F Filip Mesar - HK Poprad U20, Slovakia U20 (2022, 26th, MTL)
- Thread starter Outofbodyinhungary
- Start date
FILIP MEŠÁR, F, 2022 ELIGIBLE
The first of three 2022 NHL Draft-eligibles on Team Slovakia, Filip Mesar may just be 16-years-old, but he’s playing in Slovakia’s top league with HK Poprad. Playing 13 games so far, he’s scored once and added two assists. He’s played international games with the U16 squad, but this tournament will be a big test for the young player.
“Mesar is not the biggest player but he plays with a lot of speed and energy each shift,” Smith said. “He has very good skating and straight-line speed, his acceleration and powerful stride make him a very good forechecker at the men’s level as a 16-year-old. His speed is his greatest asset and allows him to really take aggressive routes to pucks and force turnovers.”
The first of three 2022 NHL Draft-eligibles on Team Slovakia, Filip Mesar may just be 16-years-old, but he’s playing in Slovakia’s top league with HK Poprad. Playing 13 games so far, he’s scored once and added two assists. He’s played international games with the U16 squad, but this tournament will be a big test for the young player.
“Mesar is not the biggest player but he plays with a lot of speed and energy each shift,” Smith said. “He has very good skating and straight-line speed, his acceleration and powerful stride make him a very good forechecker at the men’s level as a 16-year-old. His speed is his greatest asset and allows him to really take aggressive routes to pucks and force turnovers.”
After WJC, Filip has rejoined his team and will start in today's game against Slovan.
What a beauty! I hope he will gain more minutes in the first line.
Filip has raised his production recently, he is now on 7 points (2G + 5A) in 20 games in top tier men's league.
Finally get more icetime. Gradually progress with each match. It's really nice to watch his game, during the power play, his play is reminiscent of Martin Reway, but Filip is faster and better skates. I think if he doesn't get injury, he could end the season with 15-20 points and next season he could dominate in one of the CHL leagues. According to his style of play, QMJHL would suit him best. However, the OHL would not have to be a bad choice either.
I agree but in case Poprad could quarantee him more ice time and the role in PP I would think about to stay in men's league. IMHO it would give him more than playing between juniors.
kudla
Registered User
1+1 today vs Liptovsky Mikuláš in Slovak Tipos Extraliga. Played 12:32 min. Mesar has 9 points (3G, 6A) in 24 games this season so far.
Last edited:
Goal from match vs Liptovsky Mikulas
Is the CHL really the best approach for this new high potential group of players? Sweden and Finland have their talented youngsters playing in their mens leagues even if in 4th line roles. This works fine for their development , Russia uses the same approach as most of their players come from their first and second league. Even Germany with their strong 01 and 02s their players are going through domestic leagues. Perhaps this would be better for the Slovak players to earn their icetime in Extraliga, teams seem to be willing to give youngters a chance
The men's league would be better for him, but he himself wants to go to one of the CHL leagues. Maybe he'll change his opinion until next season, who knows.
alko
Registered User
Right now he’s a top 6 player on one of the top teams in the league and he’ll have a HUGE season next year if he stays. But he won’t be playing against other top prospects the way he would in the CHL. I think if anything prevents him from going to the CHL it’ll be covid.
JabbaJabba
Registered User
kudla
Registered User
I don't think so. It's still impossible to know what his draft range is, but I could see more of a middle rounder in him
Last edited:
Middle first rounder you mean? Because although I do think there is a history of some Slovak prospects peaking early and disappointing - if Mesar only becomes a middle rounder (4th/5th round) after what he is doing at this age - that would be extremely disappointing.
Probably not. Slafkovsky has a huge upside. Slafkovsky will probably also go to the CHL if he does not play in Finland in the Liiga. If he improves skating, especially his first 3 steps, then he can be a huge monster and one of the best players in draft. Mesar is very talented, he may finish a few years after the draft better than Slaf and it will not be a surprise, but for now he won't go before him in draft. I actually see him at the end of the first or the beginning of the second round. But he can jump in his draft season and be somewhere at the top 20, we will see.
Pavel Buchnevich
Drury and Laviolette Must Go
Of the three highly discussed Slovaks for next year, I think this guy's draft range is the most underrated. I see why Slafkovsky is talked about as a really high pick, but there are questions there with his game that I think for now keep him from being a high first rounder. Nemec is a decent enough player, but I don't really see such high upside for early first. It seems like his proponents talk more about his perceived accomplishments than his skillset. Mesar might not be talked about as much as those two, but I think he fits in the same general draft range as them. A highly skilled guy whose not really that undersized and skates well is a top two rounds type of pick. I think thats where the other two will go. I actually would not be surprised if Mesar is the first of the Slovak's picked next year.
