Having unceremoniously split from the Arizona Coyotes late last summer, Liam Kirk found himself short of time and options in preparation for the 2023-24 season.

After signing with Czech Extraliga outfit HC Verva Litvínov in the first week of September, there was just a matter of eight days before the GB forward was suiting up for his competitive debut.

It was far from ideal preparation following a troubling off-season, coming to terms with life as a free agent and adapting to life in Czechia.
That’s without integrating on and off the ice with teammates and the task of embedding yourself within a new club you know next to nothing about.

There is also another consideration that Kirk himself couldn’t have factored in when signing.

Litvínov Head Coach Karel Mlejnek asked Kirk to play the position of centre.

It’s a role that he’s never been tasked with any regularity, even during his junior days in Peterborough (Ontario).
The switch from being an offensive winger to playing centre is a huge change.

From positioning with and without possession, dealing with face-offs and increased defensive responsibilities, the first half of the season has been a steep learning curve for the Maltby native.

Kirk has also predominately been utilised in the bottom six (third line) and is part of the second power-play unit.

All of the above is why you cannot truly judge him on a nineteen-point tally (11G/8A) through 31 games. There is so much more to his story this season.

If you delve into Kirk’s offensive production, it stacks up well against last season in Finland, given the circumstances in play.

It should not be forgotten that Kirk was one of Mikkelin Jukurit’s top offensive players in a short spell, playing in his favoured left-winger role.

Finland All Situation Points Per 60 = 2.75
Czechia All Situation Points Per 60 = 2.07 (68th in league, 8th on team)

Finland Primary Points Per 60 = 2.03
Czechia Primary Points Per 60 = 1.63 (61st in league, 8th on team

Finland Even Strength Points Per 60 = 2.03
Czechia Even Strength Points Per 60 = 1.68 (47th amongst all skaters to have played 300+ minutes)

Kirk’s goal production has been impressive after a sluggish start, which saw him score just twice through his first eleven games.
Since then, he’s potted nine in twenty games and is ranked third on Litvínov in goals.
His Goals Per 60 of 1.20 ranks 39th in Extraliiga and is good for fourth amongst his teammates.

Far from reliant on the power play to pad his statistics, an accusation I’ve seen banded around, Kirk has produced 63% of his points at Even Strength.

With 79% of his points total being primary markers (G/PA), the GB forward has played a key role in over a quarter of his team’s goals this season.

Litvínov has suffered an injury crisis, which hasn’t helped matters.
Losing their captain and first-line centreman Matus Sukel just eleven games into the campaign had a huge impact on a team that previously enjoyed a winning streak to begin the season.

To put it into perspective, Kirk is one of just seven Litvínov players to have featured in each of their 31 games this year.

Heading into 2024, Litvínov sits fourth in Extraliga and looks well set to qualify automatically for the playoffs (Top-4), with a six-point advantage over fifth place.
Third place could be achievable with a strong finish to the regular season campaign. With possible reinforcements and players returning from injury, there’s no reason for this team not to have success given a fair wind down the stretch.

Litvínov has beaten the top three teams above them during the current campaign, including Dynamo Pardubice and Sparta Prague, who are having a private battle for first place.

For Liam, 2024 presents the opportunity to finish a complete season for the first time in his professional career and to win a championship.

Discounting games in the Elite League, Kirk has yet to play a hundred games in his professional career, and as such, his development is far from finished.
There are still gears to find for the winger turned centreman, which can only be good news for the second half of the season.

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