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  • Charlie Stramel Can Fill A Void At Michigan State

    Image courtesy of Nick King/Lansing State Journal-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
    Luke Sims

    By Luke Sims -

    Senior season. Top line. First round pick. Huge expectations. 

    East Lansing’s lonely Spartan.

    Charlie Stramel.

    The former 21st overall selection in the 2022 draft enters a critical moment in his hockey career with the news that Isaac Howard, his Hobey Baker award-winning teammate, is leaving the NCAA to chase his Stanley Cup dream with the Edmonton Oilers. That leaves Stramel without his electric, goal-scoring winger.

    Still, Stramel doesn’t need Howard to make plays like this:

    Stramel has really hit his stride since transferring to Michigan State to play for Adam Nightengale, his former coach on the US National Development Team. After producing only 20 points total in 67 games as a freshman and sophomore at Wisconsin, he had 27 points in 37 games as his junior at MSU.

    Stramel’s stock is back on the rise, and he’s been solid on the dot with a 52% win rate this past season.

    He's also fantastic at using his body. Stramel uses almost all of his 6’3”, nearly 220 lb. frame well when it comes to creating space for himself and his teammates in and near the net. In all of these clips, Stramel uses his body and reach to control the zone below the dots and make plays for his teammates.

    Howard may be gone, but Stramel will have talented teammates at MSU. Trey Augustine, their elite goaltender, will return for his junior season. He played a huge role in Michigan State’s success last year, stabilizing the team with his play in net.

    There are rumors that Porter Martone, the recent sixth overall selection of the Philadelphia Flyers, could make his way to East Lansing. The scoring winger would be a force playing with Stramel in the top six for MSU. While Martone wouldn’t fully replace Howard, Martone is a highly skilled player that any center would want on their wing.

    Stramel may never be a high-scoring player in the NHL. He projects as a bottom-six forward in the NHL at his ceiling, but with the tools he’s shown and the confidence he’s gained, this season should just be another step of success for Stramel on his NHL journey.

    While the Stramel pick is still open for criticism, he’s doing all he can to prove that he’s on the right track to be a meaningful player for the Minnesota Wild organization.

    All stats and data via HockeyDB, Elite Prospects, and CapWages unless otherwise noted.

    By Luke Sims  

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    Kato AK
    3 hours ago, Enforceror said:

    If Stramel turns into a Sturm type player, I wouldn't be disappointed.

    Hopefully Sturm is the floor. As a 1st round pick, I would hope for another JEEK or Anton Lundell as a ceiling.

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    1Brotherbill

    The hope is he has a really good season showing that he is a center who can win draws.  The other hope is Michigan State is an early exit from the playoffs and he joins the Wild organization.  Get a few games in before the playoffs and maybe have him be in the mix in the bottom six.  Someone who wins 52% of the draws would put him at the top of that stat with the Wild.  

    The Wild make a trade at the deadline for ROR.  Have Ek, Rossi, Yurov, Sturm and then put Stramel in the mix.  That would be a solid team down the middle with some decent size.  Move Rossi to the wing for the playoffs and you have skill, size, and above all faceoff percentages.

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    Scalptrash

    Not that impressed with the video clips. Two wide open nets, hell, even I could've scored goals there and I haven't played in decades. The most impressive clip is the first assist, but that looks more like luck than skill.

    Either way, I hope he develops into a top six player, but it seems very unlikely. Thus, another wasted first round pick. I can't wait to see who the cream of the crop is that they passed on with that pick in the coming years.

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    Enforceror
    14 hours ago, Kato AK said:

    Hopefully Sturm is the floor. As a 1st round pick, I would hope for another JEEK or Anton Lundell as a ceiling.

    For sure, that'd be amazing however I'm not overly optimistic that he'll get there. Prove me wrong Charlie!

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    MNCountryLife

    I try to be optimistic about our prospects.  But I just don't see Stramel developing into an NHL capable player.  I think Stramel was picked solely for his size and simply doesn't have the necessary skill to break into the lineup... Normally when I watch videos of players that are moving into the NHL their play stands out...his does not.

    This is based solely on my unprofessional eye test.  My humble opinion.  I just don't see any flash or skill that makes him stand out against any other NCAA players.  If he doesn't stand out in the NCAA how is he going to make it in the NHL.  I get he is only 20 years old but I think he has a long ways to go.

    I hope I am wrong.  We could use a 6' 3'' hard nosed guy in the center position.  

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    Enforceror
    25 minutes ago, MNCountryLife said:

    I try to be optimistic about our prospects.  But I just don't see Stramel developing into an NHL capable player.  I think Stramel was picked solely for his size and simply doesn't have the necessary skill to break into the lineup... Normally when I watch videos of players that are moving into the NHL their play stands out...his does not.

    This is based solely on my unprofessional eye test.  My humble opinion.  I just don't see any flash or skill that makes him stand out against any other NCAA players.  If he doesn't stand out in the NCAA how is he going to make it in the NHL.  I get he is only 20 years old but I think he has a long ways to go.

    I hope I am wrong.  We could use a 6' 3'' hard nosed guy in the center position.  

    If his faceoff ability can translate to the N, that'll be helpful to the team. I can see him as a 3rd 4th liner who can forecheck and be defensively responsible.

    This role has value, especially on an ELC.

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    mnfaninnc

    mnfaninnc 4,512

    Posted (edited)

    If he can pass the puck competently I'll be happy. As for offense, his job will be to slam in rebounds, screen goalies, and tip pucks. For him to be effective, the home plate area is what he owns. 

    There's always a spot for a big guy who can skate. If he's got some quick hands, all the better. My hope is he turns into an Alex Tuch type of player. 

    Edited by mnfaninnc
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    MNCountryLife

    Has anyone ever seen the IA Wild training facility?  If you have, would be great to see a review of it and (if possible) see how it compares to other AHL facilities.  I have questions...

    - Do they have trainers that help with specific muscle groups?

    - Do they have ways to help with players footwork, shooting, vision etc..?

    - How many hours a day are they practicing?

    - What do they focus on when preparing these guys for the N?

    A general overview would also be great.  

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    TCMooch

    I’m not expecting much if anything from Stramel. Luckily, due to Fenton drafting Filip Johansson, he isn’t the worst first round draft pick in the past 10 years.

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    raithis
    On 7/18/2025 at 1:54 PM, MNCountryLife said:

    Has anyone ever seen the IA Wild training facility?  If you have, would be great to see a review of it and (if possible) see how it compares to other AHL facilities.  I have questions...

    - Do they have trainers that help with specific muscle groups?

    - Do they have ways to help with players footwork, shooting, vision etc..?

    - How many hours a day are they practicing?

    - What do they focus on when preparing these guys for the N?

    A general overview would also be great.  

    I think there was a good view of the training facility in one of the Becoming Wild segments this last season where they mostly spent time with the AHL guys.  Maybe I am misremembering. 

    They are typically posted to YouTube.

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