Something that a lot of people worry about with European players is how they will adjust to the smaller ice. Thankfully this is not a concern for Honzek, as he spent last season in the WHL with the Vancouver Giants. Prior to that he spent the last few seasons going up and down in the Slovakian professional leagues, meaning he also already has experience playing against grown men.
At 6’4 185 pounds and just 18-years-old, there is a lot of potential to Honzek’s game. Frankly, I think he would be much more talked about if he hadn’t gotten injured in the World Juniors and missed about a month in the season.
Pre Draft Rankings
No. 9, Central Scouting (North American Skaters)
No. 10, Corey Pronman (The Athletic)
No. 13, Sportsnet
No. 15, EliteProspects
No. 19, Bob McKenzie (TSN)
Statistics
What’s to like?
Theres a lot to really like about Honzek’s game, but the biggest thing is his size which he uses it in all aspects of the game. He is able to win board battles, shield off defenders, break up passing lanes with his reach, and is a true net front presence.
Offensively he has the ability to become a consistent goal scorer in the NHL. He has a good shot which can be deceptive making it difficult for goalies to track. He’s also not afraid to go to the dirty areas where he has a knack for finding rebounds and tipping pucks.
What’s not to like?
While Honzek is big and can be physical, he uses that physicality more so to defend himself and the puck. If he could find a way to use that physicality in an attacking way and on the forecheck, he would be unstoppable.
It also seems like Honzek relies a bit too much on his size and neglects other areas of his game. While he could get away with it in juniors against smaller competition, he won’t be able to get away with it at the pro level.
How would he fit in the Flyers system?
The Flyers do lack size on the offensive end so I think he would be a good fit into the Flyers future lineup. With his frame, abilities, and the things he excels at in his game, I see him transitioning to the wing as opposed to center at the next level. Everyone loves a net-front guy on the power-play and Honzek fits perfectly into that role.
Can the Flyers actually get him?
Here’s where it gets interesting. This section of the articles that we write gets a little tough after the top 10, especially when we have an early pick. Unless there was a huge reach from some team, its pretty safe to assume we can get the players outside the projected top 10.
This is the first draft prospect article that were coming out with since the big Ivan Provorov trade. While there isn’t much interest in Honzek at the seventh spot, if he happened to slip, there would be a lot of interest in him at 22. This is just the first example of how important this trade is for this years draft. There is a lot of talent in the back end of this draft, and the Flyers will now have a chance at drafting some of it.
What scouts are saying
“Honzek is a large winger who moves well for his size and competes well enough to get to the interior parts of the offensive zones. I don’t think his pure skill will ever dazzle you, but he has enough hands and vision to make plays as a pro and provide offense.” Corey Pronman, The Athletic
“With size as the first attractive element (6-foot-4, 185 pounds), the rest of his game screams pro player.” Sam Cosentino, Sportsnet
We’ll make one addition to the poll, and it’s another high scoring winger. It’s Quentin Musty!
He’s a big, strong, sturdy, athletic, net-driven winger with slick puckhandling skill one-on-one and a balanced skater’s stride. He can unload from his hip into a heavy snapshot (which he was probably owed a few more goals off of this year) or drop and drive the net into a tuck play in tight. He’s also really comfortable passing from the perimeter and hitting seams in coverage, which gives his game added dimension. He’s great along the wall on the cycle, but he can also occasionally make a play that pulls you out of your seat. The raw potential is there in spades and the production caught up to it as his season progressed. – Scott Wheeler, The Athletic
Who should be No. 18 on the Community Draft Board?
Previously on the 2023 Community Draft Board…
