NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Adam Musil

Get to Know Adam Musil

Date of Birth: 03/26/1997
Place of Birth: Ottawa, ON, CN
Ht: 6’3″ Wt: 205 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: Right Wing/Center
Team: Red Deer Rebels (WHL)

Adam Musil is the kind of player who steps onto the ice and you immediately notice simply because he’s big. Then he starts skating around and he still draws your eye because big guys aren’t supposed to move that well. Then he starts hitting guys and chipping pucks to teammates and dominating along the boards and it starts making perfect sense why the NHL is courting this guy despite his mediocre scoring numbers.

A dual-citizen of Canada and the Czech Republic, Musil has taken the road less traveled by his family members as he has chosen to play under the Canadian flag in international tournaments. His grandfather, father, uncle, and older brother all opted to play under the Czech Republic flag in their careers, making Adam the black sheep. At last summer’s Ivan Hlinka Tournament, Musil certainly didn’t embarrass his new country affiliation as he accumulated 3 points in 5 games and put himself on the NHL radar.

A solid complementary winger on a defense-oriented Red Deer team, Musil performed admirably in his draft year, scoring 39 points in 66 games, and his size and play style will likely see him drafted sooner rather than later on June 27.

Statistics

What Scouts See

Cody Nickolet, WHL Scout from Future Considerations:

Adam Musil is a guy that really intrigues me for the draft. His skating has come miles over the last couple of years, which is a good thing because he’s a big boy that really benefits from that added mobility. He plays a heavy style of game and really excels away from the puck. Unfortunately he hasn’t shown much in the way of offensive progression, even if he does project more as a bottom 6 NHL player. His dad Frank was a long-time NHL player and his brother David is a member of the Edmonton Oilers organization.

mynhldraft.net:

A big, power forward…plays a real heavy game and is hard to handle for opponents…son of former NHLer Frantisek Musil…possesses a powerful stride, with a wide stance…busts his ass to get around the ice and plays with good intensity…strong on his skates, drives into the dirty areas…shoots well with a quick release and a hard shot…not a playmaker but does make the simple passes accurately… a big, strong kid that has some touch around the net and just plays the game the right way.

What BSN Avalanche sees

When watching Musil play, the first thing that jumps out at you is his size and mobility. He gets around the ice pretty well for a player whose frame is already as large as it is and he uses it to great effect. Like the reports say above, I saw Musil playing a very heavy game and imposing his will on opponents in each of my viewings.

Musil is excellent away from the puck, consistently putting himself into prime scoring positions and is eager to place himself in front of the opposing goaltender. His work in the cycle, especially the low-high favored style the Rebels played, generates consistent pressure on the opposition as he rarely loses puck battles along the wall.

His high hockey IQ is always on display as he’s able to read the play and be where he needs to be far more often than not. Defensively he’s not dominant but consistently shows high effort and was rarely pinned in his own zone in the games I saw.

Musil’s offensive upside appears limited as he isn’t a catalyst for high-volume scoring chances. Most of his production is the result of hard work and play in front of the net. He’s your throwback grinder who stands in front of the net, bangs home rebounds, and generally gets under the skin of opposing teams.

Highlights
It should come as no surprise that a player known for his physicality and agitating ways is highlighted via his fights. Here’s Musil with some pretty good tilts.


NHL Potential

Musil profiles as a solid bottom 6 player in the NHL. Unless his offense takes a major leap in the next few years, he’s not going to be a player who is prolific offensively but with growing advanced statistics acceptance, Musil definitely looks like a player who should be a positive possession player for his team.

He’s a major force down low and big, physical players with good hands are never not in demand in the NHL.

Expected Draft Position

Musil’s rankings are consistently in the 60’s, as he appears on 3 lists in that range, but has a low mark of 81 from ESPN’s Corey Pronman.

How Prospect Fits in Avalanche Organization

Musil would be an excellent fit with the Avalanche, provided he was drafted appropriately. He doesn’t profile to have enough offensive upside to justify being Colorado’s second round pick at 40th overall but in the third round at 71st overall Musil would be good value.

Colorado’s dearth of right wingers in the organization at all levels has to be a concern come draft day and Musil fits the exact mold Head Coach Patrick Roy has been looking for. The idea of Colorado potentially having a third line featuring Dennis Everberg on the left and Adam Musil on the right has to be intriguing to the front office if Musil is still on the board at 71.