CZE: Prucha Knocks on Door

Czech centerman Petr Prucha was the New York Rangers eight-round pick (240th overall) in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. Now coming off a breakthrough year in the Czech Extraleague, the 21-year old has his eyes set on the NHL. Czech correspondent Robert Neuhauser provides Prucha’s scouting report.

Notes: His season took an upward path as it progressed .. skated on a line with young guns Petr Koukaj and Jan Kolar all season long .. one of the few Pardubice players who did not disappoint in the playoffs, where they lost to the underdog Plzen .. produced at a point-a-game pace in the short playoff run .. made the Czech 2004 World Championships roster and showed impressive chemistry with linemate, and possibly future teammate on the Rangers, Jaromir Jagr.

Scouting: A finesse forward with strong skating skills ..boasts a smooth stride and above-average footspeed .. skates with good agility and acceleration .. the slick stickhandler is creative with the puck .. regularly terrorizes the opposition with nifty twists and turns and often succeeds in one-on-one situations .. the jury is out on whether he can transfer his sniper instincts to the NHL game .. one concern is his defensive game, as Prucha has to shake off the one-dimensional label .. possesses very soft hands and real finish .. has an excellent shooting arsenal .. doesn’t play with nearly enough toughness and gets knocked off the puck too easily .. still pretty slight; needs to hit the gym big time to bulk up that lower body pronto ... expected to play on the top two lines for Pardubice next season.