Slovak prospects - Top 10 rankings (updated July 3rd)

[stastny12]

I think us not being in top u18 group impacted draft hopes of Sotek, Kmec, Mosko, etc. Had we been in the top div, maybe they get drafted.

Next year looks like to me a few locks:
- Dvorsky
- Ciernik
- Strbak
- Molnar

Highly likely:
- Misiak
- Honzek

Long shot:
- Jencko
- Sisik
- Eperjesi

Elias was a lock before the season, as well...

 

[HamburgerSK]

Petrovský has participated at the draft combine which suggests that he was expected to be amongst the top 100 picks. From that point of view is his draft position a bit disappointing. I wonder if it was the combine that cost him a better position.
On the other hand just few had expected Žlnka to get drafted.
Overall a historic draft year for Slovakia. Just look at the other countries apart from Top 6: Austria 2, Belarus 1, Germany 2, Latvia 3, Switzerland 1 (!). Without Lian Bichsel it would be a desaster draft for Switzerland.
Like Antiillafire wrote, there are some quality players from Slovakia expected to get drafted next year.
And it was nice to see Adam Nemec, the younger brother of Šimon, to be in the Bell Center too. I hope he has got an additional motivation.

 

[Antiillafire]

Elias was a lock before the season, as well...

was he? He really wasn’t great in project last season, and his momentum was really being carried by 3 games at the HGC. I think he was just as much of a “lock” as let’s say Pano Fimis of the Niagara Icedogs.

 

[czech]

In every next draft, the Slovaks will almost certainly have first-round picks

Candidates:
23 Dvorsky, Ciernik
24 Chromiak, Tomasec
25 Svrcek, Pobezal
26 Tomik, Nemec
27 Valek, Krajnak
28 Sisik, Podkonicky
29 Tomastik, Melicherik

 

[hellwar9]

Tomasec is definitely not a candidate for the first round, at least not today IMO. It's hard to say if he will make such a progress in 2 seasons. Today he is a middle to late round player also with Theo Kiss and Tobias Pitka.

 

[Ivo]

In every next draft, the Slovaks will almost certainly have first-round picks

Candidates:
23 Dvorsky, Ciernik
24 Chromiak, Tomasec
25 Svrcek, Pobezal
26 Tomik, Nemec
27 Valek, Krajnak
28 Sisik, Podkonicky
29 Tomastik, Melicherik

Projecting 11-12 year old kids as future first round picks is quite a stretch.

 

[Gravity]

Where's the Slafkovsky thread? Can't find it.

 

[Ivo]

Where's the Slafkovsky thread? Can't find it.

I have it fourth from the top on this board at the very moment.

 

[rangersfansince08]

I am pleasantly surprised by how Sykora and Sotek were ranked by central scouting. Sykora at 36 and Sotek at 41. Both ranked above Hamara, Persson, Havelid. And I think Sykora could still move up.

Sykora seems like a steal already after reading this thread

 

[alko]

Projecting 11-12 year old kids as future first round picks is quite a stretch.

But its fun to look back after some years.

 

[hellwar9]

I think that a similar riser as Adam Sykora can be Juraj Pekarcik (september born) next season. Nitra can really help him, I'm curious about his season.

 

[Antiillafire]

I think that a similar riser as Adam Sykora can be Juraj Pekarcik (september born) next season. Nitra can really help him, I'm curious about his season.

I am very interested to see lots of these guys, especially against Canada at the HGC. To compare to previous generations. I think Eperjesi is a player who has lots to gain.

 

[hellwar9]

I am very interested to see lots of these guys, especially against Canada at the HGC. To compare to previous generations. I think Eperjesi is a player who has lots to gain.

I agree. Too bad Ridzon is missing, he could have shown up at the beginning of the season

 

[JotAlan]

I agree. Too bad Ridzon is missing, he could have shown up at the beginning of the season

Why is Ridzon absent? Because after Molnar and maybe Jencko he would be the best Slovak striker. Injured?

 

[Antiillafire]

Why is Ridzon absent? Because after Molnar and maybe Jencko he would be the best Slovak striker. Injured?

 

[alko]

Maybe its true. You know, young gyus, that are thinking, they are best in their class, often realize, they are not. Its like Rocky III.

 

[Antiillafire]

Maybe its true. You know, young gyus, that are thinking, they are best in their class, often realize, they are not. Its like Rocky III.

Or maybe it’s favouritism, especially with regards to the project.

 

[GettingYourMoms]

Tomasec is definitely not a candidate for the first round, at least not today IMO. It's hard to say if he will make such a progress in 2 seasons. Today he is a middle to late round player also with Theo Kiss and Tobias Pitka.

Theo Kiss can't be real name? Sounds like some porn actor.

 

[vlady]

Theo Kiss can't be real name? Sounds like some porn actor.

It's actually a Hungarian name. Kiss means little in Hungarian and is pronounced kish.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

You guys would know this stuff better than me, so this is why I ask.

Is the goalie for the Hlinka roster Samuel Urban someone who could get drafted?

Aside from Molnar, Pobezal, Chromiak, and Eperjesi, he was the one I hadn't heard much about that stood out to me.

 

[Antiillafire]

You guys would know this stuff better than me, so this is why I ask.

Is the goalie for the Hlinka roster Samuel Urban someone who could get drafted?

Aside from Molnar, Pobezal, Chromiak, and Eperjesi, he was the one I hadn't heard much about that stood out to me.

I think he could but I was pretty certain Elias was going to get drafted and he did not. I think Urban will have to be really good in the season and than do well at U18. I mean even Havelid didn’t get drafted and he was the best goalie at this past U18!

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I think he could but I was pretty certain Elias was going to get drafted and he did not. I think Urban will have to be really good in the season and than do well at U18. I mean even Havelid didn’t get drafted and he was the best goalie at this past U18!

I think Havelid didn't get drafted because he's 5'10.

Urban is listed at 6'1, which is small but not crazy small.

 

[Martinez89]

In every next draft, the Slovaks will almost certainly have first-round picks

Candidates:
23 Dvorsky, Ciernik
24 Chromiak, Tomasec
25 Svrcek, Pobezal
26 Tomik, Nemec
27 Valek, Krajnak
28 Sisik, Podkonicky
29 Tomastik, Melicherik

Some of these players don´t have the talent to be 1st rounders and there are also some names in your list that seem to have been pulled out of a hat randomly. I definitely don't think that situation with future 1st rounders is that optimistic as you described.

You know some names but it´s obvious you didn´t see play many young Slovak players that much. I did so I can rank the most promising young players starting with draft 2025 and I believe this list is more trustworthy. For some it can be too early I know but this is mostly fun fanpage and maybe some will get a better idea who is worthy to keep eye on before the new season.

Of course, a lot will change in the future but right now the most promising youngsters starting from 2025 draft can be like that :

1. Max Melicherik - an absolute beast for his age and has all the potential to be "The Next Big Thing" in SVK
2. Juraj Rausa
3. Tomas Pobezal
4. Michal Lazovsky
5. Jan Chovan
6. Tobias Tomik
7. Adam Nemec
8. Ivan Matta
9. Timothy Kazda
10. Michal Svrcek
11. Oliver Ozogany

...and there are many players who could get easily on positions 6-11, it´s close there. and yes, defense can be the problem in upcoming years I don´t see any special names there so far

 

[hellwar9]

Of course, a lot will change in the future but right now the most promising youngsters starting from 2025 draft can be like that :

1. Max Melicherik - an absolute beast for his age and has all the potential to be "The Next Big Thing" in SVK
2. Juraj Rausa
3. Tomas Pobezal
4. Michal Lazovsky
5. Jan Chovan
6. Tobias Tomik
7. Adam Nemec
8. Ivan Matta
9. Timothy Kazda
10. Michal Svrcek
11. Oliver Ozogany

Adam Nemec shouldn't be on this list at the moment due to his skating. The boy has talent, but he really needs to work on his skating. It's his big weakness. I agree with the other names.

 

[Martinez89]

Adam Nemec shouldn't be on this list at the moment due to his skating. The boy has talent, but he really needs to work on his skating. It's his big weakness. I agree with the other names.

Agree with you regarding his skating issues but don´t place him between the most talented Slovak prospects could be a mistake. Skating is possible to fix and this kid has a hockey IQ, has hockey in his genes (brother Simon) so I believe in his good development - that´s why he´s high in my ranking and probably higher than he deserved as you wrote...
But obviously he isn´t as talented as Simon so a lot of hard work is ahead of him.