Article: Charlie Stramel Just Showed Why He Can't Be Written Off

[Tony Abbott]

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[MrCheatachu]

Quote

But the one thing Perreault isn't is "a center." Fans hate "drafting for need" instead of taking the "best player available," but they also hate going through two decade-long dry spells in producing homegrown centers.

For the past 6 games, Stramel has been skating 4th line wing for the Badgers.

[mnfaninnc]

I have to give Stramel points for heading to the NCAA underaged. It was far tougher competition, where he could have cruised to a big year in the USHL. 

I wonder if the only thing holding Stramel back at this point is confidence? If the lights click on like they did for Boldy, we'll have a monster of a player on our hands. 

Drafting for need is not the best thing to do when rebuilding, but it is a signal that the rebuild is, essentially, over. In previous drafts, Judd picked the best player he felt was available, regardless of position. But, when you're finishing up your rebuild, that's when you have to fill in the missing pieces. For us, that was center. 

Did we miss the boat on Edstrom? That one might be the one that got away! But, Stramel was locally scouted, and probably scouted much better than other prospects. I also have to wonder if, as Oliver Moore was dropping, if Judd felt like he'd get a shot at him? I feel like he was heavily scouted too. In the back of my mind, I was kind of hoping we'd trade up a few spots like we did for "The Wall" to take Moore. 

Some of you are Gophers watchers. How is Moore doing? 

But, Guerin took 3 swings at the position. Odds are 1 works out, but if you're going by my rebuild from the 20s strategy, 2 will need to make it. If all 3 made it, yahtzee!

[mnfaninnc]

22 minutes ago, MrCheatachu said:

For the past 6 games, Stramel has been skating 4th line wing for the Badgers.

True, but doesn't he have the size/speed and ability to play C? I also like that he's right handed which we sorely need. 

To me it looks like he'll be heading back to WI for his junior year. Then maybe we sign him after that? I really thought he'd break out this year. 

Does anyone know how Hastings runs his lines? Is he a roll all 4 kind of guy, or does the 4th line get limited minutes? Now, if Stramel was out for several games and needed to reacclimate himself, it makes sense to put him there until he's at full speed. 

Edited December 14, 2023 by mnfaninnc

[Citizen Strife]

I understand the rationale of taking Perreault.  However, there's such a thing is being blindsided by "offense."  Look what the Wild got from Rossi this year.  He improved to the point that a serious glaring weakness during 5on5 scoring is slowly but surely being filled up.  Eriksson Ek is a beast on the PP, and scored 60 points last year on a bargain bin contract.  All while being a Brodin or Faber at center.  No one ever scores on him, and he ends up adding more offense than thought possible years ago.  That makes two centers you've already accounted for five years to a decade (provided Rossi stays as good as he's looked now), even without taking into consideration Yurov or Khusnutdinov coming next year even.  If one of them hits, that's three centers that take care of the offense workload.  That puts even less pressure on Heidt, Kumpulainen, or Stramel to NEED to be that guy anymore.

But what if they are?  What if you have 3-5 guys who filter down to wing or down to lower lines, because the center issue is taken care of?  Stramel and Kumpulainen have size that you can't teach.  That's something the Wild have been missing, even less if they are not scoring centerman on this level.  If anyone in front of them aren't, but are excellent 3rd/4th line terrors, then that solves a lot of depth issues going forward as the recent signees age out.  This is without even taking into account free agency.  

The Wild have potential options they didn't have even a couple years ago.  That is a frighteningly good problem to have.  Imagine having three Eriksson Eks down the middle instead of just one...

Edited December 14, 2023 by Citizen Strife

[Up North Guy]

1 hour ago, mnfaninnc said:

Some of you are Gophers watchers. How is Moore doing?

Moore's speed is outstanding and obvious from the get go. That said, he is a freshman and as such he leaves you wanting to see more. I certainly would not put him as a comp for Cooley. He has a lot of growing to do to become a more complete player. His speed gets him the chances but finishing is something he can improve on. I really think Stramel could have a better career. His size is a game changer between the two.

[Eddy]

19 minutes ago, Citizen Strife said:

I understand the rationale of taking Perreault.  However, there's such a thing is being blindsided by "offense."  Look what the Wild got from Rossi this year.  He improved to the point that a serious glaring weakness during 5on5 scoring is slowly but surely being filled up.  Eriksson Ek is a beast on the PP, and scored 60 points last year on a bargain bin contract.  All while being a Brodin or Faber at center.  No one ever scores on him, and he ends up adding more offense than thought possible years ago.  That makes two centers you've already accounted for five years to a decade (provided Rossi stays as good as he's looked now), even without taking into consideration Yurov or Khusnutdinov coming next year even.  If one of them hits, that's three centers that take care of the offense workload.  That puts even less pressure on Heidt, Kumpulainen, or Stramel to NEED to be that guy anymore.

But what if they are?  What if you have 3-5 guys who filter down to wing or down to lower lines, because the center issue is taken care of?  Stramel and Kumpulainen have size that you can't teach.  That's something the Wild have been missing, even less if they are not scoring centerman on this level.  If anyone in front of them aren't, but are excellent 3rd/4th line terrors, then that solves a lot of depth issues going forward as the recent signees age out.  This is without even taking into account free agency.  

The Wild have potential options they didn't have even a couple years ago.  That is a frighteningly good problem to have.  Imagine having three Eriksson Eks down the middle instead of just one...

This exactly what I think….you have enough undersized prospects but filling that role and depth of center is the most important piece. Big strong fast right handed centers are a luxury taking a shot at one to fill the need is not a bad idea especially with our prospect pool depth. Give the kid some time he’s 19 and was injured….nothing he does this year indicates boom or bust he was always going to need time to develop.

[raithis]

I really don't understand calling anyone a bust at 18, 19, or even 20.  The players are mostly still just kids at that point, and some just have a longer developmental curve.  Yes, some have the tools and just never put everything together, but when players are that young, they still have a bit of time to do that.

After being hurt and finding his place in a new system, I'm more concerned with how he finishes the season rather than how he starts it.  Let's give it some time and see some progression before labeling him a bust because he doesn't look like a young Joe Thornton.  Time will tell what he ends up being.  Maybe he's never THAT good, but he won't be a bust just because he isn't.  And it's certainly too soon to say he's a bust now.

[Burnt Toast]

Watch CS play. Get as close as possible. IMO he’s going to play a lot of NHL games and be a great addition to any team. He’s most likely not going to be primarily a scorer. He has the potential to be a strong physical presence and brings a whole lot of intensity to boot. 

[Pewterschmidt]

2 hours ago, MrCheatachu said:

For the past 6 games, Stramel has been skating 4th line wing for the Badgers.

This Badger squad is full of Hasting's transfer's from MN State + Hasting's recruits who followed him from MN state.  That reality and Stramboli's injury have me taking a wait-and-see approach 

[Protec]

I just mentioned this a day or so ago about the Wild needing heaviness with speed. If Stramel is as athletic as the combine showed and he finishes maturing physically that's exactly the type of player you want with attributes that aren't coached or taught.

The Wild will be a team that has size, speed, skill, goaltending when the penalties end it seems. Hopefully the prospects do the things on their end to be NHL players in that time frame. 

[B1GKappa97]

MEGA BUST

[Citizen Strife]

Speaking of size, I read a recent Sportsnet article about the 2024 draft, and several of the top d-men in the class are 6'2/6'3, and there's even a dude at 6'7...

Good god I want.  Have we had a giant on the team since Boogaard?

[M_Nels]

5 minutes ago, Citizen Strife said:

Speaking of size, I read a recent Sportsnet article about the 2024 draft, and several of the top d-men in the class are 6'2/6'3, and there's even a dude at 6'7...

Good god I want.  Have we had a giant on the team since Boogaard?

Be sweet wouldn't it. Get us our own version of Zadorov or Ekholm.

[Dango]

We actually had both John Scott, and Boogard  6-7 255ish +-     .   I dont think those 2 ever fought each other after they left MN  and were on different teams  , even though played in different conferences  so they wouldnt have met on the ice much .  

[Stillwaitingforacuprun]

7 hours ago, MrCheatachu said:

For the past 6 games, Stramel has been skating 4th line wing for the Badgers.

Exactly, the reach was for a big center..Something he's not doing for his college team... Extremely bad 1st round  pick... Can't squeeze this one by...way to much talent still on the board when this pick happened..would have been there a couple rounds later at least. 

[Beast]

No matter how you slice it (and people are trying to to in numerous ways), it’s still a bad pick.

There was all sorts of talent left on the board in a historically deep draft.  You can’t take a guy you’re already penciling into a checking line role on draft day.  The mental gymnastics I’m seeing to rationalize that is off the charts.

I don’t dislike the player, just where he was selected.  He may end up being a good player, and better than some of the other guys available there.  But, it’s a low-odds move.  It’s going all-in with a bad hand hoping to get lucky.  That’s not a sustainable strategy.  Winning a pot with 5-2 off suit doesn’t mean it was the right decision to make the bet.

Thats the point of the argument defenders of this pick are overlooking (and in most cases, intentionally).  No serious person actually believes he’s a bust at this point.  You can’t know that.  But, it’s more than fair to call it a reach.  And you’re really digging yourself into the quicksand when your main argument is “it’s wasn’t a bad pick, because he’s not considered a bust yet.” For a player taken 21st overall in that draft class, the conversation right now should be so much different.

And, no, Judd Brackett doesn’t deserve the benefit of the doubt on anything.  This team stinks.  He’s produced nothing material yet that’s led to on-ice success at the NHL level.  He’s earned something when his players have developed, are in the NHL here, and the team is winning hockey games because of those players.  Not because he took a flawed player in the early 3rd round who’s off to a good start in the OHL, or a kid in Russia we think will be good but doesn’t get the ice time to know for sure.

The defenders argue we have to wait and see….that goes both ways for all of these guys he’s taken.  But, we’ve already anointed him and developed this attitude that “if Judd wanted to take him, he must be great.”

Edited December 15, 2023 by Beast

[Imyourhuckleberry]

16 hours ago, Stillwaitingforacuprun said:

would have been there a couple rounds later at least.

Pretty certain he would have been drafted in the top 50 if the Wild didn't take him in the 1st, and if not, the Wild had two 2nd round picks where they likely would have selected him. He wasn't going to be available in the 3rd.

He may end up 3rd and 4th line NHLer, but should be playable if he develops a bit in the next few years. Most did think he was drafted a tad early. Certainly possible that no other team would have selected him in the 1st.

[mnfaninnc]

4 hours ago, Beast said:

And, no, Judd Brackett doesn’t deserve the benefit of the doubt on anything.  This team stinks.  He’s produced nothing material yet that’s led to on-ice success at the NHL level.  He’s earned something when his players have developed, are in the NHL here, and the team is winning hockey games because of those players.  Not because he took a flawed player in the early 3rd round who’s off to a good start in the OHL, or a kid in Russia we think will be good but doesn’t get the ice time to know for sure.

I would say this conversation has to happen about Judd about 7 years after his hiring. If you're drafting in the 20s, it's a pretty safe bet that your prospect won't be ready before he's 22. 7 years gives us 3 drafts to appraise his results. We've got 2 guys playing with this 1st draft (Rossi, Hunt). Next year I'd expect to see The Wall and Lambos at least. If Ohgren, Dino and Yurov come over and make the team, that would be a huge bonanza!

[mnfaninnc]

38 minutes ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Pretty certain he would have been drafted in the top 50 if the Wild didn't take him in the 1st, and if not, the Wild had two 2nd round picks where they likely would have selected him. He wasn't going to be available in the 3rd.

He may end up 3rd and 4th line NHLer, but should be playable if he develops a bit in the next few years. Most did think he was drafted a tad early. Certainly possible that no other team would have selected him in the 1st.

Sometimes it's about the player you want. Perhaps they were real high on the guy but didn't think he'd be available later? There were rumors that NYR was also looking to select him in round 1. Maybe that was their target after Moore fell off the board?

[Quebec1648]

In my opinion, Stramel was a 2nd round talent, so the Wild likely could have taken a better player in round one. The Wild had two 2nd round picks, so they likely could have gotten him in round 2.

[Need4speed99]

Stramel was a giant reach and everyone said so. Guerin drafting for need is one thing, his drafting his prototype is another. He's hell bent on these big physical guys and the nhl has evolved beyond that. Guerin is just the next mike zimmer, did some great things when he got here but unwillinging to play prospects and unwillinging to get with the times... gets you a NEW job. For all you guerin leg humpers, we need a a new gm. Or maybe owner too.

[PNW Wild]

On 12/14/2023 at 2:10 PM, Citizen Strife said:

Good god I want.  Have we had a giant on the team since Boogaard?

John Scott