Melvin Novotny (LW, L, 6’1″, 190, Leksands IF J20, 04/03/2007)
Melvin Novotny is an intriguing two-way forward with a well-rounded skill set and excellent hockey IQ. His ability to impact both ends of the ice, combined with his strong frame and versatility, makes him a valuable asset for any team. While he may not be the flashiest player on the ice, Novotny’s detail-oriented game and consistency elevate his value. With development in skating explosiveness and improvements to his offensive finishing, he has the potential to be an effective middle-six winger at the NHL level.
Strengths
Two-Way Game:
Novotny’s defensive awareness and responsibility stand out. He processes the game quickly and is often in the right position, disrupting plays with his active stick and anticipation.
On the ice for only 0.65 goals against per game, reflecting his detailed defensive play.
Puck Battle Success:
Wins 60% of his 50/50 puck battles, an indicator of his ability to compete and success on the smaller sheet in North America.
His strong frame makes him tough to knock off the puck, even though he’s not a physical presence.
Passing and Playmaking:
Novotny completes 88% of his passes, with one pass per game leading directly to a teammate’s grade “A” scoring opportunity.
His ability to find open lanes and deliver accurate, indirect passes elevates his line’s play and leads directly to fast paced offensive transition.
Shooting and Release:
Possesses a deceptive release, allowing him to score on 30% of his grade “A” scoring opportunities.
Excels at quickly transitioning from puck possession to shooting, especially after controlling a poor pass when cutting into the royal road looking to score.
Versatility and Intelligence:
Understands and adapts to various roles on a line or team, complementing teammates of different skill sets.
His ability to anticipate and intercept passes demonstrates his high hockey IQ.
Work Ethic and Vision:
Competes consistently with purpose, creating opportunities for himself and his teammates.
His vision allows him to execute full ice stretch passes and high-percentage offensive line rushes that lead to grade “A” scoring opportunities.
Areas for Improvement
Skating Explosiveness:
While his mobility is above average, Novotny’s skating lacks the elite explosiveness needed to elevate his transition game and offensive threat at higher levels.
Focus on improving his first-step acceleration and top-end speed to enhance his ability to create separation.
Offensive Aggression:
Averages only 3.7 attempted shots per game and 1.33 grade “A” scoring opportunities, both of which are low for a player with his skill set.
Needs to become more assertive in attacking the net and generating consistent offense for himself.
Shot Accuracy:
Misses the net on 0.79 shots per game, a number that should decrease as learns to attack the middle lane with confidence.
Improving accuracy and continuing to add deception will make him a more reliable offensive weapon.
Physicality:
Delivers just 0.21 hard hits per game, a number that needs to improve given his size and strength.
Adding an element of consistent physical engagement would make him more impactful in all three zones.
Turnovers:
Averages 3.8 giveaways per game, which is a low number but we would like to see him be assertive in the slot and on line rushes looking to score rather than deferring.
Needs to better handle high-pressure situations to limit turnovers.
Key Development Goals
Improve Skating Mechanics: Focus on explosiveness and straight-line speed to enhance transition play and offensive-zone entries.
Increase Offensive Assertiveness: Take more shots and consistently drive to the net to maximize his scoring potential.
Puck Management: Limit giveaways by improving decision-making and composure under pressure.
Add Physicality: Use his size more effectively to assert dominance in board battles and create space for himself and teammates.
Enhance Shot Accuracy: Focus on shooting with the purpose of generating a goal or a grade “A” net front opportunity. Add deception to his release.
Projection
Novotny projects as a middle-six winger with the ability to impact the game on both ends of the ice. His two-way reliability, combined with his vision and playmaking, make him a candidate for penalty kill and secondary power-play roles. With focused development on his skating and offensive assertiveness, Novotny has the potential to be a dependable and versatile NHL forward.
Draft Outlook
We currently have Novotny rated as a late-first early-second round selection in the 2025 NHL Draft. Teams will value his combination of intelligence, work ethic, and two-way game, particularly as he continues to improve his offensive contributions and develop explosiveness.
Player Comparison
Marcus Johansson: Similar to Johansson, Novotny’s blend of intelligence, vision, and versatility allows him to contribute in various roles.
Final Assessment
Melvin Novotny’s well-rounded game, work ethic, and hockey IQ make him a valuable asset with significant upside. While his offensive numbers don’t jump off the page, his versatility and ability to play a detailed, responsible game position him as a strong candidate for NHL success. With the right developmental focus, Novotny could emerge as a reliable contributor in all situations at the professional level.