Lukas Dostal

August 2023 – Established his role as an NHL backup during the 2022-23 season. Played most of the year in the AHL but showed he can handle the workload on a defensively lax team in the NHL with the Anaheim Ducks. Ranked 38th among 75 NHL goalies in Goals Saved Above Expected at -0.3, which is an impressive number given his assignment. Signed a two-year deal with the Ducks, the second year being one-way. They definitely see him as part of the long-term goaltending solution in Anaheim. Naftali Clinton

May 2022 – Dostal has enjoyed success so far at the AHL level, and he picked up two Quality Starts in his three NHL starts in 2021-22. Still only 21 (turns 22 in a month), he needs two more years of AHL time before landing as an NHL backup. He could be a starter by 2026 though, if he continues to develop this well. – Dobber

December 2020 – Dostal is coming over from Europe to participate in the Ducks training camp. With no backup set in stone as of right now, he could see some NHL action this season. After winning the Goaltender of the Year Award last year and not missing a beat at the start of this season, his confidence is sky high to steal the job. In most seasons, you would think he would start in the AHL to get those reps for his development, but this has been no ordinary year. With the NHL having a majorly condensed schedule this season, teams will need two competent goalies to compete and this would be the perfect time to see if he is ready for the big leagues or needs more development time. Lucas Main

April 2020 – Dostal’s showing at the World Juniors was not indicative of his first full season in the Liiga with Ilves. He finished the season with a 27-8-6 record, with a sparkling 1.78 GAA, .927 save percentage (good for first in the league in both of those categories) and three shutouts. John Gibson is only 26 years old so there is no rush in bringing Dostal over from Europe just yet. The 19-year-old will continue to develop in Finland as that is where he will see most playing time and will likely make the jump to North America in the 2021-22 season. Lucas Main

February 2019 – Dostal is very quick side-to-side and also has a quick glove. He impressed during Anaheim’s rookie tournament this past summer, making 27 saves on 29 shots, with many of those being point blank chances. Then he took the World Juniors by storm, leading the tournament in GAA (1.25) and save percentage (.957). On a team that was supposed to be an offensive powerhouse, Dostal was the story and the reason the Czechs made it past round robin. Anaheim has done a good job of developing goalies in the past decade so Dostal has NHL potential, it will just take a few years. Lucas Main