Scouting Report on Radim Mrtka | 2025 NHL Draft
Throughout the 2024-2025 season, TSLH Prospects will be sharing scouting reports, rankings, and profiles of prospects eligible to the 2025 NHL Draft. Continuing our work of the past five years, our analysts will provide insights on numerous prospects to give you a comprehensive overview of the draft class and their progress. Today, the spotlight is on Radim Mrtka, a defenseman playing in Czech Republic.
Version française ici.
To access content on prospects, including Montreal Canadiens prospects pool, and everything surrounding the NHL Draft, you can visit the TSLH Prospects section, subscribing to our various audio platforms, checking our YouTube channel, using the search bar at the top of the page, and exploring our TSLH Espoirs : Le Guide for free. Don’t forget Patreon as well!
2025 NHL Draft Scouting Report: Radim Mrtka
To some extent, one might believe that Radim Mrtka has the potential to become, for the 2025 NHL Draft, what Anton Silayev was for last June’s draft. Firstly, he is a fluid and fast skater (not on Silayev’s level, but quite impressive for his size) who navigates extremely well in all four directions. Secondly, he is a massive defenseman standing 6 feet 6 inches and weighing 198 pounds who is not afraid to assert himself physically. Finally, the young player seems incredibly confident in his abilities.
Personally, I have mostly observed him internationally rather than in the top Czech league (where he played 3 games in 2023-2024) or in the country’s junior circuits. Thus, my analysis is not the most comprehensive. However, it is not difficult to assess his potential and see what characterizes his game in a high-stakes environment like tournaments featuring the best players of his age group.
Fortunately, the right-handed defenseman has been drafted into the WHL, and we might see him in Canada next year if they manage to attract him to the country (no information has been published in this regard at the time of writing). If he stays in Europe, I see him fitting well into the Extraliga against men. From there, Radim Mrtka can leverage his puck-handling skills and timing for robust play.
Radim Mrtka and His On-Ice Strengths
Under pressure, the young player lacks a bit of consistency in making the right decisions to secure the puck. However, once he processes the information and uses his strengths effectively, it is rare for an attacker to surprise him. Radim Mrtka just needs to take the time to evaluate what is happening around him. Without this, his progress will be difficult in North America.
In motion, the right-handed player can protect the puck masterfully with his long reach, agility, and physical strength. This allows him to maneuver around opponents in the neutral zone to advance the attack. If he is caught in a tight spot, he can make precise passes to extricate himself.
Offensively, the defenseman can effectively direct the play along the blue line. He is a good puck distributor but does not demonstrate high-end potential. Radim Mrtka is straightforward in his approach and will exploit what is offered to him. He is not one to influence everyone or use finesse excessively.
His shot could be better, that is evident, but he is primarily an excellent defensive asset. Occasionally, Radim Mrtka has shown the ability to outmaneuver opponents to get to the net, and I hope to see this aspect more frequently this year. If this skill becomes a regular part of his game, I expect him to rise high on scouts’ lists. We’ll need to keep an eye on him.
Ranking for the 2025 NHL Draft
With the type of right-handed defenseman that Radim Mrtka is, one can only speculate on what he will become, as it may take time to develop. However, speculating about the « package » he presents is much more reassuring than doing so about a 5-foot-9 defenseman with no physical assets.
The standout aspect is the prospect’s confidence in his abilities. This allows him to showcase his mobility and robustness regularly, making him quite interesting for an NHL team. Based on what I’ve seen so far, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him pushed up the scouts’ lists early in the season. The Hlinka-Gretzky will give us a good indication of this from August 5th to 10th.
Commentaires