Detroit — Dominik Kubalik is a streaky goal-scorer, and he showed it during this past season with the Red Wings.
There were peaks and valleys during his Wings’ season, with the end result being a 20-goal season. It was a nice return on a low-risk free-agent signing by general manager Steve Yzerman last summer.
Kubalik is running hot, very hot, currently in the IIHF men’s world championships for his native Czechia.
Kubalik scored his tournament-leading eighth goal of the tournament (in six games) Sunday in Czechia’s 4-2 loss to Switzerland.
Czechia is 4-1-0-1 in Group B (13 points), trailing unbeaten Switzerland (6-0-0-0, 18 points). Czechia will play third-place Canada (3-1-1-1, 12 points) on Tuesday.
“It’s nice, but I’ll appreciate it later,” Kubalik told the IIHF website of his tournament offensive surge. “I hope I’m not done and I continue to do well. I’m not going to change anything and I hope it continues for me and the others.”
Starring for Czechia at this tournament is nothing new for Kubalik. In 32 career games spanning four men’s world championships, Kubalik has 37 points (24 goals, 13 assists).
Having played with many of these Czechian teammates before in tournaments, and the fact Czechia is playing a system similar to what the Wings’ played, Kubalik has had a seamless transition from the end of the NHL regular season in mid-April.
“Overall the style we play, it’s no different for me so I’m just trying to get used to my shot, playing on the first unit (power play) and first line,” Kubalik said. “That always helps.”
A key to Kubalik’s success at the tournament has been playing with center Roman Cervenka, the Czechian captain. Kubalik found instant chemistry with Cervenka, a longtime European star who played in Calgary briefly one season in the NHL.
“It is actually the first time we’ve played together,” Kubalik said of playing with Cervenka. “But there are a lot of guys I’ve played with before (on the roster) so I’m happy that the chemistry is there. You have to (find chemistry). There’s no other way, so you’ve just got to get ready and get used to it as quick as possible.”
Kubalik, 27, signed a two-year contract worth $5 million ($2.5 million salary cap hit per) last summer, a relatively low-risk, high-reward signing by Yzerman.
Chicago chose not to qualify Kubalik with a contract and made him an unrestricted free agent, after Kubalik’s production fell to 17 and 15 goals, after scoring 30 his first season with the Blackhawks.
But on the goal-starved Wings, Kubalik’s contributions were needed and appreciated.
“A real nice addition,” coach Derek Lalonde said of Kubalik’s presence in the Wing’s lineup. Lalonde is on Team USA’s coaching staff at the world championships.
What made the recent goals doubly special for Kubalik was the fact his family has been in Latvia for the tournament — including his wife Klara, whose birthday was Saturday. Kubalik scored in a 2-0 victory over Norway.
“I wanted to give her a present. The goal and the win did it,” Kubalik said. “It’s great to have those closest to you around. I don’t want to be alone. I like to put hockey out of my head, go to a cafe and talk about something else with them. I’m glad we could win for them.”
Veleno suspended
When Kubalik and Czechia faces Canada, he won’t be facing his teammate Joe Veleno.
The Wings’ forward was handed a five-game suspension by the IIHF championship disciplinary panel for stomping on the leg of Switzerland’s Nino Niederreiter.
During the second period of Sunday’s game, Veleno appeared to aggressively step on Niederreiter’s foot during a puck battle behind the Canadian net.
Niederreiter went after Veleno shortly after in front of the net and was assessed a roughing penalty (Veleno was not penalized).
“We have been informed that the IIHF Disciplinary Committee has imposed a five-game suspension to Joe Veleno for an on-ice incident that occurred during Canada’s game against Switzerland on May 20,” Doug Armstrong, Team Canada general manager, said in a statement. “Canada’s National Men’s Team acknowledges the role of the committee and appreciate the diligence that went into the decision-making process, and we accept and support the IIHF’s decision.”
Veleno was playing first-line minutes for Canada in the tournament. In five games, Veleno had two goals and three assists (five points).
“I have been notified of the five-game suspension imposed by the IIHF for my actions in our game against Switzerland,” Veleno said in a statement. “I accept the sanction from the IIHF and apologize for my actions.”
ted.kulfan@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @tkulfan