Something to Prove: Underrated Nosek Could See NHL Time this Season
Follow
Tomas Nosek is not the most talked about player at NHL prospect tournament and he isn’t even a top line player for the Red Wings. That said the 23 year-old center led all Detroit forwards in goals with three and he tied Andreas Athanasiou and Dylan Larkin for the most points with five.
“I am happy I scored some goals and had some good results,” he said. “We lost the final game so it doesn’t matter if you score a goal. I just want to help the team to win but it wasn’t enough tonight.”
The Red Wings were outgunned at every turn against the returning champion Columbus Blue Jackets. Unlike the previous game against the Dallas Stars, the team couldn’t muster a comeback this time losing 5-2 and settling for the second best finish by a Red Wing team in tournament history.
“It’s pretty tough to lose in the final after the three wins,” Nosek said. “I think we didn’t play good team defense the past two games. We got lucky last game but tonight that is the reason why we lost.”
The 6-foot-2, 210 pound center had a very strong tournament which should give him confidence heading into main camp. Roster competition will be fierce, but the goal for Nosek is to establish himself of the organizational depth chart.
“It gives me a little bit of a boost,” he said. “But I still have to play good during camp and hopefully get into a few preseason games. If they send me down to Grand Rapids I have to play my best down there and be ready.”
Nosek spent his first professional season with the Griffins last year. He scored 11 goals and 34 points in 55 games but saw his season shortened due to hand injury.
“I think it was a good year for my first year,” he said. “I had a different role than I had in Europe so it was a learning experience. I hope to have an even better year.”
the Pardubice, Czech Republic native was a free agent acquisition after slipping through multiple drafts. The Red Wings uncovered Nosek while Jiri Fischer was helping the 2012 Czech World Junior team.
“He’s one of the reasons that I am here,” Nosek said of Fischer. “I think it is good if so someone from your country is in the organization because they can help you. I talk to Jiri a lot about what I need to do.”
Nosek also has an ally in new Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill who sought him out after one of the tournament wins to congratulate him on his stellar play. While there may not be immediate room on the Red Wings roster to start the season, he’ll be ready to join them if called upon.
“It’s a plus having him as the Red Wings coach,” Nosek said. “He knows me and what I can do, but I still need to play my best no matter where I play. I will do my best to make the Red Wings but if I am in Grand Rapids I will be ready if called.”