Jiří Vítek stated that Sparta can expect more from Vojtěch Hradec than he is currently capable of offering. Although Patrik Augusta knows him well from the junior national team, Vítek pointed out that two years have passed since then, which is a long time at this age. Vítek reminded that the club expects contributions from Hradec in defense, on face-offs, and during penalty kills. According to him, in the extra league, he has a success rate below 50 percent on face-offs, and Vítek was uncertain whether his movement corresponds to the active style of penalty killing that Ladislav Šmíd is trying to instill in the team. In offense, he believes Hradec mainly offers work in front of the opponent's goal; in Mladá Boleslav, he was rarely involved in the transition phase and preparing chances for his teammates. Vítek also wrote that Mladá Boleslav conceded a high number of goals against Hradec on the ice during five-on-five play in the last two seasons. While observing the player, Hradec came across more as a blocking type than as someone who excels in defensive zone awareness, especially against the best opposing formations. According to Vítek, Sparta has strengthened itself with a talent for the future rather than a player who would immediately solve problems in the third or fourth line. Hradec will need time and the right care, which, according to Vítek, may not align with the environment of Sparta, which wants to succeed right away. Ambitious teams, in his view, should have players with a broader skill set even in the fourth line if they wish to succeed in the later stages of the playoffs. He described Hradec as a younger alternative to Kryštof Hrabík, on whom there will still be a need to work. He also expressed concern that Sparta was attracted by his fistfight with Witkowski in the game against Kometa. #hokej #Sparta #extraliga (translated)
