D Radim Mrtka - Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL (Draft 2025)

[HuGort]

Early 2025 draft rankings coming out. Mrtka is 15 here:

Preliminary 2025 NHL Draft Rankings - Smaht Scouting

The Smaht Scouting team put together their preliminary top 32 prospects and honorable mentions for the 2025 NHL Draft.

smahtscouting.com

12 in another ranking:

MSN

Montreal like to get him with Flames pick.

 

[MichaelFarrell]

That's what makes scouting so chaotic: we see two different players And it's not to have an argument or try to prove anything, I just find interesting to compare our observations that clearly don't go in the same direction. In the 7 full games I've watched and tracked of Mrtka, he was struggling under pressure and panicked a lot with the puck. I recognize he has a decent mobility, but I've never seen a "phenomenal" one with him. I like his four-way mobility, but he does not seem as fluid as Silayev or Simashev overall. His strides are short and choppy. His balance, pivots and backward skating were also an issue in some of my viewings. There were some "high-end" flashes, but the red flags were more frequent in the games I've watched.

If Mrtka has a phenomenal mobility, how would rate other big-bodied mobile D's such as Fiddler, Wang and Bedkowski? I'm just curious, because to me they are better skaters than Mrtka

And, once again, I think he's going to get drafted early, I think we all agree on this.

I felt that Mrtka’s game was difficult to assess overall in Czechia but I always liked his mobility. In his most recent games in Seattle, I’ve liked him a lot, including his game tonight. I’ve seen multiple instances when faced with pressure, he responds with patience and confidence in his ability to move the puck and utilize his mobility to maintain puck possession. Along with that, he’s put in all situations. First PK and PP. I’m sure the transition to NA is causing some inconsistencies in his play, but the ability is certainly there. I won’t die on a hill defending this though as I may have just seen good games or noticed good moments as opposed to bad.

You’ve described his skating as choppy, however I think due to his size his stride may just seem a bit awkward. His ability to get around the ice is really impressive to me. I feel like Fiddler is certainly not in the same category in regard to overall mobility and certainly not straight line speed. However, I think the overall dexterity and agility of Mrtka along with his massive frame is the most appealing factor in his game. I also feel like his two-way game is definitely appealing with his puck distribution still maybe being a bit underrated.

Comparing Mrtka to Wang at this point is difficult because Wang is a much longer term project in my eyes. Mrtka has played at a much higher level of competition and is certainly more refined. Blake Fiddler is a really good defensive defender but I do question his offensive upside despite his early offensive numbers. I have not seen enough of David Bedkowski to form a meaningful opinion.

I have to agree that Dmitri Simashev’s mobility, without a doubt, is more impressive.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I agree with @Briser la glace on this.

Think he’s an NHL’er and potentially a good one, but I think he’s a DFD-only.

Keep in mind for his offensive ability that he’s basically only played on teams (except for Extraliga) where they’d give him good offensive situations because he’s needed to be that for teams that don’t have many draft picks.

There are pros and cons to every type of player and what teams and leagues they play in, but one of the things that probably looks a little rosy for someone like him is the offensive contributions.

 

[martygod12]

I agree with @Briser la glace on this.

Think he’s an NHL’er and potentially a good one, but I think he’s a DFD-only.

Keep in mind for his offensive ability that he’s basically only played on teams (except for Extraliga) where they’d give him good offensive situations because he’s needed to be that for teams that don’t have many draft picks.

There are pros and cons to every type of player and what teams and leagues they play in, but one of the things that probably looks a little rosy for someone like him is the offensive contributions.

Agree I see him also more as defensive D, but a potential stable NHLer and thats what we need the most as czechs tbh. We are not at the position to excpect to spit out Cale Makar every other year lol, but we need to at least put those 6 freakin stable NHL defenders together ffs lol.

 

[Czechboy]

Another point last night. 6 points in last 6 games!

Mid first rounder
Future NHLer

Not Makar

Using giants
Better than Sustr
Worse than Chara

Maybe a Tyler Myers type career.. he's over 1000GP and has over 350 points. I'd like to think he has a higher ceiling but Myer himself was drafted around the same spot Mrtka should go. He was 12th. I think Radim is in 13th to 20th spot.

I hope we can all agree on this.lol

 

[Briser la glace]

Another point last night. 6 points in last 6 games!

Mid first rounder
Future NHLer

Not Makar

Using giants
Better than Sustr
Worse than Chara

Maybe a Tyler Myers type career.. he's over 1000GP and has over 350 points. I'd like to think he has a higher ceiling but Myer himself was drafted around the same spot Mrtka should go. He was 12th. I think Radim is in 13th to 20th spot.

I hope we can all agree on this.lol

Yup

 

[gothegr8]

I think he’s closer to a TWD than a pure DFD tbh. Yes he doesn’t have the natural flashy puck skills, but i really think he's at least average at that. I've seen some flashes of skills that were surprising to me fos his size, so i'm not willing to say he has nothing in that part of the game. He's smart both ways of the ice and i believe he has the vision to have an impact offensively and in transition plays someday at the pro level. I feel you can see that he wants to make a difference when he has the puck on his stick, you can feel the intentions are there which is very positive to me. The ''want'' in his game is something you simply can't teach. He can activate and join the rush too. I've seen some DZ exits that were simply great, not just for his size but for defensemen in general showing great patience and poise. I can admit his game in Czechia was a bit underwhelming when i watched him, but absolutely loved him at the Hlinka and i like what i see in Seattle so far.

Good brain and nice compete level, he will only get better. Very good defensive habits, has the physical tools. I think now he's finally in a good place to improve his game. He's in my top 15 and I'd bet that NHL teams are all over him. Like i said last week, one of my favorites this year.

 

[pgfan66]

I think he’s closer to a TWD than a pure DFD tbh. Yes he doesn’t have the natural flashy puck skills, but i really think he's at least average at that. I've seen some flashes of skills that were surprising to me fos his size, so i'm not willing to say he has nothing in that part of the game. He's smart both ways of the ice and i believe he has the vision to have an impact offensively and in transition plays someday at the pro level. I feel you can see that he wants to make a difference when he has the puck on his stick, you can feel the intentions are there which is very positive to me. The ''want'' in his game is something you simply can't teach. He can activate and join the rush too. I've seen some DZ exits that were simply great, not just for his size but for defensemen in general showing great patience and poise. I can admit his game in Czechia was a bit underwhelming when i watched him, but absolutely loved him at the Hlinka and i like what i see in Seattle so far.

Good brain and nice compete level, he will only get better. Very good defensive habits, has the physical tools. I think now he's finally in a good place to improve his game. He's in my top 15 and I'd bet that NHL teams are all over him. Like i said last week, one of my favorites this year.

Yeah, calling him a pure defensive D right now is dumb. He’s shown he’s got some skill and it’s not unusual for big guys to take a while for their offensive upside and puck skills to come out. Seider, Jiricek, Bichsel come to mind.

 

[GettingYourMoms]

Another point last night. 6 points in last 6 games!

Mid first rounder
Future NHLer

Not Makar

Using giants
Better than Sustr
Worse than Chara

Maybe a Tyler Myers type career.. he's over 1000GP and has over 350 points. I'd like to think he has a higher ceiling but Myer himself was drafted around the same spot Mrtka should go. He was 12th. I think Radim is in 13th to 20th spot.

I hope we can all agree on this.lol

Yor mum is Tyler Myers, if he is better Jordán it´s a major win for czech hockey and the nation as a whole.