Prospect Info: Servác Petrovský C, 185th overall, 2022 NHL Draft

[Ivo]

You are correct, sir, he is Czech. My apologies! I'm not sure why I thought he was Slovak. I've actually thought that this whole time.

Novak is a very common name in Slovakia Probably even more so in Czechia, though.

 

[57special]

I somehow did know that Novak was a Czech, but will note before i break my arm patting myself on the back that this old dude misses the glory days of Czechoslovakian hockey teams. Damn, they were good. Would give the great Soviet teams all they could handle, and the Canadians, too, though they were far less emotional games.
A modern Czechoslovakian team would be really, really, good.

 

[Jbcraig1883]

I don't know much about this kid, but it looks like he's got a heck of a nice shot.

Looks like EliteProspects.com has this to say:

Other places I'm reading talk about him being a highly intelligent player, inconsistent offensively, average skating speed, good skating agility and balance in tight checking spaces, great positionally, and good defensively. No outstanding skills, but a plethora of good ones. Middle-six to bottom-six NHL center or winger potential.

If he can find soft spots in his opponents defensive coverage and exploit them at the pro level, while staying good defensively, it sounds like he'll be a player. There are only 9 Slovak players in the NHL right now. It would be sort of strange if the Wild added 2 more, Novak and Petrovsky. I doubt it happens, but I hope they both make it and make me look dumb.

Take this with a grain of salt but here is my opinion on him...

I was super impressed with him in his first WJC. He stood out in good ways - seemed to play a professional style game in the sense of positioning, decent along the boards and could hang with the speed of the game. I also thought he played well for his age in the OHL. However, since then, I haven't seen that much improvement in his game - from last year's WJC to watching him this year in juniors, at Wild development camp, etc. His speed, strength, shot, etc. did not seem that much different, nor has his production. I could be a bit hard on him since I watch him closely because I was super excited after his first year, but he hasn't progressed as much as I'd hoped.

With that said, I have not been fortunate to see him in this WJC and sounds like he's obviously played well. If he develops an assertiveness/confidence to his game, I definitely think he can be a good two-way third liner.

 

[Circulartheory]

Take this with a grain of salt but here is my opinion on him...

I was super impressed with him in his first WJC. He stood out in good ways - seemed to play a professional style game in the sense of positioning, decent along the boards and could hang with the speed of the game. I also thought he played well for his age in the OHL. However, since then, I haven't seen that much improvement in his game - from last year's WJC to watching him this year in juniors, at Wild development camp, etc. His speed, strength, shot, etc. did not seem that much different, nor has his production. I could be a bit hard on him since I watch him closely because I was super excited after his first year, but he hasn't progressed as much as I'd hoped.

With that said, I have not been fortunate to see him in this WJC and sounds like he's obviously played well. If he develops an assertiveness/confidence to his game, I definitely think he can be a good two-way third liner.

I've always projected him as a Dewar/Shaw type of player - a 4th line energy-setting PK specialist. Good junior players but lack of hign end offense and lack of size will keep their upside limited. But he also plays hard on the forecheck, plays two-way and plays both center/wing so he can find his niche when he gets to the pros. But every team needs a good 4th line and I think Milne/Petrovsky could be a nice little ball of energy that, in their peak, chip in 25-30points each.

 

[57special]

I've always projected him as a Dewar/Shaw type of player - a 4th line energy-setting PK specialist. Good junior players but lack of hign end offense and lack of size will keep their upside limited. But he also plays hard on the forecheck, plays two-way and plays both center/wing so he can find his niche when he gets to the pros. But every team needs a good 4th line and I think Milne/Petrovsky could be a nice little ball of energy that, in their peak, chip in 25-30points each.

I don't think Petrovsky has anywhere near the grit that those players do. Maybe he will develop it as he matures, but those prairie boys seem to be born into it. If Petrovsky makes it it will be as a guy who can score a little bit.

I am not holding my breath.

 

[tmlmatus]

currently the points leader at the Juniors, 8 points in 3 games.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

currently the points leader at the Juniors, 8 points in 3 games.

Sell high!

 

[57special]

need to see if he can produce against the better teams before I get even a little excited. Seems like a guy who will have a decent career in Europe.

 

[Circulartheory]

I don't think Petrovsky has anywhere near the grit that those players do. Maybe he will develop it as he matures, but those prairie boys seem to be born into it. If Petrovsky makes it it will be as a guy who can score a little bit.

I am not holding my breath.

need to see if he can produce against the better teams before I get even a little excited. Seems like a guy who will have a decent career in Europe.

I agree that I don't envision many paths for him to make the NHL - but I do still feel he does have one niche, similar to Dewar's role, a 4th PK energy type.

He may not have that grit/size but from all accounts, he brings the energy, smarts and hardwork. If my memory serves, Dewar was similar as he was never a gritty, but extremely hardworking and had to reinvent his game once he made it to the AHL to craft his niche. His hardworking nature and forward versatility gave him some tools to do so and I think Petrovsky could follow a similar path with those similar traits

 

[57special]

I agree that I don't envision many paths for him to make the NHL - but I do still feel he does have one niche, similar to Dewar's role, a 4th PK energy type.

He may not have that grit/size but from all accounts, he brings the energy, smarts and hardwork. If my memory serves, Dewar was similar as he was never a gritty, but extremely hardworking and had to reinvent his game once he made it to the AHL to craft his niche. His hardworking nature and forward versatility gave him some tools to do so and I think Petrovsky could follow a similar path with those similar traits

Dewar always had grit. Hard to grow up in northern MB and not have it. I think that there are a lot of undersized skill players in prospect pools, and Petrovsky is just another one. A guy like Milne, who is under 6', but stocky, fast, smart, and has some physicality, would be more useful, even though they would like him to have Duhaime type size, ideally.

There are only so many spots on a team for undersized skill players unless they are remarkable producers like Rossi or Zuccarello. Dewar and Shaw are small, gritty, fringe players in the NHL, but they significantly outproduced Petrovsky in the CHL during their draft years. I don't see where Petrovsky fits in, unless he puts on more size and improves more than your average prospect.

 

[Jbcraig1883]

need to see if he can produce against the better teams before I get even a little excited. Seems like a guy who will have a decent career in Europe.

This is where I stand. He needs to produce against the better teams and then have a big second half in juniors for him to move the meter for me.

 

[TaLoN]

Dewar always had grit. Hard to grow up in northern MB and not have it. I think that there are a lot of undersized skill players in prospect pools, and Petrovsky is just another one. A guy like Milne, who is under 6', but stocky, fast, smart, and has some physicality, would be more useful, even though they would like him to have Duhaime type size, ideally.

There are only so many spots on a team for undersized skill players unless they are remarkable producers like Rossi or Zuccarello. Dewar and Shaw are small, gritty, fringe players in the NHL, but they significantly outproduced Petrovsky in the CHL during their draft years. I don't see where Petrovsky fits in, unless he puts on more size and improves more than your average prospect.

Wes Walz was an undersized scorer type that failed out of the NHL and was playing in Europe before the Wild signed him and Lemaire told him he seriously needed to change how he played if he wanted to stay in the league. He learned to play with a LOT of grit.

 

[57special]

Just noticed that Servac(cool name) is a very late Bday. Could think of him as a 2023 draft pick, which makes me like the pick even more, and feel better about him playing another year in junior.

Kumpulainen is also a very late Bday, and could be thought of as an early 2024. Big body, but has a baby face. Will be very interested to see how he develops physically...he already looks to have good decision making, and some skills. Stramel is 10 months older than him.

 

[Jbcraig1883]

Someone on the main prospect forums likened him to a Handzus type player, and I'd agree with that style of play. Not suggesting he will ever put up .5 to .6 points a game, nor is he as big, but he's not overly fast, good with puck, intelligent defensively, etc.

 

[BagHead]

Someone on the main prospect forums likened him to a Handzus type player, and I'd agree with that style of play. Not suggesting he will ever put up .5 to .6 points a game, nor is he as big, but he's not overly fast, good with puck, intelligent defensively, etc.

I'd be ok with him becoming a '10-11 to '11-12 Handzus. The scoring wasn't there except as a bonus, but he was still a very useful player.

 

[Wabit]

I'm still wondering if he is going to sign an ELC with MN. The lose his rights June 1st.

 

[Valeson81]

Any news on this guy? Surely MIN is interested after the WJC

 

[Jbcraig1883]

Any news on this guy? Surely MIN is interested after the WJC

Nothing in the news - I'd be surprised if they didn't sign him. Three WJC - point a game in juniors, can play center, smart two way player - Wild love those.

 

[57special]

Nothing in the news - I'd be surprised if they didn't sign him. Three WJC - point a game in juniors, can play center, smart two way player - Wild love those.

counter point - I am sure that BG would roll his eyes at yet another small statured tweener, who has a game that is suited for the top 9, but perhaps not the talent, and will not be an effective grinder in the NHL. I think he'd prefer more Kumpulainens.

 

[Jbcraig1883]

counter point - I am sure that BG would roll his eyes at yet another small statured tweener, who has a game that is suited for the top 9, but perhaps not the talent, and will not be an effective grinder in the NHL. I think he'd prefer more Kumpulainens.

So you don't think the Wild will sign him?

Wouldn't every GM prefer big guy prospects that can score goals over the tweener? I mean, agree with you there, but I guess I don't see how it is a counter point, or justifies them not signing him. He turns 20 in August, has enough size, and has that 200 ft game that the Wild seem to value, and has just enough offense that may be developed since he seems to have always played a structured game, so he may excel in the pro game.

 

[57special]

So you don't think the Wild will sign him?

Wouldn't every GM prefer big guy prospects that can score goals over the tweener? I mean, agree with you there, but I guess I don't see how it is a counter point, or justifies them not signing him. He turns 20 in August, has enough size, and has that 200 ft game that the Wild seem to value, and has just enough offense that may be developed since he seems to have always played a structured game, so he may excel in the pro game.

ehh... probably could use him in Iowa, i guess, but doesn't seem too different than the guys who have been cycling through there like Swaney, Giroux, Bitten. Guess it doesn't hurt to try.

 

[Jbcraig1883]

ehh... probably could use him in Iowa, i guess, but doesn't seem too different than the guys who have been cycling through there like Swaney, Giroux, Bitten. Guess it doesn't hurt to try.

It's not like he will be taking ice time away from anyone...Iowa is a shitshow...they will have plenty of room in the top 9. If he doesn't do anything, oh well.