Who was the best Czech prospect of all time?

[alko]

Hasek was an unique example. He was drafted in 10. round, thats true.. But only because iron curtain.

At that time he had already very good playing history. As a 16 years old goalie, he played top CSSR league. And that time, quality of this league was very high.

As 18 years old first WCH.

As 19 years old, Canada Cup.

At normal circumstances, he would be drafted very high. Not first overall, but maybe higher as Jagr.

And funny story. There was a prospect, that should be better as Jagr: Peter Pinďár.

There should be some words from Jagr himself (some interview, book... cant find it now), where he said, Pindar was better prospect as he.

He some Slovak articles about him:
First
Second

 

[Felidae]

Actually, Robert Reichel may be the correct answer here. He has never found much success in the NHL (had back-to-back 40 goal seasons, but for a player of his talent, that was not enough) and he was overshadowed by two of his WJC linemates, Jagr and Holik. But in terms of pure talent and hockey smarts, Reichel was an absolute prodigy and was considered the most talented player on that WJC line.

Ah, yeah I've heard this before. Comparing their junior careers is interesting to say the least


Jagr started playing in the U18 Czech league at 12. Reichel didn't join that same league until 15.

At 15, Jagr was in the U20 Czech league while Reichel was still in the U18 league.

Obviously Reichel was posting the bigger numbers but he was also playing in a easier league.

But then at their 16 year old seasons they both join the Czech league with no age limits and Reichel outproduces him. He posts 27 points in 36 games while Jagr only posts 6 points in 29 games.

The following and final year before heading into the NHL, Jagr posts 50 points in 42 games at 17. Reichel has 39 points in 34 games at 17. The PPG difference is 1.24 to 1.15 which is honestly not huge when you consider Jagr started playing against older players at a much younger age.

 

[Hobnobs]

So were Hamrlik and Stefan unanimously considered the best players in their draft? And how highly regarded were those drafts at the time?

Stefan was number 1 because of the Sedin trades. There were questions about him especially regarding injuries and I dont think any scout projected him to be a bonafide franchise center or anything.

Drafted by the worst possible franchise for him as well.

 

[jigglysquishy]

Actually, Robert Reichel may be the correct answer here. He has never found much success in the NHL (had back-to-back 40 goal seasons, but for a player of his talent, that was not enough) and he was overshadowed by two of his WJC linemates, Jagr and Holik. But in terms of pure talent and hockey smarts, Reichel was an absolute prodigy and was considered the most talented player on that WJC line.

This was going to be my vote.

It's clear from reading contemporary opinions of Jagr that he was a contender for #1, but no one expected him to turn into Jagr. We project backwards because he became a top ten forward of all-time.

Reichel is also projected backwards. His NHL wasn't legendary, but his pre-20 year old play absolutely had him hyped up.

In the 1990 WJCs, he put up 21 points in 7 games and was picked as forward of the tournament over Jagr. Four months later, he looks like a stud in the 1990 World Championships and was maybe the best forward in the tournament after Yzerman. All before playing an NHL game.

Sure, the next NHL season he was cleanly outplayed by Jagr and the gap just widened from there.

But in May 1990 the Reichel-train was real.

 

[MS]

When you look at his size and draft-year production relative to the league he was in, it was Jaromir Jagr by a country mile even if most of the NHL didn't recognize it at the time. He should have been the runaway #1 overall in the 1990 draft.

 

[Voight]

Stefan was number 1 because of the Sedin trades. There were questions about him especially regarding injuries and I dont think any scout projected him to be a bonafide franchise center or anything.

Drafted by the worst possible franchise for him as well.

That entire draft just sucked in general.

(aside from the Sedins and maybe one or two others)

 

[ES]

There should be a clearer distinction here between best and most hyped, those aren't necessarily the same thing depending on situation. Who in NA even scouted teenage Hasek. And scouts can suck as well. But he played in the Czech first league at 16 and then in the Canada Cup at 19, so apparently someone liked his pedigree.

He played in WJC (in Soviet Union) and even two WC (in West Germany) games before the draft. I would not be surprised if he wasn't seen outside those tournaments.

Maybe add U18 European Championship a year before (in Sweden).

 

[JianYang]

I've watched the 1984 draft on youtube and when Petr Svoboda walks out its treated like a huge deal. He had some big hype.

I think part of that was because most people didn't even know he was in the building. The element of surprise was going to generate a buzz in itself.

 

[Moose Head]

I think part of that was because most people didn't even know he was in the building. The element of surprise was going to generate a buzz in itself.

Yeah, I think Calgary was really upset because they thought they were the only ones who knew he was available

 

[Nerowoy nora tolad]

When you look at his size and draft-year production relative to the league he was in, it was Jaromir Jagr by a country mile even if most of the NHL didn't recognize it at the time. He should have been the runaway #1 overall in the 1990 draft.

The part thats baffling is he doesnt seem like the kind of prospect that gets missed. His raw puckhandling and ability to shift away from defenders arent really on the list of teachable things that get figured out in development after the draft