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Radim Mrtka: “I’ve had the most discussions with Montreal this year”
Mathis Therrien
Radim Mrtka: “I’ve had the most discussions with Montreal this year”
Credit: Today marks the conclusion of the famous National Hockey League combine in Buffalo, where the majority of the top prospects in the upcoming draft undergo numerous physical tests, in addition to meeting NHL teams. It was a very busy week for the scouts of the various NHL teams, as they interviewed a large number of […]
Today marks the conclusion of the famous National Hockey League combine in Buffalo, where the majority of the top prospects in the upcoming draft undergo numerous physical tests, in addition to meeting NHL teams.

It was a very busy week for the scouts of the various NHL teams, as they interviewed a large number of prospects.

Once again this year, the Canadiens retained their title as the team asking the most unusual questions.

In short, the Combine is an important event for NHL prospects and teams, and for us too, as we learn a great deal of interesting information.

We learn about the interest of certain teams in certain prospects, and we learn from the prospects which teams have talked to them the most this season.

And in the second category of information, well, we learned today via Nicolas Cloutier, that for prospect Radim Mrtka, it was with Montreal that he had talked the most this season.

Now, most of you are going to ask me who this prospect with the unpronounceable name is.

So, here’s a general portrait of Radim Mrtka.

He’s a 6-foot-5, 218-pound Czech right-handed defenseman who played in the WHL this season with the Seattle Thunderbirds.

This was his first season in North America, and he scored 35 points, including three goals, in 43 games.

Mrtka is 17 years old, and will turn 18 in two days, on June 9.

He’s a very physical defenseman, and it’s clear that his size should allow him to be drafted in the top-15, if various projections are to be believed.

Anyway, now that you know more about Mrtka, let’s get back to the Habs’ interest in this giant-sized defenseman.

The Czech prospect said today that the Canadiens were the team with whom he had the most discussions this season, which is no mean feat.

This clearly indicates a strong interest on the part of the Habs, who are looking to add a very big, right-handed defenseman to their bank of prospects.

The problem is that Mrtka, who compares his game to that of Victor Hedman and Moritz Seider, is very likely to have already been selected with the Habs’ two first-round picks, the 16th and 17th choices.

In fact, Mrtka believes the Habs are hoping he’ll be available at #16.

Mrtka, who sees himself playing on Lane Hutson’s right, has no fear of competing internally with David Reinbacher and Logan Mailloux.

The Czech defenseman would be a very interesting addition to the Habs’ bank of prospects, but for that to happen, the Habs will clearly have to try to move up in the draft, barring a miracle.

In short, what’s interesting to note about the Habs after this week’s combine is that they met with several prospects who should no longer be available at 16th and 17th.

Does this reveal something about the Habs’ plan to move up?

Stay tuned.


Overtime

– One to watch.

– He’ll pocket a lot of money in his next contract.

– Awesome.

– Wow.

– Coco Gauff champion at Roland-Garros.

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