Tomas Fleischmann

History

Tomas Fleischmann played on the Czech U-17 team in 2001 and the U-18 Championship in 2002 in Slovakia.

After his first season in the WHL with Moose Jaw, Fleischmann clearly made a name for himself. He started the season slowly, learning about the game. It was after a successful showing at the WJC for team Czech Republic that Fleischmann started to make an impact in Moose Jaw. He finished the regular season with 21 goals and 71 points in 65 games making him the second in rookie scoring in the WHL. As the playoffs started, Fleischmann continued his hot streak and was the go-to guy during the 12 games that Moose Jaw played. His 4 goals and 15 points in just 12 games was good enough to tie for the 11th place in the scoring race.

2004-05: Suffered injury that shortened his season to 53 games.

2005-06: Fleischmann also made his NHL debut this season, and played mainly on the same line as fellow countryman, Jakub Klepis. They had good chemistry together, but like Klepis, Fleischmann struggled with the speed of the NHL level. He also struggled along the boards, and was not used to the strength of the much larger NHL defensemen.

He has rebounded from his shortened 2004-05 season in Portland, and despite missing several weeks of action when he was with the top club. 

2006-07: As a favorite to make the offensively thin Capitals roster in the preseason, Fleischmann did not impress enough to begin the season in the NHL.  In seven games with the Capitals, Fleischmann only had one assist, causing him to be sent back to the AHL.  He was recalled from Hershey on Feb. 24, and paid dividends right away by scoring his first NHL goal against the Devils.  He remained with the Capitals for the rest of the season. 

Talent Analysis

Fleischmann is an flashy winger with great offensive tools. He plays a high speed game with a lot of skill and is exciting to watch. His great hockey sense and hands allow him to create quality chances for both himself and his linemates. Although being a good playmaker, he is more of a scorer and he uses his shot often to prove that. Has a good, hard wrist shot with a quick release. His downside is his lack of defensive involvement and he needs to gain more strength in order to take his game to the next level.

Future

Fleischmann has the tools to succeed in the NHL, but he will have to make significant improvements in his physical game. He has added some 20 lbs in the last two seasons, and may add more weight in time. In any event, he will need to become stronger in order to compete for loose pucks in the corners, but he does possess the skating and stickhandling ability in order for him to one day become a solid second line winger if he meets his full potential.