F Vojtěch Čihař - Karlovy Vary, Czechia (Draft 2025)

[Goodman68]

I don't recall Kulich, Necas, or Chytil getting quite as much as icetime as Cihar is getting this year (in their draft year). Although he hasn't always been the most effective presence, he never looks out of place on either end and for his age, in the extraliga, that's a compliment on it's own.

I assume he's slotted in for the WJCs this year as no other eligible player has played as big of a role in Extraliga, so I look forward to seeing if he's made strides vs. his peers compared to his play at Hlinka.

In terms of time on the ice, Čihař is a similar case to Kulich. In his draft year, Kulich also played power plays and I know he played late in games as well. So he certainly couldn't complain about the lack of time on the ice.

I think Novak is supposed to better than Katolicky in the same agre group. They are both very promising. Same with Tomek. It's a nice group.

I'd say, more seriously, that Cihar appears to be in the Kaut/Kulich tier of prospects. He seems very encouraging but the CHL is filling up with very promising Czechs from Hlinkas and such that seem to be stagnating. So probably some buyer beware. Plus, we haven't developed any real NHLers since Necas outside of our goalies. 7 years now without another guy stepping in. Chtyil was looking great but he's got major medical issues that I suspect eventually cut his career short. Kulich is a bit stagnated. Jiricek is too! Something about Czechs from 17 to 20.lol

I really like Novák, but I have no idea why he should be better than Katolický. Because he plays the Czech U20? In the national team, Katolický has better statistics and the eye test also speaks in his favor.

 

[Wooren]

Unpolar opinion among Czech fans apparently, but I wouldn't select Cihar for the WJC. He should be with the U18 and show he can be dominant among his peers, he certainly didn't do that at the Hlinka. With the U20 squad he was ok, but Novotny was better. Along with Benak and Mrtka, there are only so many 07's you can take.

And to be honest, I see at least two prospects in Czech leagues alone who I would prefer in terms of NHL draft to Cihar as of now, although top 100 selection is possible if he keeps this up.

 

[pgfan66]

Unpolar opinion among Czech fans apparently, but I wouldn't select Cihar for the WJC. He should be with the U18 and show he can be dominant among his peers, he certainly didn't do that at the Hlinka. With the U20 squad he was ok, but Novotny was better. Along with Benak and Mrtka, there are only so many 07's you can take.

And to be honest, I see at least two prospects in Czech leagues alone who I would prefer in terms of NHL draft to Cihar as of now, although top 100 selection is possible if he keeps this up.

I definitely agree. I’m not a huge fan of his when it comes to NHL talent, but what he’s done so far has been very impressive nonetheless.

 

[Goodman68]

Unpolar opinion among Czech fans apparently, but I wouldn't select Cihar for the WJC. He should be with the U18 and show he can be dominant among his peers, he certainly didn't do that at the Hlinka. With the U20 squad he was ok, but Novotny was better. Along with Benak and Mrtka, there are only so many 07's you can take.

And to be honest, I see at least two prospects in Czech leagues alone who I would prefer in terms of NHL draft to Cihar as of now, although top 100 selection is possible if he keeps this up.

Who are the two players?
At HGC, Čihař played well, but not exceptionally, and I didn't see the last tournament, so I don't want to evaluate him too much..