NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Robin Kovacs

Get to Know Robin Kovacs

Date of Birth: 11/16/1996
Place of Birth: Stockholm, SWE
Ht: 6’0″ Wt: 172 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Left Wing/Right Wing
Team: AIK (Allsvenskan – 2nd tier Swedish league)

Statistics

What Scouts See

Elite Prospects:

A speedy winger that likes to agitate opponents and then strike quickly. Possesses great stickhandling ability and creativity, and is potent on the power play and penalty kill, as he recognizes scoring chances and is quick to act. Loves to play a puck-possession game and can pick his spot like no other when ripping his shots. All-in-all, an all-around winger that players hate to play against due to his skill level and the effectiveness of his agitation.

Future Considerations:

A skilled forward who has a strong understanding of the game…very fast on his feet and quick agility make him dangerous both in the offensive zone and in defensive situations…impressive offensive instincts…creative and quick hands with the puck… has a great shot that can turn into a goalie’s nightmare…sees the ice well and makes some impressive passes…

Likes the puck on his stick and will go to the net…skating and instincts make him a dangerous penalty killer…can be hot-tempered and takes undisciplined penalties…willing to talk and get under his opponent’s skin, but is not overly physical or strong.

Draft Buzz Hockey:

A dangerous winger in flight, Robin Kovacs has the ability to sneak past D and affect the game’s momentum in an instant with a booming shot. With decent size, Kovacs plays with a chippiness and is eager to throw his weight around, though he isn’t an intimidating type. His skating is exceptional for quick bursts and he shows strength in turns with his long legs. Though he does have immense offensive potential, Kovacs needs to improve his consistency in many facets.

His skating while initially has a quick punch, can appear to drop off in speed and acceleration when tired. He was prone to airhead type moments where he either made an errant pass, sloppy handle, or plain skated himself out of an opportunity. He is at his best when he is skating hard and keeping it simple with the puck. With all the promise in the world, Kovacs needs to show his older age and start to produce as expected this season.

Highlights (When it applies, otherwise don’t worry about it)
Kovacs scores in the last 15 seconds.

Kovacs scores at ~6:00 mark

NHL Potential

With his high ceiling and shooting ability, Kovacs profiles best as a goal-scoring top six winger. If he struggles to reach that level of offensive consistency, he already plays a strong enough two-way game that he could be an effective third line player with goal-scoring upside. Wherever he ends up playing, his ability to shoot the puck will always make him a threat.

Expected Draft Position

Kovacs is a tough player to get a read on because his rankings vary so wildly. Future Considerations and Corey Pronman have Kovacs inside the top 60 while Bob McKenzie has him outside the top 75 and Craig Button doesn’t have him in his top 100. Because of this, we’ll go conservative and say at best he’s a late second round pick and should realistically look for his name to come off the board starting in the third round.

How Prospect Fits in Avalanche Organization

Assuming the rankings give some idea of how the actual draft will unfold, Kovacs and the Avalanche realistically begin to make sense in the third round, where Colorado selects 71st overall. If the Avs select him there, I think they’re getting an intriguing prospect with huge potential upside.

Colorado’s wingers are pretty weak throughout the system and while Kovacs is currently a bit on the small side, his frame could probably add another 20 pounds, increasing the effectiveness of his agitating two-way game. He would be a very fit with the Avalanche because he brings the kind of goal-scoring dynamic that is lacking throughout Colorado’s system, especially at winger.

If the Avs were able to land Kovacs in the fourth round, he represents the kind of high-upside chance the Avalanche shied away from during the Rick Pracey Era that has left their system so barren. Personally, I think the Avs and Kovacs make a perfect mid-round marriage.