Martin Kaut
Position: Right Wing
Current Team: HC Dynamo Pardubice (Czech Republic)
Date of Birth: October 2, 1999
Birthplace: Brno, Czech Republic
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 176
Shoots: Right
2017-18 Stats
38 GP/9 G/7 A/16 P/14 PIM
Like many of the other European prospects we’ve profiled so far, Martin Kaut has prepared for the NHL by spending the last year playing as a teenager with and against adults in his country’s top professional league. In addition to those 16 points in 38 games, he was a point per game player at this year’s World Junior Championships (2/5/7). While his skating is merely average, he has earned praise as an offensive creator. His stock has risen, from #11 on the NHL’s midseason ranking of European skaters to #4 now.
Based on his rankings, he’s likely to be around when the Jackets select. But would he be a reach?
Oh, and one more thing: he wore #61 this season. Too soon?
Scouting Reports
Kaut had a very good season between the top Czech pro league and the world juniors, and fared quite well for a player his age on the Czech national team. Kaut isn’t a dynamic offensive player, but he has a lot of above-average qualities with arguably no weakness in his game. He has noticeable skill with the puck, and is able to create space with his coordination and creativity. He has very impressive vision and seems to always be in the right place at the right time. While I like him more as a playmaker, he can finish his chances as well. Kaut is a two-way forward who can kill penalties due to his work ethic and smarts. He also shows decent puck protection skills. He’s an average skater, not slow, but I don’t see a separation gear. – Corey Pronman, The Athletic
The main strength Kaut possesses is his shot and goal scoring ability. Kaut has a very good shot, not only a wrist shot but a heavy slap shot that will be beneficial to many teams. His shot is accurate and comes with a quick release with a high accuracy. Kaut is defensively aware and a good player in his own end. He has a high hockey IQ and his success at a professional league at an early age shows his ability to process the game at a high speed.
While his skating is good, he will need to improve his first stride and acceleration to reach the NHL level but considering his willingness to work on his weaknesses even during the season, it is not something to worry about. – Patrik Bexell, Eyes on the Prize
Kaut is one of those players who just gets it. He plays a confident offensive game while still being relatively mistake-free because he doesn’t take unnecessary risks, even though he’s always trying to make plays. He was excellent in a good pro league as an 18-year-old and a star at the world juniors without looking the least bit out of place alongside Zadina, Filip Chytil and Martin Necas. There’s an argument to be made for Kaut to be ranked higher because I think the odds that he becomes an NHL player are really strong, but the combination of his October 1999 birthday and his general lack of truly high-end tools suggest to me that he probably tops out as a middle-six forward. – Scott Wheeler, The Athletic