Dominik Badinka is impressive in the SHL | 2024 NHL Draft
Throughout the 2023-2024 NHL season, TSLH Prospects shares observation reports and prospect profiles on young players eligible for the upcoming draft. Similar to the past four seasons, the columnists produce texts on a significant number of prospects to provide a comprehensive overview of the cohort and its progress. Today, the focus is on Dominik Badinka, a defenseman playing in the SHL.
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At the beginning of the season, I took a look at Dominik Badinka in the J20 Nationell, and it didn’t take long for the young defenseman to demonstrate translatable qualities for North American professional hockey. The 6-foot-3, 183-pound right-handed hockey player looked like a veteran compared to his teammates despite being only 17 years old. His record of 12 points in 15 games was a good indicator of the quality of his play, but his talent went beyond the offensive skills.
I thought he had no business in junior hockey, and it was only a matter of time before a call-up in the SHL. This happened in mid-November, as Malmö called him and never sent him back to his junior club. Since then, the prospect has secured his spot in the lineup, playing an average of 16 minutes each night, although not a regular on special teams.
It’s essential to understand that Dominik Badinka is primarily a reliable defenseman in all phases of the game. He doesn’t often make spectacular moves or steal the spotlight on the ice, but the accumulation of good decisions makes him excessively effective for his team. Adding his advantageous size and an overall aggressive attitude makes him easily likeable.
The Czech player seems to be a confident player capable of adapting to any situation. When you move from your home country at 16, to Finland at 17, and to Sweden at 18, you show everyone that nothing can destabilize you. This is precisely what we observed during his call-up to the SHL. He is the same player as in junior hockey. There is adaptation as he does not always take the right decision, but nothing abnormal.
Dominik Badinka moves very well on the ice. He may not be the most dynamic or explosive, but I see no mobility issues. He follows the action very well despite his size, and it’s challenging to outmaneuver him. Agility, I believe, is his main quality, as everything flows smoothly and easily in his forward or backward movements. There’s hardly a moment when the young player is late due to athletic limitations (although, it happens when he does not read the play well).
In terms of his reads, it’s the same story. The right-hander handles it very well. It’s not always perfect given the lack of experience against mature players, but more often than not, he manages to make the right plays. I like the fact that he can get out of trouble in several ways. It’s in his ability to use his feet to escape pressure, but also to make quick reads to free up his territory with a pass and activate the attack rapidly.
He can accumulate playing minutes without putting his team on its heels due to frequent poor decisions. Coaches can rely on him without any issues. I would like to see him more on the penalty kill, but I believe the organization is playing it safe. That’s okay, as Dominik Badinka is already used in a top 4 role most nights. They are not eager to give him opportunities to produce offensively as well, but that’s customary in the Swedish league. It will come in due time.
That’s why I’m not concerned with his current stats line in the country’s top league. The defenseman doesn’t really have a chance to produce offensively. He has the tools, such as a good shot and the ability to move laterally with the puck to create passing lanes, but it’s not his role at the moment. Perhaps he will get more space next year if he stays with his team. With such a profile, I have no doubt he could have more points. He’s not necessarily the most creative, but you can see that the young player anticipates the action well.
In short, in his defensive zone, I have little negative to say. Dominik Badinka is aggressive and physical in front of his net. We also see him blocking shots and effectively keeping his stick active to neutralize opponents or passing lanes as much as possible. It’s easy for him to guide an attacker towards the boards to limit his options or prevent him from cutting towards the center due to his size and skating ability. It’s not always perfect, obviously, but his level is already very good for his age.
For the NHL draft, I don’t see why a team wouldn’t give him a chance in the first round. His safe profile combined with aggressiveness, size, mobility, and above-average adaptability demonstrate a highly developed work ethic. It seems easy to trust him with responsibilities, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him quickly in the AHL.
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