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Could Vaclav Nestrasil be an option for the Flames at the Draft?
2018 NHL Draft
Photo credit: Jerome Miron/USA Today Sports
Liam Mabley
Jun 22, 2025, 19:00 EDTUpdated: Jun 30, 2025, 19:45 EDT
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I recently outlined the lack of congruence between the Calgary Flames and Czech players at the NHL Draft in an article about the small and speedy Adam Benák, who is draft-eligible this year.
The fact of the matter is Calgary has little history of drafting Czech players in the 21st century, just one has been selected by the Flames since 2000. This year we could see multiple Czech prospects taken in the first 64 picks, including the big-bodied power forward Vaclav Nestrasil.

Scouting report

Nestrasil is opposite to his fellow countryman Benák in size alone as they share similar attributes and have taken near identical paths, both having played for the Muskegon Lumberjacks in their draft year.
Vaclav was born in April 2007 in Praha, Czech Republic. He made the move from the Czechia U17 league to North American Junior hockey in January 2024, when he signed with Muskegon of the USHL.
A 6’5″, 187-pound right-shot winger, Nestrasil possesses good skating, passing and puck skills for his size. He also doesn’t shy away from utilizing his large frame, frequently using it to protect the puck along the wall in the offensive zone, as well as punishing defenders on the forecheck.
Kyle Pereira of FCHockey gave this synopsis on Nestrasil:
“Nestrasil is a big-bodied power forward who brings some upside as a playmaker. In the offensive zone, he really impressed me with his smart passing, setting up several quality chances in dangerous areas. As a shooter, he did not stand out, but his passing ability and hockey IQ were noticeable. Away from the puck, he caused havoc for opponents, using his physicality on the forecheck to force miscues.”
One of the few knocks on Nestrasil’s offensive game is his below-average shot accuracy, though he’s already developed a strong shot, which will likely continue to gain velocity as he fills out his frame.
Recruit Scouting’s Gabriel Foley said this about Nestrasil’s game:
“A powerful winger who has the heavy shoulders to plow into his spot, with or without the puck. His shot is hard, and he keeps his head up to find teammates with the puck and respond to shifts in play. He can be caught flat-footed, especially weak-side, quite often – but his direction and power are both great traits to buy. A player whose biggest growth is well ahead of him.”
Vaclav Nestrasil is a 6-foot-5, 190-pound winger for the @MuskegonJacks, who has worked his way up the 2025 NHL Draft rankings through his strong play during the 2024-25 @USHL season. I put together a highlight video for him 🔽
Link here: https://t.co/mPlrgwHCBS pic.twitter.com/xv5jK9eFAQ
— Ryan Sikes (@rms_hockey) May 19, 2025

The numbers

Nestrasil went pointless in 11 games played for Muskegon of the USHL after joining the team in January of 2024. In ’24-’25, his first full season with the Lumberjacks, he posted 19 goals and 23 assists in 61 regular season games.
He compiled an additional seven goals and six helpers for a total of 13 points in 14 playoff games en route to Muskegon’s first-ever Clarke Cup Championship as winners of the USHL Playoffs, back in May.
Nestrasil was ranked 36th amongst North American skaters in the final edition of NHL Central Scouting’s rankings.

Availability and fit

Nestrasil is somewhat of a project; he’ll need to refine and work out the kinks in his game before taking the ice for an NHL team. However, he has certain tools that scouts and GMs salivate over, namely his size and speed, which makes him an intriguing prospect.
His large frame makes the Praha native all but a shoo-in to eventually break into the league, but whoever drafts him may have to exercise patience, allowing for years of growth and development. The Flames could be a candidate as they are not necessarily in need of an immediate impact player out of the draft given that they’re still in the midst of a rebuild.
Nestrasil brings a unique combination size, speed and offensive creativity to the table, all things Calgary will covet as they continue to build towards the future. Currently, Matt Coronato and Adam Klapka are the Flames’ only long-term options on the right side, leaving room for Nestrasil to fill a middle-six role in the future.
There is an outside chance he’ll be taken at the end of the first round, but in all likelihood, Nestrasil will go somewhere in the second round, maybe even to the Flames at pick 54.
Nestrasil is set to play for the University of Massachusetts (UMass) in 2025-26, where Flames’ 2023 third-rounder Aydar Suniev has spent the past two seasons.
Get ready for wall-to-wall coverage of one of the biggest days in the calendar — the Daily Faceoff Live Free Agency Special goes live on July 1st at 11 AM EST. Host Tyler Yaremchuk is joined by Carter Hutton, Matthew Barnaby, Jeff Marek, Hart Levine, Colby Cohen, Jonny Lazarus, and insiders from across the Network for three hours of in-depth analysis, live reactions, and real-time updates on every major signing and trade. From blockbuster deals to under-the-radar moves, we’re breaking it all down as it happens. Don’t miss a minute — catch the full special live on DailyFaceoff.com and Daily Faceoff’s YouTube.

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