Kotalik muscles way to top line
Right winger playing with Vanek and Roy
All it takes is a passing glance to see that Ales Kotalik is an absolute tank. He’s built like an outside linebacker, something he proves daily in the Buffalo Sabres’ weight room.
“He’s a powerful man, by far, maybe our strongest all-around player when it comes to off-ice strength and on-ice strength,” coach Lindy Ruff said.
Kotalik’s strength is more evident this year. How strong is he? Well, so far, he’s lifted two teammates and put them in other spots.
Kotalik had been playing so well at right wing that the coaching staff had little choice but to move Maxim Afinogenov, a lifelong right winger, to the left side. Now it’s Drew Stafford who’s been carried elsewhere. The slumping forward had been on the top line with Derek Roy and Thomas Vanek. But Kotalik, with eight points in the first 11 games, has risen to the No. 1 unit while dropping Stafford down to the third line.
Vanek, Roy and Kotalik combined for three goals and an assist in their debut Saturday, and they’ll try for more tonight when they visit New Jersey in the Prudential Center.
“I think we just did a solid job,” Kotalik said. “We scored 2-nothing against [while playing even strength as Roy’s goal came on the power play]. For the first time we’ve been back together, it worked well. We didn’t give up much on the defensive side and had some more chances on the offense. I hope I can stay with these guys for a little bit, and hopefully things are going to turn in scoring for me.”
Kotalik, who had an assist in the 5-0 win over Washington, hasn’t found the net in seven games. Still, he’s off to a solid start with four goals and four helpers.
Part of the reason is increased speed. Long known for his cannon shot — arguably the hardest in the NHL — he’s added wide drives around defensemen to his repertoire.
“He’s been able to use his speed, drive wide and beat people,” Ruff said. “He’s got some pucks on the net and created opportunities. I really think he’s skated well, and that’s been a difference in his game.”
The 29-year-old credits the quickness to a change in his summer workouts.
“Every year you try to do a little offseason program, and I was focused on footing a little bit,” Kotalik said. “It paid off for me in the preseason and the start of the season, and I think if I can be fine the team can be fine.”
The fancier feet haven’t sapped his strength. At 6-foot-1, 227 pounds, Kotalik is able to answer when opponents come calling. But initiating contact was a rarity for the sixth-year Sabre. He usually wouldn’t hit until someone smacked him first.
That’s changed, too. Kotalik has been impressive on the fore-check, barreling into the opponents’ zone and making defenders take notice.
“He really has been trying to use his size more,” Ruff said. “The initiating part is the part we like, where he’s going to give a physical presence. He’s going to let the other team know he’s going to go through them hard, and it opens up a little space for him.”
Space is normally tough to find against the Devils. They’ve long been masters of the defensive game, though Ruff thinks his squad can figure them out.
It’ll help that goaltender Martin Brodeur is out. The Devils’ four-time Vezina Trophy winner left Saturday’s 6-1 win over Atlanta with a bruised left elbow and won’t play tonight. New Jersey may focus even more on defense with Kevin Weekes in net.
Ruff says a quick start would quickly negate that.
“The key will be if we can get them down, you can’t play a real tight defensive game,” he said. “You’ve got to take some chances to get back in the game.”
The Kotalik, Roy and Vanek line scored just 1:12 into Saturday’s blowout. With their new right winger, they may have the strength to do it again.
“I feel good on the physical side of the game,” Kotalik said. “I had some chances, and it’s up to me if I can put them through or not.”
