Article: Minnesota Wild’s Drafting Record Inspires Confidence

[Robert Brent]

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[IllicitFive]

I believe a lot of the loss of confidence is centered around the deals handed out to guys like Freddie and Moose, and therefore, the illusion of keeping the young guys off the roster. Draft picks are like lottery tickets, won't know what you really have until you scratch it off (get time in the NHL), you might hit on a Kaprizov or might get a Beckman.  Unlike lottery tickets, development is important, and fans are not known for being patient waiting for "next year" or "down the road".

If the prospects all pan out to being NHL caliber players I think people will quickly forget a down year and Billy will be praised as a GM genius. If they falter and only 1 or 2 actually show up and make an impact "Fire Billy the bum" calls will be deafening. This is the last year of "but the cap penalties" and "young guys need to spend time developing". Starting next year, there will need to be signs of progress, not saying Cup of Bust, but youth movement, growth, and signs of hope. This will greatly raise the approval rating, but for now we are stuck with the, well everything looks good on paper point of view. 

[Imyourhuckleberry]

Getting Buium and Yurov where they did, along with Wallstedt are huge wins for the Wild. Detroit got Cossa at #15 that year and he has a chance to develop into their #1 goalie as well, but Wallstedt had been projected by many as the better prospect going into that draft.

The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler has Buium rated as the 3rd best prospect and the Wild got him at #12. Yurov was considered a top 10 talent, drafted at #24. Goalies are hard to gauge, but many were considering Wallstedt top 15 as well as the #1 goalie prospect and the Wild got him at #20.

Those are the top 3 prospects for the Wild and they all have a chance to become elite, difference making, players for the Wild. Hopefully they stay healthy and continue their development to make those selections look like the incredible steals that Wild fans dream about their GM hitting on.

The Athletic also had a link to a Wild podcast that includes Wheeler if you want to get deep into their thoughts on the Wild's prospect pool.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fellowship-of-the-rink/id1736052958

[WildRam]

Anyone have a dream forward lineup they want to see with this roster? Would've been really nice to have Yurov this year but hopefully will be better for him long term getting another year at home. Hoping Heidt can stick, but knowing the Wild... 

Kap - EK - Boldy

Ohgren - Rossi - Hartman 

Foligno - Khus - Trenin 

NoJo - Fred - Zuccy  

 

 

[MNCountryLife]

26 minutes ago, WildRam said:

Kap - EK - Boldy

Ohgren - Rossi - Hartman 

Foligno - Khus - Trenin 

NoJo - Fred - Zuccy  

I mostly agree.  Nojo needs to go.  Lauko, Reese, Zuc.  Freddy needs to be better than last year.

[Pewterschmidt]

36 minutes ago, WildRam said:

Kap - EK - Boldy

Ohgren - Rossi - Hartman 

Foligno - Khus - Trenin 

NoJo - Fred - Zuccy 

I think this is a very realistic game #1 lineup.  Only exception would be that I suspect they'll put Zuc back with 97 to get points from Zuc, and create a 2nd line that can score too.

[mnfaninnc]

I tend to agree with I-5's point of view here. This would be the 5 year mark on the 2020 draft. While this is kind of fluid (especially due to the covid break of development), we should see what we've got from that draft. For review:

1. Marco Rossi turned in a year ahead of schedule. Most thought it would be sooner but serious illness coupled with covid also took it's toll.

2. Marat Khusnutdinov arrived slightly early to get a start on his season. This season is right on time for him. 

2. Ryan O'Rourke was the guy I was hoping for big things from. He was exactly what we needed, a big hitter on D, stay at home type. Due to needing a large frame for that type of game, O'Rourke failed to gains strength/size and is utterly useless at the N level at this time.

3. Daemon Hunt, also a stay at home defender has already made his debut. He is a bit larger, but got Oled (olayed) a couple of times and sent right back to Iowa. He did well in Iowa while there. I would expect him to challenge for a spot this year.

5. Pavel Novak again had a devastating illness and is well behind the 8 ball in developing. He was going between the E and A last season, and I'm hoping he stays in the A this year. His 5 year plan was definitely disrupted and much more seasoning is needed.

This is the season we will be giving a grade on the 2020 draft. If we can get 3 players that play a decent role on the team, that is a huge draft win. If we get 2, that's probably a little better than average and definitely solid. I'm really hoping for 3, but where does Hunt fit? I think he'd be an upgrade over Merrill, but having him sitting and eating nachos isn't good for his development, so he's probably still a 1st pairing in the A and 1st injury callup. He probably plays instead of Merrill.

I'm excited to finally get some players. Also note that the goalie position is typically a 7 year development period, so The Wall may be way ahead of schedule. 

[mnfaninnc]

Also on this, The Wall has debuted for 2021 draft, and I haven't given up on Lambos. I'm expecting a much better year from him and that he comes in ripped. Ohgren also looks to be ahead of schedule for 2022, and I'm excited to see what he can do this season. Please remember with Ohgren, he is a 2nd half player, expect a slow point start from him. If he can get acclimated, and learn from Foligno and be a huge physical presence, that's all I expect from him until February.

[Imyourhuckleberry]

1 hour ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler has Buium rated as the 3rd best prospect and the Wild got him at #12.

I don't know how I ended up typing 3rd there when all indications were 4th best in the 2024 draft, and that's what I was thinking. He sounds like a Heiskanen type of player though, and Heiskanen was drafted 3rd overall in 2017. If he does end up with that type of skill level, getting him at 12th will certainly be a steal.

Scott Wheeler said he's never seen a teenage defender at that level in NCAA hockey, indicating he's a better young player than Owen Power or either Hughes brother. Really look forward to seeing what Buium can do for the Wild's future.

[Imyourhuckleberry]

1 hour ago, WildRam said:

Kap - EK - Boldy

Ohgren - Rossi - Hartman 

Foligno - Khus - Trenin 

NoJo - Fred - Zuccy  

I cannot imagine Zuccy playing below 2nd line. Need to find someone he has chemistry with other than KK97 to maximize his value. Otherwise, might as well just keep those 2 together and create another scoring line with Boldy on line 2.

I wouldn't mind seeing them put JEE and Boldy on line 2.

KK97 - Hartman - Zuccarello

Boldy - JEE - Rossi

Foligno - Trenin - Ohgren

Gaudreau - Dino - NoJo

PP1 would remain Kaprizov, JEE, Boldy, Zuccarello w/ Faber.

Heidt could shake things up if he were good enough to play NHL this year. It could either be him or Rossi stepping in for Zuccarello in the near future. Yurov likely at C in top 6 for 25-26. Johansson in the press box would be fine this season, particularly since he'll be gone and a free agent added for 25-26.

[WildRam]

Kap - EK - Zuccy 

Ohgren - Rossi - Boldy 

Foligno - Dino - Hartman 

Lauko - Fred - Trenin 

 

Last year Kap - Hartman - Zucc seemed very ineffective

Like the idea of getting Ohgren on the 2nd line in a better place to score and develop

3rd line would be a bruiser / shutdown line, like the idea of getting The Khus off the 4th line

4th line will be a prove it line, but not having either of Fred or NoJo in the lineup would tickle 

[mnfaninnc]

2 hours ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

I cannot imagine Zuccy playing below 2nd line.

This depends on if Heinzy wants Zuccy to waive his NMC.

[Burnt Toast]

4 hours ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

KK97

I think it’s fair to say getting KK to commit long term is one of the Wild’s top priorities. Does management ask him… “ hey who do you want on your line?” He does seem like a guy mostly concerned with winning so maybe they just come up with their best overall plan and go from there. They tried spreading the talent out throughout the lineup but that didn’t work for long. I do believe the Wild have raised their floor both on offense as well as defensively. Last year they just had too many exploitable players. I have come to appreciate Bruce There It Is’ willingness to juggle lines. Guy was like someone at a roulette wheel. 

[Dean]

St. Louis is proving that if you don’t have your house in order you’ll get robbed . So Billy’s cap management could mean offer sheets coming our way In the future . I’ll laugh so hard if Billy gets himself poached because of his dumb contracts. I love what STL is doing . I think it will have a chance to be the new nhl . Enough of the friendly gm’s. Do what’s best for your team over the good ole boys rule. Billy’s going to be maxed out cap wise and ntc wise to where he has no flexibility if an offer sheet comes in future. Such a hockey mind. 

[Protec]

36 minutes ago, Dean said:

St. Louis is proving that if you don’t have your house in order you’ll get robbed . So Billy’s cap management could mean offer sheets coming our way In the future . I’ll laugh so hard if Billy gets himself poached because of his dumb contracts. I love what STL is doing . I think it will have a chance to be the new nhl . Enough of the friendly gm’s. Do what’s best for your team over the good ole boys rule. Billy’s going to be maxed out cap wise and ntc wise to where he has no flexibility if an offer sheet comes in future. Such a hockey mind. 

I don't think MN needs Holloway or Broberg at those prices. Plus it's small sample size. Very easy to critique or question why not MN, but the Wild aren't trying to hold together a window to win. They're looking at a window they wanna see open. 

The one-offs where a team sends an offer-sheet are interesting but not a roster construction silver-bullet. MN has better balance, health, and maturity than last season with a clean slate for Hynes. There's certainly no less talent so I'm not gonna write off next season or Kaprizov's future cause NoJo sucks and Fred/Foligno don't move the needle enough and the past disgruntled cap guy. 

[Fezig]

16 hours ago, WildRam said:

Anyone have a dream forward lineup they want to see with this roster? Would've been really nice to have Yurov this year but hopefully will be better for him long term getting another year at home. Hoping Heidt can stick, but knowing the Wild... 

Kap - EK - Boldy

Ohgren - Rossi - Hartman 

Foligno - Khus - Trenin 

NoJo - Fred - Zuccy  

 

 

That 4th line will need a high scoring defenseman to put the puck in the net. Otherwise, they sure can skate!

[MNCountryLife]

16 hours ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Need to find someone he has chemistry with other than KK97 to maximize his value

This is such an accurate statement.  Zuc does not belong on the top line anymore and his value typically comes when paired with a goal scorer.  You don't find goal scorers often on the 4th line.  Zuc may need to reinvent himself as a goal scorer if he wants to hold his value.

[FredJohnson]

21 hours ago, WildRam said:

Anyone have a dream forward lineup they want to see with this roster? Would've been really nice to have Yurov this year but hopefully will be better for him long term getting another year at home. Hoping Heidt can stick, but knowing the Wild... 

Kap - EK - Boldy

Ohgren - Rossi - Hartman 

Foligno - Khus - Trenin 

NoJo - Fred - Zuccy  

 

 

Maybe?
Kap - EK - Boldy

Ohgren - Rossi - Heidt (or switch with Hartzy)

Foligno - Hartmann - Trenin 

Frauddy - Khus - Zuccy

[FredJohnson]

Questions Surround Development

This is my biggest concern. I see way too many guys struggling in the A, especially too many regressing.

[mnfaninnc]

36 minutes ago, FredJohnson said:

Questions Surround Development

This is my biggest concern. I see way too many guys struggling in the A, especially too many regressing.

Des Moines is supposed to be the feeder team for the St. Paul team. Feeder teams don't care so much about winning as they do about preparing the guys for St. Paul. So, Fred, in your headline here, I am equally concerned. We've seen time and again that what is being sent up to St. Paul, typically due to injury, do not have NHL ready bodies. This should be a priority of the baby Wild.

2nd issue is the coaching staff. We sent a bunch of drafted defensemen to Iowa the last couple of years with very little defensive coaching, at least from someone they can respect as a player. Neither team has this. So, how do you develop them? I didn't watch for the eye test, but the statistics test would suggest they were pretty much left on their own to improve. 

My suggestion is a huge investment needs to be made in Des Moines. Perhaps the baby Wild owners need to step up for the facilities, though, I think it would have to be in cooperation with Leipold. If you are trying to get these guys to be staples on your St. Paul team, one would think that you would invest as much as needed for at least almost state of the art training facilities. 

Then we need to ask the questions: Why aren't these guys developing properly? Why aren't these guys getting NHL bodies? Why are the guys coming over from Europe doing it properly? Maybe Matt Hendricks can figure it out? Somewhere, messages aren't getting received. 

[raithis]

4 hours ago, MNCountryLife said:

This is such an accurate statement.  Zuc does not belong on the top line anymore and his value typically comes when paired with a goal scorer.  You don't find goal scorers often on the 4th line.  Zuc may need to reinvent himself as a goal scorer if he wants to hold his value.

I definitely agree with this.  Yes, Zuccarello and Kaprizov have some chemistry, but the problem is that everyone else in the entire arena knows that the two tend to forget there is anyone else on the ice. 

Initially, it was fun to watch as they would be in total sync out there, but then the other Wild players seemed to worry less about getting to or fighting for positions because it was the Kap and Zuc show, and other teams recognized that and started cutting off passing lanes.  The stupid thing is that both Kaprizov and Zuccarello would still try to get it to the other and they'd frequently turn over the puck.

If they can play more of a full team game being on the same line and Zuccarello is willing to shoot a bit more, then maybe I could be swayed, but not otherwise.

I'd also want Ek to stay on the top line, Kaprizov plays mostly on the perimeter as does Zuccarello and Boldy (though I really with Body would tap into his inner power forward and drive to the net more often).  Rossi tries to stay in the middle but he just doesn't always have the leverage to hold his spot.  Hartman can hold a spot, but he seems to be better suited at someplace other than the first line.  Ek is our best fit for a top line center right now.  He's better at screening the goalie than most other players on our team, and he's a large reason why that first line is so dangerous.

[Pewterschmidt]

2 hours ago, FredJohnson said:

Foligno - Hartmann - Trenin

I like this as a 3rd line!!!

Har-Nin-No??

Fo-Har-Nin??

[FredJohnson]

46 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

I like this as a 3rd line!!!

Har-Nin-No??

Fo-Har-Nin??

I miss Nino Nienerniner. 😔 

[FredJohnson]

2 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

My suggestion is a huge investment needs to be made in Des Moines.

I don't think it's a facility or equipment thing. I could be wrong but I've been down to the DSM arena and it's pretty good. If you mean we need to invest in better coaching...I am completely with ya.

[FredJohnson]

KK - JEE - Bolds

Heidt/Ogie - Rossi - Zuccy

Foli - Knus - Hartzy

Lauko - Frauddy - Trenin

slide Zuccy or Ogie down if Heidt impresses.