Jakub Málek

October 2024 – Málek has become the Devils’ most promising goaltending prospect over the last few seasons. Since joining Ilves in Liiga in 2022-23, he has turned into their starting netminder, posting a goals-against-average of under 2.35 and a save percentage of over .910 since the start of last season. His athletic ability is undeniable, and at 6-4, he has the stature to become a starting goaltender at the NHL level. JP Gambatese

March 2022 – Málek’s numbers have improved this season, as his 1.95 goals-against average and .932 save percentage sit top-three in the Czech second division. He’s also played the seventh-most games in the league with 31. Málek’s development curve is promising, but I’d like to see him get some top-division action before looking into this further. Hadi Kalakeche

July 2021 – The New Jersey Devils drafted Málek with their 100th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. The Czech goaltender put up decent numbers in the country’s second division of men’s hockey; his .912 save percentage was eighth in the league, and his 2.29 goals-against average was third-best. His intelligence allows him to anticipate opponents’ intentions when playing down low. He has good lower-body strength to push off either leg, split across for a save, and cover the bottom half of the net. His tendency to stand too low hurts him when shots are thrown at him from the point, especially through screens, and his legs being more spread out in his stance allows the occasional sliding through the five-hole. He needs some work, but he is a goalie who might thrive in higher-tempo leagues where his reactions will come in handy. Hadi Kalakeche