Article: Charlie Stramel Is the Home Run Swing Fans Wanted the Wild To Draft

[Tony Abbott]

View full article

[Outskated]

The pick feels like a reach, even Brackett admitted it.  Sure would have been awesome to see them try to get in front of Chicago and draft Moore.  Like with all of these picks, time will tell.  

[Tony Abbott]

11 minutes ago, Outskated said:

The pick feels like a reach, even Brackett admitted it.  Sure would have been awesome to see them try to get in front of Chicago and draft Moore.  Like with all of these picks, time will tell.  

FWIW, fun fact I couldn't squeeze into the article: Oliver was 21 on Pronmans list of high-upside players, suggesting Stramel and he are about the same in that regard.

[B1GKappa97]

Completely agreed! Nobody was complaining about Carson Lambos being a reach, but it's a very similar situation of a guy who was considered a potential top-10 player pre-draft year and then falling due to a lack of production (for differing reasons though, obviously.) 

From what I've read Stramel will be, at worst, a defensive 3C with great size. Which, last time I checked, was still a pretty glaring need for this team, especially with Ek making his way into the top-6 and Rossi/Khusnutdinov likely battling for the 1C spot ahead of him over the next couple seasons.

Fans who are upset about passing on higher upside in the name of size should think about how nice it'll be to have more than 1 center who is willing to attack the front of the net for once! Already at 215 lbs, he's not going to be as easy to move out from the crease. 

Personally I'm already having visions of an upgraded GREEF line with the versatile Oghren joining Stramel, and a shooter in Beckman, to give us a line with good size (all over 6' and 185 lbs) and some greasy offensive potential for the post-season.

I assume this was the Front Office's vision as well when selecting him and assuming that the top-3 forward prospects (Rossi/Khusnutdinov/Yurov) are locks for the top-6 that will give us a pretty stacked top-9 in a hurry. 

[B1GKappa97]

17 minutes ago, Outskated said:

The pick feels like a reach, even Brackett admitted it.  Sure would have been awesome to see them try to get in front of Chicago and draft Moore.  Like with all of these picks, time will tell.  

It is, but not a terrible one. If we didn't take Stramel at #21 its highly unlikely he made it past the Rangers, who were frequently mocked taking him. Even if he somehow made it past them and into the 2nd round, he wasn't going to make it to our pick. 

Personally I think its okay to reach on a pick if they fit what you need (and Stramel fits the GRIT FIRST Wild perfectly) but are unlikely to last until your next selection. That's how you play the board. 

BPA sounds great in theory but how many more sub-6' "top-6" talents does this team need? We're already struggling with getting physically outmatched in the post-season as it is and those top-6 talents (outside of #97) aren't producing anyway.

[Sviginak]

I think Charlie has a reasonably good chance to become a force to reckon with for the Wild. Being called a good skater while 6’3” and pre draft age is not a common occurrence. We needed another skater this size and pedigree badly. Lots of good reasons to think positive about this pick. 

[Protec]

Good article.

Smoother skater than Greenway. If Stramel gains a little bit more explosiveness and agility, and can incorporate the offense with his size and defensive game plus win draws, the Wild got exactly the guy they need.

Initially, I wasn't too sure because I didn't really do a deep dive on him but he was on our radar. Looks now like exactly what we were clamoring for.

The B.Tkachuk comparison is nice. While at WI Stramel should begin studying some American and African honey-badger tactics. For example, the American badger is known to dig a hole right in the middle of the gravel road before you can run him over with yer pickup. If if you're going very fast and directly line up your mud-tires before the tunnel is complete they'll tense up real good and do a Stramel reverse-check. Then when you glance in the rear-view past the gun-rack the stink'n badger is scampering off into the ditch. Of course the African badger invites the cobra to attack while the badger chews it's head off. Now I'm not sure if being poisoned by snake venom is an analogy for hockey particularly but the waking up and eating the remaining body shows a resilience and ability to overcome diversity we love to see in hockey players. That ain't being a wuss.

So Charlie is you read this, I suggest you take a look at badgers and emulate their tenacious, mean, slippery, snarly, and fight to the death characteristics. The Wild will need this and would get better value from it than pretentious PR videos.

[Tony Abbott]

10 minutes ago, B1GKappa97 said:

It is, but not a terrible one. If we didn't take Stramel at #21 its highly unlikely he made it past the Rangers, who were frequently mocked taking him. Even if he somehow made it past them and into the 2nd round, he wasn't going to make it to our pick. 

Personally I think its okay to reach on a pick if they fit what you need (and Stramel fits the GRIT FIRST Wild perfectly) but are unlikely to last until your next selection. That's how you play the board. 

Think this is a good point. We can talk about value (and I will) but if you can't trade back and get the player you are targeting, trading back isn't super useful.

[Protec]

5 minutes ago, Tony Abbott said:

trading back isn't super useful.

Yes. I'd rather the Wild get the guy they scout and research and expect to see at 21st. Don't let the developments sucker you into a more random or less purposeful selection. That's exactly what happened with Rossi. I believe the Wild were originally looking at Lundell and probably expecting to take him with the 9th pick. This draft they made sure to do what they believed to be the most certain thing that fit the bigger picture. Blocking out the temptation to go off script. It's one that rounds out a prospect pool and gives the Wild a little bit of everything. That should play into future flexibility. Stramel is a player who could easily become like a B. Tkachuk, especially if he can win battles and impose his will in games.

[MNCountryLife]

I like the pick.  Stramel has already played a year with the Badgers and is still only 18 years old until October....a very young Freshman.  He put up solid numbers for a true Freshman and at 6' 3'' and over 200 pounds he checks a lot of boxes for the Wild at the C position.  His game will likely improve dramatically over the next 2 years.  I much prefer the Wild going with need vs picking the next best player in line.  We need young guys to enter the lineup.... especially at the C position.

[Up North Guy]

Hey Tony, just want to say well done on the draft coverage by all of you at HW. Speaking for myself, I really appreciate all the coverage. Thank you.

[TCMooch]

Do you know how long I looked for a draft report on Elias Grundström?!?!?!?!?!?

[jgodwin17]

I will admit I thought this was a bit of a reach (and still do), but I'm becoming more comfortable with the pick as I learn more about Stramel (though I'm still sad we didn't trade up to get Moore). Being a fast skater and 6'3, especially at 18 is pretty rare. Heck most power forwards currently in the NHL STILL aren't particularly quick skaters.

If he is solid defensively, can actually win face-offs (since we really don't have anyone that is good at that), and can crash the net and jam in rebounds, he will have a very important role here. Currently Ek and Duhaime are the only guys who can score greasy goals on the team (yeah....looking at you Marcus Foligno), and with his size and strength Stramel should be pretty good at that. Also with his speed (for his size at least) and his size he can really lay out some devastating hits on people.
 

[vonlonster67]

6 hours ago, Outskated said:

The pick feels like a reach, even Brackett admitted it.  Sure would have been awesome to see them try to get in front of Chicago and draft Moore.  Like with all of these picks, time will tell.  

They did try to move up (Moore) as admitted by BG and Judd, no takers. I guarantee it wasn't for Stramel. We got their next best pick...in their eyes.

Something else to point out and I want to give this kid some grace. He lost his father, left to play for the Badgers with no talent, got exposed by a few teams. I have to give him a chance to prove himself this year and trust the system that says they have been watching Stramel for 3 years and this is just a bump in the road. Same thing happen to Boldy in his college experience and we all see how that turned out. 

We need the size, chippiness and grit. If Khusnutdinov comes over next year year we would have  had Moore, Rossi and him at 5'10 and under and no one to take up a place in front of the net, but EE. I thought reach when I heard his name and still felt it this morning, but I'm willing to support him as I believe his fall from the top ten was more than just about hockey.

Good luck Charlie and "Welcome to Minnesota Wild"

 

[Pewterschmidt]

30 minutes ago, vonlonster67 said:

They did try to move up (Moore) as admitted by BG and Judd, no takers. I guarantee it wasn't for Stramel. We got their next best pick...in their eyes.

Something else to point out and I want to give this kid some grace. He lost his father, left to play for the Badgers with no talent, got exposed by a few teams. I have to give him a chance to prove himself this year and trust the system that says they have been watching Stramel for 3 years and this is just a bump in the road. Same thing happen to Boldy in his college experience and we all see how that turned out. 

We need the size, chippiness and grit. If Khusnutdinov comes over next year year we would have  had Moore, Rossi and him at 5'10 and under and no one to take up a place in front of the net, but EE. I thought reach when I heard his name and still felt it this morning, but I'm willing to support him as I believe his fall from the top ten was more than just about hockey.

Good luck Charlie and "Welcome to Minnesota Wild"

 

I really like the stramel pick as long as he’s not James Shepard.  If he’sa rugged Charlie Coyle who’s53+% in face off dot I’m very happy because he fills a need this team has always lacked (koivu excl because he just wasn’t physical at all)

 here’s a conversation starter: do we draft stramel if Mcbain had signed?

Edited June 29, 2023 by Pewterschmidt

[Up North Guy]

58 minutes ago, vonlonster67 said:

They did try to move up (Moore) as admitted by BG and Judd, no takers. I guarantee it wasn't for Stramel. We got their next best pick...in their eyes.

Something else to point out and I want to give this kid some grace. He lost his father, left to play for the Badgers with no talent, got exposed by a few teams. I have to give him a chance to prove himself this year and trust the system that says they have been watching Stramel for 3 years and this is just a bump in the road. Same thing happen to Boldy in his college experience and we all see how that turned out. 

We need the size, chippiness and grit. If Khusnutdinov comes over next year year we would have  had Moore, Rossi and him at 5'10 and under and no one to take up a place in front of the net, but EE. I thought reach when I heard his name and still felt it this morning, but I'm willing to support him as I believe his fall from the top ten was more than just about hockey.

Good luck Charlie and "Welcome to Minnesota Wild"

 

One of the complaints about the Badgers last year was that they played without any structure. It would be pretty hard for a 17-18 year old to succeed on a team that had marginal talent and no team play structure. UW under Hastings will be a very different team. We should get a much better idea of how good this kid is going forward.

[Imyourhuckleberry]

Looks like the Wild made 2 reaches for size with their first 2 picks, and may have missed out on some better point-producing prospects.

Rasmus Kumpulainen isn't overly skilled, nor an exciting skater, but could become a bottom six center. Hopefully their top pick, Stramel, turns out better than expected.

[mnfaninnc]

10 hours ago, Tony Abbott said:

Think this is a good point. We can talk about value (and I will) but if you can't trade back and get the player you are targeting, trading back isn't super useful.

This is so true. I've got to believe that Stramel was every bit as highly scouted by the Wild FO as Moore was. All of our backyard guys should be. 

Before the draft, I compared this draft to the '03 one. We were in the range where Getzlaf and Kesler were both picked. Which one is Stramel? A Getzlaf, or a Kesler? He looks like he could be either from his size. Either one I'd be happy with, but happier with a Getzlaf! Interestingly, both players also had a little edge to their game too.

So, if UW was completely unstructured last year, I wonder what Stramel will look like in a structured game? Since we play that type of game, I'll bet he looks way better. I didn't know he had recently lost his father, that is a tremendous blow to a young kid. Maybe after being drafted and coming into an organization and participating in development camps, he can get some solid direction from what will now be his hockey family. 

I, for one, am hoping that Mike Modano visits him often at UW and watches his games. That kind of support would go a long way for the kid. That's the kind of thing that helps during contract negotiations and builds loyalty.

Also, I know this is about Stramel in this article, but we cannot overlook the fact that Heidt fell to us at 64. When you look at the 3 top picks, all being centers, and one is very skilled, it certainly makes this draft look much better than it did last night at this time.

Edited June 30, 2023 by mnfaninnc

[SpaceCowboy]

I appreciate the positive outlook on the pick Tony. I was surprised at the pick for sure, and like many, was hoping for a chance at Oliver Moore. But I think the size and position are all things needed to be strengthened. It will be interesting to see how he develops over the next few years, whether it be at Madison or in the AHL. Only time will tell, until then, I am just glad more centers with size are entering the system to complement the skilled prospects. 

Happy 4th Wilderness

[vonlonster67]

13 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

This is so true. I've got to believe that Stramel was every bit as highly scouted by the Wild FO as Moore was. All of our backyard guys should be. 

Before the draft, I compared this draft to the '03 one. We were in the range where Getzlaf and Kesler were both picked. Which one is Stramel? A Getzlaf, or a Kesler? He looks like he could be either from his size. Either one I'd be happy with, but happier with a Getzlaf! Interestingly, both players also had a little edge to their game too.

So, if UW was completely unstructured last year, I wonder what Stramel will look like in a structured game? Since we play that type of game, I'll bet he looks way better. I didn't know he had recently lost his father, that is a tremendous blow to a young kid. Maybe after being drafted and coming into an organization and participating in development camps, he can get some solid direction from what will now be his hockey family. 

I, for one, am hoping that Mike Modano visits him often at UW and watches his games. That kind of support would go a long way for the kid. That's the kind of thing that helps during contract negotiations and builds loyalty.

Also, I know this is about Stramel in this article, but we cannot overlook the fact that Heidt fell to us at 64. When you look at the 3 top picks, all being centers, and one is very skilled, it certainly makes this draft look much better than it did last night at this time.

Heidt was picked by some to go at 21 and Stramel late 2nd round. So I agree we got our value even if it is jumbled in the numbers.

I have to believe Judd knows something about the big Finn and we will all be looking back in a few years reevaluating this draft with the proof.

2025-26 can't get here soon enough!

[B1GKappa97]

16 hours ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Looks like the Wild made 2 reaches for size with their first 2 picks, and may have missed out on some better point-producing prospects.

Rasmus Kumpulainen isn't overly skilled, nor an exciting skater, but could become a bottom six center. Hopefully their top pick, Stramel, turns out better than expected.

I think the approach makes sense though. The top-6 is pretty much set going forward, we know that Rossi is not built for a bottom-6 role and I would assume that also applies to Yurov and Khusnutdinov. The bottom-6 is a whole other story:

1) Shaw is out after another injury. Who knows if he comes back.                       

2) Duhaime and Dewar are RFAs this offseason and next, respectively.                   

3)We aren't bringing back Sam Steel.                                                                           

4) Foligno's in the last year of his deal and may not be retained.                                 

5) Reav-o is likely gone if he's trying to maximize his final contract.                           

6) The only bottom-6 player with a long-term deal right now is Freddy G.                    

Adding Stramel and Kumpulainen gives us the pieces we need to build a bruising bottom-6 and puts them in position to succeed rather than expecting them to turn into goal-scoring players they likely aren't. Its not sexy, but those bottom-6 players do play a pretty key role so getting the center depth to stock those lines, with big bodies at that, isn't the worst idea. Especially since it'll put Freedy at W where he belongs!

Edited June 30, 2023 by B1GKappa97

[Protec]

^^^

Plus physically, Stramel is there. Strength and size might not be exactly the same thing but he's a guy who the Wild can sign and plug in sooner than later. Best case would be a good NCAA season and signs to join the Wild. Then his rookie year is the final year of penalties. At that point if the Wild have good young players and continue to draft okay they should have plenty of money and flexibility to kick it up a notch. The slow development with Rossi and how this year begins is the current obstacle. Are the Wild planning with or without him? Hard to know what it is currently. Wild have a lot invested, no real returns yet from the drafts. Elite Swede goaltending might be the beginning of those returns in Oct./Nov. I'm sure Wellsstedt will get pre-season games but will he make an NHL impact before Rossi?

[mnfaninnc]

24 minutes ago, vonlonster67 said:

I have to believe Judd knows something about the big Finn and we will all be looking back in a few years reevaluating this draft with the proof.

I'm not so sure it was Judd, but we've got a pretty good scout team in Sweden/Finland. This draft felt different to me from the beginning. To me, it looked like Shooter took more control over the priorities of the 1st 2 picks. The rest of the draft felt a lot more like Judd's team and if you look at the players selected, they kind of fit Judd's profile. 

I think Shooter chose size over skill this time around, not that the guys weren't skilled, but it was the size that stood out. Also, a factor in Judd's profile was skating proficiency. He has typically shied away from guys who's skating was a work in progress, likely taking out the larger bodies because they were relearning their strides, etc... Both Stramel and Kumpukalainen fit that description. They also have a tendency to hit people, an attribute we needed (and is becoming a skill as many players avoid the contact and think a flyby stick check is actually defending). 

To me, it appears that Judd believes that the team with the best skating, skill, and hockey IQ wins. He discounts size in that equation, and if he gets height, he doesn't really check body type. This changed with the 1st 2 picks. 

That said, I thought the draft fell very well for us this year. We still got a highly skilled current C at 64. Also, please note that I am not married to the theory that centers have to take draws. If we've got wings who are better faceoff guys, I have no problem starting them in the dot. I'm hoping both of the big centers are good at draws. Whether or not they stay there will depend on their skating development.

[mnfaninnc]

29 minutes ago, B1GKappa97 said:

2) Duhaime and Dewar are RFAs this offseason and next, respectively.   

These guys should be pretty affordable to resign.

[Protec]

I don’t think the Wild will need to expect a lot of scoring from Stramel initially. It’s been known Guerin wants a scoring wing. Boeser or that type of guy can come in with a proven record, give the Wild that punch and a player like Stramel will be insulated. My gut tells me he would adjust to NHL hockey and be good in a lesser role where he’s learning and building confidence. Similar to Boldy. I don’t have much doubt there. That is good, and I’d much rather argue over the ceiling VS. whether they even have the arsenal of attributes to make it.