On Saturday at The Sphere in Las Vegas, the Carolina Hurricanes took defenseman Dominik Badinka in the second round, No. 34 overall in the 2024 NHL Draft. 

Another one of those hard-to-find right-handed defensemen, Badinka shot up the prospect rankings in the final turn toward the NHL Draft. 

In 2023-24, the Czechia native played 33 games for the Malmo Redhawks in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). Badkinka tallied four points (one goal, three assists) and a minus-9 rating in the SHL. The 18-year-old also recorded 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) and a plus-8 in 17 games for the Malmo J20 team. 

On the international stage, Badinka has represented Czechia in 36 games over the past three seasons. In that span, he has recorded 11 points (two goals, nine assists). Badinka will play with Malmo in the SHL again next season. 

For the 6-foot-3 blueliner, defense is his specialty. He uses his awareness and high Hockey IQ to read plays and end threats before they even get going. His ability to play in his own end has developed further than his offense, but the latter has been improving and he has the potential to be a true two-way defenseman at the NHL level. 

Badkinka ranks 12th among defensemen and 35th overall on Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis’ final prospect rankings. 

“There’s a lot to like here about Badinka, who took a chance on himself by leaving home a few years ago to get the best opportunity to shine in Sweden,” Ellis wrote in his final draft prospect rankings list. “Badinka has a good 6-foot-3 frame and solid hockey sense, and he doesn’t crumble under pressure. His mobility is solid, he’s elusive and makes things happen with the puck more often than not. If he can add some extra top speed, he’ll be golden because he’s got the own-zone play figured out.”