[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Monster Edition, Vol. 4):

RW Vaclav Nestrasil (6'5",190)
Muskegon (USHL): 38gp/ 12g/ 15a/ 27pts,-3, 14 PIM

What makes Vaclav Nestrasil good enough to be ranked # 60 by Bob McKenzie, and # 46 (NA Skaters) by Central Scouting? Well, he's got the tantalizing mix of enormous size combined with shockingly good mobility that makes scouts drool. He may not be getting the most out of his stride, as it's still a bit choppy and short, but he moves very well with the ability to push supreme pace, and win races to loose pucks- it's quite a treat to watch. To augment his speed, he keeps his feet moving, tapping into his high workrate and tireless motor. His speed and pace make him intimidating off the rush, driving defensemen back while he gains the zone, and delays to wait for the play to develop. Transition is where Nestrasil shows the most value, and it's breathtaking how he drives the middle of the neutral zone, showing off his magnificent small-area passing-skill in connecting plays through give-and-go's. He handles quite well, and his puck-protection is superb- enabling him to power through checks along the boards, while making room for himself with a myriad of dekes and feints. He also understands how to draw attention, in order to open space to pass through.

Nestrasil is really starting to put it together in Muskegon, with 11 points in his last 10 games, to tie him for 31st in USHL scoring, and 7th for U-18 players in that league. He isn't the biggest goal-scorer, but he can rip a puck, and he's very inside-driven, with no fear in crashing the net to finish in-tight- he's an intimidating net-front presence. He skates with his head up to map out his surroundings, and finds his teammates in the slot; there's flashes of high-end skill and play-creation, and he's not at all afraid to attempt to make some of the more complex plays that he thinks up, even if a lot of those attempts don't work out. There's good ideas there that his abilities and timing need to catch up to. His hockey sense is well-developed, with good skill and an intelligent, detailed off-puck game; he can sneak his way into open space in high-danger areas, and arrives in the slot at the exact right time. Nestrasil uses his size well- imposing himself down-low, dominating along the wall, and flying in hard and heavy on the forecheck to disrupt and dislodge pucks. He's quite physical and a little violent at times, hitting his prey early and often, but doesn't take too many penalties in the course of these actions- he's smart and controlled. He uses his body as leverage in battles at the net-front and in retrievals, and wins inside position on attackers.

In the neutral zone, Nestrasil holds tremendous value in transition, but he also shows the smarts to proactively cut off plays defensively before they enter the zone, using his enormous range and well-timed stick to create pressure on puck-carriers, and sealing off entries with his body. He hounds puck-carriers in the zone, and keeps them to the outside, and he will support his D down low- even covering for them if they have to leave their post. Nestrasil is engaged and hard-working in his own zone, but will have a high ceiling if he can keep growing his offensive game, and start turning his "ideas" into goals for his team more often. This kid has big upside, and I think the best is yet to come. He is committed to UMass for the 2026-27 season, and may hear his name called in the 2nd, or 3rd-round of this summer's draft.