Timothy Kazda

Timothy Kazda — 2026 NHL Draft Scouting Report **F | Chicago Steel (USHL) | Slovakia | Age 18**

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Player Overview Timothy Kazda is a Slovak forward playing for the Chicago Steel in the USHL who has emerged as one of the most compelling offensive prospects in his draft class. He earned MVP honors and All-Star recognition at the 2026 U18 World Championship — an event he led in overall scoring — putting him firmly on the radar of NHL front offices ahead of the 2026 draft.

Current Production Over his last 10 USHL games, Kazda posted 10 goals, 9 assists, and 19 points at a +9, demonstrating elite point-per-game consistency at one of North America's strongest developmental leagues. His ability to produce at that rate while simultaneously leading the U18 Worlds in scoring confirms his offensive output is not context-dependent.

Key Attributes Kazda's scoring totals across two distinct competitive environments suggest he reads the game at an advanced level, anticipating possession transitions rather than reacting to them. His production split — nearly equal goals and assists — indicates he is a threat both as a finisher and a distributor, not a one-dimensional scorer. Montreal's chief scout has drawn comparisons to notable Slovak NHL players, signaling that established professional evaluators see a well-rounded offensive profile.

2026 Draft Outlook Kazda projects as a legitimate first-round candidate, potentially climbing toward the top half of the round if his defensive structure and two-way reliability prove credible under deeper professional scrutiny ahead of June.