#4: Samuel Honzek, Center/Wing, WHL
I have Samuel Honzek at No.4 on my current Nashville Predators draft board because he’s massive at 6’4″ but still has impressive skating for being that large. It could mean his transition to the NHL eventually would be a little more seamless than someone who is undersized and could get pushed around by bigger NHL players.
With that said, Honzek is safe pick, but not necessarily one that jumps out as a potential home run pick, either. Honzek cracks my list because you never know what might happen in the first 14 picks, and he would at least be a very nice backup plan that I wouldn’t be upset about.
Honzek has invaluable experience playing against hockey veterans in Slovakia. He has just one season under his belt in North America, playing for the Vancouver Giants and showing no hiccups in the transition with 56 points in 43 games. Very optimal if you’re thinking about drafting him.
This would be a pick for a few seasons down the road before seeing Honzek in a Predators sweater. Likely at least two or three seasons fine tuning his offensive game, which is why this wouldn’t be a lights out pick by any means, but safe.
Honzek with the right development path can eventually become a top-six player at either wing or center. Again, a quality backup pick if some other preferred targets come off the board before No.15 and you don’t trade up.