Article: The Wild Should Target Mounds View's Oliver Moore

[Justin Hein]

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[mnfaninnc]

Justin, we just couldn't get in, lots to talk about. I think you hit the ball out of the park with the suggestion. According to the combine, Moore is up to 195, and he did pretty well in the strength and jumping portions of the combine. 

This is a guy we need to absolutely go up and get, or convince him his best plan is to stay at the U for graduation and not sign with his drafting team and simply sign here. I'd rather have him in our system though.

I suspect that the head down through the neutral zone will be corrected fairly quickly when he absorbs a couple of big hits. For me, it would take 3 before I learned not to do that. 

I do think if he has linemates that can keep up, and Kaprizov can, he'll use them and look for them. Putting his head down seems like the kind of thing you do when you don't see anyone around you and you know you'll need to do it yourself. Playing with Cooley and Snuggerud should alleviate that tendency.

So, now we've just got to go get him.

[B1GKappa97]

I've thought about what it would take for us to trade up, but I just can't see it happening. We don't have a 3rd or 4th round selection. Are we going to pretty much give up our entire draft to bank on one guy, in a deep draft? 

If they want to trade up anywhere it should be to the top of round 2 to grab a guy who fell out of the 1st. If we can get out of this draft with two of the top-50 prospects that would be a W. 

They should be able to stay put at #21 and land a decent prospect still. If either of the Russians, But or Simashev, are there (and they might be, like Yurov) they have a very high ceiling and I've seen some boards ranking both in the top-10 (also like Yurov) talent-wise. 

If they want somebody who can be in the AHL sooner than those guys and are tired of dealing with the KHL politics, there should be somebody like Samuel Honzek (who could be an Ek clone) or Nate Danielson (6'2'', 185 lb middle-6 C) or Charlie Stramel (6'3'' 212lbs 3rd line C) who don't necessarily have high-end talent but will fill up the middle of our lineup and add some much-needed size. 

[Justin Hein]

3 hours ago, B1GKappa97 said:

I've thought about what it would take for us to trade up, but I just can't see it happening. We don't have a 3rd or 4th round selection. Are we going to pretty much give up our entire draft to bank on one guy, in a deep draft? 

If they want to trade up anywhere it should be to the top of round 2 to grab a guy who fell out of the 1st. If we can get out of this draft with two of the top-50 prospects that would be a W. 

They should be able to stay put at #21 and land a decent prospect still. If either of the Russians, But or Simashev, are there (and they might be, like Yurov) they have a very high ceiling and I've seen some boards ranking both in the top-10 (also like Yurov) talent-wise. 

If they want somebody who can be in the AHL sooner than those guys and are tired of dealing with the KHL politics, there should be somebody like Samuel Honzek (who could be an Ek clone) or Nate Danielson (6'2'', 185 lb middle-6 C) or Charlie Stramel (6'3'' 212lbs 3rd line C) who don't necessarily have high-end talent but will fill up the middle of our lineup and add some much-needed size. 

I'm sympathetic to your concerns about blowing the load to get one guy. The team does have two second-round picks, so I'd be ecstatic if the team finds a way to keep one of them and package the other one with our first to move up for Moore. I wrote a lot about trade ideas here if you're interested to learn more. 

There's a great trade chart here as well: 

https://soundofhockey.com/2022/06/06/examining-the-value-of-nhl-draft-picks/

[Justin Hein]

22 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

Justin, we just couldn't get in, lots to talk about. I think you hit the ball out of the park with the suggestion. According to the combine, Moore is up to 195, and he did pretty well in the strength and jumping portions of the combine. 

This is a guy we need to absolutely go up and get, or convince him his best plan is to stay at the U for graduation and not sign with his drafting team and simply sign here. I'd rather have him in our system though.

I suspect that the head down through the neutral zone will be corrected fairly quickly when he absorbs a couple of big hits. For me, it would take 3 before I learned not to do that. 

I do think if he has linemates that can keep up, and Kaprizov can, he'll use them and look for them. Putting his head down seems like the kind of thing you do when you don't see anyone around you and you know you'll need to do it yourself. Playing with Cooley and Snuggerud should alleviate that tendency.

So, now we've just got to go get him.

As you may remember I'm not the biggest fan of trading up but it would be so fun to do it for Moore. Even if he's never a true 1C, his speed will make him awesome to watch.

In fairness to him, I'll point out that "head down" has less to do with having his head down as it does tunnel vision -- he sometimes struggles to see his teammates because he's so focused on carrying the puck into space. I do wonder how much he'll get better at that at the U, although the speed of the NHL game is ridiculous. I always think of Koivu's story about defending a line rush in the NHL for the first time and getting smoked by Patrick Marleau. 

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/mikko-koivu-minnesota-wild-finland-nhl

[Justin Hein]

3 hours ago, B1GKappa97 said:

I've thought about what it would take for us to trade up, but I just can't see it happening. We don't have a 3rd or 4th round selection. Are we going to pretty much give up our entire draft to bank on one guy, in a deep draft? 

If they want to trade up anywhere it should be to the top of round 2 to grab a guy who fell out of the 1st. If we can get out of this draft with two of the top-50 prospects that would be a W. 

They should be able to stay put at #21 and land a decent prospect still. If either of the Russians, But or Simashev, are there (and they might be, like Yurov) they have a very high ceiling and I've seen some boards ranking both in the top-10 (also like Yurov) talent-wise. 

If they want somebody who can be in the AHL sooner than those guys and are tired of dealing with the KHL politics, there should be somebody like Samuel Honzek (who could be an Ek clone) or Nate Danielson (6'2'', 185 lb middle-6 C) or Charlie Stramel (6'3'' 212lbs 3rd line C) who don't necessarily have high-end talent but will fill up the middle of our lineup and add some much-needed size. 

Also, if you haven't checked out Prasanth Iyer's free draft projections site you've got to. Oliver Moore is featured heavily there so it's easy to look at him, but you can check out a ton of players based on mock draft data going back several years. 

https://piyer97.shinyapps.io/NHLDraft2023/

[Pewterschmidt]

23 minutes ago, Justin Hein said:

I'll point out that "head down" has less to do with having his head down as it does tunnel vision -- he sometimes struggles to see his teammates because he's so focused on carrying the puck into space

Back in my day this was called a 'puck hog'.  He'll figure this out and may grow out of it with the Gophers.  Fiala was this type player too 3-4 years into his NHL career.  Fiala also has all-world hands and motor to evolve and become an 80+ pt NHL'r.  Hoping Wild draft a rugged Canadian winger.  No more tiny centers (Rossi, Kuze) and no more 'puck moving' D-men.  Think Foligno+ with more hockey sense. 

[Pewterschmidt]

Shout out to Kat Tap.  I see you girl.

[Justin Hein]

3 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Back in my day this was called a 'puck hog'.  He'll figure this out and may grow out of it with the Gophers.  Fiala was this type player too 3-4 years into his NHL career.  Fiala also has all-world hands and motor to evolve and become an 80+ pt NHL'r.  Hoping Wild draft a rugged Canadian winger.  No more tiny centers (Rossi, Kuze) and no more 'puck moving' D-men.  Think Foligno+ with more hockey sense. 

Why a Winger (and why Canadian)? I actually think "Fiala but at Center" is an interesting comp for Moore. I think Moore's skating and defensive motor may be better, but the hands aren't on that level. 

[Protec]

^^^

There will likely be some very good players left at 21st. 
 

The lack of high end defenseman and team’s apprehension about player size will mean MN has to pick from lower ranked centers. 
 

Yager, Stenberg, Ritchie, and Edstrom could be available. There might be some sizable wings worth taking? 
 

I think the odds of moving up or acquiring another pick in the 1st or 2nd round are slim in reality. I would like to see Addison moved for a pick in the 2nd if possible. To get another big NA center which the Wild need more than defense or a big winger who can score and make plays. Each year there’s talk about the top guys MN never gets a sniff at. Except Rossi when the Wild fell into the hype-trap...

[Pewterschmidt]

5 minutes ago, Justin Hein said:

Why a Winger (and why Canadian)? I actually think "Fiala but at Center" is an interesting comp for Moore. I think Moore's skating and defensive motor may be better, but the hands aren't on that level. 

Of course a 1C is every teams first choice but those will be gone by the time our 1st pick comes up in Rd 1 so I'm thinking a rugged Canadian (not a Euro as has been discussed) has the highest probability of Judd 'the pud' to not klang the pick off the up-right.  Not another middling, big body Euro whose ceiling is Nino Niedereiter (yep, I'm already bored of Ohgren) 

[mnfaninnc]

4 hours ago, B1GKappa97 said:

I've thought about what it would take for us to trade up, but I just can't see it happening. We don't have a 3rd or 4th round selection. Are we going to pretty much give up our entire draft to bank on one guy, in a deep draft? 

I think you're focusing too much on a very small box. Just because we don't have a 3rd or 4th shouldn't kill the move. We need to get creative, include players and future drafts in the picture. I'd much rather have another 1st in this draft rather than one in '24 (top 10 protected). 

Moore could be out of reach and taken in the top 10, I don't think we can get there, but in the early teens, there are teams that are in win now modes that we have help for, and we could, perhaps, swing a deal with them. If we've got player help and a future 1st, that could be a win for that organization.

Note to Billy G, don't forget to pack your backup batteries already charged, you'll need them! This time, at the draft, Guerin needs to be laser focused on the draft, trades, and other GMs. This is the wrong time to talk to agents.

[mnfaninnc]

11 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Of course a 1C is every teams first choice but those will be gone by the time our 1st pick comes up in Rd 1

This is a draft where you can get a Getzlaf or Kesler down where we're at. Plenty of centers can be had in our 21 area. We need 2 of them, though.

[Pewterschmidt]

4 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

We need 2 of them, though.

Let's start with one and I'll stop calling him Judd the Pud

[mnfaninnc]

3 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Let's start with one and I'll stop calling him Judd the Pud

Sorry, I'm just too greedy this offseason.🤑

[Up North Guy]

3 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

Sorry, I'm just too greedy this offseason.🤑

To quote an oldish movie: "Greed is good". I still think that with the guys the Wild have as prospects they have the capital to move up and snag a quality center. There won't be room for all these guys to move up so why not move them out for even higher quality?

[Protec]

^^^
 

I’d agree that the assets the Wild has accumulated through the draft is pretty solid. What team would trade their picks for what the Wild have? The way I see it, Minnesota has Rossi and Addison who have potential-factor but don’t fit a Wild-mold.

If either of those guys plus #21 could move the Wild up would Detroit or Arizona do it? That’s inexpensive guys who are ahead in age from a 2023 pick. Maybe the Wild offer Detroit Addison, #21 and a 2nd for 9th overall?

That would help MN get a nice center but does Detroit like Addison and would they move back? They’ve got lots of picks. If they added one and got a NHL level guy for next season, would that be worth the value of 9th? Detroit would have a nice run of picks in the 2nd in that scenario but they’re building so I would expect them to keep 9th no matter what. Be nice though to get one of their picks around 40th if they’d take Addison and perhaps a 2024 2nd?

[Up North Guy]

Just listened to Russo and LaPanta podcast. One question sent in was whether  AZ would take Rossi and a pick for Cooley. I could get behind that. Cooley isn't a lot bigger than Rossi but he plays much bigger and has some rat to him.