“Make or break season” is an overused phrase in pro sports – it’s become a cliché and often lacks necessary context. But for Flyers prospect David Kaše, the 2017-18 campaign is – in a way – make or break.

Now here’s the context: No matter what happens, the young Czech forward will likely earn a good living from professional hockey for the next fifteen years, and may even fulfill his “dream” of making the NHL down the line, even if he has a sub-par 2017-18 season. However, if the 20-year-old Kadaň native wants to ultimately find a home in the Flyers organization, he has to elevate his game in the upcoming season.

There’s a logjam of forward talent already in the Flyers system, with more on the way. To distinguish himself, the 5-foot-11, 170 pound Kaše, who was taken in the fifth round of the 2015 draft, needs to show general manager Ron Hextall and his staff that he’s a forward worth using a contract spot on and bringing over to North America next summer.

Kaše should have every opportunity to do that after leaving his native Czech Republic and heading to Sweden this offseason. The switch presents a step up in level of play. Sweden’s top tier, the SHL, is arguably the third-best league on earth, while the Czech Extraliga, where Kaše plied his trade the last two seasons, is a level below. But it is not only the higher skill level that will provide the spark-plug winger with a chance to prove his worth — he should also get more opportunities to play minutes that matter in Sweden.

This may seem paradoxical given Kaše will be playing at a higher level, but his new team – Mora IK – was promoted to the SHL this summer, and its forwards corps as a whole is relatively inexperienced at a high level, especially at right wing, where Kaše will most likely slot in. Kaše faced much stiffer competition for playing time at his previous club, Piráti Chomutov. Last year, the club from close to the German border had arguably seven wingers capable of playing “top-six minutes,” and as a result Kaše was often the odd man out in the top nine. He started the season strongly, playing “top-six minutes” and garnering seven points in his first fifteen games, but from that point forward injuries, a cluttered roster at wing and a lack of four capable centers meant he often found himself centering Piráti Chomutov’s fourth line.

Despite these obstacles, he showed his skill when given the chance. Kaše impressed at the World Juniors, where he was one of the best players on the Czech team. He also produced at close to a point-per-game level when loaned down to the Czech 2nd tier for ice time. Furthermore, the undersized forward stepped up his game in the playoffs, forcing a bigger role and producing five points in fifteen games as he helped his team to the semifinals.

While the production was not incredibly impressive, his play stood out in a major way once the postseason began. Kaše has always been a player considered a leader, one who steps up when the chips are down – as he has shown on many occasions for the Czech Junior international teams – and during the playoffs, he proved this again. He was all over the ice every shift, creating chances, never giving up on a play, relentless on the forecheck and backcheck, and not afraid to go into the corners against players who dwarfed him. Effort is something that will never be lacking from this talented young forward.

Kaše acknowledged this summer that he was not happy with his role last season, as he expected more opportunities, and as a result he, his agent and the Flyers agreed that a move to Sweden would be best for his development.

So what should we expect in 2017-18 from the Flyers’ young charge? The skill and the talent are certainly there – this is a player who was once thought of as a potential second round pick – and he should now have an opportunity to show that ability at a high level. Mora IK Sports Director Anders Sundby was certainly enthused when it managed to pluck Kaše away from the Czech Extraliga, stating that the team had acquired “a skilled player who competes hard every shift” and “one of the biggest Czech talents.”

All indications point to Kaše having an opportunity to play a big role for Mora in the coming season. In the preseason SCA Cupen – which took place last week – he was a fixture on Mora’s first line at right wing, picking up an OT winner and an assist in three games, while working alongside former NHL player John Persson and American center Andrew Rowe.

However, production expectations for Kaše should be tempered by the level of team Mora are likely to be this season. Newly promoted and without an array of high end, proven talent, it is unlikely that Mora has a chance to do much more than survive in the SHL, or possibly sneak into the playoffs. Add into this the fact that the SHL is a relatively low-scoring league, where production is more evenly spread across teams’ top-nine forwards than in North America, and it is easy to see how an ‘Oskar Lindblom-esque’ season is almost impossible.

Last season, only eight forwards combined from the bottom-six SHL teams reached the 30 point plateau. (the league has 14 clubs). Considering that the SHL has a 52-game schedule, 25 points or about 0.5 points-per-game from the gritty forward would be impressive. Such production would virtually guarantee that Kaše was one of the best three to four forwards for Mora over the season, though even 20 points may suffice in that regard.

Outside of his club hockey, Kaše also has a legitimate shot at impressing on the international stage. In late August, he was the youngest player selected to form an inexperienced Czech national team for two games against rival Slovakia. The team was nowhere close to full-strength, and was effectively being used to evaluate players who might play a part in the national team going forward, but regardless, it is a positive sign that the Czech national team staff see Kaše’s potential. He put in a good showing in the games – despite being held pointless – playing as the first-line right wing and creating multiple chances. The Olympics are a serious longshot for the youngster, but more games for his nation on the European Hockey Tour are not out of the realm of possibility in the upcoming season.

As Flyers prospects plying their trade in Europe go, Kaše has arguably been overlooked in the last few seasons with Lindblom, Felix Sandström, Mikhail Vorobyev and German Rubtsov taking most of the limelight. But this year Flyers fans should watch him closely. All signs point to it being an interesting season for the man born near the banks of the river Ohře, and one that may well decide his future with the Flyers organization.