September 6th, 2023.
The date on which the Arizona organisation placed Liam Kirk on unconditional waivers to end his time with the Coyotes.
Having been neglected by Arizona, Kirk found himself short of time and options for the upcoming 2023-24 season.
Excluding the Elite League Series, Kirk had played 61 professional games in three seasons before being cut by Arizona.
I delved into his situation and treatment by Arizona in this article https://wp.me/p2gDti-1yb last year. In short, Kirk was never allowed to prove his worth, nor afforded anything nearing respect by an organisation that has continually shown how poorly they conduct themselves.
No NHL organisation would claim a seventh-round prospect with nothing resembling a strong body of work.
By the time Kirk’s contract was terminated, many European leagues had gotten underway or were about to, limiting his options even further.
As it turned out, one of the few teams to reach out to Kirk would prove a great fit.
It was far from the ideal situation for the GB star after signing with Czech Extraliga outfit HC Verva Litvínov.
There was just a matter of eight days before Kirk was suiting up for his competitive debut.
He had to face being cast aside and his NHL dream placed on hold. A brand new league, country and teammates, along with being asked to play centre for the first time in his professional career.
The switch from being an offensive winger to playing as a full-time centre is a huge change, let alone when you add the above factors.
Litvínov Head Coach Karel Mlejnek asked Kirk to assume the role of third-line centre for the regular season and take duties on the second power-play unit.
Litvínov’s fifth-place finish was a fine achievement given several injuries, including the loss of their captain and first-line centreman Matus Sukel just eleven games into the campaign.
Kirk played an important role in the team’s regular season success despite his lesser role and unfamiliar position. His thirty points (19G/11A) in 52 games was seventh in team scoring.
In league scoring, Kirk ranked 19th in goals, 17th in Even Strength Goals, 38th in ES Points and 40th in overall scoring.
His Goals Per 60 of 1.24 ranked 25th in Extraliiga and was fourth amongst his teammates.
For those who enjoy analytics, Kirk’s CF% was 57.44 and his GF% relative to teammates was fifth best on the team at 12.38.
Litvínov were underdogs in the playoffs bar for the first round.
They swept Škoda Plzeň 3-0, with Kirk responsible for two game-winners in his total of three goals in the series.
Promoted to the top line and back to his favoured left-wing position, the British forward delivered the type of offence I had every faith in him to do so.
Seven points in the series against HC Kometa Brno helped Litvínov overcome their rival in six games to set up a semi-final with first seeds, Pardubice.
Somewhat surprisingly, Litvínov played timidly through the first two games, which they comprehensively lost.
Returning to home ice, Litvínov played to their attacking strengths, and only defensive errors at key moments cost them a pair of one-goal losses.
Kirk raised his game in the post-season to a new level and added three points in the final two games but sadly it wasn’t enough.
Despite the semi-final exit, Kirk finished as the leading goal scorer (nine) through the playoffs and third in point production (thirteen).
Kirk confirmed that he would not return to Litvínov for the 2024-25 season, to the disappointment of a fan base who showed their love for him during his time in Czechia.
Rumours abound on social media regarding Kirk signing for Eisbären Berlin and that it’s a done deal.
It’s not beyond the realms of impossibility for the rumour to ultimately be true, but I have my doubts.
There is the consideration of Liam’s ultimate dream. The NHL may not come calling this summer, but AHL clubs have often signed players from Europe who were previously in North America. Those decisions are held until at least June.
The 2024 IIHF World Championships are less than a week away, a tournament in which he was the joint leading goal scorer (7) and ranked seventh in point production (9) in 2021.
Although he doesn’t see playing for Great Britain as putting himself in the shop window, it’s the nature of the beast given the quality of the players involved and the hockey world watching.
Kirk was finally signed by Arizona after impressing in the 2021 tournament.
In 2024, interest from many other teams could once again be peaked by another string of fine performances together with the body of work in Czechia.
His immediate future may not be set but a healthy Liam Kirk has gotten his career back on track.
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