Injuries are a common and unpredictable obstacle that can derail even the most promising NHL careers. Unfortunately, Carolina Hurricanes' forward Ondrej Kase has fallen victim to this fate. Despite his undeniable talent as a hockey player, Kase's recent health troubles have cast a shadow over his NHL career.
Since October 13, Kase has been in concussion protocol, making it difficult for him to get back on the ice. However, there is some good news: he has recently increased his workload, participating in team practices and morning skates on a sporadic basis while wearing a no-contact jersey.
Kase signed a one-year deal with the Hurricanes in the summer of 2021, with a cap hit of $1,500,000. Unfortunately, he has only been able to play one game this season before being placed on the IR.
Recent reports suggest that Kase may not be returning to the NHL and may instead be heading back to his home country's Czech league next season. According to puck reporter Jakub Koreis, the 27-year-old forward is likely to sign a contract with HC Verva Litvinov.
Despite his injury setbacks, Kase has had a productive NHL career when healthy, with 57 goals and 124 points in 258 games. However, the number of concussions he has suffered is concerning, and it's understandable that he may want to take steps to protect his long-term health. It's admirable that he wants to continue playing the game he loves, but his decision to potentially return to the Czech league may be the best one for his personal and professional wellbeing.
