Player Information
D.O.B – June 15th, 2005 (17 years old)
Height – 185cm / 6’1”
Weight – 91kg / 201lbs
Position – C
Shoots – Left Current team – AIK (HockeyAllsvenskan)
Introduction
After playing in a men’s league for the past three seasons (HC Banska Bystrica in 2020/21 and for AIK for the past two seasons) Dalibor Dvorský obviously came into this season with the buzz of a top 10 pick, and rightly so. Dvorský has a decent frame at 6’1” and 91kg so he sits at a middle ground in terms of NHL height and weight however Dvorský comes into his own with his offensive prowess with his equally impressive shooting and playmaking. Paired with his already elite shooting and passing is an excellent hockey IQ that can make split second decision while at full pace which makes Dvorský such a threat when going forward, especially on the powerplay.
Skating
Dvorský owns a solid base of skating ability with good speed however he doesn’t own the explosiveness I like to see in forwards and sometimes his first step lets him down so he doesn’t get the separation he needs to be higher up in this draft. However, Dalibor owns a great technical game which allows him to play a strong physical game whilst still playing the puck. In the clip below we see Dvorský receive a sloppy pass from a teammate which goes through his legs, using his reaction time turns quickly to be the first player to the puck. Once Dvorský is in control of the puck he uses his body to protect the puck from the defender’s stick (Olen Zwelleger).
Furthermore, we see Dvorský always look to take on players with his skating especially on the breakout and transition as we see below.
As shown in the clip Dvorský skates around the back of the net and picks up the puck to breakout. He then uses a clever fake pass to open a channel in front of him as Dans Locmelis (Latvia #11) bites on this read. Also, when Dvorský crosses the redline he uses a head fake to go around the outside of Darels Dukurs. Despite Dvorsky’s lack of explosiveness he does own solid top speed which he uses frequently and effectively. We see this in a game at the most recent World Juniors between Slovakia and Switzerland. The Slovakian forward picks up speed quickly and glides into the neutral zone and smartly dumps the puck into the left corner. Using his skating Dvorský beats the turning defender (Maximilian Streule) then uses a stick lift and plays the body.
Also, we see Dvorský play well with his back to the play, this time with AIK. When Dvorský receives the pass from behind the net he gets pressured by Marcus Karlström (#15) however Dvorský is able to turn on his backhand and evade the forechecker and break the puck out effectively. Although he plays himself into trouble at the end of the clip by skating into the four remaining defenders.
Overall, Dvorský has a very good skating profile, especially for a centre, he has a great strength in his legs and uses this excellently to protect and defend the puck even whilst in motion as shown below where he takes pressure from two different defenders, stays on his feet, and draws the hooking call.
Although he isn’t as explosive as other forwards in this draft he is of one the strongest skaters in this draft when it is paired with his offensive instincts and IQ.
Offensive play
Dalibor Dvorský has a genuine elite level offensive toolset which he looks to use at every opportunity. Dvorský has a wrist shot with exceptional release and deadly accuracy as shown below where he outwaits the forward (Charlie Stramel) as he goes on one knee to block the shot but Dvorský outwaits him and uses his lightning release to make the game 2-2.
When watching Dvorský we see how good he is when shooting from range as he can cross into the offensive zone and pick a corner from far out as shown below.
Furthermore, when looking at Dvorský’s shot map for this season we see a consistent band of shots on target from the blueline including three goals from these spots. Also, we see a heavy spread of shots from the right faceoff dot which is where we see Dvorský’s powerplay prowess.
Already, at such a young age, Dvorský can quarterback a powerplay as we see him take up the right wing slot. From this slot Dvorský can not only score with his pinpoint wrister or his powerful one timer but also drive offensive and can look for teammates open in the slot as shown below.
Dalibor Dvorský’s offensive capabilities are obvious and provisional top 10 ranking for the upcoming draft is largely based on this toolset. For me, the most impressive part of Dalibor’s game is how he uses his IQ and outstanding puck control effortlessly whilst in full flight is what will make him a success in the NHL. Other scouts have criticized his transition with Tony Ferrari saying ‘He has a ton of talent but wants to ride shotgun when he should be the driver of the bus’. I don’t see this to be the case for Dvorský as he grows older and this season we are seeing a confident skater who wants to attack and pick defensives apart, sometimes we see Dvorský dump the puck in more times than I would like however being a 17 year old in an extremely competitive men’s leagues we can’t criticize a player for making a safe play.
Physicality
For a forward of Dvorský’s talent he would be excused for not playing the body, but Dvorský often helps his team out by laying hits on the forecheck and defending himself when challenged.
Defensive play
Dvorský does a very good job as a two-way centre, although this isn’t what he has made his name doing. Dvorský often outworks a lot of his opponents against the boards in order to win the puck back whilst in the defensive and look to drive the play forward. Dvorský has great stick sense with a powerful stick lift and uses his stick well to trap his opponents blade against the boards. Finally, with Dvorský’s physicality and his willingness to throw a hit this means he owns solid defensive tools I just think his mind could be a touch sharper but he has all the tools to succeed defensively in the NHL.
Rankings
Dalibor Dvorský is currently ranked #9 by Recruit Scouting and seems to be a fringe top 10 pick in the upcoming draft. I back Dvorský to be a top 10 pick however if he does slip out of the top 10 it will be down to the sheer quality of this upcoming draft as he certainly has the ability of a top 10 pick. I currently have Dalibor Dvorský ranked #8 in the 2023 NHL Draft.
Conclusion
Dalibor Dvorský is a dynamic forward with a Swiss army knife of offensive ability with phenomenal hands which he can uses whilst in full flight. He also owns an equally great slapshot and wrist shot with a snappy release he is able to pick corners from range. Paired with Dvorský’s IQ and his ability to read plays before they happen this makes him an elite powerplay specialist with him already quarterbacking AIK powerplay this season.
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