MILAN — Reflections on the Czech Team and Ondrej Palat
After the Czech squad finished their practice on Tuesday, Radek Faksa was approached for his thoughts on Radko Gudas’ past experience at the Sochi Olympics in 2014.
“Honestly, I’m engaging more with Ondrej Palat,” Faksa noted.
While Gudas, who has served as the alternate captain for the Czech Republic and captains the Ducks, offers valuable experience, it’s Palat who stands out. The 34-year-old has two Stanley Cups and vast international experience, making him a significant figure in Milan.
After just joining the Islanders a week prior to the Olympics, Palat remains somewhat of an enigma in New York. Nevertheless, he seems to be settling in nicely, at least through the first six games. His previous GM, Mathieu Darche, knows him well from their time together with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Palat has tallied three points and formed a good rapport with Bo Horvat, showing notable effort in plays along the boards, yet the limited sample size from older players leaves much to be desired.
Six games isn’t really enough time to determine a player’s fit within the team.
If you’re seeking more clarity, a Czech player might provide insight.
Gudas, the only Czech in the NHL who has participated in both Sochi and Milan, commented, “I don’t think he’s changed much since 2014. He’s a fantastic guy, humble, and always gives his best on the ice. I mean, there’s a reason he has those two Stanley Cups.”
“He brings leadership, and he had that quality before he even wore the ‘A’ in Tampa. That’s why I see him as the hardest worker in this room. It’s impressive to watch him continue to excel as he ages,” Gudas added. “He elevates everyone around him, encouraging more aggressive play while still being reliable in defensive situations.”
Although Palat isn’t wearing a letter for the Czech national team—coached by Gudas, David Pastrnak, and Roman Cervenka, a seasoned winger with four previous Olympic appearances—his presence is felt.
Faksa emphasized, “Palat is viewed as a leader within a team that genuinely believes it can medal here in Milan. He’s won two Stanley Cups and a world championship. He’s experienced and embodies a great attitude on the ice.”
“He’s vocal when the moment calls for it, definitely.”
As of Sunday, with practices now closed to reporters, David Kampf shared that Palat is currently on the second line alongside Kampf and Ondrej Kase. The Czech Republic is set to kick off the Olympics on Thursday against the favored Canadian team, which famously clinched the gold medal at the 1998 Nagano Games.
“He’s a remarkable player and a solid teammate,” Kampf remarked. “He’s got plenty of experience, having won two Stanley Cups, and he will be enjoyable to partner with.”
The emphasis on experience is precisely what the Islanders hoped to gain by signing Palat. Out of the players who reached the 2021 conference finals, only nine were part of the Islanders’ roster, where Palat’s Lightning triumphed. He is the sole Islander ever to have reached the Stanley Cup Finals.
As the season resumes, the Islanders are banking on the idea that this experience will prove beneficial. They also hope that Palat still has more to deliver than his time with the Devils suggested, where he scored a modest ten points in 51 games—a situation compounded by his hefty $6 million salary, which has become a heavy burden on the franchise. The upcoming two weeks will reveal whether this gamble bears fruit.
