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  • Are Bill Guerin and Judd Brackett On the Same Page?

    Image courtesy of Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
    Kalisha Turnipseed

    By Kalisha Turnipseed -

    For five years, the Minnesota Wild have trusted their director of amateur scouting, Judd Brackett, to stockpile young talent. However, anyone who follows the team closely has to wonder if general manager Bill Guerin believes in any of Brackett's picks.

    The Wild will flip prospects who Brackett and his team have spent years scouting like spare parts. They’ve already moved on from Marat Khusnutdinov and Daemon Hunt. Marco Rossi is likely on the way out, and others are either struggling in the AHL or buried in the system.

    It feels less like a GM trusting his scouting department and more like Guerin using Brackett’s draft board as trade bait. Are these two on the same page? If the Wild don’t trust their prospects once they reach the NHL, would Brackett eventually leave the organization? 

    The pattern is becoming hard to ignore: Brackett drafts them and then Guerin trades them, often for minimal value in return. How long can this last? 

    Let's look back at Brackett's draft selections.

    2020 Draft

    1. Marco Rossi (C) – 9th Overall

    Current Team: Minnesota Wild (NHL)

    2. Marat Khusnutdinov (C) – 37th Overall

    Current Team: Boston Bruins (NHL)

    3. Ryan O’Rourke (D) – 39th Overall

    Current Team: Iowa Wild (AHL)

    4. Daemon Hunt (D) – 65th Overall

    Current Team: Cleveland Monsters (AHL)

    5. Pavel Novak (RW) – 146th Overall

    Current Team: HC Motor České Budějovice (Czechia)

    Only Rossi remains with the Wild from the 2020 draft class. Minnesota packaged Khusnutdinov for Justin Brazeau. O'Rourke hasn’t progressed toward becoming an NHL player and isn’t even on Minnesota’s call-up list. 

    The Wild dealt Hunt for David Jiricek, who spent much of the season in the AHL, but could crack the Wild’s roster this fall. They released Novak, who overcame cancer, last year. Best wishes to him! 

    Ultimately, Rossi is the only player of value they got in 2020. 

    2021 Draft

    1. Jesper Wallstedt (G) – 20th Overall

    Current Team: Iowa Wild (AHL)

    2. Carson Lambos (D) – 26th Overall

    Current Team: Iowa Wild (AHL)

    3. Jack Peart (D) – 54th Overall

    Current Team: Iowa Wild (AHL)

    4. Caedan Bankier (C) – 86th Overall

    Current Team: Iowa Wild (AHL)

    5. Josh Pillar (RW) – 127th Overall

    Current Team: Univ. of Saskatchewan (USports)

    6. Nate Benoit (D) – 182nd Overall

    Current Team: Long Island University (NCAA)

    Only Wallstedt, Lambos, and Bankier remain from the 2021 draft. Wallstedt is still adjusting to North America, but could back up Filip Gustavsson this fall. Lambos’ opportunities are diminishing; he's barely been on the call-up list. Bankier projects as a bottom-six NHL forward. 

    The Wild moved Pillar in a three-way trade for Ryan O'Reilly and has no pro future. Benoit is unlikely to sign. He's still at the college level and doesn't look to have a pro future unless he wants to play in Europe. This draft also looks like a failure unless Wallstedt breaks out. 

    2022 Draft

    1. Liam Öhgren (LW) – 19th Overall

    Current Team: Iowa Wild (AHL)

    2. Danila Yurov (C/RW) – 24th Overall

    Current Team: Minnesota Wild (NHL)

    3. Hunter Haight (C) – 47th Overall

    Current Team: Iowa Wild (AHL)

    4. Rieger Lorenz (C) – 56th Overall

    Current Team: Denver University (NCAA)

    5. Michael Milne (LW) – 89th Overall

    Current Team: Iowa Wild (AHL)

    6. Ryan Healey (D) – 121st Overall

    Current Team: Harvard University (NCAA)

    7. David Spacek (D) – 153rd Overall

    Current Team: Iowa Wild (AHL)

    8. Servac Petrovsky (C) – 185th Overall

    Current Team: Bílí Tygři Liberec (Czechia)

    2022 is likely Brackett’s best class. Yurov could crack the Wild’s middle-six this fall after signing his Entry-Level Contract (ELC). Öhgren may make the team or spend more time in Iowa, but patience remains crucial.

    He could become Minnesota’s version of Dylan Holloway. Haight scored 20 goals in Iowa, which is worth noting. Lorenz hopes to lead Denver to another Frozen Four appearance, but the Pioneers will miss Buium’s presence.

    Milne has regressed. While he hit a career-high 15 goals, he hasn’t shown to be a consistent call-up when injuries happen. Healey regressed statistically. Spacek is playing well enough in the AHL that the Wild may flip him for something, and they didn't sign Petrovsky.

    2023 Draft

    1. Charlie Stramel (C) – 21st Overall

    Current Team: Michigan State (NCAA)

    2. Rasmus Kumpulainen (C) – 53rd Overall

    Current Team: Pelicans (Liiga)

    3. Riley Heidt (C) – 64th Overall

    Current Team: Iowa Wild (AHL)

    4. Aaron Pionk (D) – 149th Overall

    Current Team: Univ. of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA)

    5. Kalem Parker (D) – 181st Overall

    Current Team: Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

    6. Jimmy Clark (C) – 213th Overall

    Current Team: Univ. of Minnesota (NCAA)

    Stramel showed signs of life at Michigan State after two rough years at the University of Wisconsin. He scored 20 points in 67 games for the Badgers. He improved to 27 points in 37 games for the Spartans. He’ll likely sign his ELC deal next year. Kumpulainen is testing himself in Europe, but projects as a bottom-six player.

    Heidt is turning pro in Iowa after dominating juniors. His size, lack of two-way play, consistency, and skating caused him to slip in the draft. Can he overcome those flaws? 

    Pionk’s brother is Neal Pionk, the Winnipeg Jets’ star defenseman. He’s unlikely to match that pedigree but could grow into a bottom-pairing defenseman. 

    Parker returns to juniors as his ceiling is uncertain. Clark had a breakout college year and might become a Connor Dewar-type depth piece. This draft class could become successful if Stramel and Heidt show legitimate upside. 

    2024 Draft

    1. Zeev Buium (D) – 12th Overall

    Current Team: Minnesota Wild (NHL)

    2. Ryder Ritchie (RW) – 45th Overall

    Current Team: Boston University (NCAA)

    3. Aron Kiviharju (D) – 122nd Overall

    Current Team: HIFK (Liiga)

    4. Sebastian Soini (D) – 140th Overall

    Current Team: Ilves (Liiga)

    5. Chase Wutzke (G) – 142nd Overall

    Current Team: Red Deer Rebels (WHL)

    6. Stevie Leskovar (D) – 174th Overall

    Current Team: Iowa Wild (AHL)

    The 2024 draft also looks strong. Buium will likely quarterback Minnesota’s top power play. He flashed promise in the playoffs against the Vegas Golden Knights and might be Brackett’s crown jewel if he continues progressing. Ritchie could be a steal as he's ready to tackle NCAA hockey after tearing up juniors.

    Kiviharju still believes he’s the draft’s biggest steal. Once hyped as a first-rounder, injuries plummeted his stock. If healthy, he could surprise. Soini stays overseas, but brings size and shutdown ability. Maybe a depth call-up someday? 

    Wutzke is a long shot because the Wild signed Riley Mercer, who plays his position. Wutzke may become an AHL starter or move elsewhere for playing time. Leskovar brings physicality and size and could be a future call-up option. 

    Potential core players

    Rossi, Buium, Wallstedt, Yurov, and Öhgren 

    Supporting pieces 

    Heidt, Haight, Ritchie, Kiviharju, and Stramel

    Guerin hired Brackett early in his tenure, and something has to give eventually. Either Brackett isn’t drafting the right players, or Guerin has no patience and belief in developing them. The Wild can’t afford this disconnect forever. If Guerin keeps flipping Brackett’s picks before they mature, why keep Brackett? 

    If the Wild sign Kirill Kaprizov and retain most of their core, they will need young talent on team-friendly deals. Eventually, they must retain their prospects, and Brackett and Guerin must be on the same page regarding how to draft and develop players who will make an impact in St. Paul.

    By Kalisha Turnipseed  

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    Citizen Strife

    I have been curious about this for a while.  Guerin lets Brackett do his thing (falling talent, hoping to find rebounders/faster puck movers), while Guerin seems unimpressed with that when in crunch time.  The weird thing is most the team is still Fletcher or Fenton talent.  Middleton, Faber, and Gus were all gotten his trade.  Rossi is the first drafted player to have significant exposure.

    My hope is Guerin, Rossi, and the agent all realize that talent wins out on the end, and Guerin can't afford another Fiala over Dumba thing.

    What does the team lack? Offense.  What does Rossi have a knack for above anything else? Right place right time offensive instincts.  There is a value to that, and I think trying to pigeon hole Yurov into Rossi's place before knowing anything is short sighted.

    If Duchene, Tavares, Giroux, Bennett, etc are off the table (and no trades are biting), just bite the bullet and mend fences.

     

     

     

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    Pewterschmidt

    Many of our top prospects play for the IA Wild.  The very same IA Wild that is at the bottom of the AHL.   
     

    Prediction: when thin skin bill’s seat gets hot(happens end of this season if this group lays another playoff egg), Brackett takes the first bullet and gets fired by bill.  

    Edited by Pewterschmidt
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    mnfaninnc
    1 hour ago, Citizen Strife said:

    Screw just Brackett.  Guerin is probably gone if this upcoming season ends up like the rest.

    I don't have this opinion, I think Guerin's got 3 years of runway left. The biggest thing he has done is buy himself time by making the playoffs and delivering competitive teams throughout the buyouts. 

    I think OCL is pleased with him. Think about this: The buyout payout was miniscule compared to the cap penalties. OCL has the appearance of spending to the cap ceiling while paying in actual salary close to the floor. He has made a bunch of money these last 5 years and made the playoffs for 3 more home games. Seats are filled. OCL is happy.

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    mnfaninnc

    I've been banging this drum for years now. It is fairly obvious that Shooter likes players with size. It is also fairly obvious that Brackett's list in what he looks for is a smooth skater, high hockey IQ, a body between 5'10"-6'2", and puck moving skills. I'm convinced Shooter highjacked the 1st 2 picks of '23 and drafted size before turning the draft back over to Brackett.

    What I don't understand is why Guerin hasn't had Brackett adjust the priorities that he is looking for. Large players are not smooth skaters....yet. They look clumsy. But, projecting them 5 years out overlooks that because you cannot teach size. You also can't teach speed or hand/eye. 

    We saw the fastest player in the '20 draft just get traded out because he wasn't getting re-signed. His frame was deemed too small. Yet we continually see Brackett draft these undersized players. Honestly it is an unsolved mystery. Perhaps we call in Robert Stack to investigate?

    Here is the thing that really makes me mad. You need all shapes and sizes especially on defense. Zeev Buium, Aron Kiviharju, Kalem Parker, Aaron Pionk, David Spacek, Jack Peart, Carson Lambos, Ryan O'Rourke, and Daemon Hunt are all the same type of defender. A smaller, puck moving defender who can't clear the front of the net nor defend against heavy forwards. He's also left hand heavy. 

    Lambos is actually filling out and looked much bigger in training camp last fall. I assume he'll be ready for steady callups this season. Spacek looked the part too, though smaller he was more physical. All of these guys needed filling out and strength weight added. Few have done this. Those who haven't will be useless in the N.

    Forwards are also the same type of player, good skill, undersized, need to fill out and bulk up. I also don't see them doing it either. We've already jettisoned Beckman for that reason, more are probably to come. I had high hopes for Mikey Milne, but he looks like a fast A player and an average N skater. 

    It's as if the 2 guys never talk to each other. But you know they do, because Judd said that Jiricek was a talent you only find at the top of the draft. 

    If you look at Judd's track record, he loves Euro players. He loves the smooth skating finesse type players. He loves the puck moving possible PP quarterback defenders. And this is what happened in Vancouver too. Everyone raves how he hit on Pettersson, but nobody scrutinizes him on how he passed on M. Tkachuk. 

    Judd fell into Shooter's lap by being fired weeks ahead of Guerin's first draft. He ran it and took Rossi over Lundell. They traded out Kunin to grab MaRat and Hunt. O'Rourke was supposed to be a rugged possible 2nd pairing who flamed out because he couldn't/refused to bulk up. Several GMs have been fired since Guerin took over. The thought would be that as GMs go, new ones put in their guys. One would think that Guerin should have been picking up seasoned FO guys when this happens. He hasn't. He also hasn't paid attention to Iowa and development. Maybe he hasn't been given the resources necessary for it, though you'd think that if OCL was making a bunch of money with the cap penalties, they could have invested it in development.

    Maybe N4S is right and we should be bitter and the clock has struck midnight but few have heard the chime.

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