the international stage. Even though he was unsure about playing for the team -- he wasn't pleased KHL players were permitted to play on the team --, he felt the group needed him and his brother Kristián. The 23-year-old Martin shone at the World Championships, posting a point-per-game performance before adding three assists in three games to help Slovakia clinch a berth in the 2026 Milan Olympics.
He was glad he ultimately chose to go.
Now, his attention turns to the NHL, where he says he's feeling good. “It was a really good experience,” he said “I had an injury so I didn’t have much off-season training this summer. I only had four weeks to prepare for this tournament, but now I feel good and ready to have a good training camp.”
Pospisil, now back in Calgary and ready for camp, feels confident heading into his second NHL season. After a solid rookie campaign with eight goals and 24 points, he signed a two-year contract extension with the Flames. It's not entirely clear what he'll become, but some suggest he's got a 40 or 50-point season in him.
Injuries have hindered Pospisil in the past, but his recent success overseas and a productive rookie year have given him momentum.
Where Will Pospisil Play?
With established chemistry alongside linemates Nazem Kadri and Connor Zary, Pospisil is poised for a breakout year. As the Flames' official website pointed out, "The trio outscored and outchanced their opponents, earning a 53.97% Corsi rating (according to Natural Stat Trick) over their 381 minutes of 5-on-5 time together last season." They're looking to pick up where they left off.
"This is just the start," he said. "I'm feeling comfortable and really excited for the season." He's got the rookie year out of the way. He's potentially figured out who his linemates are going to be. Now, he just needs to get on the ice and get going.