The Scouting Report
Center Kamil Bednarik is an 18-year-old from Elmhurst, Illinois. A gifted skater, he has a bit of everything but is not elite at one single skill. He is a versatile player who plays with grit and physical play in his game. Last season, he played for the U.S. National U18 team, posting 26 goals and 39 assists for 65 points in 61 games. He was also a +21 and had 58 penalty minutes. Well-rounded skill player who leads by example.
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Draft Projections
Ranked #81 by eliteprospects.com
Ranked #52 by TSN/ Craig Button
Ranked #52 by Daily Faceoff
Ranked #28 by NHL Central Scouting (NA Skaters)
Ranked #58 by Dobber Prospects
Ranked #55 by Conrad Jack of Inside the Rink
I’ve highlighted some of Kamil Bednarik’s attributes. Let’s take a deeper dive into his attributes and areas for improvement.
Energy
Bednarik has a non-stop motor once he hits the ice. He does not stop moving in any zone, and his energy and speed create turnovers and odd-man rushes. Does not quit on any shift and uses that energy to fuel his teammates, especially on a long shift. His no-quit attitude keeps him in the game, and he uses his speed effectively when breaking up plays or creating chances.
Body Positioning
As a player who plays a 200-foot game, this is important. On defense, he perfectly positions himself between an opposing player and the puck, rarely out of position. On offense, he positions himself to get open and receive a pass for an opportunity. He also has a good board game, allowing his body to get positioning in the corners to get the puck to a teammate. His speed, energy, and offensive abilities are his top-tier attributes, but his body positioning is something to take note of.
Areas for Improvement
His shot
While he can pile up points with the best of them, his shot needs some work. He gets it on the net, but his shot is stoppable and not lethal. The accuracy of his shots is decent, and could be a little more precise with his array of shots and could use a bit more zip. He is in the middle of the pack as far as shots go in this draft class but he does score his share of goals.
Power play
His work on the power play could use some attention. At times, he gets lost in the play and turns the puck over. His offensive zone entry on the power play causes his team to be offside when entering the zone. Bednarik can also use some work on his timing, both for shots and passing as he does not seem to perfect that craft on the man-advantage.
Prospect Potential
Unless Bednarik gets drafted by an offensively explosive team, he will play a second or third-line role with an offensive punch. His point production and energy will keep him in the top six and give him power play time due to his creativity. He could contribute 50 points on any given team, but would not be surprised if he hits 55-60 points in any given season.
Best Potential Fit
With his offensive potential and where he could be drafted, the Pittsburgh Penguins at #44 makes sense. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are getting older, and the prospect pipeline lacking future stars. Bednarik would fit nicely with this organization because of his offense and two-way game. his offense in the future could come in handy with the retirements of Crosby and Malkin shortly.
Final Thought
Bednarik is not an elite talent, but he is consistent with his offensive production. He has the tools to be successful in the NHL sooner than later. He needs to work on some things, but the future is bright. His potential to succeed is high regardless of what team drafts him. Bednarik is a player who could be in the NHL for years to come based on his skill set.
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