Adam Sykora is a two-way forward who combines a skill game with a high-octane motor that never stops. Defensively, he uses his speed and his work ethic to pressure his opponents and force them away from the prime scoring positions. He’s never shy to try and play a physical game, either, separating opponents from the puck by delivering timely body checks. He has a knack for forcing the opponents to make puck decisions before they are ready too and shows an ability to create turnovers on a regular basis. Offensively, he has gotten more comfortable carrying the puck and started to drive transition later in the season. He became an effective rush attacker, taking the puck out wide to create space before driving the center lane with his skating and skills to generate a quality scoring chance. Improving his speed and willingness to regularly carry the puck up and down the ice will really help his long-term offensive outlook. He already has a mature defensive game, but becoming a more dynamic offensive threat will really make take his game to another level. Some teams may be deterred by his size, but he will definitely add some weight to his frame as he matures and become a much more physically stable player, allowing him to use his physicality and motor to compete with NHL level competition. He has the skillset to become a middle-six winger who plays effective five-on-five minutes and provide some offensive spark. At worst, Sykora could be an effective shutdown forward who plays valuable defensive minutes and negates the opposing team’s offense. Sykora would be a smart gamble because he appears to have a high ceiling and a higher floor than most mid-round prospects.

– FCHockey’s 2022 NHL Draft Guide