It’s been a whirlwind of a year for Jaroslav Chmelař. 

For any fifth-round pick, it’s an uphill battle to eventually crack an NHL roster, and it was no different for Chmelař, who was selected by the New York Rangers with the 144th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. 

Over the years, Chmelař has climbed the Rangers’ prospect rankings, culminating in this season, where he earned some NHL time. 

While he may have yet to carve out a permanent role with the Blueshirts, the 22-year-old forward expressed his gratitude for his time in the NHL thus far.

“Really, really special,” Chmelař said of the nine NHL games he’s played in. “If you would have told me that in the summer, I would have told you, ‘I’m going to do my best.’ Now that I've been up here a couple of times, it's a dream come true. Being around the guys, learn from them, see what they do on the ice it’s been awesome.”

Chmelař has been called up a couple of times throughout the 2025-26 campaign, as Mike Sullivan was informed earlier in the season that Chmelař was the Hartford Wolf Pack's best and most consistent player.

Spending most of his time in the American Hockey League over the course of the season, Chmelař has thrived, playing top-six minutes in a prominent role with the Wolf Pack. 

In 46 games with the Wolf Pack, the Czech native has recorded eight goals, 17 assists, and 25 points.

It’s taken quite a while for Chmelař to make a name for himself, but he always knew making the NHL was within his reach. 

“I think it’s just dedication,” Chmelař said of the strides he’s made. “Everybody has that goal, to come up here and stay. I’ve been doing my best the past few years to achieve that goal.”

Chmelař has been playing a bottom-six role with the Rangers, averaging 8:14 minutes in nine games. 

On March 5 in the Rangers’ 6-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, Chmelař scored his first NHL goal in grand fashion on a breakaway, and the celebration said all you needed to know about the young rookie’s emotions. 

J.T. Miller Slated To Return To Rangers' Lineup Sooner Rather Than Later J.T Miller appears to be inching toward a return to the New York Rangers’ lineup. 

“I can't really describe how special it was. It was insane,” Chmelař emphasized. “Scoring the first one at Madison Square Garden, where all the people went crazy, it’s just a feeling I will never forget.”

Given the Rangers’ current situation, in the midst of a “retool” as Chris Drury put it in his Jan. 16 letter to fans, Chmelař, along with other prospects, have a real opportunity to audition for a permanent spot in New York’s lineup moving into the future. 

“Every time I step on the ice, I want to put my name up there, and put the best game for everybody to see,” Chmelař said. “I want to be helpful for teammates, so hopefully good things come out of that.”

It’s been a whirlwind of a year for Jaroslav Chmelař. 

For any fifth-round pick, it’s an uphill battle to eventually crack an NHL roster, and it was no different for Chmelař, who was selected by the New York Rangers with the 144th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. 

Over the years, Chmelař has climbed the Rangers’ prospect rankings, culminating in this season, where he earned some NHL time. 

While he may have yet to carve out a permanent role with the Blueshirts, the 22-year-old forward expressed his gratitude for his time in the NHL thus far.

“Really, really special,” Chmelař said of the nine NHL games he’s played in. “If you would have told me that in the summer, I would have told you, ‘I’m going to do my best.’ Now that I've been up here a couple of times, it's a dream come true. Being around the guys, learn from them, see what they do on the ice it’s been awesome.”

Chmelař has been called up a couple of times throughout the 2025-26 campaign, as Mike Sullivan was informed earlier in the season that Chmelař was the Hartford Wolf Pack's best and most consistent player.

Spending most of his time in the American Hockey League over the course of the season, Chmelař has thrived, playing top-six minutes in a prominent role with the Wolf Pack. 

In 46 games with the Wolf Pack, the Czech native has recorded eight goals, 17 assists, and 25 points.

It’s taken quite a while for Chmelař to make a name for himself, but he always knew making the NHL was within his reach. 

“I think it’s just dedication,” Chmelař said of the strides he’s made. “Everybody has that goal, to come up here and stay. I’ve been doing my best the past few years to achieve that goal.”

Chmelař has been playing a bottom-six role with the Rangers, averaging 8:14 minutes in nine games. 

On March 5 in the Rangers’ 6-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, Chmelař scored his first NHL goal in grand fashion on a breakaway, and the celebration said all you needed to know about the young rookie’s emotions. 

J.T. Miller Slated To Return To Rangers' Lineup Sooner Rather Than Later J.T Miller appears to be inching toward a return to the New York Rangers’ lineup. 

“I can't really describe how special it was. It was insane,” Chmelař emphasized. “Scoring the first one at Madison Square Garden, where all the people went crazy, it’s just a feeling I will never forget.”

Given the Rangers’ current situation, in the midst of a “retool” as Chris Drury put it in his Jan. 16 letter to fans, Chmelař, along with other prospects, have a real opportunity to audition for a permanent spot in New York’s lineup moving into the future. 

“Every time I step on the ice, I want to put my name up there, and put the best game for everybody to see,” Chmelař said. “I want to be helpful for teammates, so hopefully good things come out of that.”

It’s been a whirlwind of a year for Jaroslav Chmelař. 

For any fifth-round pick, it’s an uphill battle to eventually crack an NHL roster, and it was no different for Chmelař, who was selected by the New York Rangers with the 144th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. 

Over the years, Chmelař has climbed the Rangers’ prospect rankings, culminating in this season, where he earned some NHL time. 

While he may have yet to carve out a permanent role with the Blueshirts, the 22-year-old forward expressed his gratitude for his time in the NHL thus far.

“Really, really special,” Chmelař said of the nine NHL games he’s played in. “If you would have told me that in the summer, I would have told you, ‘I’m going to do my best.’ Now that I've been up here a couple of times, it's a dream come true. Being around the guys, learn from them, see what they do on the ice it’s been awesome.”

Chmelař has been called up a couple of times throughout the 2025-26 campaign, as Mike Sullivan was informed earlier in the season that Chmelař was the Hartford Wolf Pack's best and most consistent player.

Spending most of his time in the American Hockey League over the course of the season, Chmelař has thrived, playing top-six minutes in a prominent role with the Wolf Pack. 

In 46 games with the Wolf Pack, the Czech native has recorded eight goals, 17 assists, and 25 points.

It’s taken quite a while for Chmelař to make a name for himself, but he always knew making the NHL was within his reach. 

“I think it’s just dedication,” Chmelař said of the strides he’s made. “Everybody has that goal, to come up here and stay. I’ve been doing my best the past few years to achieve that goal.”

Chmelař has been playing a bottom-six role with the Rangers, averaging 8:14 minutes in nine games. 

On March 5 in the Rangers’ 6-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, Chmelař scored his first NHL goal in grand fashion on a breakaway, and the celebration said all you needed to know about the young rookie’s emotions. 

J.T. Miller Slated To Return To Rangers' Lineup Sooner Rather Than Later J.T Miller appears to be inching toward a return to the New York Rangers’ lineup. 

“I can't really describe how special it was. It was insane,” Chmelař emphasized. “Scoring the first one at Madison Square Garden, where all the people went crazy, it’s just a feeling I will never forget.”

Given the Rangers’ current situation, in the midst of a “retool” as Chris Drury put it in his Jan. 16 letter to fans, Chmelař, along with other prospects, have a real opportunity to audition for a permanent spot in New York’s lineup moving into the future. 

“Every time I step on the ice, I want to put my name up there, and put the best game for everybody to see,” Chmelař said. “I want to be helpful for teammates, so hopefully good things come out of that.”

DENVER — Brett Kulak won’t need much of a scouting report tonight.

Few players in the league know the inner workings of the Edmonton Oilers quite like the veteran defenseman, who spent years inside their locker room and helped them reach back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals. Now, after a whirlwind season that has already taken him through three organizations, Kulak finds himself on the opposite side again — armed with firsthand knowledge of one of the NHL’s most explosive offenses.

This matchup carries a unique wrinkle: it will be Kulak’s third time facing Edmonton this season, and his second different team while doing it.

Kulak began the year with the Oilers before being traded in December to the Pittsburgh Penguins as part of the deal that sent goaltender Tristan Jarry to Edmonton. His Penguins debut came against his former club on Dec. 16, and just over a month later he lined up across from them again.

Now the journey has taken yet another turn.

Just before the trade deadline, Pittsburgh dealt Kulak to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for defenseman Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round pick. The move placed him on his third team in as many months — and set up yet another reunion with the franchise he once helped push to consecutive Western Conference titles.

Inside Knowledge

Kulak knows exactly what kind of challenge awaits.

"They're a high-octane offense, obviously very dangerous; they know how to put the puck in the net. I'm just looking...to limit time and space, have good gaps, and make sure your legs are ready to work."

And that starts with the league’s most dangerous weapon.

Connor McDavid, the Oilers’ captain, leads all NHL skaters this season with a top speed of 24.61 mph, according to NHL EDGE tracking. His pace is matched only by his production: McDavid has piled up 35 goals and a league-leading 73 assists for a league-best 108 points.

Containing that kind of firepower requires a full-team effort.

If Colorado hopes to slow Edmonton down, it will take more than Kulak’s familiarity with his former teammates. Every Avalanche skater will need to stay disciplined, manage gaps, and be prepared for the relentless pace the Oilers bring every night.

Colorado’s Focus: Play Their Game

Still, even with his insider knowledge, Kulak said the Avalanche’s approach isn’t built around tailoring the game plan to one opponent — or worrying about what his former teammates might know about his tendencies.

The Hockey News asked Kulak whether facing a team so familiar with his style requires strategic adjustments. He said the focus remains largely internal.

"Lots of our meetings here is pretty much all about us and the style we want to play," he explained. "Those are the things I take from the meetings. There's a couple things you're obviously keeping in mind on the style of play, the team you're playing against brings in, but for the most part, I think we're playing our game."

No Secrets in the Modern NHL

Head coach Jared Bednar echoed that philosophy, noting that in today’s NHL, information is readily available — basically Spygate 2.0, now with 4K video and no sneaky cameras.

"There's just so much information out there," he told The Hockey News. "The best way to break down the Oilers or any other team is just watch. We have every shift of every game available to us. So you spend the time, you watch it, you learn tendencies of individuals of their team, what the structure of their team is. You give your team the pertinent information and you go from there.

"On a day like today, I go through it all and ask Brett, 'Did I miss anything that's important?' He's like, 'Pretty much nailed it.' The information is there for you to watch and learn and all the coaches kind of do the same thing in their respective areas. So there's no real secrets nowadays."

For Kulak, the situation almost feels like a spy returning to familiar territory — only now he’s wearing different colors.

And against an Oilers team built on speed and skill, that knowledge could prove valuable, even in a league where, as Bednar put it, there are no secrets left.

DENVER — Brett Kulak won’t need much of a scouting report tonight.

Few players in the league know the inner workings of the Edmonton Oilers quite like the veteran defenseman, who spent years inside their locker room and helped them reach back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals. Now, after a whirlwind season that has already taken him through three organizations, Kulak finds himself on the opposite side again — armed with firsthand knowledge of one of the NHL’s most explosive offenses.

This matchup carries a unique wrinkle: it will be Kulak’s third time facing Edmonton this season, and his second different team while doing it.

Kulak began the year with the Oilers before being traded in December to the Pittsburgh Penguins as part of the deal that sent goaltender Tristan Jarry to Edmonton. His Penguins debut came against his former club on Dec. 16, and just over a month later he lined up across from them again.

Now the journey has taken yet another turn.

Just before the trade deadline, Pittsburgh dealt Kulak to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for defenseman Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round pick. The move placed him on his third team in as many months — and set up yet another reunion with the franchise he once helped push to consecutive Western Conference titles.

Inside Knowledge

Kulak knows exactly what kind of challenge awaits.

"They're a high-octane offense, obviously very dangerous; they know how to put the puck in the net. I'm just looking...to limit time and space, have good gaps, and make sure your legs are ready to work."

And that starts with the league’s most dangerous weapon.

Connor McDavid, the Oilers’ captain, leads all NHL skaters this season with a top speed of 24.61 mph, according to NHL EDGE tracking. His pace is matched only by his production: McDavid has piled up 35 goals and a league-leading 73 assists for a league-best 108 points.

Containing that kind of firepower requires a full-team effort.

If Colorado hopes to slow Edmonton down, it will take more than Kulak’s familiarity with his former teammates. Every Avalanche skater will need to stay disciplined, manage gaps, and be prepared for the relentless pace the Oilers bring every night.

Colorado’s Focus: Play Their Game

Still, even with his insider knowledge, Kulak said the Avalanche’s approach isn’t built around tailoring the game plan to one opponent — or worrying about what his former teammates might know about his tendencies.

The Hockey News asked Kulak whether facing a team so familiar with his style requires strategic adjustments. He said the focus remains largely internal.

"Lots of our meetings here is pretty much all about us and the style we want to play," he explained. "Those are the things I take from the meetings. There's a couple things you're obviously keeping in mind on the style of play, the team you're playing against brings in, but for the most part, I think we're playing our game."

No Secrets in the Modern NHL

Head coach Jared Bednar echoed that philosophy, noting that in today’s NHL, information is readily available — basically Spygate 2.0, now with 4K video and no sneaky cameras.

"There's just so much information out there," he told The Hockey News. "The best way to break down the Oilers or any other team is just watch. We have every shift of every game available to us. So you spend the time, you watch it, you learn tendencies of individuals of their team, what the structure of their team is. You give your team the pertinent information and you go from there.

"On a day like today, I go through it all and ask Brett, 'Did I miss anything that's important?' He's like, 'Pretty much nailed it.' The information is there for you to watch and learn and all the coaches kind of do the same thing in their respective areas. So there's no real secrets nowadays."

For Kulak, the situation almost feels like a spy returning to familiar territory — only now he’s wearing different colors.

And against an Oilers team built on speed and skill, that knowledge could prove valuable, even in a league where, as Bednar put it, there are no secrets left.