| Pavol Stetka | HC Dynamo Pardubice U20 | International | L | C | 6’6″ | 209 | Humenne, SVK | 2003 | 2022-2023: C+ 2021-2022: C+ |
Why an NHL draft pick: Stetka is a 6’6″ forward who is used to playing on the big sheet in Europe. Some will argue that the lack of small area conflicts will hurt him, but we view the Olympic sheet as plus for his footwork, agility and overall ability to defend below the tops of the circles in the defensive zone. Last season in the Czechia U20 league he had 37 points in 44 games to go with 40 penalty minutes. This year in the same Czechia U20 league he has 36 points in 38 games to go with 63 penalty minutes. He has also played 10 games in Czechia’s top professional league and has scored 3 goals. He is winning 63% of his face-offs and 70% of his shots hit the net. He is a 6’6″ center.
Why not an NHL draft pick. He is a 2003 birth year playing primarily U20 hockey in Czechia. As a 2003 playing in a league that he has the physical abilities to dominate he is winning 45% of his 50/50 puck battles. He would need to be signed this summer… is he ready physically to compete in the AHL? He does not have a rocket, but he does not need a sweeping space to get his shot off. He shoots with the purpose of generating scoring opportunities, not just killing time.
Neutral zone NHL, July 4, 2022: Why an NHL draft pick: He is a 6’6″ center who scored 15 goals in 44 games in the Czechia U20 league. He represented Slovakia at this year’s World Jr Championships. Why not an NHL draft pick: He won 42% of his puck battles. He does not play an overly physical game averaging 0.54 hard body checks per game. 2020/21 he played four games in Czechia’s top league. Last season he played zero.