Getting to Know the Draft Picks: Volume 5 - Martins Dzierkals

By Alex Hobson

After the Toronto Maple Leafs selected defenseman Andrew Nielsen with the 64th overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, they waited another four picks before they were set to pick again at 68th overall, using the pick they obtained in the deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets to trade down. There was still some solid talent availible, including forward Erik Foley, defenseman Mitch Vande Sompel, and goaltender Samuel Montembault, but then Mark Hunter went a little bit off the board, and selected forward Martins Dzierkals out of HK Riga of the MHL. Many Leafs fans were surprised with this pick, given that his name had not been mentioned before, but Dzierkals does not lack skill in his game, and considering the Leafs were taking the size-over-skill approach to their drafting strategy, this pick could still be considered a win. So, let's do a little bit of research on this player and find out what Dzierkals is all about.



Standing at 5'11 and 170lbs, this pick would turn out to be the third small forward the Leafs had drafted in this draft out of five picks so far, but the Latvian winger does not let his size interfere with the skill aspect of his game. Playing for SK Saga 18 in the Latvia U18 League in 2012-13, Dzierkals recorded 59 points in 20 games, and then the next year, when he moved up to the Latvia U20 team, he recorded 68 points in 23 games. In his most recent season with HK Riga of the MHL in Russia, he recorded 28 points in 32 games and also represented Latvia in the U18 World Junior recording 3 goals and 6 assists for 9 points in 6 games for Team Latvia.

So what kind of player is Dzierkals? Given his stats over the years, he is a mobile winger with a great shot, and he has a serious knack for scoring goals, as shown in his seasons with the Latvian teams, recording 28 goals in 20 games in his first year, and 35 goals in 23 games in his second. Though he is a solid shooter, he also plays a very strong passing game, and his goal/assist ratio is never far apart. He needs to work on his play in his own end a little bit, but aside from that Dzierkals is a solid offensive player that could provide a good scoring touch. In the end, don't let the fact that he's unknown scare you away from thinking he's good, because he has lots to show as a player.

NHL ETA: 2019-20

Because Dzierkals is playing in Europe, he is allowed to join the Toronto Marlies earlier than the rest of the majority of prospects playing in Canada/USA, but he'll still be given at least three seasons with the Marlies before being given a crack at the Leafs roster. That being said, it's uncertain whether Dzierkals will report to the Marlies or remain with HK Riga for a couple of years before playing in North America.

Player Comparable: Alexander Semin

Because Dzierkals has played in European leagues his entire life, it was fairly hard to find a player comparable to him, but after watching his highlights, i've come to the conclusion that he plays a very similar game to Alex Semin. They are both solid shooters and have soft hands, and are both strictly offensive players.

Potential Ceiling: Top 9 Scorer

It's very hard to tell at this point whether Dzierkals' development will shoot through the roof and see him as a first line sniper, or whether he'll remain neutral and blossom into a safe third liner. He hasn't seen enough playing time in North America for scouts to really get a good look at him, but given his skill set he should be good enough to secure himself a job on an NHL team in the future.

What do you think of the selection of Dzierkals, Leafs fans? Weigh in below.