WC: 2018 - Team Czech Republic

[Czechboy]

I think we won't go under 30...most of the guys remaining are fairly young (only Jagr, Vrbata, Plekanec, Hemsky are 32+) and our improved post 2012 drafts are slowly getting into league as well as some older UFAs

Remember when we had 80? I do agree that 30 seems about right... just not all full time. We need about 50... 30 full time with at least 8 D and 2 goalies and 20 part time - either role playing veterans or prospects going back and forth between nhl and ahl.

I think Kempný is guaranteed an nhl job next season. Not sure about Jerabek. Simek hopefully makes team out of camp. Sustr and Polak maybe get a year more? I don’t think Hronek, Hajek or sulak crack lineup. Not sure about masin or zboril
I don’t see pyrochta seeing nhl.
Vrana should be full time. Spacek might crack the jets. Maybe David kase surprises.
I think Zadina and Necas and chytil all do. Not sure about chlapik
Curious if jaskin has a good season finally
Kaut... you never know.
Maybe Francouz and rittich establish themselves? No idea where mrazek ends up?
I hope one final season for Plekanec

 

[Czechboy]

Nice to see Kempny playing so well for the Caps, it seems that Quenneville didn't know how to fit him into the Blackhawks team. He's looking pretty confident out there right now, hope he gets the Cup. I also hope Jerabek will appear in the final so he can bring it to Pilsen

BTW: I made a quick video of Pleky's NT career, loved the guy. Thought i could share it here.

Awesome video... his patience was really good.

 

[joey16]

"If we manage to bring one or two players to national team or NHL, we will be ok". "I have feedback from other top countries, we are unpredictable and capable to beat anybody".

This guy is loosing his head.
Dotahujeme se na špičku, ale medaile nám chybí, říká Lener o mládeži | Hokej.cz - web českého hokeje

Thanks for the article.

But oh my god, this is exactly what I was talking about earlier. This guy says milions words but in reality nothing with some kind of value. If I didn't see the date when the article was uploaded I could totally think that the interview is from 4-5 years ago. All the same things (actually better but a bit vulgar word would fit here).
He never forgets to say how we are getting better, closing the gap, then name few czech players which got into the NHL in last years. Then tell that he got some positive feedback on their work from abroad (but he's never specific of course), that they have lots of critics but still he thinks they're doing a good job, that the schedule of our national teams is great with full of matches against top opponents and that little kids aren't playing much and not having enough fun from playing (especially this I am hearing all the time - why don't you do something with that then ???). And now I found out that the biggest issue of czech junior players is nutrition.

I also hate the interviewers never asking relevant and snappy questions - like why aren't we producing any D, why cannot the junior extraleague get narrow to bring more competiton, what specific action will they do to solve the problem with little kids not playing enough and not having fun or even how they want to solve the nutrition problem etc.

Also it's nice mentioning that on the big events all of our junior national teams (U20, U18, U17) advanced from QF this year but then again - he says A but doesn't say B.
Our U20 actually played a good hockey in the group but then totally lucked out in the QF - it was very bad performance from my point of view and then they got smashed badly twice - in the semi-final and bronze medal game.
U18 has won one single game in the group - against France. Then one good match in the QF saved the whole tourney for them. Then again they basically didn't stand a chance in the medal games.
U17 had really good playoff games, I gotta give credit there. On the other hand they have to thank to God for the format of the tourney where even the last team in the group advances to the QF. They lost every game in the group with a score 4-17.
So far there has never been a steady and persuasive performance througout a tourney from any team. The only tourney where we are regularly able to be this strong is Ivan Hlinka tournament.

I mean I liked Lener at the beginning and I think he has done quite a good job with Kral. They took over in the biggest crisis that has ever existed in czech junior hockey and succeeded in saving us from the worst but they maxed out I think.
Right now we need some new enthusiastic, competitive and unattached people with vision to take over.
But are there any like this ? And would they be able to get in over Lener and Kral?

 

[Jablkon]

Thanks for the article.

But oh my god, this is exactly what I was talking about earlier. This guy says milions words but in reality nothing with some kind of value. If I didn't see the date when the article was uploaded I could totally think that the interview is from 4-5 years ago. All the same things (actually better but a bit vulgar word would fit here).
He never forgets to say how we are getting better, closing the gap, then name few czech players which got into the NHL in last years. Then tell that he got some positive feedback on their work from abroad (but he's never specific of course), that they have lots of critics but still he thinks they're doing a good job, that the schedule of our national teams is great with full of matches against top opponents and that little kids aren't playing much and not having enough fun from playing (especially this I am hearing all the time - why don't you do something with that then ???). And now I found out that the biggest issue of czech junior players is nutrition.

I also hate the interviewers never asking relevant and snappy questions - like why aren't we producing any D, why cannot the junior extraleague get narrow to bring more competiton, what specific action will they do to solve the problem with little kids not playing enough and not having fun or even how they want to solve the nutrition problem etc.

Also it's nice mentioning that on the big events all of our junior national teams (U20, U18, U17) advanced from QF this year but then again - he says A but doesn't say B.
Our U20 actually played a good hockey in the group but then totally lucked out in the QF - it was very bad performance from my point of view and then they got smashed badly twice - in the semi-final and bronze medal game.
U18 has won one single game in the group - against France. Then one good match in the QF saved the whole tourney for them. Then again they basically didn't stand a chance in the medal games.
U17 had really good playoff games, I gotta give credit there. On the other hand they have to thank to God for the format of the tourney where even the last team in the group advances to the QF. They lost every game in the group with a score 4-17.
So far there has never been a steady and persuasive performance througout a tourney from any team. The only tourney where we are regularly able to be this strong is Ivan Hlinka tournament.

I mean I liked Lener at the beginning and I think he has done quite a good job with Kral. They took over in the biggest crisis that has ever existed in czech junior hockey and succeeded in saving us from the worst but they maxed out I think.
Right now we need some new enthusiastic, competitive and unattached people with vision to take over.
But are there any like this ? And would they be able to get in over Lener and Kral?

If I count it, 1 or 2 players mean 20 players in 10 years. What the hell? I am saying I am done with that. What is he even asking that other nations about? Do you think we are good Mr. Yzerman? God damn we know we are upredictable and we can sometime beat somebody but we dont even do that.

This guy is not capable to so anything. I am all for bring swede or finn and kick out half of that committee. This is disgrace.

We had the f***ing a chance to put best people together and tried it. We didnt do that. I am not sure whether there are still hockey people in CZ. Irrespective of whether Bukac is right or not, its just sad that they just waiting till he dies.

Same goes for that critics. I am certain that they talk to them like "Jarda, you said something, so come and try it, you will see". There is no mentoring, teaching, nothing. Entire czech hockey obviously lives just from diehard enthusiasts. I am just pissed, call me negative, I dont care. I never believed that czechs can be that bad, not even in hockey. But whats going on here is beyond my understanding. This is not f***ing normal. This is not normal world what we doing here. Its not.

But sure I gave them credit for making some changes and progress. But do we f***ing need that much, just clear plan, clear answers.

That finnish guy who works for Slovakia. He did one interview when he jumped to it and he was more clear than these idiots in 8 years. 8 years of bullshit, bullshit

 

[Jablkon]

how often does Lener even speak to media? Every year there is interview with Babcock from WHC. It looks like same frequency. Or just hire PR specialist for god sake!

I am actually more and more convinced that Zacha and Bukac were right about Lener.

 

[Voodoozz]

Have you seen this Máte slovo s M. Jílkovou — Česká televize ?

I had a tough time watching this as i can't stand listening to Jílková for some reason. Many things the guests said i agree with, with some i don't. They actually covered many topics but you can see all the guests know one another and didn't want to raise any controversial discussion. They looked way too satisfied imo, when making arguments they always mentioned only the positive points. Not a good approach.

I get that they want to present hockey as a perfect sport but c'mon, it's tough to achieve something with this mentality. I like that the people there are aware of the problems and i believe they try to do their best to solve them but i'm a bit sceptical about what's actually being done in reality. But definitely there's some progress.

 

[joey16]

Have you seen this Máte slovo s M. Jílkovou — Česká televize ?

I had a tough time watching this as i can't stand listening to Jílková for some reason. Many things the guests said i agree with, with some i don't. They actually covered many topics but you can see all the guests know one another and didn't want to raise any controversial discussion. They looked way too satisfied imo, when making arguments they always mentioned only the positive points. Not a good approach.

I get that they want to present hockey as a perfect sport but c'mon, it's tough to achieve something with this mentality. I like that the people there are aware of the problems and i believe they try to do their best to solve them but i'm a bit sceptical about what's actually being done in reality. But definitely there's some progress.

Exactly this! I would like to hear from them sometimes something like: "Yeah, we are getting better, that's true but we still need to work so hard - if you just look at how many young Swedes or Finns are getting to the NHL, we are far far behind. We must seriously work on developing quality puck moving defensmen (this way and this way). We are having difficulties with integration of young players to A-team so since the next season this and this will be changed and improved. Yes, we are having progress but we aren't still not even in the half of our goal....."

Something like this I never hear from anyone there. I don't know if it is just a bad communication towards the fans and public but it doesn't make a good impression.

Of course, the words are worthless if nothing is being done in reality so this is not the core issue but you just can read between the lines there that something is not entirely OK. The enivronement doesn't seem healthy to me.

 

[Jablkon]

Better some discussion than nothing but this is wrong venue for it. Some topics and opinions, for sure but otherwise I agree what was said here. Too much friendship, no competitivness, no challenging, avoiding of crucial issues. I quite think they are happy that Jilkova invited them and there is no special format anywhere else to open this topic. I liked that journalist, he tried to get closer to the point and Pesan for way how he keeps distance from that smiles and fake friendships. He obviously knows how he would do these things but he is tight by enviroment imo.

On the other hand both guys from association weren’t completely out of point. Still you bit doubt who they are. But its obviously attitude thing. They are all too calm if you consider they should challenge Finnland.

I found out that for example Miloslav Seba is vicechairman of czech hockey association. Guy is longterm coach of Kobra Praha, he was accused many times for having problems with alcohol and even allegedly puked on Fasel.

That guy Vladimir Krampol is,based on association web, media manager. So obviously media presentation is behind him, which is terrible. He is also coach of Meteor Tremosna..... I dont know...

Its obvious, there are definetely good names in CSLH but also strange persons. When you consider you should chase Finnland....

Czechboy could compare it London Knights

 

[Jablkon]

I don’t know whether this guy will be succesfull but this is basically how I imagine setting targets. Short term, long term, no excuses.

 

[Czechboy]

Better some discussion than nothing but this is wrong venue for it. Some topics and opinions, for sure but otherwise I agree what was said here. Too much friendship, no competitivness, no challenging, avoiding of crucial issues. I quite think they are happy that Jilkova invited them and there is no special format anywhere else to open this topic. I liked that journalist, he tried to get closer to the point and Pesan for way how he keeps distance from that smiles and fake friendships. He obviously knows how he would do these things but he is tight by enviroment imo.

On the other hand both guys from association weren’t completely out of point. Still you bit doubt who they are. But its obviously attitude thing. They are all too calm if you consider they should challenge Finnland.

I found out that for example Miloslav Seba is vicechairman of czech hockey association. Guy is longterm coach of Kobra Praha, he was accused many times for having problems with alcohol and even allegedly puked on Fasel.

That guy Vladimir Krampol is,based on association web, media manager. So obviously media presentation is behind him, which is terrible. He is also coach of Meteor Tremosna..... I dont know...

Its obvious, there are definetely good names in CSLH but also strange persons. When you consider you should chase Finnland....

Czechboy could compare it London Knights

I love all this talk.. living in Canada, I have no one to talk to about this so I love the criticism because it is what I see from my couch in Canada. The last few years.. Hokejka.cz has been broadcasting the smaller junior tournaments (eg. 4 nations and such) and I have been watching a tonne of Junior hockey to see how we look.

Jablikon pointed out our success at Junior tournaments pointing out that we got our asses kicked more often than not but won the quarter final game. That is what I saw too. The U18 game against Canada was a beautiful victory but the Canadian squad was clearly the better team. I'd rather lose that game but know that 10 of those Czechs will go in first three rounds and become NHL players. For instance, Canada will have 10 games make the NHL that didn't even make that U18 team. That is junior success... not a 2 week tournament.

The London Knight example... they actually set the record for worst hockey team in history about 15 years ago... arena half empty and I think they won 3 games:

The Longest Season: The London Knights - Sportsnet.ca

Then new ownership came.. the Hunter brothers! Made a new arean in downtown London that seats around 10,000 people and is World Class. Then they started drafting really well, they started developing really well and once they got a reputation a lot of players would 'pop up' for them. Eg. a player would say they are going to play NCAA and they would not get drafted and then the Knight's would get them. Former NHL players sons were joining the team routinely. Mark Hunter just missed getting the GM job for the Leafs, Dale Hunter turned down NHL coaching jobs to stay in London. It is a very consistent and focused strategy where they devleop so well and keep getting good players 'out of the woodwork'.

From a player perspective... you show up to a team that is always winning so the climate is one of winning. You play in a sold out arena every night you play. The rafters are filled with retired Jerseys of NHL greats. Names like Shanahan, Kane, Tavares are all over the place. There is a lot of pressure to succeed BUT you play in one place with one coach for 80, 160 or 240 games (plus playoff runs). Same coaches, systems and tactics that got previous players into NHL. A very clear and consistent plan is in place.

On a neat note.. the city of London is about the 10th biggest city in Canada (400,000 or so) but they were not producing many NHL players themselves (eg. a lot of London Knights come from other parts of Canada). They had a summit about 15 years ago asking other associations (eg. Toronto) what they are doing and since then have been producing top end NHL talent as well. I have no idea what they learned but now minor hockey in London produces NHL players as well. They realized they were shit compared to similar sized cities and fixed it by asking hard questions and changing things.

My son is 6 and playing hockey... the one organization is run by Hockey Canada and the training, coach training and drills are unbelievable. It seems like you would get the same drills if you were playing in Nunavit or Toronto. Very structured and organized.

Media - when Canada loses a major tournmanent like Olympics or World Juniors you would not believe the level of questions that hit the media. The losses probably get more coverage than the wins with everyone questioning the problem. For instance, the media was all over Canada for not producing Elite Goalies for World Juniors for a few years. Very critical. I'm not saying it is good but I can't imagine the GM of Hockey Canada saying 'we are almost there' and 'we need to fix nutrition'.

Also, 2 guys a year is a horrible strategy! We need to produce about 10 a year and build our pool backup to 80 like it used to be.

I'll keep saying it... there is no place for 18 to 20 year old Czechs to properly develop in the Czech Republic. Even Necas was on third line playing 13 minutes a night for Kometa. He should be playing 20 minutes a night and penalty killing.

I am happy with the improvements of certain Czechs and the last few drafts have looked good... in fact, this one looks good. Next year does not though.. I don't think we have a first rounder coming? Hlinka now in Edmonton so that might end that beautiful run as well.

Dmen.. no idea how to develop one but whatever we are doing is terrible. My question is whether or not someone is actually in charge of this? And I don't mean Spacek and National team.. I mean somebody that works with kids around age 12 and up on developing skills and making sure it is consistent around Czech hockey.

Final note... London has about 14 arena's and is half the size of Brno. Even a bum like me plays hockey twice a week. I think London has more arena's than the Czech Republic.

 

[Wooren]

I love all this talk.. living in Canada, I have no one to talk to about this so I love the criticism because it is what I see from my couch in Canada. The last few years.. Hokejka.cz has been broadcasting the smaller junior tournaments (eg. 4 nations and such) and I have been watching a tonne of Junior hockey to see how we look.

Jablikon pointed out our success at Junior tournaments pointing out that we got our asses kicked more often than not but won the quarter final game. That is what I saw too. The U18 game against Canada was a beautiful victory but the Canadian squad was clearly the better team. I'd rather lose that game but know that 10 of those Czechs will go in first three rounds and become NHL players. For instance, Canada will have 10 games make the NHL that didn't even make that U18 team. That is junior success... not a 2 week tournament.

The London Knight example... they actually set the record for worst hockey team in history about 15 years ago... arena half empty and I think they won 3 games:

The Longest Season: The London Knights - Sportsnet.ca

Then new ownership came.. the Hunter brothers! Made a new arean in downtown London that seats around 10,000 people and is World Class. Then they started drafting really well, they started developing really well and once they got a reputation a lot of players would 'pop up' for them. Eg. a player would say they are going to play NCAA and they would not get drafted and then the Knight's would get them. Former NHL players sons were joining the team routinely. Mark Hunter just missed getting the GM job for the Leafs, Dale Hunter turned down NHL coaching jobs to stay in London. It is a very consistent and focused strategy where they devleop so well and keep getting good players 'out of the woodwork'.

From a player perspective... you show up to a team that is always winning so the climate is one of winning. You play in a sold out arena every night you play. The rafters are filled with retired Jerseys of NHL greats. Names like Shanahan, Kane, Tavares are all over the place. There is a lot of pressure to succeed BUT you play in one place with one coach for 80, 160 or 240 games (plus playoff runs). Same coaches, systems and tactics that got previous players into NHL. A very clear and consistent plan is in place.

On a neat note.. the city of London is about the 10th biggest city in Canada (400,000 or so) but they were not producing many NHL players themselves (eg. a lot of London Knights come from other parts of Canada). They had a summit about 15 years ago asking other associations (eg. Toronto) what they are doing and since then have been producing top end NHL talent as well. I have no idea what they learned but now minor hockey in London produces NHL players as well. They realized they were **** compared to similar sized cities and fixed it by asking hard questions and changing things.

My son is 6 and playing hockey... the one organization is run by Hockey Canada and the training, coach training and drills are unbelievable. It seems like you would get the same drills if you were playing in Nunavit or Toronto. Very structured and organized.

Media - when Canada loses a major tournmanent like Olympics or World Juniors you would not believe the level of questions that hit the media. The losses probably get more coverage than the wins with everyone questioning the problem. For instance, the media was all over Canada for not producing Elite Goalies for World Juniors for a few years. Very critical. I'm not saying it is good but I can't imagine the GM of Hockey Canada saying 'we are almost there' and 'we need to fix nutrition'.

Also, 2 guys a year is a horrible strategy! We need to produce about 10 a year and build our pool backup to 80 like it used to be.

I'll keep saying it... there is no place for 18 to 20 year old Czechs to properly develop in the Czech Republic. Even Necas was on third line playing 13 minutes a night for Kometa. He should be playing 20 minutes a night and penalty killing.

I am happy with the improvements of certain Czechs and the last few drafts have looked good... in fact, this one looks good. Next year does not though.. I don't think we have a first rounder coming? Hlinka now in Edmonton so that might end that beautiful run as well.

Dmen.. no idea how to develop one but whatever we are doing is terrible. My question is whether or not someone is actually in charge of this? And I don't mean Spacek and National team.. I mean somebody that works with kids around age 12 and up on developing skills and making sure it is consistent around Czech hockey.

Final note... London has about 14 arena's and is half the size of Brno. Even a bum like me plays hockey twice a week. I think London has more arena's than the Czech Republic.

I agree about that Necas comment. Every media would mention how he got a dominant role in Brno this year, yet his average ice time was that of some 3rd liner. I guess we are so used to seeing teenagers play 5 minutes a game so 13 minutes seem extraordinary.

I don't know how will the 2019 draft shape out for us, I do know however that the 01 generation is looking much better than 00s. And just like 99s, they could have a realistic shot at medal at the WJC U18. They just seem to rely on the quality depth more than some star individuals, which is why it's uncertain whether we see a Czech 1st rounder in 2019. (Then again, how did you feel about the 2017 draft? iirc in the preliminary lists Necas was the top ranked Czech as a 2nd rounder.)
I also fear the great Hlinka run will end. The team should be strong, but we aren't getting to the final every year. Plus home advantage will be gone. (Speaking of Hlinka, I read in some article the groups will be CAN-SWE-SUI-SVK and CZE-RUS-FIN-USA, seems very unbalanced...)

And thanks for that London Knights article. Winning only 3 games the whole season is truly crazy.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Habs have signed Sklenicka and M. Moravcik.

How did they look in the world championship?

 

[Czechboy]

Habs have signed Sklenicka and M. Moravcik.

How did they look in the world championship?

They both looked good... Very different players. I personally thought Jerabek looked better a year ago and think they will be in the AHL all season. Hope I'm wrong. As another example... I'm positive radim simek is better than all 3 and he stayed in ahl this season. Sulak looked great and I'm very skeptical he will make NHL next season.

Basically, I'm not sure Czech defensive signings are that exciting. But, I hope I'm really wrong and all 4 are playing close to 20 minutes a night in the NHL next season.

 

[Czechboy]

Just read an article saying there are 9 Czech guys at the NHL Draft Combine this weekend... that is a really high number and very encouraging! Canada has 43, US has 26, Swedes have 10 and we have 9!!! The last three years we've averaged around 3 guys. It is very possible 10 Czechs get drafted this year.

Of a continuing concern though: 2 goalies, 6 forwards and 1 Dman (Kral). I noticed Salda is in Extraliga next season, I really like him at Junior's and hope he gets drafted.

 

[joey16]

Just read an article saying there are 9 Czech guys at the NHL Draft Combine this weekend... that is a really high number and very encouraging! Canada has 43, US has 26, Swedes have 10 and we have 9!!! The last three years we've averaged around 3 guys. It is very possible 10 Czechs get drafted this year.

Of a continuing concern though: 2 goalies, 6 forwards and 1 Dman (Kral). I noticed Salda is in Extraliga next season, I really like him at Junior's and hope he gets drafted.

It is actually even possible that the number goes up to 15. My guess is:

Zadina, Kaut - 1st round
Lauko, Skarek, Dostal, Jenik, Kondelik - 2-3rd round
Pekar, Kral - 3-4th round
gets drafted in later rounds (rather yes than no): Hrabik, Kvasnica, Malik, Zabransky, Plasek

wildcards with still solid chance: Kalus, Gajarsky, Salda, Dvorak, Dajcar, Buchtela, Kurovsky...

I really like that there is more high-end talent than normally - after the 3rd round there is a good chance that we will already have 8-9 players drafted including two guys in the 1st round and one in TOP5. We need more drafts like this.
As mentioned, the biggest concern still stands though. Only D who is pretty sure to get drafted is Kral. That is a big pain.

 

[Czechboy]

It is actually even possible that the number goes up to 15. My guess is:

Zadina, Kaut - 1st round
Lauko, Skarek, Dostal, Jenik, Kondelik - 2-3rd round
Pekar, Kral - 3-4th round
gets drafted in later rounds (rather yes than no): Hrabik, Kvasnica, Malik, Zabransky, Plasek

wildcards with still solid chance: Kalus, Gajarsky, Salda, Dvorak, Dajcar, Buchtela, Kurovsky...

I really like that there is more high-end talent than normally - after the 3rd round there is a good chance that we will already have 8-9 players drafted including two guys in the 1st round and one in TOP5. We need more drafts like this.
As mentioned, the biggest concern still stands though. Only D who is pretty sure to get drafted is Kral. That is a big pain.

I thought Malik was going to go higher a few years ago... Shame he's dropped a bit. I would be over the moon ecstatic if we got 15 in the draft. Hoping, after success of Kase, that GM's start taking chances on czechs in late rounds... The boom or bust picks.

Reichel wasn't on your list... He is at combine and played very well at wjc. Hope he makes it!

 

[joey16]

I thought Malik was going to go higher a few years ago... Shame he's dropped a bit. I would be over the moon ecstatic if we got 15 in the draft. Hoping, after success of Kase, that GM's start taking chances on czechs in late rounds... The boom or bust picks.

Reichel wasn't on your list... He is at combine and played very well at wjc. Hope he makes it!

Till today I cannot understand how did Kase go in the 7th round. He was projected like 3-4th if I remember correctly and I actually even thought he could sneak into 2nd. I'm so glad he proved all those scouts wrong.

Yeah, I should have included Reichel as well into the "wildcards", he's got a chance. Although being under PPG in a final junior season is not something many NHL teams attracts. I liked his game at WJC and NHL Central Scouting has him ranked pretty high though so there must be something about him.

 

[Czechboy]

Till today I cannot understand how did Kase go in the 7th round. He was projected like 3-4th if I remember correctly and I actually even thought he could sneak into 2nd. I'm so glad he proved all those scouts wrong.

Yeah, I should have included Reichel as well into the "wildcards", he's got a chance. Although being under PPG in a final junior season is not something many NHL teams attracts. I liked his game at WJC and NHL Central Scouting has him ranked pretty high though so there must be something about him.

I think people got gunshy about drafting Czechs as we had a brutal 5 year span where we produced 5 NHL players and maybe a handful of good KHL ones. I feel our reputation is on the rise and people are noticing us more and scouts are looking in our leagues again looking for the next Rittich or Rutta/Kempny.

They occasionally do redrafts of previous drafts based on what we know now... Pastrnak is, I think, second in his class now (behind Drai). Kase would be a first rounder from his draft. Even Mrazek would've moved up. Necas and Chytil are already more valuable. So Czech stock could be rising.

I really like Marek Zachar as well but don't think he gets drafted.

 

[Wooren]

It is actually even possible that the number goes up to 15. My guess is:

Zadina, Kaut - 1st round
Lauko, Skarek, Dostal, Jenik, Kondelik - 2-3rd round
Pekar, Kral - 3-4th round
gets drafted in later rounds (rather yes than no): Hrabik, Kvasnica, Malik, Zabransky, Plasek

wildcards with still solid chance: Kalus, Gajarsky, Salda, Dvorak, Dajcar, Buchtela, Kurovsky...

I really like that there is more high-end talent than normally - after the 3rd round there is a good chance that we will already have 8-9 players drafted including two guys in the 1st round and one in TOP5. We need more drafts like this.
As mentioned, the biggest concern still stands though. Only D who is pretty sure to get drafted is Kral. That is a big pain.

The only "wildcard" that has a legit chance is Salda. I wouldn't draft Hrabik or Malik either. Then again, every draft there's a number of completely random players picked that look like they got drafted by an accident. (perfect example being Helt drafted out of the Czech U18 league)

Reichel's contribution goes beyond his point production. He is a speedy two-way centre with leadership qualities. I would be surprised if he went undrafted again.

I think people got gunshy about drafting Czechs as we had a brutal 5 year span where we produced 5 NHL players and maybe a handful of good KHL ones. I feel our reputation is on the rise and people are noticing us more and scouts are looking in our leagues again looking for the next Rittich or Rutta/Kempny.

They occasionally do redrafts of previous drafts based on what we know now... Pastrnak is, I think, second in his class now (behind Drai). Kase would be a first rounder from his draft. Even Mrazek would've moved up. Necas and Chytil are already more valuable. So Czech stock could be rising.

I really like Marek Zachar as well but don't think he gets drafted.

While I agree, when you say A, you also have to say B. For Pastrnak, Kase or Chytil trending up you also have Zacha, Karabacek or Zboril trending down. It goes both ways, can't win them all.

 

[Czechboy]

The only "wildcard" that has a legit chance is Salda. I wouldn't draft Hrabik or Malik either. Then again, every draft there's a number of completely random players picked that look like they got drafted by an accident. (perfect example being Helt drafted out of the Czech U18 league)

Reichel's contribution goes beyond his point production. He is a speedy two-way centre with leadership qualities. I would be surprised if he went undrafted again.



While I agree, when you say A, you also have to say B. For Pastrnak, Kase or Chytil trending up you also have Zacha, Karabacek or Zboril trending down. It goes both ways, can't win them all.

You make a good point... Zacha is a full fledged NHL player at least. Zboril, I think, will still make the NHL. I have no idea what happened to Karabacek... but he was a 49th overall pick... still, he's been disapointing. I loved him in the U18 Silver medal year... then he lost it.

 

[Goodman68]

The only "wildcard" that has a legit chance is Salda. I wouldn't draft Hrabik or Malik either. Then again, every draft there's a number of completely random players picked that look like they got drafted by an accident. (perfect example being Helt drafted out of the Czech U18 league)

Reichel's contribution goes beyond his point production. He is a speedy two-way centre with leadership qualities. I would be surprised if he went undrafted again.



While I agree, when you say A, you also have to say B. For Pastrnak, Kase or Chytil trending up you also have Zacha, Karabacek or Zboril trending down. It goes both ways, can't win them all.

I'm not worried about Zboril, he's still a great prospect. The problem is a great competition in Boston's defense, but if it is patient, it will be. It will be an excellent defense

 

[Czechboy]

Am I the only one that thinks this U20 team is really strong?

Dvacítka začne sezonu v Salcburku, bude před draftem v plné palbě? | Hokej.cz - web českého hokeje

Dostal and Skarek in net
Zadina, Necas, Kaut, Chytil, Lauko, Safin on forward
The D is a little weaker but still a strong group

It's s shame we won't be able to get this group to the U20's at Xmas time, they'd probably medal IMO. That, to me, is one strong team!

 

[Czechboy]

The only "wildcard" that has a legit chance is Salda. I wouldn't draft Hrabik or Malik either. Then again, every draft there's a number of completely random players picked that look like they got drafted by an accident. (perfect example being Helt drafted out of the Czech U18 league)

Reichel's contribution goes beyond his point production. He is a speedy two-way centre with leadership qualities. I would be surprised if he went undrafted again.



While I agree, when you say A, you also have to say B. For Pastrnak, Kase or Chytil trending up you also have Zacha, Karabacek or Zboril trending down. It goes both ways, can't win them all.

I have nothing against him, but how exactly did Filip Helt get drafted? I've seen nothing to indicate future NHLer or even AHLer? Again, no knock and maybe I'm missing something as I haven't seen much of him.

 

[Jablkon]

15 guys on draft would be awesome, especially those 2nd and 3rd rounders who we missed for years. If it repeats regulary I would have to apologize to Lener then.

To that U20 camp. Its imo bit of strange to invite Necas and Chytil there. Even Zadina. I dont know when they start preseason but would be imo more normal for them to prepare individually as all NHL guys do. But I might miss something or maybe they wanted to go.

 

[Jablkon]

I have nothing against him, but how exactly did Filip Helt get drafted? I've seen nothing to indicate future NHLer or even AHLer? Again, no knock and maybe I'm missing something as I haven't seen much of him.

This will be my inbetween lines conspiracy. Jan Vopat was and probably still is head of St.Louis euroscauts. He was well awared of situation in Litvinov and, if I am right, he also could pick young Reichel. Instead of it, he pointed on young Helt. I always thought it was a message to Litvinov unless Vopat had some visionary attack. But I am probbaly all wrong and see only bad things in cz hockey. Because young Reichel really doesnt fit imo to St. Louis.