6'6" Top D Prospect Reveals He Met With One Specific Canadian Team More Than Any Other in the NHL
Photo credit: Elite Prospects
Radim Mrtka, a 6'6" defenseman expected to be one of the top blue liners in the upcoming 2025 NHL Entry Draft, reveals he's met with one Canadian club more exclusively than any other.
The Montreal Canadiens are set to have a pair of selections in the 1st round of the upcoming 2025 NHL Entry Draft, which will be held later this month in Los Angeles.
They not only landed the 17th overall pick in the NHL Draft Lottery, but also have the 16th pick because of the Sean Monahan trade with the Calgary Flames in 2022.
Are the Canadiens on the verge of landing a physically imposing blue liner?
Defenseman Radim Mrtka, who played this year with the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds, explained during a recent interview at the 2025 NHL Scouting Combine at KeyBank Center and LECOM Harborcenter in Buffalo that he's met with the Habs more than any other NHL club based in Canada.
It's with Montreal that I've had the most discussions this year.
Mrtka's scouting report via Elite Prospects reads as follows:
While Mrtka isn't a particularly punishing player, he's an active and aware defender. He scans for threats, ties them up, and rotates well.
Though he lands the occasional big hit, his physical impact comes through his ability to absorb contact, win retrievals, and deny space.
With possession, Mrtka's no slouch, either. He makes tricky passes off the wall on retrievals, joins the rush, and manages space well at the top of the zone.
Though he lands the occasional big hit, his physical impact comes through his ability to absorb contact, win retrievals, and deny space.
With possession, Mrtka's no slouch, either. He makes tricky passes off the wall on retrievals, joins the rush, and manages space well at the top of the zone.
Mrtka, who played for multiple teams while growing up in Czechia, had 35 points (3G, 32A) in 43 games with the Thunderbirds this year.
The Canadiens returned to the postseason for the 1st time since their miracle run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021, and will be hoping to take the next step thanks to their influx of young talent next year.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 7 | 195 ANSWERS 6'6" Top D Prospect Reveals He Met With One Specific Canadian Team More Than Any Other in the NHL Should the Canadiens select defenseman Radim Mrtka in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft? | ||
| Yes | 134 | 68.7 % |
| No | 61 | 31.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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