Article: Mocking the Minnesota Wild's 2023 Draft

[Tony Abbott]

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[Protec]

Colorado just got Ross Colton for 37th overall. 
 

It’s looking like the Wild are gonna have to do something to get better this off season cause Colorado is already underway. They still have two 1st rounders. 
 

I’m thrilled MN locked up Fred G. but uh, well that’s not gonna be it I hope...🙂

[Tony Abbott]

Basically flipped Newhook for Colton and a late-first. Nice bit of business.

[Protec]

^^^
 

Yeah, it can happen quickly. I agree, it’s impressive. Colton has looked like a good young player.
 

I have liked Guerin’s transactions for the most part so I’m confident he’s not pulling a Fentonism out in Cape Cod dinking-around. Have to look around though and see what’s shaking out. Might be a little late or inadequate to be taking notes now. Wanting to get your own good deals happening is one thing...

[TCMooch]

Well, I used Draft Prospects Hockey mock draft 300 times and here is what I came up with...

Matthew Wood - RW: Most Selected

He is rated #22 from Draft Pro. He is a big power forward at 6'4" with an NHL caliber shot but doesn't skate the fastest and lacks a 2-way game. He projects to be a 30 goal scorer just based on his shot alone.

Gabriel Perreault - LW: Second Most Selected

He is rated #18 from Draft Pro. Offensive minded winger. Smaller in size at 5'11" and 165 pounds. Great stickhandling and isn't afraid to take dmen 1v1 on the rush. Ceiling is top 6 with a basement of middle six. Will be great on the powerplay not only in scoring but playmaking.

Ethan Gauthier - RW: Third Most Selected

He is rated 24 by Draft Pro. He is 5'11" and 176 pounds. He is competitive, fiery and physical yet also brings an offensive component to his game. He has great edgework. He is one of those types of players that you love on your team but hate to play against. He has a very strong work ethic and drive with great puke pursuit. He needs to work on his speed and his offensive production. He projects to be a middle forward.

Otto Stenberg - Center: Most Selected Center

He is rated #17 from Draft Pro.  Excellent shooter and passer but only 5'11". High ceiling with an arguable top-5 shot in the NHL draft. Projected to be a mid-six talent with positional versatility if he is able to develop his playmaking skill--which he needs to do.
 

Dalibor Dvorsky - Center: Biggest Steal

A two-way force with a great shot and good defensive instincts. Is 6'1" and 201 pounds. Projects to be a 2nd line center with potential to be a first line center if he can develop more of an offensive game. He will eat minutes on the PK and he could be a 50-70 point player.

Caden Price - LD: Biggest Reach

He is rated as #49 from Draft Pro. Mobile 2-way defender that is 6'1" and 181 pounds. His strengths are skating and defensive play. He is more of a stay at home dman and projects safely to be a bottom-pairing defender at NHL level. His ceiling is a middle-pairing defender.

 

[Imyourhuckleberry]

5 minutes ago, TCMooch said:

Dalibor Dvorsky - Center: Biggest Steal

Dvorsky appears to be top 10 rated by numerous outlets. Wild probably wouldn't waste much of their clock if they were able to draft him.

Stats suggest he's a bit more shooter than playmaker, but has a chance to be very useful to an NHL team a few years down the road.

[Protec]

To me the biggest wild card is the number of defenseman that go in the top 20. There will be some wingers selected but will the current Thompson-envy cause Daniil But to go higher? The Wild could get lucky with the center position if teams take defenseman and wings they like in greater proportion to the number of good centers available. Teams like Chicago or Nashville could surprise us with their picks due to their rebuild status. Maybe the Wild should select “Big-But” if he’s there at 21st?
 

[Willy the poor boy]

Personally, I don't like big booty.

[Pewterschmidt]

19 minutes ago, Willy the poor boy said:

Personally, I don't like big booty.

I like big butt’s, I cannot lie

[Protec]

Edstrom-Ek similarities would make the Wild picking him unsurprising. Not sure that’s the greatest offensive upside if a player like Perreault was still available. It’s gonna be really interesting. 
 

Another RFA guy besides Howden the Wild should be looking at is Klim Kostin. Like Steel, he was a 31st overall. Big, tough player. Young, and just getting acquainted to the NHL full time. RFA, he’s not looking ready to sign in Edmonton yet. How bout trade Duhaime and you’re getting the same type of role? I think Kostin is on the verge of becoming a big player. I’d even throw in a 2024 pick if you could get him signed on a Greenway type deal. Something that could move if it wasn’t working out halfway through. He looked pretty tough to play against at the end of the year and I think his scoring will improve. Oilers cap might make it tough for them. Kostin has threatened return to KHL. Classic negotiating technique for Russian player.

I’m just imagining Kaprizov with a Russian linemate like Barbashev or Kostin who would bring some physical presence to that line and be able to chip in 40+ points. I think the Norwegian Hobbit is skilled enough but speed and size are holding the Wild’s top line back. When Colorado won as a small team, they had the speed thing going. The Wild really should try to upgrade a few guys. Zuccarello, Foligno, Merrill, and Duhaime. Maybe even Steel/Hartman if you can get a 2023 pick or acquire Lindholm or a more permanent centerman. 

[Protec]

Well scratch the Barbashev pipe-dream...

[Protec]

Sure looks like now would be a good time to get a solid NHL forward for a 2024 3rd rounder...😐

MN doesn’t have one. Riley Smith to the Pens.

[Willy the poor boy]

Anaheim doin Anaheim things.

[Beast]

Not sure I’ve seen a larger collection of akward public speakers at such a high profile event.  

 

[Beast]

The NHL needs to hire somebody to fix this.  This could be an awesome event and it’s absolutely unwatchable.

Awful commentators.  Walking 35 guys for each team up on stage.  Bettman is the most hateable man on the planet.  People can’t even say the name of their selection.  Droning on congratulating Vegas on their cup win over and over again.  Everybody says the exact same thing.  Muffled music awkwardly playing the background.  It’s like a parody of a draft that’s not funny.

 

Edited June 28, 2023 by Beast

[Willy the poor boy]

11 minutes ago, Beast said:

The NHL needs to hire somebody to fix this.  This could be an awesome event and it’s absolutely unwatchable.

Awful commentators.  Walking 35 guys for each team up on stage.  Bettman is the most hateable man on the planet.  People can’t even say the name of their selection.  Droning on congratulating Vegas on their cup win over and over again.  Everybody says the exact same thing.  Muffled music awkwardly playing the background.  It’s like a parody of a draft that’s not funny.

 

Maybe MnFan is available.

[bisopher]

Well, Danielson is gone at #9... Could we actually get Oliver Moore?

[Mateo3xm]

I’m really going to get it in the comments on some YouTube channels.

I thought it was a guarantee Fantilli would go over Carlsson.

I still think Fantilli will be better but it’s close.

after a little while I heard little things about Fantilli being a little arrogant and thought it could happen thou the last few weeks.

this draft has really not gone how I thought it would but I’m honestly not surprised. It happens every year.

I just hope we don’t shit the bed, it would be a travesty with this many good players that should be available.

[Mateo3xm]

50 minutes ago, Willy the poor boy said:

Anaheim doin Anaheim things.

I would have taken Fantilli but you really can’t go wrong either way. I think they’ll both be first line star Centers.

[Willy the poor boy]

2 minutes ago, Mateo3xm said:

I’m really going to get it in the comments on some YouTube channels.

I thought it was a guarantee Fantilli would go over Carlsson.

I still think Fantilli will be better but it’s close.

after a little while I heard little things about Fantilli being a little arrogant and thought it could happen thou the last few weeks.

this draft has really not gone how I thought it would but I’m honestly not surprised. It happens every year.

I just hope we don’t shit the bed, it would be a travesty with this many good players that should be available.

My thoughts exactly on Fantilli. 

I heard BG is hot for a defender in the 1'st round. Ugh. We need offense.

[jgodwin17]

We need to trade up and get Moore ASAP.

[bisopher]

OK, how close are we to the "trade 21 + 64 to move up and get the player we want" level?

[jgodwin17]

11 minutes ago, bisopher said:

OK, how close are we to the "trade 21 + 64 to move up and get the player we want" level?

At this point to move up 4 spots, I can see it. I’d also be okay giving up our first and Addison to do so.

[Dango]

Chicagos probably getting a top 3 pick next year as well .

[jgodwin17]

How is Moore still on the board?! I think our chances of swapping with Chicago are pretty low. I think Moore and Perrault or maybe Moore and Ritchie go next.