Carolina GM Ron Francis took a flier on Jakub Nakladal in early October, hoping that Nakladal’s efforts with the Czechs at the World Cup would translate into the regular season.
They didn’t.
On Monday, the ‘Canes announced they’ve terminated Nakladal’s contract, after he went scoreless in just three appearances for the club -- the last one a shootout loss to New Jersey on Nov. 8.
The 28-year-old spent last season in Calgary -- his first NHL campaign after years in the Czech League and KHL -- but wasn’t resigned by the Flames, making him an unrestricted free agent. A contract failed to materialize during the summer, but interest rose after Nakladal appeared in all three games at the World Cup, acquitting himself reasonably well.
(His best game came in the Czech Republic’s group finale against the U.S., when he went plus-2 with over 20 minutes of ice time and three shots on goal.)
Nakladal was part of a Carolina defense that’s come under fire this season. He, along with waiver claim Klas Dahlbeck, were supposed to round out the bottom pairing and provide some depth, but that plan never came to fruition.
Hurricanes terminate Jakub Nakladal's contract.
— Luke DeCock (@LukeDeCock) November 14, 2016
Lasted a month and change.
Not the finest moment of the Francis regime.