Prospect Info: (G) Adam Gajan - 2023 NHL Draft, 35th Overall

[Kevin Musto]

6'3" 181lbs

Overager

Committed to Univ. of Minnesota-Duluth

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[Rolo]

interesting, isnt that pretty high for a goalie this year? None of the ranked goalies seem to be standouts

 

[Mrfenn92]

 

[LastWordArmy]

A year after going undrafted, the Slovakian goaltender, Adam Gajan, shouldn’t have to wait too long in the 2023 NHL draft. After a wild season where he managed to make a name for himself over in North America, many have him as one of the top goalies of the draft.

This metaphoric rise was especially helped by an outstanding performance at the 2023 World Junior Championship. Gajan was standing on his head and was a key part of the success of Slovakia. With him, Slovakia beat the USA, shut out Latvia, and took Canada to overtime in the quarter-finals. While that game will always be remembered for Connor Bedard’s wonderful game-winner, he was the reason Slovakia had a chance with 53 saves. This performance earned him the goalie of the tournament award and solidified Gajan as a prospect to watch.

2023 NHL Draft #63: Adam Gajan Scouting Report

Heading into the 2023 NHL draft, Adam Gajan is going to be interesting to follow as he is the goalie with the highest ceiling in the draft.

lastwordonsports.com

 

[Mrfenn92]

Welcome to the hawks adam

 

[No Fun Shogun]

Hopefully the next Crawford.

 

[Wally1112pac]

Is this the goalie that Bedard scored the ot winner on?

If so, he was the best goalie of the tourney by far. Nice pick.

 

[ClydeLee]

I recall seeing some stats people saying teams should draft more euro overrager guys because you see plenty of those guys as the goalies who come over and have success.

 

[Kevin Musto]

Hopefully the next Crawford.

Commesso

 

[clydesdale line]

Hopefully the next Crawford.

His ceiling is higher than Crow.



I'm going to go back to this video for a second. Remember that one scout when he said "one of the most athletic goalies I've seen in a long time"? No doubt in my mind he was talking about Gajan.

 

[Putt Pirate]

Love the pick

 

[EddieTheEagle]

Is this the goalie that Bedard scored the ot winner on?

If so, he was the best goalie of the tourney by far. Nice pick.

This is the guy.

 

[feichter33]

Oh...so THIS is what it is like when your gm takes goaltending seriously, is it???

 

[giza]

I would have been fine with the huge Czech goalie as well, but Gajan was outstanding on the big stage.......I had the feeling they would go goalie with this particular pick.....I think they go the best of the bunch.

 

[piteus]

This was him ...the one on his back against some dude wearing 16.

 

[clydesdale line]

Bedard - "Dude you really stood on your head in that tournament"

Gajan - "Thank you Connor"

Bedard - "Remember that overtime game winner I scored off you though"

Gajan - "..... I hate you Connor"

 

[Kevin Musto]

Bedard - "Dude you really stood on your head in that tournament"

Gajan - "Thank you Connor"

Bedard - "Remember that overtime game winner I scored off you though"

Gajan - "..... I hate you Connor"

Dude is smiling cause he never has to play against Bedard again

 

[belfour30]

wrong thread

 

[Castle8130]

KD zigged when everyone else zagged. Takes the top goalie and goes after the best speed/skill players he could find. Then ends the draft with drafting a bunch of bigger guys.

I heard KD really loves this kid and he is an easy guy to be a fan of.

 

[Beukeboom Fan]

Hope this works out. I REALLY struggle to justify taking a goalie when there is still 1st round talent available. That said - it seems like the goaltending scouts were high on Gagan, so at some point you gotta trust them.

 

[BobbyJet]

Big and athletic who plays a quiet game = yes please.

 

[Fortyfives]

Does he have elite skating ability?

 

[clydesdale line]

Does he have elite skating ability?

He is actually a very good skater for a goalie. In fact, Pronman had him and Ratzlaff as the best skating goalies in this class cuz of their superior lateral movement. Gajan has by far the best athleticism out of all these goalies.

 

[belfour30]

Idk if he gets there but Gajan's ceiling is Quick.

 

[Section88]

Wouldve rather gone with a skater.