Dallas Stars draft prospect report: Martin Necas

The Dallas Stars have the third overall pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and it’s one of the most intriguing spots in the draft.

Brandon Wheat Kings center Nolan Patrick and Halifax Moosheads center Nico Hischier are considered the top prospects in this draft class. There is some debate whether Patrick or Hischier will go first overall, but there seems to be a consensus opinion that neither will make it past the second pick.

That means the Stars could go in any direction at No. 3 and it’s not a bad spot. While this draft is considered weaker than past years, Dallas will still get a very good prospect at No. 3 and a player that should make an impact in the NHL.

Since the NHL Draft Lottery I’ve taken time to watch video and spoken with others that have watched these draft prospects closely to create my own scouting reports for 12 players that Dallas could consider at No. 3.

Today we are looking at Martin Necas. You can follow these links for past scouting reports on Casey Mittelstadt, Gabriel Vilardi, Michael Rasmussen, Cody Glass, Owen Tippett, Eeli Tolvanen, Klim Kostin, Elias Pattersson, Lias Andersson, and Miro Heiskanen. 

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Martin Necas
HC Kometa Brno (Extraliga)
6-foot, 167 pounds

Having talked to a couple European-based scouts, it’s fair argument that Martin Necas could be the best prospect out of the Czech Extraliga in almost a decade.

(Remember many Czech prospects end up going other routes, for example Radek Faksa was drafted out of the OHL).

Necas plays both wing and center HC Kometa Brno and was a key contributor in 41 games, while he also played one game against his peers in the under-20 league, and dominated competition.

Necas started to move up draft boards during the World Junior Championships as a 17-year-old (he turned 18 on Jan. 15). He had three points in five games and added to his stock in the Under-18 championships as well.

His skating ability stands out right away, he’s fast and he’s smart. Necas goes to the right areas and he takes advantage of his talent to create separation. He’s a good finisher around the net, while his passing ability and vision with the puck are an asset to his teammates.

Necas is also very good on faceoffs. He could play wing or center in the NHL, and if he becomes a wing he could become a reliable asset for a team looking to have multiple face-off men on one line (similar how Jamie Benn, a left wing, takes face-offs for Dallas in the left circle).

A strong defensive player, Necas fits the mold of a two-way player that works hard in all three zones. He needs to bulk up a bit at 6-foot (180 CM) and 167 pounds (76 KG), but work ethic doesn’t seem to be an issue for the Czech.

Necas will probably be a top-10 pick, something that many wouldn’t have expected before his performance this past season. But after a strong showing at the 2016 Martin Hlinka Tournament, where he captained the Czech’s his stock has been on a consistent rise.

Probably not a top-five selection, simply because of the other players available and their talents, but Necas will be a solid top-10 pick and a steal if he falls out of the first dozen picks.