RD Maxim Strbak - Michigan State Univ, NCAA (2023, 45th, BUF)

[Jukurit]

Brutal game by Strbak against Finland in quarter-finals.

But he's still a good young player with a bright future!

 

[thrillhous]

Victimized twice in clutch time, I felt bad for him.

 

[alko]

Brutal game by Strbak against Finland in quarter-finals.

But he's still a good young player with a bright future!

Its part of a learning process. Next time he will know, he must focus all the time he is on ice.

 

[Antiillafire]

Its part of a learning process. Next time he will know, he must focus all the time he is on ice.

But there is more concerns: his offensive game never arrived in NCAA. His WJC numbers inflated due to his usage. He isn’t exactly defensive monster and isn’t a punishing hitter, and of course prone to some brutal turnovers like we saw at WJC on numerous occasions. Personally I see him a few levels below Fehervary at the same age. Could Strbak become 5-6 dman in the NHL? We will see.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

But there is more concerns: his offensive game never arrived in NCAA. His WJC numbers inflated due to his usage. He isn’t exactly defensive monster and isn’t a punishing hitter, and of course prone to some brutal turnovers like we saw at WJC on numerous occasions. Personally I see him a few levels below Fehervary at the same age. Could Strbak become 5-6 dman in the NHL? We will see.

I think with the 45th pick, you'll take that.

You hope for better and it's possible, but you are generally happy if your second round pick can play a regular shift for you eventually.

 

[alko]

But there is more concerns: his offensive game never arrived in NCAA.

He was only 18 years old Defensman. That alone is very good starting point. No one expected from him, he will be as a 18 years old boy a top offensive thread in NCAA.

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

With Levshunov turning pro, Strbak has a great opportunity now with the Spartans to really cement himself as their #1 RD.

 

[Harvey Dent]

This guy is insane, the worst D-man in this tournament. Mentally weak like a little girl. If this dude becomes an nhl player I will get his name tattooed on my chest.

 

[Steve Kournianos]

This guy is insane, the worst D-man in this tournament. Mentally weak like a little girl. If this dude becomes an nhl player I will get his name tattooed on my chest.

Yeah I feel bad but the obsession with him as the No. 1 is silly. Maybe they think he has good chemistry with the Dvorak line. I’d put Radivojevic on PP1 TBH

 

[Harvey Dent]

Yeah, I feel bad but the obsession with him as the No. 1 is silly. Maybe they think he has good chemistry with the Dvorak line. I’d put Radivojevic on PP1 TBH

The coaches argued that Strbak and Dvorsky played together a lot, and know each other well so Radivojevic cannot be on the first pp. Just a bunch of clowns with main coach without any player or coach experience. He started his coaching career in the national team, which says it all.

 

[Chainshot]

It's pretty clear that the overuse leads to mistakes. He isn't used the way the Slovaks lean on him on Michigan State, trying to force him to be on the ice over 23 minutes per game is not on him.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

Can someone give me a scouting report of Strbak? He seems to be as productive as Willander in both NCAA and WJC this year, but worse defensively? IDK.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

This guy is insane, the worst D-man in this tournament. Mentally weak like a little girl. If this dude becomes an nhl player I will get his name tattooed on my chest.

He's been one of the most productive D though no?

 

[Antiillafire]

He's been one of the most productive D though no?

Passing to Dvorsky and Pekarcik and then they create a goal. Same as last tournament.

 

[Chainshot]

Can someone give me a scouting report of Strbak? He seems to be as productive as Willander in both NCAA and WJC this year, but worse defensively? IDK.

Kind of a right handed Jake McCabe - more tough than skilled. I wouldn't expect big offensive totals as he moves up the pro levels.

 

[Petes2424]

I think with the 45th pick, you'll take that.

You hope for better and it's possible, but you are generally happy if your second round pick can play a regular shift for you eventually.

100%, because of the upside, and the basics are all there at only 19.

This is a lot of overreactions.

Watched him a ton, and would be very surprised, as would most dmen evaluators and scouts, if he’s not a 300+ game NHL player. Whether that starts at 22, 23 or 24, we’ll see.

He has many of the basics down already. Any struggles he has, are almost exclusively when he’s either trying to…. or being asked to do, more than he’s comfortable with at this point. That’s all part of development too.

When they start asking him to push pace in the AHL next year, he’s likely gonna struggle for the first 30, 40, 50 games too. Yet, there will be fans giving up on him already. Lol. No different than top C prospects not scoring immediately as a pro. These kids are having so much added to their game, it takes time.

He has the body type, the athleticism, and the basics are all sound. He’s gonna be just fine. Whether he’s a 5/6 or a supporting role player in the Top 4, is likely the big question. Does he have a chance to be a legit “pair carrying” Top 4? Maybe not, but that’s also why he wasn’t a Top 20 pick. Plenty of time to develop and find out.

 

[KeyserSoze81]

100%, because of the upside, and the basics are all there at only 19.

This is a lot of overreactions.

Watched him a ton, and would be very surprised, as would most dmen evaluators and scouts, if he’s not a 300+ game NHL player. Whether that starts at 22, 23 or 24, we’ll see.

He has many of the basics down already. Any struggles he has, are almost exclusively when he’s either trying to…. or being asked to do, more than he’s comfortable with at this point. That’s all part of development too.

When they start asking him to push pace in the AHL next year, he’s likely gonna struggle for the first 30, 40, 50 games too. Yet, there will be fans giving up on him already. Lol. No different than top C prospects not scoring immediately as a pro. These kids are having so much added to their game, it takes time.

He has the body type, the athleticism, and the basics are all sound. He’s gonna be just fine. Whether he’s a 5/6 or a supporting role player in the Top 4, is likely the big question. Does he have a chance to be a legit “pair carrying” Top 4? Maybe not, but that’s also why he wasn’t a Top 20 pick. Plenty of time to develop and find out.

A reasonably high pedigree right handed defenseman, 6’2” with a good shot and some physical play? He is going to get no shortage of opportunities.