2012 NHL Draft Prospect Profile #18: Martin Frk

2011-2012 Regular Season Stats:

2011-2012 QMJHL Playoff Stats:

Frk was one of the many young draft-eligibles that missed a large chunk of time this past season, in what has become known as the year of the injured prospect. In a preseason game last fall, in a game against the Moncton Wildcats, Frk suffered a concussion after taking an open-ice hit. He missed over three months of the season, but managed to appear in 34 games, scoring at a 0.895 points-per-game clip.

He plays a power forward style, choosing to go through defenses, rather than around them. He isn't particularly tall, but he plays like a wrecking ball on the ice. He is more than willing to take a hit, and has been bloodied at various points in his brief QMJHL career. A shot to the chops earned him a trip to the dentist, where we get to see a lighter side of Marty. To go along with his physical play, he also has an NHL-caliber shot. He can make his own space on the ice, and if he's anywhere near the hashmarks, he's absolutely lethal with his wrister.

His intense style of play can sometimes lead to bad penalties, but when a player can toe the line so well most of the time, and also score a ton of points, the occassional ugly minor can be forgotten. Additionally, he needs some work in the defensive zone, like so many of his fellow prospects. The good thing is, that can be coached when paired with effort.

He also didn't score at the rate that many expected in the playoffs, which gave scouts (and fans) some pause. That said, the Mooseheads were leaning heavily on their duo of sixteen year-olds in Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin, with Marty relied on for secondary scoring. Frk did see time as the quarterback of the powerplay as well.

I have a hard tme finding an NHL comparible for Marty, but I'll say this much- players like him that bring both talent and physicality to the game are valuable to any NHL team. The team that drafts him will get a top-six winger who'll keep the opposition honest and provide serious offense.

Scouting Report:Martin Frk is a prospect from Czech Republic that has already completed one season with the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL. He plays a very North American style game which allowed him to adapt quickly to the "Q". The Mooseheads knew what they were getting when they drafted him 3rd overall in the 2010 CHL import draft and so far he’s be all that was advertised. Like most players out of Europe he has great skill but Frk brings so much more. He’s a power forward that loves to hit and has a lethal shot. If he can continue to improve his two way game and drive to the net more often he should cement his status as a first-round pick and the type of versatile two-way player that would be a tremendous asset to any NHL roster.
- The Scouting Report
Why he'd be a good fit in Columbus:

Like Jakub Voracek before him, Frk would be the next high-scoring Czech drafted from the Mooseheads if the Jackets use one of their early picks on him. Though Voracek has obviously moved on to the Flyers, Frk would add an element not currently present on the Columbus roster- a true power forward with high-end offense. (Not named Rick Nash, of course, at least for the time being) Due to missing so much time this past season, it's hard to nail down where Frk will be taken, but my money is that he'll go in the second half of the first round or early in the second round. If the Jackets elect to keep Los Angeles' pick from the Jeff Carter trade, Frk may be available at that time, or if the Jackets pull off any deals a pick in his range could come the Jackets' way. If they are really lucky, he'd be around when the Jackets pick with the first choice in the second round.


Frk in Action: