When you are selecting sixth overall, you are not going to get the chance to select "the best player" at any given position. However, there is a chance you could get the "second best". A bona fide center would make most Flyers fans drool. It's something they've been lacking for quite a while now. However, what if the Flyers could get a big defender who has a chance to be a real game-changer? Radim Mrtka of Czechia could be someone the Flyers are looking at.
Mrtka is 6'5" and 202 lbs at the age of 18. That's just an inch shorter than Chris Pronger. Be honest. How many Flyers' fans out there right now would love to have a Chris Pronger-like defender patrolling the blue line? That's what I thought.
The right-handed defender is more than just a big, hulking mass. In his first season with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the AHL, Mrtka scored three goals with 32 assists. Despite his hulking size, he is surprisingly agile.
In their scouting report, the Hockey Writers said this about Mrtka:
"He is a towering defender, but his mobility isn’t affected by his size. He skates well, has the IQ at both ends of the ice to be considered an elite defender in the WHL, and is a solid contributor in special-teams situations. His puck skills are quite impressive, and his confidence with the puck on his stick was evident all season."
Right-handed defenders are always valuable. Big defenders who can deliver a hit and patrol the defensive zone are a plus. Ones that, despite their bulky size, aren't moving like a boulder are even more highly desired.
Some see Mrtka as the second-best defender available. However, some see sixth as too high of a draft spot for him; with several analysts suggesting he is more in the 10 through 15 range as he still seems fairly raw. Daniel Briere could select someone at six and then package the two late first-round picks for Mrtka. Hey, it's possible.
With Rasmus Ristolainen on the mend and Cam York's situation up in the air, the Flyers need some options. Right now, Mrtka looks like he could be among the best ones available. Besides, it'd be nice to finally have a defender who can intimidate an offensive player coming into the zone. The last guy the Flyers had like that was Radko Gudas. However, it might be nice to find someone who won't put them on the penalty kill so often.
Mrtka is an intriguing option. He may be young and raw, but he could be getting ready to come into his own and be a beast in the NHL. Perhaps the Flyers should give him a look.