Progress Reports: Kuchejda Struggles

This is the third in the series of mid-season progress reports on Czech 2005 NHL draft-eligible players. Robert reviews six more names including Ondrej Pavelec, David Kuchejda and Tomas Kudelka.

Tomas Kudelka (2005), D, Zlin Jr./Sr.

Mid-Season Recap: Sophomore .. top-four rearguard on Zlin junior .. practices regularly with the senior Zlin team but played in only two games in October (Zlin Sr. head coach Ernest Bokros is not very patient with youngsters on a team that is looking to win its second consecutive league title) .. very offensive-minded and prone to making mistakes when moving the puck .. inconsistent at the junior level but works hard in practice. International Play: Solid at the U-18 WJ Cup in August but hardly spectacular .. in the three-game series between Czech and Finnish U-19 teams in November he and 2006 draft-eligible David Ruzicka were the best Czech defensive pair .. outshone only by Jakub Vojta among Czech defensemen at the Five-Nations in December. Progress to Date: Adequate .. has added bulk in the offseason, including that to his lower body .. smoother acceleration and better lateral movement. Areas of Concern: Must become more reliable when moving the puck .. needs to become more aggressive and use his body with greater willingness .. struggles to clear the crease. NHL Potential: Has all the tools to become a solid all-around defenseman but will require patience on the part of the team that drafts him.

Ondrej Pavelec (2005), G, Kladno Jr.

Mid-Season Recap: Rookie .. has adjusted very quickly to the junior Extraleague as a starting goalie .. has the ability to carry a team, a quality he showed last year in midget ranks .. plays in front of a very unreliable defensive core .. consistency, work ethic are high points.

International Play: Starting goalie for the Czech team at the Under-18 WJ Cup in August where he was one of the better players .. was perfect at the Four Nations in Slovakia, registering shutouts in both outings .. missed the Five Nations in December due to the coaches' insistence to try out Michal Nedvidek from Liberec. Progress to Date: Adequate .. has made strides in his lateral movement .. resilience has improved acceptably .. getting used to heavy work load .. save percentage is a shining .926. Areas of Concern: Puckhandling skills are not among strengths .. at times gives up the odd goal five-hole .. confidence still growing. NHL Potential: Has size, physical tools and a competitor's approach.

David Kuchejda (2005), C, Ceske Budejovice Jr./Sr.

Mid-Season Recap: Sophomore has been very inconsistent since return from the Under-18 Junior Cup in August .. longtime linemate of Martin Hanzal is not nearly as effective without him .. too many off-games .. practiced regularly with the senior club and made a Div I debut in November against hometown Opava on the fourth line .. it was his only pro match of the season. International Play: Commanded attention at the Under-18 Junior Cup .. took a step back at the Four Nations in Slovakia where turnovers were a problem. Progress to Date: Acceptable but somewhat disappointing .. very smooth but at times erratic with the puck .. improving defensive awareness which was a major issue in past seasons. Areas of Concern: Must lose some of his baby fat; work harder in the gym and on the ice .. not a natural finisher .. often struggles in traffic. NHL Potential: Still in the picture but he's neither big nor gritty enough to be a particularly attractive commodity.

Lukas Klimek (2005), LW, Ostrava Jr./Sr.

Mid-Season Recap: Sophomore .. Productive but streaky so far in junior .. tends to have offensive outbursts followed by utter invisibility .. best and most consistent month has been October .. has practiced with Sareza Ostrava senior team since October .. made a Div I senior league debut in late November as an injury call-up (played on the fourth line) .. displeased with Ostrava Jr's coach, asking to leave the team .. attends practices regularly but is not willing to put in any extra time. International Play: Did not stand out in the Under-19 three-game series between two Czech teams. Progress to Date: Has not really caught the eye but has made some technical adjustments .. first step quickness is a bit better as is his agility .. wrist shot accuracy has improved. Areas of Concern: His balance and lower body strength .. work ethic .. not gritty enough and does not finish checks .. shot variety is not very impressive. NHL Potential: Has intriguing tools but does not seem to realize what it takes to become a pro athlete.

Petr Skatula (2005), C/RW, Trinec Jr.

Mid-Season Recap: Sophomore was transferred from Havirov juniors to Trinec juniors in the off-season .. adapted to new team quickly and now plays on the top two lines and special teams units .. nice chemistry with Tomas Pospisil .. average start, raised his game in October/November .. struggled when Pospisil was promoted to the pros .. looks tired and a bit out of shape in some games. International Play: Under-18 Junior Cup in August where he suffered a concussion in Czechs' third game against the United States .. was ordinary at the Four Nations in Slovakia. Progress to Date: Decent .. smoother stride, better acceleration .. better jump on his feet and more agile .. has improved puck control at high velocity. Areas of Concern: Must prove he can step up in clutch situations and produce .. needs to show that he can be productive without Pospisil in the lineup .. defensive positioning is a wash .. not reckless enough offensively. NHL Potential: Difficult to pinpoint but could be a decent prospect if he shows some mettle.

Jaroslav Barton (2005), D, Trinec Jr./Novy Jicin Sr.

Mid-Season Recap: Definite eye-catcher in September when he played with an edge and was the best 2005 draft-eligible prospect among Czechs with no international experience .. minor injuries thereafter (injured leg, flu) may have slowed him down .. lost a lot of steam and giddyup in November and December .. safe but not a standout. International Play: None. Progress to Date: Upgraded lower-body strength and balance. Areas of Concern: Does not react quickly enough to developing plays .. passing skills and vision are iffy .. stone hands .. has physical tools but does not use them consistently. NHL Potential: Won't get drafted unless he gets desperate and fast.