After another disappointing Toronto Maple Leafs playoff loss, it's time to break up the core four forwards and that might mean moving on from Mitch Marner, who becomes a free agent at the end of the 2024-25 season. Former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ondrej Kase is attempting a return to the NHL as reported by The Athletic’s Chris Johnston [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5506544/2024/05/20/ondrej-kase-world-championship-nhl-comeback/]. In an opportunity that Kase labels as “a dream” playing at the ongoing IIHF World Hockey Championship, the Czechia native is hoping to rekindle a chance to play on North American soil in the NHL again. Coming off a strong season with Litvinov HC, Kase built substantial momentum and confidence playing in 48 of the team’s 52 games averaging over a point-per-game with 54 points (23G, 31A). More importantly, his compelling performance this season paired with his five points in the preliminary round at the Men’s World Hockey Championship, has started to draw considerable interest from NHL scouts while playing top-six minutes. “It’s still in my head, for sure,” Kase said, referencing a return to the NHL. “I’m not sure after the championship what the situation will be. So we will see with my agent.” After playing in just three games with the Boston Bruins in the 2020-21 season and 50 games with the Maple Leafs in the following year of 2021-22, Kase would sign a $1.5 million contract as a free agent in hopes of becoming a valuable piece to a contending team with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2022-23. The 28-year-old would make a single appearance for the club before concussion-related symptoms sidelined him for the remainder of the season. As unfortunate of a case as it may be, Kase is no stranger to neurological issues – given he plays with a tinted visor to help with his sensitivity to light. Receiving treatment from concussion specialist Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, he stated Kase has a “complex set of neurological variables that needed to be treated comprehensively”. Throughout his professional career, Kase has suffered numerous concussions and failed to stay healthy in the NHL – only playing in over 60 games in one season back in the 2017-18 season with the Anaheim Ducks. With a track record of health issues that failed to provide reassurance of change on the way, Kase would take his talents back to his home country of Czechia, playing with the Litvinov HC – not knowing what would come from the experience. “I wasn’t sure how healthy I am and all season was actually great,” he said. “I felt unbelievable. All injuries were done,” Kase said. At the Men’s World Hockey Championship, Kase has been slotted into the lineup as a right winger, scoring two goals paired with three assists in the preliminary round – highlighted by a slick forehand-backhand penalty shot goal against Austria on Friday. Former teammate and current Maple Leafs forward David Kampf, backed his childhood friend from Czechia by saying, “I think he played almost every game this season, so that’s very important for him. He’s still a great player. I think he can play in the NHL again, for sure.” Kase has a combined 133 points in 289 games of regular and postseason NHL experience, with his services likely to be of use for teams who could use the depth up front. Only time will tell if Kase will get another shot in North America with his health at the core of the question, but his play as a gritty forward who is not afraid to get rigid has general managers and NHL scouts on the lookout nonetheless. 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