Detroit Red Wings

Nine for Nine: Will Red Wings Draft Dalibor Dvorsky?

Published

11 months ago

June 19, 2023

Before the NHL draft on June 28-29, Detroit Hockey Now will review nine different players who have a chance to be selected ninth overall by the Detroit Red Wings. Today’s installment looks at Slovakian center Dalibor Dvorsky.

Dalibor Dvorsky

Position: Center; Ht./wt.: 6-1, 201

Playing style: Projects to be a second line center

NHL Central Scouting Rating: Third among international skaters.

Country: Sweden.

League: AIK , Sweden 2

Scouting Report

Some prospects have more pizzazz than Dvorsky. But most NHL scouts seem to appreciate how Dvorsky plays. Little things mean a lot when teams are picking in the top 10, and Dvorsky, a native of Slovakia, has proven adept at the little things the show a superior hockey intelligence. Fans seem to think his offensive game is a fairly vanilla, but scouts believe he will be an impact forward. There is some concern over his skating ability. But he does have quick hands around the net. His offensive instincts are there. One thing teams will have to project is how much bigger Dvorsky can or will get over the next couple of years. He played this season for AIK in Sweden’s Tier II league.

Dalibor Dvorsky, likely top-10 pick, taking one is his laps through the pro agility drill pic.twitter.com/zap9bR0z7N

— Adam Kimelman (@NHLAdamK) June 10, 2023

Why The Wings Might Take Him

Dvorsky is considered likely to go in the top 10. He’s more adept at finding opportunities for teammates than for himself on offense. His all-around game is sound. Dvorsky wlll have a couple more years of seasoning ahead of him in Europe, and by that time, this key question should be answered: Is Dvorsky going to be a center or a wing at the NHL level? The Red Wings are looking to add more young impact forwards to their prospect list. GM Steve Yzerman is looking for young scorers to add to a young forward stable that includes Marco Kasper, Amadeus Lombardi and Carter Mazur.

Why The Wings Might Not Take Him

Dvorsky isn’t the fastest of skaters and his lack of speed might contribute to an impression a lack of creativity on offense. He hasn’t shown the ability to fly past defenders one-on-one. He doesn’t roar up ice.