[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Swedish Edition, Vol. 5)

LW Melvin Novotny (6'1",187lbs)
Leksands (J20): 32gp/ 11g/ 16a/ 27pts, +4, 35 PIM

Considering Melvin Novotny's numbers in 2023-24 (10 points in 11 J20 games), his production this year is a bit disappointing, and I wonder if that's because he's leaning into his defensive duties, which seemed to be the case at the most recent World Junior A Challenge. In that tournament, he produced 5 points in 5 games (tied for 10th-overall, and 6th on Team Sweden), and showcased his smart two-way game. Novotny, who is ranked as the 38th EU Skater by Central Scouting, also put up 3 points in 4 games in the summer's Hlinka-Gretzky Cup. He is versatile player, being able to play center as well as the wing, and plays in all situations- including both special teams.

Novotny is not bulging the twine at a pace that properly represents his goal-scoring ability; he owns a deep arsenal of quality shots, and employs deception in his release. His catch-and-release wrister is a bullet, his one-timer is a bomb, and he senses space in the slot to unleash- but he can also finish in-tight, converting tips and rebounds. With his keen vision and lofty IQ, Novotny can also connect on some high-end plays through layers of traffic, and does so with high-level passing skill to deliver the puck crisply and accurately to his teammate's blade. He sees the ice well, and has a slick small-area game that allows him to make slip passes through encroaching checkers' feet, or under their sticks, and he makes dangerous plays around (and through) the crease, as well as from behind the net to the slot. A high workrate and elevated pace drive his performance; he hustles hard and plays with energy and compete. He's always engaged, winning battles in the greasy areas above his weight class with his uncommon strength and reach. Novotny can be a physical player, but he's smart about it, and won't take himself out of position to look for a big hit. He is an above-average skater, but he's not getting the most out his stride, as it's a bit short and choppy; he covers a ton of ice in both ends of the rink with how active he plays, but his top-speed, explosiveness, and acceleration need work. He's a skilled handler who is strong on the puck with tight control, and protects well- which makes it hard to knock him off the puck, or to pick his pockets.

Novotny is a reliable defensive player and trusted penalty-killer with solid awareness and proactive positioning to kill rushes, disrupt plays, and take away the middle from attackers. He skates intelligently off-puck with sound instincts to open space for teammates, and to support the play in all three zones. He also contributes to his team's transition by connecting plays through the neutral zone in give-and-goes, but he doesn't hold on to the puck for too long. Novotny is perhaps not much of a play-driver, and may be more of an opportunistic scorer who makes plays by feeding off of his teammates, as opposed to being a creator. There's work to be done on his skating, but he also has to become more consistent, as his performances can vary from one game to the next- even if the effort is there. He has to shoot more, as passes up too many shots to go for a pass, and he has a good shot to work with, as well as a goal-scorer's instincts. He's a candidate for future middle-six winger duty in the NHL, and he'll most likely be taken in the 2nd, or 3rd-round.