Tomas Poletin (RW, L, 6’1″, 200, Pelicans U20, 04/30/2007)
Tomas Poletin is a power forward with a well-rounded skill set, excelling in physicality, leadership, and scoring ability. As captain of Czechia’s international team, Poletin has consistently displayed a heavy, relentless playing style that makes him effective in all zones. His ability to dominate puck battles, create offense from high-danger areas, and lead by example has him poised as a solid prospect for the NHL. However, improvements in his foot speed, puck management, and overall consistency will be critical for his transition to the professional level.
Strengths
Physical Presence and Compete Level:
Poletin leverages his size (6’1″, 200 lbs) to win battles along the boards and below the goal line.
He effectively separates opponents from the puck, consistently creating turnovers and transitioning into offense.
Strong on the cycle and hard to knock off the puck, especially when protecting it in tight areas.
Excels in net-front battles and consistently positions himself in high-danger scoring areas.
Leadership and Intangibles:
As captain for Czechia at multiple international tournaments, Poletin demonstrates maturity, accountability, and an ability to lead by example.
His work ethic is evident in his willingness to engage physically and contribute in all three zones.
Offensive Ability:
Soft hands in tight areas, allowing him to finish around the net and handle the puck effectively through traffic.
Generates 3.1 grade “A” scoring chances per game, highlighting his offensive instincts and ability to get to dangerous areas.
A deceptive release and accuracy in close, scoring on 22% of his grade “A” chances.
Adept at setting up teammates, completing 82% of his passes into the slot which leads directly to his linemate’s 1.25 grade “A” scoring opportunities per game.
He shows nice puck anticipation by creating 1.85 loose puck recoveries after shots per game.
Faceoff Success:
Wins 60% of his face-offs, an excellent rate that underscores his ability to contribute as a reliable option in the dot.
Defensive Contribution:
Aggressive as F1 on the forecheck, often creating turnovers with his physicality and active stick.
Willing to take hits to make plays, indicating a selfless, team-first mentality.
Areas for Improvement
Foot Speed and Burst:
Poletin lacks elite acceleration and explosiveness, which can limit his effectiveness in transition and when chasing loose pucks.
Continued work on skating mechanics and strength training will be critical for him to handle the pace of the NHL.
Puck Management:
Averaging 5.4 giveaways per game, Poletin needs to improve decision-making and puck security, particularly on the offensive side of the grey area in the offensive zone.
His passing percentage (82%) is respectable but leaves room for improvement, especially when attempting higher-risk plays.
Shooting Efficiency:
Poletin averages 3.3 shot attempts per game but has a high rate of missed shots (0.74 per game) and blocked shots (0.44 per game).
Improving shot selection and release variability will enhance his offensive production.
Consistency in Physical Engagement:
While effective when engaged physically, Poletin averages only 0.76 hard hits per game. Adding more consistent physicality to his game will increase his overall impact, especially in defensive situations.
Defensive Zone Awareness:
Needs to sharpen his defensive positioning and awareness, particularly when playing on the penalty kill or defending against faster forwards.
Projection
Tomas Poletin projects as a versatile middle-six NHL forward with the potential to develop into a top-six power forward role. His physicality, leadership, and ability to generate offense in tight spaces make him an appealing option for teams seeking size and grit in their lineup. With improved skating, puck deception, and shooting efficiency, Poletin could evolve into a highly effective two-way forward capable of excelling in a variety of roles, including special teams.
Draft Outlook
We currently have Poletin as a late first-round to early second round selection in the 2025 NHL Draft. His leadership, physicality, and offensive instincts provide a strong foundation for his development, and teams will be eager to work with him on refining his skating and decision-making.
Player Comparison
Alex Killorn: Poletin mirrors Killorn’s blend of size, leadership, and net-front presence. Both players excel in high-pressure areas and contribute offensively without relying on elite speed, making them valuable pieces on competitive teams.
Key Development Goals
Enhance Skating Mechanics: Focus on improving acceleration and agility to keep pace at the NHL level.
Improve Puck Security: Reduce giveaways by simplifying decisions under pressure and refining puck-handling skills.
Increase Physical Engagement: Commit to delivering consistent physical play in all zones, particularly along the boards and in the neutral zone.
Refine Shooting and Scoring Efficiency: Work on shot placement and release to maximize scoring opportunities from prime shooting areas.
Elevate Defensive Awareness: Strengthen defensive zone positioning and decision-making, especially when transitioning from offense to defense.
Final Assessment
Tomas Poletin is a hard-nosed, skilled forward who plays with purpose and leadership. His ability to impact games physically and offensively makes him a valuable prospect with significant upside. With continued development, he has the tools to become an impactful NHL forward capable of contributing in key situations.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
