Samuel Honzek

Skating:

Surprisingly strong for a guy of his frame. A bit of a wide base but moves well in transition and has good start-stop game.

Passing/Handling:

Good but not elite stick skills. Can compete at the NHL level but won't be a dynamic creator.

Shooting:

He's got a powerful shot. Definitely one of his strengths

IQ (Vision, Anticipation, Panic/Poise):

He holds onto the puck a bit long for my liking, but defensively the anticipation and awareness is fantastic.

Forechecking:

I'd like to see him improve this. He's willing to pressure and use his body, but isn't as tenacious as many of his ilk. It may be his sense of defensive responsibility keeping him from overcommitting on the forecheck.

Defense:

He's a worker in the zone, collapsing back towards the dot as necessary but also pressuring D with his long reach and sliding to block shots.

Best Asset:

Defense

Biggest Concern:

He needs to up his pace of play. He plays at a slower pace, but doesn't have the skill to slow the game down like Crosby or Barkov do.

Top Tier/Role Potential:

L2 70ish point guy with big two-way ice time and responsibility.

Justification for Top Tier Assessment:

I think coaches and teammates will really like this guy, but I don't see the dynamism I see in other first round picks.

50th Percentile Tier/Role:

3rd line every-day guy. 35-40 points

Justification for 50th Percentile Tier Assessment:

If the offense doesn't pop he still should have an NHL job, but much more of a role-player type. The type of guy who changes teams every few years but is largely replaceable.

Stylistic Comparable:

Anton Lundell

Scouts Final Thoughts and Additional Stats/Info:

He also has had some rough injury luck the last year and a half or so.