Nick Malik finds himself still without an NHL contract as Tampa has not signed him. After passing through two drafts before being taken in the fifth round by the Lightning, Malik has played in the Liiga, before returning to his native Czechia for the 2024-2025 season. His 2.07 GAA and 0.924% save percentage were noticeable as a youngster. His eventual trek to North America doesn’t appear inevitable at this point, but given he is only 23, it shouldn’t be viewed as impossible- yet.

Malik was selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NHL Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning, in his third year of eligibility.

Malik was not selected in the 2021 NHL Draft. He has signed on with KooKoo of Liiga for the 2021-22 season.

Malik passed through the 2020 NHL Draft without a selection. He will re-enter the draft in 2021.

Malik is moving to the Soo Greyhounds in the OHL. He started the season playing at the men’s level in Czech Republic but after the World Juniors, he decided the OHL is the best option for the remaining of his draft season.

Malík is a butterfly style goalie with a solid frame. He is quick with his pads and has superb reflexes, though he needs to improve his edgework. He looks very confident in net and can steal the game with some spectacular saves. His puck skills are above average. At age 16, Malík made his pro debut with Frýdek-Místek last season and he’s been doing great in the Chance liga since then. He joined Trinec’s U19 team for last season’s playoffs and he led them to the Czech junior title with .960 save percentage in eight games. This season, he made his Extraliga debut, allowing six goals on 29 shots, but it is hard to blame him because his team’s performance in that game was poor. In the Chance liga, Malík has almost .930 save percentage this season. He was drafted by Soo Greyhounds in the 2019 CHL Import Draft, but decided to stay in the Czech Republic. However, there is a possibility he could leave to play in the OHL after the World Junior Championship. Malik is projected to become a 2nd/3rd round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.