The 2025 NHL Draft is just 16 days away, and with the combine now in the rearview mirror, NHL teams are meeting with their scouting staffs to go over potential picks and finalize their draft boards.

In my last Columbus Blue Jackets draft target piece, we looked at Kashawn Aitcheson of the Barrie Colts. Today, we’re going to focus on a monster of a man — Radim Mrtka from the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL.

Let's take a look at who he is and what the experts are saying. 

Scouting Report

Team: Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

2024-25 Stats: 3 G, 32 A, 35 P, 46 PIM

DOB: June 09, 2007

Position: Defense

Shoots: Right

Height: 6-foot-6

Weight: 218 lbs

Mrtka is a huge, right-handed shooting defenseman who plays a strong two-way game. Not only does he use his size to his advantage, but he's also naturally gifted with some offensive talent. In this year’s draft, he’s widely considered to be the second-best defenseman behind the consensus first overall pick, Matthew Schaefer.

Mrtka is kind of a wild card in the 2025 NHL Draft. Some mock drafts have him going in the top seven, while others have him in the top 10 or even into the top 15. That just shows how much he’s impressed scouts and various draft outlets, with some having him higher than others. If he does fall to the Columbus Blue Jackets at 14, it creates an interesting situation. Between him, Joshua Ravensbergen, Aitcheson, and a few other names, the Blue Jackets would be looking at three or four players who could become key pieces in the future.

This is where GM Don Waddell will need to rely on his scouting staff and trust their process. Whoever they like at 14 could be a major part of the organization's plans moving forward.

What the Scouts Are Saying

“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.” — Elite Prospects – 2025

“The giant, right-shot defenceman provides a wide-ranging skill set. He’s proven he’s capable of contributing better than secondary offence (3G-32A in 43 regular season games) and can be relied upon to block shots and kill plays defensively with his size and length.” — Jason Bukala – Sportsnet

“His mobility at 6-foot-6 makes him an incredibly intriguing package, but it's his competence with the puck in any situation that will make teams interested in him on draft day. He could be a minute muncher who can capably move the puck up the ice after shutting the opposing team down.” — Tony Ferrari – The Hockey News

“The big right-shot defenseman has made a smooth adjustment to hockey in North America after starting the season playing limited ice time with Trinec in the top professional league in the Czech Republic. The extra work he's getting has allowed him to showcase his outstanding skating and growing offensive game. Defensively, he can use his long stick to keep forwards to the outside or break up plays on the rush.” — Adam Kimelman – NHL.com

If the Blue Jackets were to select Mrtka with the 14th overall pick, it would be a clear move focused on the long-term. A player with his combination of size, mobility, and offensive instincts could be an ideal partner for Zach Werenski on the team’s top pairing in the future. With Werenski’s experience and Mrtka’s upside, that duo has the potential to anchor the Blue Jackets’ blue line for years to come.

Let us know what you think below.

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