NHL Draft 2012 Prospects: #12 Radek Faksa

The draft, hands down, is the best time of the hockey season. Maybe I'm just saying that because the Wild haven't been seen post-season action since 2008, but that is besides the point.

So, on June 22nd-23rd, we will all sit down in front of the television/computer and watch the draft. But if you are wondering, "who's who", then you haven't been reading HW because thats my job.

So without further ado:

Introducing our 2012 NHL #12 Draft Prospect - Radek Faksa

Accomplishments & Awards:

Prospect Jersey (What Would They Look Like In a Wild Jersey?):

Summarized Scouting Report

Strengths:

Weaknesses:

HW Projection:

Video Evidence:

Where Does He Fit In The Wild?

While I love Radek Faksa, the Wild already have a pleathora of talented centers with Mikael Granlund, Charlie Coyle, Johan Larsson and Zach Phillips.

Conclusion

This year it seems that label has fallen onto Radek Faksa.

In Faksa case, what we have is a smart two-way center blessed with size, smarts and an all-rounded offensive package. He has a dangerous shot, above-average playmaking skills and his board play and puck protection skills is one of the best in the draft. All that offensive potential is wrapped in a nice package with his elite defensive ability.

So why isn't he being considered in the top 5? Because he lacks the dynamic explosiveness many teams would like to see when they are hoping to get a top line forward. Dynamic play often suggests elite offensive creativity and that is what teams in the top 10 picks want, not some consistently reliable two-way centerman.

This is just a personal hunch, but I feel Raksa will prove many wrong. When I look at prospects, I believe the years after the draft is probably more important than the years before the draft, so I look for prospects who have the right tools in the right place surrounded by the right people.

I think Faksa can be one of the better players in this years draft. But then again, its a personal hunch.

Special thanks to HFBoards, Future Considerations, The Hockey Writers, TSN, OHLProspeccts and The Scouting Report