Penguins Draft Profile: Samuel Honzek
The Pittsburgh Penguins can improve their organizational forward depth in the 2023 NHL Draft by selecting Samuel Honzek.
Inside the Penguins' draft coverage rolls on with another forward that has been projected to go to the Pittsburgh Penguins in this upcoming draft. Our next profile is on forward Samuel Honzek from the Western Hockey League (WHL).
Essentials:
2022-23 Team: Vancouver (WHL)
Position: Winger
Height and Weight: 6’4, 185 pounds
NHL Central Scouting: 9th (among North American skaters)
Elite Prospects: 22nd
Shoots: Left
Position: Center/Left-Wing
2022-23 Stats: 43 GP, 23 G, 33 A, 56 P
Player Breakdown:
Honzek arrived via the CHL Import Draft in 2022, and has been a force in the WHL ever since. Despite missing around 20 games this past season, Honzek was Vancouver’s best player with 56 points in 43 games. He is an all-around, every situation type of player, receiving significant power play and penalty killing time in one lone season in Vancouver.
Honzek projects to be a top-six winger with some seasons of maturation and development. He plays both center and wing, but will most likely stick as a winger at the NHL level.
What stands out most about this game is his desire to get towards the net. When he’s in the offensive zone, he loves to get the puck in between the face-off dots to make something happen in tight. You want Honzek on your side when trying to score, as he creates chaos in front of the net but has the skill to make plays in difficult situations. He has surprisingly smooth hands, and makes plays happen near the crease. He also uses his size well to get into and set up scoring chances. His size is what stands out to so many, but he has a playmaking ability that is just as impressive. With his impressive mix of skill and size, he projects to not only be a top-six winger, but also a player that will be heavily utilized on the power play in a variety of roles.
What Needs To Improve:
Due to Honzek’s large frame, he looks awkward at times. It’s tough to tell whether there is an issue with his skating technique, or if he is still getting used to his size on the ice. Either way, the largest obstacle to him jumping to the NHL is improving his skating in general. He will also need, like so many of the first round prospects available, to round out his defensive game. Despite his penalty killing time this past season, his awareness in the defensive zone needs improvement. NHL organizations will want to utilize his strength and toolset in both zones of the ice, and the sooner he improves in the defensive end, the sooner he’ll be in the NHL.
NHL Player Comparison: Valeri Nischuskin
NHL ETA: 2025-26 season
Honzek seems to be a productive middle six winger in the making. He doesn’t project to be a franchise changing player, but a consistent 20 goal scorer feels likely, if not certain. With some more time to round out his 200 foot game, he will be a regular contributor at the NHL level and could develop into a true top-line forward with the right team.
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I personally would call it a good decision that looks good