Analyst reveals the Red Wings are looking to select 6-foot-6 defensive beast with their 13th overall pick
The NHL Draft is fast upon us, and WHL Insider Dawnson Petryshen believes he's the kind of blueliner Steve Yzerman and the Detroit Red Wings need.
The Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL have a prospect who could be the next Detroit Red Wing.
Radim Mrtka has been pegged as another player whom the Red Wings should covet at 13th overall. Why?
WHL Insider Dawson Petryshen believes he could be a fit for the Red Wings at 13th in the draft, as a big-bodied, puck-moving defenseman.
"A big body that can move, and uses his reach in such smart ways," Petryshen said on Mrtka "I was thrilled when he came over from Czechia, and it wouldn't surprise me to see Mrtka crack a top-four position at the next level once he smooths the edges on his offensive game."
This season with the WHL's Thunderbirds, Mrtka posted 35 points (3-32) in 43 games with the club and has proven himself a capable defenseman in international play.
In the IIHF U18 World Championships, he'd score 4 points (1-3) for four points in five games with Czechia this year. Further proving that he's first-round material in the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft.
The right-handed defenseman is capable of improving his game, as his skating isn't as fast as we'd like, but his tangible physical play and PK plus power-play presence shouldn't go unnoticed.
Mrtka is a product of Trinec Ocelari HC in the Extraliiga, and could go in the top-15 in this year's draft.
Will he fall to 13th over be taken before Yzerman gets his chance?
| POLL | ||
JUIN 22 | 105 ANSWERS Analyst reveals the Red Wings are looking to select 6-foot-6 defensive beast with their 13th overall pick Should the Detroit Red Wings select defenseman Radim Mrtka of the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds at 13th overall? | ||
| Yes | 63 | 60 % |
| No | 42 | 40 % |
| List of polls | ||
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