2020 Flames First Round Targets: Jan Myšák
3 years ago
Barring any trades, the Calgary Flames will be stepping up on the virtual podium to select at 19th overall. In advance of the draft, we’ll be looking at some contenders to be selected at 19th.
Hailing from Litvinov, Czech Republic, Jan Myšák is another prospect who has played against older competition from the very beginning. The highly versatile Czech can play all three forward positions and has the potential to be a very high impact player at the NHL level. Let’s take a deeper dive into the left-handed youngster.
Scouting report
Known for his excellent hockey IQ, shooting, and puck-handling abilities, Jan Myšák spent the first half of his draft year overseas in Czech Republic’s top hockey league with HC Litvinov. The latter half was spent with the Hamilton Bulldogs, who drafted the sharpshooter 20th overall in the first round of the 2019 CHL Import Draft.
An excerpt from Czech Prospects’ analysis on Jan Myšák
Mysak has good accuracy and timing on his shot. He also has good vision and puck-handling skills. He has great hockey sense and he can lead his team’s offense. He usually gets himself into good positions without the puck. He has a solid frame for his age. He needs to work on his skating but he has really improved that already during the 2018-2019 season.
Tony Ferrari of Dobber Prospects had the following to say about Jan Myšák
Mysak’s arrival in North America went just about as well as it could have. He started his OHL stint with 10 goals in nine games and when the season came to an early end Mysak had registered 25 points in 22 games for the Hamilton Bulldogs. He was able to show off the tools that we saw glimpses of in his native Czech Republic when he played in the men’s pro league there. His shot is lethal and he has some explosion is his game. He finds his teammates well and looked more efficient in his skating stride as the year wore on. He still needs to work on being a bit more efficient with his stride but a noticeable improvement has been made. He thinks the game at a high level and he could find a role in an NHL top-six at some point in the future. He may not be a true line driver but he pushes play in the right direction and he has the skill to be a productive scoring winger
By all accounts, Jan Myšák is on track to be an offensive star should he be able to refine his skating abilities. While offence is certainly his forte, Myšák is also decent in his own zone; using his high end hockey IQ to be an outlet for his defenders and routinely blocking off passing lanes. The June-born Myšák will have plenty of time to work on his game, skating in particular, before seeing NHL ice.
Offensive prowess on full display here from Jan Myšák. Footspeed, however, is clearly a work-in-progress.
The numbers
With 9 points in 25 games, Myšák was first out of all U20 players in the Extraliga in points and points per game (minimum 5 games played). The young Czech’s play in North American was just as good, finishing his season with the Hamilton Bulldogs with 15 goals and 25 points in 22 games. Considering how smooth his transition was from Litvinov, Czech Republic to Hamilton, Ontario, it’s easy to see the potential that scouts see in Jan Myšák.
Already having two years of pro experience and an NHL ready frame at 6’0”, 181 pounds, Myšák should be able to adjust to pro hockey over in North America fairly quicker than most late first-round prospects. With that being said, he’ll need to take strides on improving his skating skills if he wants a chance at playing in today’s NHL.
Availability and fit
Jan Myšák is projected to go in the late first round by most pundits. Ranked 29th by EliteProspects, 16th by FC Hockey, 25th by ISS Hockey, 34th by TSN’s Craig Button, and 27th by McKeen’s Hockey, the young sniper will most likely be available when the virtual spotlight shines on Brad Treliving to announce his pick at 19th overall.
Myšák is an extremely promising prospect who shines in the opponent’s end of the arena and has made tremendous improvements in his own zone as well. The Flames currently lack prospects which could potentially develop into offensive needle movers at the NHL level, which is why they would be wise to pick up Jan Myšák. Furthermore, given his relatively low ranking compared to where the Flames are selecting, Brad Treliving could afford to trade down a few spots in the first round and pick up a pick in the second or third round pick as well. Given the lack of goalie and defencemen prospects that the Flames have, this could be a wise move to restock their cupboards.
Jan Myšák will be back in the Extraliga next season, playing for his hometown in HC Litvinov. It’ll be interesting to see if he can utilize the experiences and confidence he gained from playing hockey in North America, and use them to greater his offensive output at Czech Republics’ highest level of hockey. None the less, at this point of time Jan Myšák is a prospect that fits an organizational need for the Flames and would be one of the best players available at 19th overall.
2020 First Round Targets
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