Sabres choose Mrtka with ninth decide in NHL Draft
The Buffalo Sabres have chosen right-shot defenseman Radim Mrtka with the ninth-overall decide within the 2025 NHL Draft.
Mrtka, a local Havlickuv Brod, Czechia, performed this previous season with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League (WHL), accumulating 35 factors (3+32) and a plus-10 ranking in 43 common season video games. His 0.81 factors per recreation ranked third among the many WHL’s rookie defensemen. His worldwide expertise contains back-to-back years representing Czechia on the Below-18 World Junior Championship, in addition to a silver medal on the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
The 6-foot-6, 218-pound blueliner has been lauded for his defensive stickwork, attain and skating means, plus a knack for leaping into the play and producing offense.
NHL.com’s Mike G. Morreale, who mentioned prime draft prospects earlier this month with Sabres.com, sees huge potential within the 18-year-old Mrtka, who wasn’t absolutely dedicated to a profession in hockey till a number of years in the past.
“He by no means went to a abilities camp or a skating clinic previous to the age of 14,” Morreale stated. “That’s why I believe, of any prospect on this draft, the ceiling is the very best for him. He’s already a giant man at 6-6, however when he begins to be taught the sport much more, what he can do with that measurement body, I believe it’s gonna be fairly scary.”
Added The Athletic’s Corey Pronman: “I believe Mrtka undoubtedly has the potential to be a long-time top-four defenseman who simply performs dependable, regular minutes in all conditions.”
As a taller, youthful participant, Mrtka admitted on the NHL Scouting Mix, he held again to keep away from taking penalties. Now, he’s intent on bettering the bodily facet of his recreation.
“After I was younger, I used to be all the time large, so after I hit any person, I made it to the penalty field,” Mrtka stated. “So, I type of performed with out physique to [stay] on the ice. So, proper now, when all people’s getting greater and stronger, I can play extra bodily. So, it’s getting higher.”
The Sabres are already well-stocked with left-shot defensemen signed long-term, a bunch led by Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Energy, Mattias Samuelsson. A day after including the right-shot Michael Kesselring by way of commerce from Utah, Buffalo continues to strengthen its organizational depth on the place.
Right here’s NHL Central Scouting’s description of Mrtka: “An enormous 6’6” right-handed two-way defenseman. He appears just like the prototype of an NHL participant. A cell, robust skater with good acceleration and pace for a participant of his measurement. Performs with confidence, handles the puck nicely, and likes to make use of his large body in battles. Good attain and a advantageous understanding of the sport. Performs a stable two-way recreation and likes to affix the push. Makes sensible passes. Robust to play in opposition to near the online. Positive work ethic. Excellent with the puck below checking stress. Generates many photographs from the again finish, particularly when enjoying on the facility play. Good at leaping down from the purpose to complete off a scoring likelihood. Bins out and protects his net-front nicely. Wins board battles with consistency. Sticks up for and involves the help of teammates. Efficient on the penalty kill with a great and lively keep on with strip and disrupt.”
The Sabres entered the draft with 10 complete picks, together with 9 Day 2 choices. Rounds 2 by means of 7 might be held on Saturday starting at 12 p.m.
Buffalo’s remaining picks are as follows:
Spherical 2, thirty ninth general
Spherical 3, 71st general
Spherical 4, 103rd general
Spherical 4, 116th general (from MIN by way of ANA)
Spherical 5, one hundred and thirty fifth general
Spherical 6, 167th general
Spherical 7, 195th general (from NSH)
Spherical 7, 199th general
Spherical 7, 219th general (from WSH by way of SJS)