Article: An Optimist, A Pessimist and A Rationalist Discuss the Wild's Upcoming Draft and Free Agency

[Neil Urbanski]

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[Scalptrash]

Someone please explain why Judd Brackett is considered such a genius? The only player he has drafted that is on the Wild active roster is Marco Rossi, and they apparently want nothing to do with him. Ohgren, so far, hasn't lived up to expectations, neither has Wallstedt. We'll see about Yurov, Heidt and Ritchie. I don't think Stramel will ever see a minute in the NHL, but that's me. Buium fell in their lap and still unproven.

In most cases, they just draft best available to be used as assets and not future roster spots. Obviously they aren't drafting to appease Billy's clone desires.

[SkolWild73]

42 minutes ago, Scalptrash said:

Someone please explain why Judd Brackett is considered such a genius? The only player he has drafted that is on the Wild active roster is Marco Rossi, and they apparently want nothing to do with him. Ohgren, so far, hasn't lived up to expectations, neither has Wallstedt. We'll see about Yurov, Heidt and Ritchie. I don't think Stramel will ever see a minute in the NHL, but that's me. Buium fell in their lap and still unproven.

In most cases, they just draft best available to be used as assets and not future roster spots. Obviously they aren't drafting to appease Billy's clone desires.

Because it generally takes prospects, especially those that are 18 and drafted later in round 1, 3-5 years to make it to the NHL.  Only 15 players from the entire 2022 have played more than 50 games.  All of our first-round picks from 21 and 22 should be on the team this year, with the exception of Lambos who was picked 26th in the first round in 2021.  Of all players picked at 26th, only 60% even play more than 100 games in the NHL.  Players drafted in 23 and 24 generally are not ready yet.  For example, of all the players drafted in 2023, only 6 have played in more than ten games and 5 of them were the drafted in the top 7 with the other at 13 and only 2 from last year's draft, the top 2 picks.  

With this time frame in mind, I think it is too early to say Ohgren and the Wall haven't lived up to expectations.  

[Imyourhuckleberry]

18 hours ago, SkolWild73 said:

All of our first-round picks from 21 and 22 should be on the team this year, with the exception of Lambos who was picked 26th in the first round in 2021.

And while Lambos is unlikely to start with the Wild due to a strong D corps, he might make his debut this season as well, particularly if any LHDs miss games.

[Scalptrash]

18 hours ago, SkolWild73 said:

Because it generally takes prospects, especially those that are 18 and drafted later in round 1, 3-5 years to make it to the NHL.  Only 15 players from the entire 2022 have played more than 50 games.  All of our first-round picks from 21 and 22 should be on the team this year, with the exception of Lambos who was picked 26th in the first round in 2021.  Of all players picked at 26th, only 60% even play more than 100 games in the NHL.  Players drafted in 23 and 24 generally are not ready yet.  For example, of all the players drafted in 2023, only 6 have played in more than ten games and 5 of them were the drafted in the top 7 with the other at 13 and only 2 from last year's draft, the top 2 picks.  

With this time frame in mind, I think it is too early to say Ohgren and the Wall haven't lived up to expectations.  

The question was about Judd and why he is perceived as a genius? I fully understand development, even though the Wild may be the worst team in the NHL at doing it. What has Judd done to garner so many accolades? He seems pretty average to me. If anything, maybe even below average for drafting Stramel. That pick reeked of desperation. Finding and getting Kaprizov in the fifth round was much more impressive.

[SkolWild73]

2 minutes ago, Scalptrash said:

The question was about Judd and why he is perceived as a genius? I fully understand development, even though the Wild may be the worst team in the NHL at doing it. What has Judd done to garner so many accolades? He seems pretty average to me. If anything, maybe even below average for drafting Stramel. That pick reeked of desperation. Finding and getting Kaprizov in the fifth round was much more impressive.

I guess I didn’t make my point clear enough.  It is too early to call him a genius or not.  The majority of players that he has drafted in the first are going to be playing this year.  Will have to see how they do in the next few years.  

[Scalptrash]

17 minutes ago, SkolWild73 said:

I guess I didn’t make my point clear enough.  It is too early to call him a genius or not.  The majority of players that he has drafted in the first are going to be playing this year.  Will have to see how they do in the next few years.  

But the perception is that he is, already. That was my point, he hasn't done anything yet to garner that reputation. There are people that want him to replace Billy when the time comes. Why?

[SkolWild73]

10 minutes ago, Scalptrash said:

But the perception is that he is, already. That was my point, he hasn't done anything yet to garner that reputation. There are people that want him to replace Billy when the time comes. Why?

Based off the players he has drafted at the position that he drafted them to create the number two prospect pool.  Only time will tell if the genius label you refer to is warranted or not.   Also, his short time in Vancouver where he drafted Elias Pettersson and Quin Hughes in 2017 and 2018.

[TheGoosesAreLooses]

On 6/26/2025 at 2:06 PM, Scalptrash said:

Someone please explain why Judd Brackett is considered such a genius? The only player he has drafted that is on the Wild active roster is Marco Rossi, and they apparently want nothing to do with him. Ohgren, so far, hasn't lived up to expectations, neither has Wallstedt. We'll see about Yurov, Heidt and Ritchie. I don't think Stramel will ever see a minute in the NHL, but that's me. Buium fell in their lap and still unproven.

In most cases, they just draft best available to be used as assets and not future roster spots. Obviously they aren't drafting to appease Billy's clone desires.

Pete? That you?

[NoJoSux]

On 6/27/2025 at 12:02 PM, Scalptrash said:

The question was about Judd and why he is perceived as a genius? I fully understand development, even though the Wild may be the worst team in the NHL at doing it. What has Judd done to garner so many accolades? He seems pretty average to me. If anything, maybe even below average for drafting Stramel. That pick reeked of desperation. Finding and getting Kaprizov in the fifth round was much more impressive.

100% propaganda. Brackett the draft guru. The defenders will excuse him for not picking M. Tkachuk. The Wild are happy with Wallstedt, nevermind Johnston. Nevermind Lundell, nevermind Knies, Moser, Blake, or Hutson. 

Brackett's actual record shows he's had big misses and not too many incredible guruistic selections. Its all hype and spin. Local media BS.