It seems like every year there’s a player or two who sneaks up into the latter part of the first round. Filip Chytil is my prediction for this year’s big riser.

Birthplace: Czech Republic

Shoots: Left

Position: C/LW

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 192 lbs.

Chytil became an important part of PSG Zlín thanks to his offensive skills and advanced defensive game. Down the stretch he often saw ice time in late-game situations, protecting a one-goal lead, and became increasingly involved offensively. After suffering an injury late in the season, he returned to score a pair of points in two games, helping his team avoid relegation.

With 12:30 of TOI/GP, Chytil was a fourth liner for the most of the season. But just hanging in a men’s league as a 17-year-old is no easy task. His even-strength production was roughly similar to the more highly-ranked Martin Necas, as both players had seven ES primary points.

Chytil has a well-rounded toolkit complemented with flashes of high-end skill. He lacks explosiveness, but gains separation and creates space through a combination of quick hands, purposeful edge work, and strong puck protection. He has a diverse set of one-on-one moves, and has highlight-reel dangle ability.

A determined puck carrier with an effortless stride, Chytil is rarely one to utilize uncontrolled exits and entries—a rarity for a young depth player in a men’s league. He’s clearly quite confident in his puck skills, and can really make things happen in transition. In stride, he’s as dangerous of player as you’ll find late in the first-round.

Landing closer to the ‘Playmaker’ side of the ‘Shooter - Playmaker’ spectrum, Chytil looks for teammates any chance he gets. He’s not an elite playmaker, but rather an effective distributor through traffic and in short- to medium-range distances. He passes out of shooting position a little too often, despite having a decently powerful shot.

Chytil can really dominate the centre of the ice, and has even shown this ability in the Czech Extraliga. He weaves through traffic, attacks open ice, and heads to the net. He likes to dart into the slot to pounce of loose pucks, but also can cause havoc acting as a net-front presence.

Chytil is an advanced defensive player for his age. He proactively handles his defensive duties, and is an excellent support player across the ice. He effectively utilizes his lower-body and low centre of gravity to battle for pucks and win battles at a high rate than expected for a lanky jersey-flapper. He can play wing and centre, and will often switch between left wing and centre in game, showing no confusion.

Scouting

He’s another player that there wasn’t much talk on until late because of his injury issues. He’s an effortless skater. Decent smarts...probably not high-end hockey IQ but he’s no dummy out there. He plays hard.” - Mark Edwards

Chytil is a speedy player with good hockey sense and offensive skill. He is a very good skater, with very quick feet and balance on his edges that allows him to generate good power from every stride and high-end acceleration in his first few steps. He’s a guy you will need to have patience with as he takes a few seasons to add strength, but he could be well worth it.

Rankings

Hockey Prospect: 28

Future Considerations: 70

ISS: 64

McKeen’s: 42

NHL Central Scouting: 11 (European skaters)

Corey Pronman: 33

Thoughts

The debate of Chytil seems to be individual components versus sum of tools. While I see a highly-capable offensive threat with a well-rounded toolkit, he’s not high-end in any category. It seems like for every high-skill move he makes, he struggles with an easier play. For example, he has a tendency to fumble easy passes.

Personally, I’m a believer in the sum of Chytil’s tools. He has speed, skill, defensive acumen, and vision—all packed into a 6’2” frame.

I’m far from a proponent of draft for need, as the team will likely be quite different by the time a late-first round draft pick makes it, but come draft day, Chytil may very well fill both the ‘best player available’ and ‘need’ categories.

Chytil also has the advantage of being simultaneously one of the youngest players in the draft class (born just days away from not being eligible until 2018) and one of the most experienced at the professional level.

Of course, it’s always dependent on who’s available, but barring a significant fall in the draft from another prospect, I would absolutely entertain drafting Chytil at 25th overall.