Fantasy Summary
Slick winger with good puck skills and a goal-scorer’s brain, Cajkovic has the offensive tools to eventually carve himself out a role as a middle six NHL winger.
Observations
Click to Expand
March 2024 – Cajkovic was ytraded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in January in a swap of minor league players. Pat Quinn
June 2023 – Time is seriously running out for Cajkovic to prove his worth to the Lightning, as the young Slovak prepares to enter the final year of his entry-level contract. Tampa Bay has demoted Cajkovic to Orlando on numerous occasions, but he’s still struggled greatly to produce, even when given more chances in the ECHL. We won’t write him off just yet, but this is hardly the outcome Tampa Bay wanted from their 2019 third-round pick thus far. Wade Messier
December 2020 – Cajkovic was excluded from team Slovak U20 for the World Juniors for “serious violation of sports and human values” according to the team. He supposedly delivered dirty checks to teammates in practice, as well as cursing people out. While he did apologize, this is not a good look for the Lightning prospect. Clare McManus
December 2020 – Cajkovic is currently playing on a loan with the Bratislava Capitals of the ICEH Hockey League in Slovakia. Clare McManus
June 2020 – Following a strong sophomore campaign in the QMJHL, Maxim Cajkovic has been dealt to the Val-d’Or Foreurs by the Saint John Sea Dogs. The Foreurs, who seems to be gearing up for contention in 2020-21, are getting a player who’s coming off an 18 goal and 42 point season in 36 games for the Sea Dogs in 2019-20. Cajkovic will look to bring those point totals even further up next season as he hopefully gets to play with more high-powered offensive talent up front. Cajkovic still owns a strong all-around offensive package with a good goal-scorers tool kit, in particular, and projects optimistically as a potential 2nd line NHL option. Brandon Holmes
November 2019 – Following his selection in the third round of the 2019 NHL Draft, Cajkovic was returned to Saint John of the QMJHL where he has gotten off to a terrific start. Through his first 11 games of the 2019-2020 season, Cajkovic has dramatically improved his scoring pace with eight goals and 16 points, which places him first on the club in scoring pace. Cajkovic to this point has maintained his ceiling as a potential top-six NHL forward and should be able to continue his solid 2019-2020 season in December with Team Slovakia at the World Junior Championships, where he figures to play a big role. Brandon Holmes
June 2019 – Maxim Cajkovic was selected in the Third Round of the 2019 NHL Draft, where the Lightning took the Slovakian winger 89th Overall. Cajkovic was a player that at a point in time gained early considerations as a top 15 selection for the 2019 Draft back in the summer of 2018 following his 2018 U18 Championship for Slovakia, where his total of 11 points in 5 games was topped only by Jack Hughes. After being selected First Overall in the CHL Import Draft, Cajkovic struggled to start the season for the Saint John Sea Dogs, which caused his draft stock to diminish, however, that is not to say Cajkovic is not worth the gamble by the Lightning. Cajkovic is a skilled winger that can make plays with his hands and hockey sense. He sees the ice very well and carries value as a powerplay quarterback, as he’s able to dictate play from the half wall while leaving himself open as an option as both a shooter and passer. Owns a good shot and can pick corners from distance, and though the road to the NHL for Cajkovic may take two to three years, Cajkovic possesses the upside to potentially become a second line NHL forward. Brandon Holmes
Leave A Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.