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Top-Seven Slovakian Prospects |
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Slovakian hockey truly peaked during the 90’s and early 2000’s. Players like Hossa, Chara, Gaborik, Palffy, Demitra, Stumpel, Handzus, Visnovsky, Satan, Meszaros and even Halak were all drafted and developed through that time frame. Since those star players there has been a lull. The last time a Slovak was drafted in the first round was in 2005 with the bust Marek Zagrapan at 13. Lately however the nation has seen a change in fortunes and have begun producing interesting prospects again. This list includes players who haven’t played 50+ games in the NHL, no 2013/2014 draft eligible players...for this list I allowed goalies. So...see anything familiar throughout this list?
Also seriously, why is every single bloody Slovak compared to Marian Hossa? Seriously look it up, it’s annoying as hell.
1. Tomas Tatar Left Wing (60th Overall 2009) 21 Years Old, Grand Rapid Griffins AHL, Property of the Detroit Red Wings
Tatar began his professional career in a very odd way. He entered the AHL at 18 opting to face the tougher competition over the OHL where he was drafted very high by Kitchener. He has amazing hands and a great shot; he likes to play around the net and is usually fearless. His offensive awareness is very high and he is always in a position to score. Defensively he was always hard working, but has developed really well in the AHL. He has a lot more polish and is defensively aware. His skating isn’t the greatest, but he’s still pretty slick and has an extra burst of speed that often tricks defenders. He’s very good at going one on one with defensemen because of his creativity and hands. He’s still a bit undersized and with his style of play has taken some big hits. He needs to get squatter. Next season he’ll likely be pushing hard for a roster spot, but will likely start the year in the AHL before getting a call-up.
Potential: Top-Six Scorer
Comparable: Milan Hejduk
2. Richard Panik Right Wing (52nd Overall 2009) 21 Years Old, Norfolk Admirals AHL, Property of the Tampa Bay Lightning
Panik was the other part of the dynamic duo for Slovakia with Tatar; most will remember that amazing game against the US in the 2008 WJC. Panik has had a rough development curve and struggled on the North American ice surface when he first arrived. He has dynamic offensive potential and is a pure goal scorer. His first season in the AHL was a huge step in the right direction after struggling in the OHL. Internationally he’s been prolific, at times controlling the game all by himself. He has great puck control and when he’s on his game is impossible to take off the puck. He has soft hands and good creativity with a laser beam shot. Defensively he’s still a big work in progress. He often loses his man and is sluggish on the backcheck. That’s one aspect of his game he needs to fix. At 6’2 he’s got great speed and mobility, but is pretty soft. He can disappear when the game gets tough and there are questions about his work ethic. He has a very high ceiling, but a big bust factor.
Potential: Top-6 Scorer
Comparable: Olli Jokinen
3. Tomas Jurco Right Wing (35th Overall 2011) 19 Years Old, Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL, Property of the Detroit Red Wings
Them hands...Jurco has elite hands. He has the dangles and moves that very few players in the world have. He protects the puck very well and uses his 6’2 frame to great use. He’s extremely difficult to play against one on one, often making defensemen look silly. He’s hard to get off the puck and plays very well on the boards. He’s got a strong stride and is a good skater. Defensively he’s very aware and has a very fast stick. He’s known for causing turnovers at the blueline and scorching the opponent. Jurco took a big step last season and really came into his own on a team where usually he was 5th fiddle and overlooked. He’s got a good shot and a nose for the net, yet it’s his ability to weave through traffic that makes him dangerous. I would have had him at number 2, but Panik has such a nasty upside if he could reach it. Jurco will join the Grand Rapids Griffins next season and continue to develop his game.
Potential: Top-Six Scorer
Comparable: Marian Hossa
4. Martin Marincin Defenseman (46th Overall 2010) 20 Years Old, Regina Pats WHL, Property of the Edmonton Oilers
Marincin came out of the Slovakian league with a few key attributes. His meanstreak and his untapped offensive potential. He skates well for a player of 6’3 and he’s got extremely strong mobility in all directions, including a very smooth transition to back skating. He has good puck handling abilities and offensive instincts; he’s very strong at quarterbacking a powerplay because he brings a bunch of different tools. Defensively he’s still got some work to do. He improved quite a bit this past season, but like many offense first defenders he has bad brain cramps. As he gets stronger I think we’ll see even more devastating big hits from Marincin, when he goes to hit he goes to hurt. Next season he’ll turn pro and play for Oklahoma City. One problem is that Marincin will need big PP time to be effective at the next level.
Potential: 3-4 Offensive Defenseman
Comparable: Kyle Quincey
5. Marek Tvrdon Left Wing (115th Overall 2011) 19 Years Old, Vancouver Giants WHL, Property of the Detroit Red Wings
Tvrdon saw his draft stock plummet with an injury that only allowed him to play 12 games in his draft year. He was looking pretty comfortable making the adjustment to the new ice which combined with a very strong U18 performance the year before got him drafted. He’s got good size at 6’2 and 217lbs making him already built for the pro game, he’s very strong on his skates and does well on the boards. He lacks the speed one expects from a big time scorer and his lack of physical play is frustrating because you can tell how strong he is. He’s got solid hands and a beauty of a shot. He can be inconsistent, but overall his transition to the NA style has been very successful. He’s still a few years away and Detroit will likely keep him in the WHL one more year despite being eligible to play in the AHL.
Potential: 3rd Line Scorer
Comparable: Andrei Kostitsyn
6. Martin Gernat Defenseman (122nd Overall 2011) 19 Years Old, Edmonton Oil Kings WHL, Property of the Edmonton Oilers
Probably the most surprising rookie in the WHL this past season, Gernat burst onto the scene after being a virtual unknown. Very few could predict the offensive side of his game to improve by such leaps and bounds on a new ice surface and against stronger competition. He’s a very smooth skater and deceptively mobile for a guy at 6’5. He moves the puck well and likes to rush and pinch whenever he gets a chance. He’s very good at passing the puck and is always looking for the backdoor play when attacking. Gernat’s issues start in his own end. He doesn’t have the best awareness out there and is often guilty of missing his man. He’s still extremely lanky and doesn’t have the strength to be physical when he needs to be in one on one situations. That’s not to say he won’t hit, as he does, he just leaves you expecting more. There are times where his exuberance for going forward has caused major turnover issues. Gernat is a very raw player with a very high upside, all the problems he has right now are things that can be taught over time. The Oilers head scout said he would have picked him at 35 if he had his way and after such a strong rookie year it’s hard to argue with him.
Potential: 4-5 Offensive Defenseman
Comparable: Cody Franson
7. Jaroslav Janus Goaltender (162nd Overall 2009) 22 Years Old, Norfolk Admirals AHL, Property of the Tampa Bay Lightning
Janus is a small but quick and athletic goalie. He plays an extremely aggressive style of play that finds him at the top of the crease whenever he can. That way he can mask his height (5’11). He’s got solid rebound control and is extremely quick at recovering. Maybe I’m biased because of the 2008 WJC’s where he was an absolute beast, but I’ve always hoped he could make it to the next level. Janus fights for the puck and has a fantastic glove hand. Next season he is moving to the KHL for development reasons as the Lightning want him to get 45+ games of starting experience which he will not get with Dustin Tokarski there. It’s a shame since he looked great splitting starts last season.
Potential: Split Starter
Comparable: Johan Hedberg
Notables: Richard Mraz (Undrafted), Adam Janosik (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Peter Ceresnak (New York Rangers).
Thanks for reading.
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