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Carolina Hurricanes: 3 Potential 2021 NHL Entry Draft First Round Targets

By Matthew Nidiffer

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 21: Don Waddell of the Carolina Hurricanes attends the 2019 NHL Draft at the Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 21: Don Waddell of the Carolina Hurricanes attends the 2019 NHL Draft at the Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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EDMONTON, AB – DECEMBER 27: Stanislav Svozil #5 of the Czech Republic skates against Russia during the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship at Rogers Place on December 27, 2020 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, AB – DECEMBER 27: Stanislav Svozil #5 of the Czech Republic skates against Russia during the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship at Rogers Place on December 27, 2020 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images) /

2. Stanislav Svozil

Okay, I tried to tell y’all there were gonna be some defenseman in this article.

Stanislav Svozil, currently ranked 20th by Consolidated Ranking, 26th by Future Considerations, and 28th by Dobber Prospects, is special.

Svozil, standing at 6’1″, 172 lbs., is currently playing for Team Czech Republic in this year’s World Junior Championship, and has been a standout defenseman since the beginning of the tournament. When not representing his country at the WJC, Svozil plays in the Czech Extraliga for HC Kometa Brno, but is currently on loan to HC Prerov in the Czech 2.liga.

Svozil’s passing and hockey IQ are among his greatest of traits, followed closely by his skating and his talent in the offensive zone, more specifically on the rush. Svozil has the makings of a powerplay quarterback in him, and can outlet pass like few others in his age group. Once established in the offensive zone, especially on the man advantage, Svozil has NHL-ready vision like no other. It might take a year or three to get the rest of his game to that level, however.

As far as draft rankings go, one of the few reasons players like Svozil (and draft classmate Corson Ceulemans, *hint, hint*) are available this far down the draft board is the sheer availability of incredible blueline talent in the first round and beyond of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Players like Carson Lambos, Brandt Clarke, and Owen Power are setting the standard for this year’s defensive prospect pool, and I am so here for it.

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