Player's Profile
- Name: Vladimir Mihalik
- Position: D
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 6-7
- Weight: 222 lbs
- Birthdate: 1987-01-28
- Eligible for Draft: 2005
- Drafted:
- Hometown: Presov, Slovakia
- Acquired: 30th overall, 2005 NHL Entry Draft by Tampa Bay
- Playing In: Pro
Vladimir Mihalik
Prospect Grade: 7.0 B (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: Phil Laugher
History
A mainstay on the Slovak Under-18 team for the past 2 years, the towering 6'7 Vladimir Mihalik is a product of the same poor and neglected Presov system that produced Ladislav Nagy almost a decade ago.
He started the year on Presov’s junior squad and starred defensively and offensively for half a season (16 points in 23 games) before earning promotion to the senior squad, which plays its games in Slovakia’s first division. Vladimir was strong and mature enough to stick with the senior Presov squad for the 2nd half of the season.
As a member of the national team, Mihalik’s play was shaky and tentative as scouts first got notice of his play at the August/04 Under-18 Junior Cup. Under the focus and scrutiny of the scouting world, Mihalik left many unimpressed with his inability and unwillingness to use his massive frame to physically overpower opposing attackers. Mihalik had obviously not fully adapted and grown into his large body as his footwork and stick handling left an awful lot to be desired.
As the season wore on and Mihalik’s play with his Presov squad improved, so to did his play with the national improve concurrently. Mihalik was again selected to play for Slovakia at the 4-Nations tournament in November. Like countryman Zdeno Chara, Mihalik was used as a screen on front of the opposing goaltender on Power Plays. On the downside, Mihalik was a little tentative to use his massive size to squash opposing forwards like little bugs.
April’s World-18 Championships proved to be the apex of Mihalik’s season as a year’s worth of lessons with Presov and the national team helped him with his skating and self-confidence. Paired with the smallest defender on the team (Tomas Brnak at 5’8), Mihalik got away from ‘stick-checking’ and started ‘body-checking’. Vladimir tied for the team lead with a +2 rating and showed that he could defend his own zone like the mean giant he is expected to be.
Talent Analysis
Skating: Started the season with a very awkward stride and a slow first step, but has rapidly improved to the point where his first step isn’t much of a liability. His skating backwards and forwards still needs work, but is adequate against all except the fastest opposing forwards.
Stickhandling: Another questionable part of his game that improved in leaps and bounds over the course of the season and is reasonably adequate for a defensive defenseman. Mihalik will need to minimize his time with the puck and keep his game simple with outlet passes and flip-outs.
Shooting: Mihalik has a very heavy and accurate slapshot with a long windup and slow release, which is more due to his size and the larger European rinks than his own ability.
Defense: One of the major criticisms Mihalik has had to deal with and improve upon was his penchant for ‘stickchecking’ and using his reach rather than his massive frame. As the season progressed, there was a noticeable improvement in Vladimir’s nastiness quotient and leaves some hope that he can become a physical force in his own end.
Offense: Mihalik’s astounding junior production won’t likely be replicated at the higher levels. His offensive game is extremely simple and limited by his less-than-average passing and stickhandling ability. Mihalik is a decent Power Play option as he can play up front and his shot can be a potent weapon.
Overall: Despite his obvious weaknesses, Mihalik has shown rapid improvement over the course of the year and the prospect of a 6-7 monster defender on a rapid development curve is always tempting to NHL squads. Mihalik is one of this draft’s big prospects with the upside to be a monster defensive stopper.
Future
Mihalik’s shortcomings should be somewhat masked by the smaller ice surface. Like fellow countrymen Kristian Kudroc, Zdeno Chara, and Boris Valabik, Mihalik has the boom-bust potential to become a spectacular flop or a sensational force.
Stats
Stats Coming Soon...
Profile Last Updated: April, 9th 2008
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