Czechs: A Re-Kindl-ing of Flair

Notes on assorted Czech draft-eligible prospects, including a 2005 top prospect Jakub Kindl.

Jakub Kindl, D, Pardubice Jr. (2005)

A 2005 top prospect .. good skater with an above-average lateral movement and acceleration .. excellent vision and hockey sense .. crafty puckhandler .. very creative .. supports the offense a lot with his passes .. useful on PP and PK units .. decent shooting skills, but has to fire more accurate shots .. adequate positional play .. still has to further improve his defensive zone coverage .. not a lot of toughness, has to make his size more to his advantage, but isn’t timid.

Martin Rygl, D, Liberec Jr. (2004)

A lanky defenseman .. adequate skater with a good lateral movement and agility .. needs more straightaway speed, has trouble with handling flashy opposing forwards .. joins the rush quite often .. above-average passing skills .. solid puckhandling .. needs to work on his positioning .. doesn't use his size to his advantage.

Michal Kapicka, RW, Liberec Jr. (2004)

A flashy winger .. good skater .. strong bursts of speed and agility .. always looking for breakaway chances .. accurate wrist shot with a fast release .. doesn't use his slap shot very often .. solid, effortless stickhandler .. thrives on the powerplay units .. one-dimensional, doesn't show much defensive awareness .. smallish frame and doesn't play an overly aggressive style.

Marek Curilla, RW, Kladno Jr. (2004)

A very good skater .. excellent agility and great top speed .. a choppy stride .. above-average stickhandler .. can maneuver well in heavy traffic, but doesn't stick his nose into scrums .. average vision and hockey sense .. showing a commitment to defensive play, but still makes mistakes in his own zone .. solid wrist shot, but doesn't shoot the puck very often .. has to be more productive.

Radek Smolenak, RW/LW, Kladno Jr. (2005)

Solid skater, who could use better, more powerful bursts of speed .. solid balance as he begins to grow into his lanky frame .. good puckhandling .. above-average wrist shot .. slap shot lacks accuracy .. solid defensive play, but has to be more dedicated and consistent .. doesn't play tough .. must drive the net harder.

Petr Fiala, D, Kladno Jr. (2004)

An average skater .. needs more mobility and speed in order to upgrade his defensive zone coverage .. solid positional play .. stays with his man .. works hard along the boards .. decent toughness .. average vision and hockey sense .. good slap shot .. lacks offensive poise and consistency .. a sub-par passer.

Petr Chaloupka, D, Pardubice Jr. (2004)

An average skater .. solid lateral movement .. needs more balance and acceleration .. good toughness and crease-clearing ability .. joins the rush quite often and displays some offensive flair .. average puckhandling .. needs to upgrade on his positional play .. sub-par hockey sense.

Jan Stary, C, Pardubice Jr. (2004)

A decent skater .. solid agility, but needs to improve top speed .. adequate in the faceoff circle .. good vision and playmaking ability .. above-average passer .. crisp wrist shot .. doesn't use his slap shot very often .. not aggressive .. needs to show more intensity and determination.

Petr Gasparik, LW, Pardubice Jr. (2004)

An average skater .. needs a more effective, fluid stride .. sub-par acceleration .. very good defensive awareness .. good toughness and takes the body .. needs to work on his up-close finishing skills, has trouble with finishing his chances .. average puckhandling skills.