Jakub Culek

Culek is a big center who projects as a third or fourth-line player at the NHL level with a strong defensive game. While he didn’t progress as well in junior as Ottawa's management had hoped after drafting him in the third round of the 2010 draft, he will begin his pro career this season in the AHL with Binghamton after signing a three-year, entry-level deal this past June. Culek needs to get stronger on his skates and add some weight to his rather slight 6'3" frame. He does have some nice offensive skill to go with his sound defensive play, but, it will likely be two to three years before he gets a sniff at the NHL level.

Culek did not have a very good year in the QMJHL, finishing the season with only seven goals and 15 assists in 55 games. The 6'4", 195-pound winger will need to show some major progress in 2011-12 as he'll be trying to earn his first pro contract with the Senators after the season is over. He projects to be a defensively responsible third line winger with some offensive upside.

Culek will spend the 2010-11 season playing for the Rimouski Oceanic of the QMJHL. He's a very tall player who still needs to fill out, but he has some intriguing upside. Culek is already a smart, two-way player, with nice hands, and good playmaking ability. He's a longterm prospect who's at least three to four years away from making the NHL fulltime.