By Russ Cohen
Sometimes teams look for a can’t miss player if they’re not picking in the top ten in the NHL Draft. One of those players is power forward Adam Novotny. This Czech standout had a great year with the Peterborough Petes. He had 34 goals and 31 helpers in the regular season. The 34 goals stand out. How he gets his goals is important. He gets a lot of shots at 5-on-5, and he scored 83% of the time in that area around the net. He is averaging eight shots per game.
He can play on either side. I love that, and the way that he plays the puck off the wall to make a pass or get to the next is textbook. At 6-1, 205 pounds, I see him as a natural left wing. He is a skilled passer, so he has a 50-60 point potential in the NHL. According to InStat, 59% of his shots are on net.
“I would say I’m well-rounded. I can play a lot of different roles. That’s maybe something that can help me in the future to make it to the NHL,” Novotny stated. “When I use my speed, I can go around the defense pretty well. I also win one-on-one battles. I think I’m very strong in them.”
Novotny has hardly any body fat. He is physically imposing, and that’s only going to get more pronounced over time, but he already has man strength. He has a great wrist shot that Czech goalie Michael Orsulak gave high praise.
“It’s one of my weapons for sure. I still have to work on it. I have to find a way to finish my chances a bit better. Be more successful in chances.”
The Flyers met with him. The Blues could pick him at 15. He spoke to 26 teams because they all could envision him in their lineup in three years or so. The biggest question is whether he can be a second liner or is destined for the third line. Only time will tell.
