But it was all considering other countries stay the same. Switzerland having overtaken Slovakia at every level is a foregone conclussion. By the time this junior team turn pro Germans will as well with Draisaitl, Grubauer, Stutzle, Seider, etc. So even if upcoming generations are better how much better are they? Because Belarus is getting much better, Kazakhstan are getting much better, Germany is better than it has ever been.. So even if Slovaks will get better they need to just to stay in the position they are now, if it makes sense.
I'm not denying that Switzerland and Germany are developing more high-end prospects right now. But looking at quantity, Slovakia is still getting as many players drafted as those two. With a quantity of prospects you're gonna "luck out" eventually.
Aside from Nico Hischier, Switzerland doesn't have a single player drafted in the first three rounds in any of the last four drafts. Germany only a total of seven players selected in the last six drafts. With this quanity, they aren't going to continue developing first, second or even third round picks at a consistant basis.
Erik Cernak is 22 and is on good track to establish himself as top 4 defenseman. Martin Fehervary is 20 and made his NHL debute this season and has top 4 upside. Christian Jaros is 23 and still has NHL potential as a good bottom pairing D. Samuel Knazko is 17 and should be a 2nd or 3rd round pick this summer. Simon Nemec is 15 year old playing against grown ups in Slovakia right now. Daniel Chovaniak is a 16 year old doing well in Luleås U18 team.
Those are all defenseman. The future up front isn't looking as bright, but Maxim Cajkovic, Oliver Okuliar, Adam Liska, Filip Krivosik, Adam Ruzicka, Martin Pospisil and Marian Studienic are 18-20 year old forwards who have potential to become NHL players, albeit just in depth roles. But if they, with their stronger age groups coming in 2004 and possible later, can "luck out" with a star calibre forward, things are going to look much better.
Slovakia is nowhere close to the top six countries in terms of registred hockey players or ice hockey rinks. Their golden generation was developed in Czechoslovakia under communism, when every kid could afford to play. I don't think they should be compared to the "big 6". If they can stay in the 7-9 rank, with 15 or so NHL'ers, that'll be good for them.