WHL insider breaks down Seattle's Radim Mrtka, a projected option at 13th overall for the Detroit Red Wings.
The NHL draft is just six days away and with all the mock drafts from every media outlet, it's difficult to find much on an individual player's talents besides the first couple of picks.
The Detroit Red Wings are sitting with the 13th overall pick and have been linked to a couple names but one of the names that continues to circulate is Radim Mrtka from the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL.
A 6-foot-6 defenceman out of Czechia's HC Oceláři Třinec program, has emerged as one of the more intriguing European blueliners in this year’s draft class. He posted just three goals but 32 assists for 35 points through 43 regular season games with the Thunderbirds.
Luckily for us, WHL insider for The Hockey News, Dawson Petryshen has watched some of Mrtka's game when representing Czechia at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
"A big body that can move, and uses his reach in such smart ways," Petryshen said on Mrtka "I was thrilled when he came over from Czechia, and it wouldn't surprise me to see Mrtka crack a top-four position at the next level once he smooths the edges on his offensive game."
Mrtka has dazzled on the international stage with a goal and three assists for four points through five games at last year's IIHF U18 World Championship, solidifying his stock as a first-round talent.
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TSN's Craig Button had Mrtka going 13th to Detroit, saying: “Mrtka is the kind of defenceman you win with. He’s responsible defensively, has a nose for the net, and brings a physical element. There’s upside there as a second-line winger who can kill penalties and be a net-front guy on the power play.”
Corey Pronman of The Athletic also had listed Mrtka as a potential top-15 riser, citing his combination of size, finishing ability, and work ethic.
If Detroit selects Radim Mrtka at 13, it would signal a continued investment in high-upside European talent with a physical edge. His skating stride, while not elite, is improving, and his ability to shift gears from the backend up into the neutral zone and gives him the versatility Detroit often covets.
In a city built on strength and precision, Mrtka's game could be a natural fit, bringing both grit and polish to the Motor City.
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