Kevin Fiala

[VincentVega]

So here I am looking at the Prospect Guides for Fiala. Why can't I find him? Can someone give me a scouting report, upside, player comparison and names of his family and friends. No need for his phone number or address, but they would indeed be helpful as well.

Scouting report: stolen from Hockey's future

Strong ability to stay on his skates, and avoid checks and physical contact from opponents. His agility is paramount to the effectiveness of his skill set. Holds onto the puck as if it’s glued to his stick. Very tricky as a dangler, especially when entering the zone with speed, something he can generate within three short steps. Extremely creative and loves to put that on display. Seems to have an uncanny ability to determine when teammates are in close vicinity and find them with the puck. Whether shooting or passing, he can generate an almost slingshot-like motion to accurately send the puck where he wants it to go. His shot has gotten better quickly and he displays good on-goal accuracy with it, be it a wrister or slapshot. A go-to guy with game-breaking skills who is turned to when a goal is required, something he often delivers.
Fiala is still on the small side, he’s used to being an individual dynamo and is far from complete in the all-round, defensive zone game. Hasn’t always been known to stick to the coach’s gameplan. Will have to work on his physical strength along the way, which is the case for most 18-year-olds. Were he a head bigger, people may have been talking about him in a top-3 overall capacity.

Upside: PPG player

Player comparison: Patrick Kane

[Oakville Squires]

I snapped Fiala up late in our draft after reading Corey Pronman from ESPN's top 100 prospects for 2014 article that had him 6th overall behind Ekblad, Bennett, Nylander, Reinhart and Ehlers and ahead of Draisaitl, Dal Colle, Kapanen and Fleury for the top 10. Here was the write-up:

6. Kevin Fiala | LW | HV71 (SHL)
DOB: 7/22/96 | 2013-14 stats: 17 GP, 3 G, 8 A, 10 PIM

The next great Swiss prospect, Fiala really started to turn heads from about December on. He had a strong World Junior Championship and under-18 World Championship, started playing top-six minutes in the SHL, putting up a ton of points in the process. In terms of points per game, he had the second-highest rate in the SHL among under-18 players in modern history, behind Peter Forsberg. He can make highlight-reel plays with the puck, and he's also a really good passer with great hockey IQ, and doesn't seem to turn the puck over. On the power play, Fiala is the kind of player you want controlling the puck and starting the puck movement. He's 5-11, and while that isn't ideal, he does battle hard and has a lot of drive to his game. Fiala needs to improve his defensive positioning.

Ranking explanation: Fiala is a better if not much better skater than Draisaitl, with better pure skill and hands. They're close in terms of hockey sense and vision, with Draisaitl having a massive advantage in terms of size and physical game. All decisions within a tier are tough, but what made me lean toward Fiala is how he differentiated himself: He looks unique on the ice and had a unique season. That stands out to me since one of the main purposes of the draft for teams is obtaining stars as opposed to good/very good players who can be more easily gained through free agency. I'm not saying Leon can't be the former -- he very well could be -- but Fiala looks like that possibility is greater for him, even if he carries more risk. Draisaitl looks like a standard top-end 18-year-old prospect.

[vandalay]

So here I am looking at the Prospect Guides for Fiala. Why can't I find him? Can someone give me a scouting report, upside, player comparison and names of his family and friends. No need for his phone number or address, but they would indeed be helpful as well.

He's there, just not in the Nashville section. Remember, the guide comes out before the draft, so he wasn't owned by the Preds yet. The last section of the guide is devoted to the current draft class. In my version of the guide he's on page 163 of the PDF.

[fungchen3]

I snapped Fiala up late in our draft after reading Corey Pronman from ESPN's top 100 prospects for 2014 article that had him 6th overall behind Ekblad, Bennett, Nylander, Reinhart and Ehlers and ahead of Draisaitl, Dal Colle, Kapanen and Fleury for the top 10. Here was the write-up:

6. Kevin Fiala | LW | HV71 (SHL)
DOB: 7/22/96 | 2013-14 stats: 17 GP, 3 G, 8 A, 10 PIM

The next great Swiss prospect, Fiala really started to turn heads from about December on. He had a strong World Junior Championship and under-18 World Championship, started playing top-six minutes in the SHL, putting up a ton of points in the process. In terms of points per game, he had the second-highest rate in the SHL among under-18 players in modern history, behind Peter Forsberg. He can make highlight-reel plays with the puck, and he's also a really good passer with great hockey IQ, and doesn't seem to turn the puck over. On the power play, Fiala is the kind of player you want controlling the puck and starting the puck movement. He's 5-11, and while that isn't ideal, he does battle hard and has a lot of drive to his game. Fiala needs to improve his defensive positioning.

Ranking explanation: Fiala is a better if not much better skater than Draisaitl, with better pure skill and hands. They're close in terms of hockey sense and vision, with Draisaitl having a massive advantage in terms of size and physical game. All decisions within a tier are tough, but what made me lean toward Fiala is how he differentiated himself: He looks unique on the ice and had a unique season. That stands out to me since one of the main purposes of the draft for teams is obtaining stars as opposed to good/very good players who can be more easily gained through free agency. I'm not saying Leon can't be the former -- he very well could be -- but Fiala looks like that possibility is greater for him, even if he carries more risk. Draisaitl looks like a standard top-end 18-year-old prospect.

Great share, Squires. I also had Fiala rated among the offensively-elite in the draft. I let him slide a little in my draft because he wasn't a "sexy name" but I snagged him in the 3rd round. I think him, Ehlers and Nylander will start to produce immediately once they get full-time duty. I want to say, "like F.Forsberg" but they won't get a top line role out of the gate.

[VincentVega]

Fiala to the AHL. Following Nylander.

[maya has the knife]

Heading to the Admirals game tonight for Fiala's AHL debut. I'll let you know how he looked later on. Really looking forward to seeing him live!

[Bomm Bastic]

Fiala to the AHL. Following Nylander.

Yeah, there's a number of 'em being sent down due to the All Star break. Good opportunity to watch the prospects on the cheap if they happen in your neck of the woods.

[bizzy]

Heading to the Admirals game tonight for Fiala's AHL debut. I'll let you know how he looked later on. Really looking forward to seeing him live!

I see he scored a shootout goal, how did he look overall?

[maya has the knife]

I see he scored a shootout goal, how did he look overall?

Bottom line: the kid has WHEELS. He skates like Pavel Bure, low and with a long stride. He has great hands and puck-handling skills. No issues throwing hits or going to the front of the net when needed. He's still very raw; he made a few no look passes that got intercepted and he lost the puck a few times, but that's to be expected in his first professional game adapting to the North American style of play. I think he's going to be a solid NHLer in a couple years, but he needs some time to acclimate and learn the ropes.

Here's a link to his lead off shootout goal on Jacob Markstrom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWomKKXpRK4

[butch]

Fiala looked like Pavel Bure today, potting 2 goals against the Czech Republic. Doesn't hurt that he wore #10 either.

I think you are kevin fiala

[maya has the knife]

I think you are kevin fiala

He wears #12 for the Admirals

[quantaloup]

Fiala's first North American goal was a beauty.

[Bazz]

To me Fiala and Pastrnak are very similar in that they are smaller players but will check and hit. Watching the Bruins yesterday I saw Pastrnak hip check an Isles player that impressed me for as small as he is. I think both have play maker written all over them and won't hurt you as much as you think in multi cat leagues. I enjoy owning both as I start to build my dynasty.

[Wfactor]

I am stoked having this guy in my 20 team keeper, he will produce well in the NHL and at a cheap cost when he arrives to Nashville replacing Riberio imo when he demands alot of money this off-season this is pure speculation of course.

[VincentVega]

2G, 1A tonight. Fiala now has 8 points in 11 games. Not bad for an 18-year-old in the AHL.