Filip Novak

September 2026 – Filip Novak is a heavy, competitive Czech winger the Columbus Blue Jackets selected 206th overall, a late-round swing on size, strength, and skating power. He spent 2025-26 across three levels of Czech hockey, most productively with HC Sparta Praha’s junior team, where he posted 35 points in 28 games at a point-per-game clip, and he added nine appearances with the senior club plus a playoff run on loan in the Czech second league. His tools are the draw. He combines a mature, heavy frame with real explosiveness and skating power, puckhandling skill, and a quick shot release, and he flashes passing ability and a competitive two-way edge. He projects as a reliable bottom-six, third-line type, a mix of energy and skill, though he was polarizing on draft boards and still needs development. Columbus holds his rights, and the Victoria Royals acquired his Western Hockey League rights, so a move to major junior looks likely for 2026-27. For fantasy he is a deep-league monitor whose value hinges on the skill translating to a tougher league, so file him away and watch how he adapts if he comes to the WHL. Andrew Epps