Tomas Fleischmann

'07-08 Stats                      Age (on October 1): 24                  Contract: RFA after '10

'07-08 Season Report

Aside from a handful of games, Fleishcmann appeared out of his league. Called his "Ovechkin at Hershey" by Coach Boudreau, Flash was given every chance to succeed. But he came up short.

He was unable to beat anybody one-on-one and missed some exceptional chances. He has added considerable size in the past couple years, but remains overpowered. Most profoundly, Fleischmann lost nearly every battle along the boards.

After two poor performances in the playoffs, Fleischmann was in street clothes as Boudreau dressed Eric Fehr in his place. Despite his declining play, there is a great deal to look forward to. And here's why:

Aside from his two year stint in the Western Hockey League, Fleischmann has always taken time to imbibe higher levels of competition, as you will see below:

• First 2 years in the Czech Junior League: 67 games, 13 goals, 35 points
• Next 2 years in the Czech Junior League: 64 games, 49 goals, 100 points

• First year in the AHL:        53 games, 7 goals, 19 points
• Next 2 years in the AHL: 141 games, 68 goals, 167 points

• First 2 years in the NHL: 43 games, 4 goals, 10 points
• Next year in the NHL:      75 games, 10 goals, 30 points...is '08-09 his big breakout year?

Intangibles

He's got a cool nickname. But he's been called Flush more than Flash this season. At just $725K over the next two seasons, he could prove to be a great value signing -- or an expendable player with a reasonable contract. Having Boudreau as his coach should provide enough of a comfort level for him to begin reaching the potential he has shown in the AHL. Heck, his 11 goals and 21 assists in 20 games during the Bears' Calder Cup run is All-World production. He deserves a chance.

Future Fit

Fleischmann was handed a two year extension including a small raise during the season. And at just 23 years of age, he remains one of the younger players on the team. But with guys like Ovechkin, Semin, Backstrom, Green, and Eminger all 23 or younger, Fleischmann is well behind the curve.

He still has plenty of room for improvement and has always taken time to adjust to a higher level of competition. But I figured I would have seen some improvement in his game during the season, however it just wasn't there. For every good game he played, he'd go 10 more that were mediocre or worse.

He's still young, and still growing. He has gained nearly 30 pounds since the Capitals acquired him from Detroit and still has room in his 6'1" frame to add a few more. He'll need to in order to withstand the rigors of the NHL.