Calgary has signed one of the league's hardest shooters Martin Frk on a one-year, two-way deal on Monday. The 30-year-old right-winger returns to North America after last playing in the NHL for Los Angeles in 2021-22 and spending 2023-24 with SC Bern (NL) and SC Rapperswil-Jona (NL).
Frk is an elite shooter that has dominated during his time in the AHL but has only played one full NHL season (2018) since turning pro in 2014. The 28-year-old was second in the AHL in goals (40) and sixth in points (73) in 58 games with Ontario last season. With the Blues, he'll likely start the year in the AHL but should be among the first call-up options.
After two games on the top line, Frk will come out of the lineup on Monday after being added to the COVID-19 protocol list. Alex Iafallo was activated from the same list and will draw back into the lineup to replace Frk.
Frk missed the first nine games of the season but will most likely replace Arthur Kaliyev on Friday. Frk had eight points (6G / 2A) in 17 games with the Kings last season.
Frk is expected to miss at least the first couple of weeks of the regular season with a lower-body injury that he suffered in training camp. With Frk and Gabriel Vilardi not available for Monday's practice, Quinton Byfield and Matt Luff skated in the top-4 lines.
Frk, who won the hardest shot competition in the AHL, has scored 23 goals with 13 assists (36 points) in 37 AHL games this season. Scoring in the AHL has never been his issue, but he has just 15 goals and 19 assists (34 points) in 104 career NHL games.
Frk was called up prior to Monday's game vs. the Blues but did not play. This time he might get a chance. Dustin Brown is out with an illness, so Frk could make his Kings debut on Friday.
Frk has played great in the AHL this season, leading Ontario with 23 points (14G / 9A) in 26 games. He could make his Kings debut on Monday with Trevor Lewis dealing with an upper-body injury.
Frk has been a healthy scratch for the last four games and was placed on waivers to open up a roster spot for the pending return of Tyler Bertuzzi. Frk has just one goal and four assists (five points) in 25 games this season.
Frk was a healthy scratch for the last two games but will replace Christoffer Ehn vs. the Blue Jackets. Frk is mostly a power-play specialist and has just one goal and one assist in 12 games this season.
Frk will make his season debut vs. the Canadiens after sitting out the first five games of the season. The 25-year-old, who had 11 goals and 14 assists (25 points) in 68 games last season, will replace rookie Michael Rasmussen.
The Red Wings weren’t expected to bring Frk back originally, but he signed on for one more season. Frk has a great shot and is a weapon on the power-play. The 24-year-old scored 11 goals with 14 assists (25 points) in a career-high 68 games with the Red Wings in 2018. He figures to play in the Red Wings’ bottom-6 in 2019 with a lot of PP exposure.
Frk has missed the last eight games with a groin injury but is set to return to the lineup on Saturday. Because he’s healthy doesn’t guarantee he will be back in the lineup with Jeff Blashill behind the bench, but look for the Red Wings to go back to a traditional 12 forward, six defenseman look if he plays.
