Earlier this year, when writing up the piece on the highest rated Czech of this draft, I wondered what had happened to the country’s talent development. Could we see them getting back above average, instead of just reminiscing about the glory days of Jagr & Co?
Slovakia has been asking themselves that very question for well over a decade now. When I was growing up, players like Marián Hossa, Pavol Demitra, Miroslav Šatan, and the young Zdeno Chara were setting the league on fire, posting big numbers and having Slovakia in medal contention at the World Championships each and every year.