It wasn't long ago that Martin Chromiak was one of the most promising prospects in the Los Angeles Kings organization. In fact, you only have to go back one season. 

He kicked off the 2023-24 campaign scoring four goals and three assists in the first month, including three points in back to back games in late October and early November.

Since then, it’s been a quiet stretch for the Slovakian forward, as he has regularly struggled to generate points on a consistent basis.

Furthermore, when the Ontario Reign made the playoffs last season, Chromiak was a healthy scratch in seven of the eight games they played in.

Coming into the current season, Chromiak had the most to prove in that Reign locker room. After being scratched in the playoffs, you would think he would have a huge chip on his shoulder to produce.

In the second game of the season against the San Jose Barracuda, Chromiak put up a goal and an assist in a thrilling 4-3 come from behind victory.

A month later, on November 10th at Coachella Valley, he would tally two goals in a 4-2 loss.

He would not put up another multi-point game until December 8th, and then not again until three days ago on January 24th against the Bakersfield Condors.

He has his moments, but these moments don’t come regularly. Chromiak has a total of 6 goals and 12 assists in 38 games played this season. That won’t cut it for a player whose current value is largely based on offense.

Head coach Marco Sturm recently scratched Chromiak in a game vs the Henderson Silver Knights, saying this about his young winger:

“Sometimes I look for a response. [Chromiak] has to learn too, I think we all want to get him to the next level. And you know, he’s been ok. It’s not like he was our worst player.”

Chromiak's elite speed allows him to beat defenders to the outside on a regular basis, allowing him to get to the net, where he has found himself often. Yet, it’s hard for him to finish at the moment.

“He’s been around the net a lot. Sometimes he just doesn’t find the back of the net. That’s something he has to get better at, too”, said Sturm.

It sounds like Sturm believes it’s not a luck issue, but a pure finishing issue on Chromiak’s part.

Unfortunately for Chromiak, the other aspects of his game haven't spelled his offensive struggles. Sturm has made multiple comments of late about his defensive side.

“[Chromiak] had some good moments, but then he kind of screwed up on that breakout there, unfortunately caused a goal against.”

Here’s another example from this week against the Condors:

“I didn’t like him at first on the goal against, the first one, but he responded and finally scored on a breakaway.”

The 22-year old has as much talent as anyone on the Reign. He’s unbelievably fast, with great skating and fast hands. Time is ticking for him though. Potential is only tantalizing for so long, and for Chromiak, the time to cash in on that potential is now.