While I was finishing up my summary/scouting report of the Red Wings’ prospects and free agent invites participating in the Prospect Games, Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen spotlighted four players which he’s going to watch closely in Traverse City (over the course of a subscriber-only article), and his first player is free agent signing Jakub Rychlovsky:
If an NHL scout is watching a 22-year-old, a projection is still required because that player is likely playing outside the NHL. If you watch a player dominate in the Swedish Hockey League, or the KHL, or Swiss National League, what does that really mean? It’s like you have to figure out the exchange rate. If player 26 goals in the Czech Extraliga, how many can he score in the NHL? The scout has to determine whether that player’s skill set would translate against the bigger, stronger and faster NHL competition. It’s a challenging assessment.
That’s why the Red Wings are thankful to have an opportunity to view Jakub Rychlovsky against the Dallas Stars in their two-game series in Traverse City.
He’s probably the most intriguing player there because it’s difficult to know what the Red Wings from are getting his signing. He led the Czech Extraliga in goals, and he has skills. But the Red Wings haven’t seen him against better competition. Detroit officials have seen Michael Brandsegg-Nygard against NHL players at the World Championship, and they have seen Nate Danielson against NHL teams in the preseason and AHL players in the postseason.
“(Rychlovsky is a) quiet, strong little guy,” said Dan Cleary, Director of Player Development. “I was friends with someone who was coaching him in Czech, so he kind of reached out. He thought it was a great signing for us. I haven’t seen him play live in a game. But just watching him skate, handle the puck, move it, he’s a driven young kid. We’ll see how it goes. Going from the Czech league to Grand Rapids is a bit of an adjustment. These kids are young. But I think he’s got a good, strong base. We’ll see.”
Continued (paywall); Rychlovsky will be evaluated throughout the Prospect Games, training camp and the exhibition season, so if he stumbles in one aspect of his game, the Wings will be there to catch him. He will, however, have to prove that he’s willing to take the North American grind of professional hockey and pro hockey bus travel in order to make the Wings’ roster.
