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  • Charlie Stramel Is Ready To Put Last Season's Struggles Behind Him


    Image courtesy of © Christopher Hanewinc - USA TODAY Sports
    Luke Sims

    Hockey Wilderness is counting down the Minnesota Wild’s Top-10 Prospects, as voted by our staff. Today, we give you everything you need to know about our No. 10 prospect, Charlie Stramel.

    The Minnesota Wild were down one “Big Rig” after trading Jordan Greenway last season, so it was obviously an organizational priority to get another one. They accomplished this mission when they took Rosemount’s Charlie Stramel 21st overall in this year’s draft out of the University of Wisconsin. 

    Stramel is regarded as a big, two-way, physical center with some skill, something that the Wild brass (and the entire state of Minnesota) thought the organization was missing in their prospect pool. They doubled down on that in the second round, taking another big centerman in Rasmus Kumpulainen. 

    Stramel is 6-foot-3 and weighs over 220 pounds and his athleticism is off the charts for a kid his size. Combine scores don’t hold as much value in the NHL as they do in sports like the NFL, but Stramel’s performance was notable. The power in his lower body literally jumps at you, and his upper-body strength was just as impressive.

    If you talked to scouts before last season, Stramel was a projected top-ten pick. His size, skill, and upside were coveted among this class. There were multiple respected draft gurus that had Stramel in the top ten of their rankings. The Athletic's Corey Pronman as well as Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News both had Stramel ranked at eight overall. TSN's Craig Button ranked him ninth in the class at one point.

    The biggest knock on Stramel was his lack of production in his freshman season in Madison. He was seventh on the team in points with 12. Despite playing most of the season on the top line, he registered just five goals.

    It should be noted that Stramel was one of the youngest players in all of college hockey last season, and still might be next year, seeing as he won't turn 19 until this fall. He easily could have waited a year to play and been a freshman this season. Stramel also faced some of the toughest competition in the entire NCAA as Minnesota and Michigan, two Big Ten powerhouses, returned to relevance and had terrific seasons. Penn State and Michigan State also finished as top-ten teams in the nation. All told, 18 of the Badger's 33 games were against those teams. 

    During his 2021-22 season with the USA U18 team, Stramel was nearly a point-per-game player. As one of the youngest players on that team, Stramel did not struggle to produce. In fact, he was also one of the youngest players on that team the year prior, making the U18 team as a 16-year-old, putting himself in rare company.

    Stramel's stats at that age are very similar to that of Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk. Stramel scored at a pace of 0.88 points per game, while Tkachuk scored at a 0.91 points per game pace. If that’s any kind of projection for a player that Stramel could be, Wild fans should be hootin’ and hollerin’. The younger Tkachuk brother is another solid comparison to Stramel. Tkachuk and Stramel share some similar characteristics. At the very least, he’s an American power forward with offensive upside. 

    Anytime you can be in the same conversation as Phil Kessel, you must be doing something right. That Matthews fella ain’t bad either. Oh, and Wild legend Jordan Schroeder. What a group to join. 

    I had the privilege of talking to one of his former teammates, and he gave me some more insight into Stramel’s game. He wanted to be left anonymous, so I’ll summarize his comments below. 

    Stramel’s skill and what he brings to the game is apparent. He plays a full 200-foot game. He’s not afraid to work hard or go to the areas where opponents will batter him. Stramel will be there to battle for pucks in the corner or in front of the net. He’s tenacious, fighting for loose pucks or in puck battles on the boards. Stramel works his butt off on the backcheck and the forecheck. 

    He’s got a rocket of a shot and is a really tough skater. Stramel plays to his size and can dominate other players with his length and reach. He’s not afraid to play the body and elevates the situation. 

    On a more personal level, he called Stramel an awesome teammate. He’s always the positive voice in the locker room. Not a cocky player at all. He stays humble out there and just works. 

    Below are some more highlights that showcase what Stramel can bring to the table. 

    Goal off the rush:

    Nifty centering pass:

    Revere hit entering the offensive zone: 

    Hockey Prospecting is a website that projects players based on their NHL Equivalency (NHLe) in their respective leagues. This model is not a huge fan of Stramel. The stats show that 6 out of 10 of the players who look like Stramel that teams draft in the first or second round don’t play 200 NHL games. 

    Guys like Rusty Fitzgerald and Mike Zigomanis are the most common player comparisons to Stramel. Yeah, I have no idea who they are either. 

    But Roope Hintz of the Dallas Stars is a more recent example of a player who had a similar development path. Hintz also saw a dip in production during his draft season. But he rebounded the next year, and we all know what he goes on to do. 12 points in six playoff games against the Wild last spring makes him hard to forget.

    Stramel Hintz chart.png

    Hintz and Stramel are similar-sized players. They play a bit of a different style, though. Hintz is more of a finesse player who’s an excellent skater. Stramel uses his size more and is not as great of a skater. But they both have excellent shots and passing ability. They are also responsible centers. If Stramel turns out like Hintz, he’ll be a home run pick for his hometown team. 

    Charlie Stramel also is of the Charlie Coyle mold. They are large players (6-foot-3, in the 220 pound range) who play a two-way game. Stramel and Coyle use their size, have good foot speed, and have good vision. They are also consistent on the puck and can contribute offensively. In terms of play style and potential role with the Wild, they are very similar players. 

    Stramel probably won’t ever be a point-per-game player., but Coyle wasn’t either. Coyle has turned into a responsible, middle-six center capable of putting up 40 to 50 points, peaking with 56 in the 2016-17 season.

    Stramel is not the guy the Wild expect to anchor the top line. But he could slot into a middle-six role and be a positive force at both ends. Becoming a Brock Nelson-type player is a good way to think of what his potential peak could look like. Someone with a big frame who can play at both ends of the ice. 

    Most of the scouts agree that Stramel will be an NHL player one day, lumping him into a group of high-floor, low-ceiling type of players. The Wild even said they passed on more skilled players in favor of Stramel. 

    Looking to next year, Wisconsin brought in new head coach Mike Hastings after the abysmal season they had last year. He should change the culture and bring a little more stability. Hastings coached for 11 seasons at Mankato, racking up an incredible 299-109-25 record, which makes him the NCAA's active leader in win percentage as a coach.

    “I think we have a lot better tools in place overall,” Stramel said, self-evaluating. “But I do think [I need to keep] learning, rewatching games, and figuring out what I need to [do to] take a whole 'nother step in my sophomore year.”

    Stramel recognizes that he struggled last year, he’s ready and willing to learn from that and be better this season. Stramel will give Minnesotans a reason to pay attention to hockey in Wisconsin this season. He’s had a year to process the hardships of playing in the NCAA. But with a new coach and a new system, this year should be fun for Stramel and help him get back on track. 

    All stats and data via Elite Prospects and HockeyDB.

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    10 minutes ago, IllicitFive said:

    So the coaches available will probably be ones that were fired right? I am guessing that is not because they won too many playoff matches or cups.  Head coaches that are winning usually aren't readily available.

    Not always the case, Bruce Cassidy would be the best example of that and was fired from Boston for who knows why and landed in Vegas, wins a Cup. DeBoer leaves Vegas, doing fine in Dallas. Paul Maurice getting fired in Winnipeg and doing fine in Florida. Rod Brind'Amour coming up as an assistant in Carolina and being successful. There are qualified assistance out there also.

    I agree with what your saying, there are the losers and retreads. I know BG already has a list or idea of who he would want or has had that conversation already in case. BG is connected in the NHL and we are fortunate to have him when it comes to those connections whether in players, coaches, GM's and the like.

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    24 minutes ago, IllicitFive said:

    So the coaches available will probably be ones that were fired right? I am guessing that is not because they won too many playoff matches or cups.  Head coaches that are winning usually aren't readily available.

    There might be situations where Sullivan wants out of Pittsburgh or Cassidy gets fired in Vegas.(Fickle managers) Maurice left Winnipeg due to dysfunction. DeBoer gets fired often and is regularly in the Conference Final. For the most part, you're right.

    I think there's possibilities out there. Jon Cooper is pretty steady in Tampa and I don't see Brind A'Muour getting canned but something could change to allow the Wild to upgrade. In the meantime, I don't think there's any reason to change the coach. Need a good reason. A sideways move isn't gonna make a lot of sense.

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    23 hours ago, vonlonster67 said:

    Which one is it, cauz I'm now confused?

    I think DE is capable of winning a cup. I believe BG thinks differently and may axe him before he gets a chance w/o being hamstrung by the cap.

    Personally, I don't think BG ever wanted to hire him beyond his interim. DE just didn't give him a chance by getting the team to keep winning.

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    23 hours ago, vonlonster67 said:

    Freddy is a product of his hard work and commitment, same with Hartman when he chooses to play; Dewey2 has worked his ass off in IA, DE had nothing to do with developing any of these players. Are you gonna say he developed KK and Boldy too?

    They've all improved under DE. I didn't even mention Shaw or DuHammer.

    So what are your qualifications for giving DE credit? Turning a 5'th rounder into a barnburner? How many coaches do that? Under your qualifications I'm sure it's just a matter of your perspective whether or not a player was helped along by a coach or if the player did it on his own.  The conversation seems to be getting kind of childish now IMO.

     

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    20 hours ago, joebou15 said:

    I agree with you. The State of Hockey only enables Minnesota Hockey exceptionalism. It's entitlement that the NHL somehow owes the Wild and state the cup for being the one state that pumps out Hockey talent.

    That said, I don't believe Dean is doing anything to make the team better. He's just trying to not to mess up. And in the postseason, that's what gets him beat. Look at his overall coaching record in any postseason in any league. It's not anything to get excited over.

     

    Fair enough.

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    52 minutes ago, Willy the poor boy said:

    They've all improved under DE. I didn't even mention Shaw or DuHammer.

    So what are your qualifications for giving DE credit? Turning a 5'th rounder into a barnburner? How many coaches do that? Under your qualifications I'm sure it's just a matter of your perspective whether or not a player was helped along by a coach or if the player did it on his own.  The conversation seems to be getting kind of childish now IMO.

     

    Agree to disagree only, but give me some examples where he has had an impact on one player other than Freddy Hockey....time is not on DE side for this team's future

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    1 hour ago, Willy the poor boy said:

    I think DE is capable of winning a cup. I believe BG thinks differently and may axe him before he gets a chance w/o being hamstrung by the cap.

    Personally, I don't think BG ever wanted to hire him beyond his interim. DE just didn't give him a chance by getting the team to keep winning.

    I don't know how you qualify that statement with his track record in the playoffs? He's a good regular season coach playing a team once every three weeks. Head to head with the same team in a seven game series is a no go, he cant make adjustments or react quick enough to the other coaches adjustments.

    That's why BG wants to axe him, just like he gave him the "vote of confidence" at the end of the season. The real thinking for BG is two more years and he's gone. 

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    11 minutes ago, vonlonster67 said:

    Agree to disagree only, but give me some examples where he has had an impact on one player other than Freddy Hockey....time is not on DE side for this team's future

    I get what you’re saying but I think DE & crew can be given some credit for player development. Development doesn’t stop when you graduate from the AHL. Ek being a prime example. However, not every player is going to develop in the NHL even and they have short careers. 
     

    That being said, it’s debatable if he’ll be able to develop Rossi and the young guns coming up in the system. But it’s tricky if you put more blame on the AHL coaches for that or NHL coaches. 

    Edited by M_Nels
    Added last sentence
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    1 hour ago, Willy the poor boy said:

    They've all improved under DE. I didn't even mention Shaw or DuHammer.

    So what are your qualifications for giving DE credit? Turning a 5'th rounder into a barnburner? How many coaches do that? Under your qualifications I'm sure it's just a matter of your perspective whether or not a player was helped along by a coach or if the player did it on his own.  The conversation seems to be getting kind of childish now IMO.

     

    Love DuHammer title~

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    Real question is, does Guerin trust Dean to win in the playoffs? So far it appears so, since Guerin hasn't fired him. His regular season and development is good. Will Guerin be ready to move on if the playoffs trend continues and the Wild approach penalty expiration? It could go either way but Dean needs to win a playoff series cause even though he's been handicapped it just begins to feel like the playoff losses are attributed to the coach. Maybe this year the Wild can go in with a healthy lineup and avoid some kind of goaltending drama for round one...

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    19 hours ago, vonlonster67 said:

    Not always the case, Bruce Cassidy would be the best example of that and was fired from Boston for who knows why and landed in Vegas, wins a Cup. DeBoer leaves Vegas, doing fine in Dallas. Paul Maurice getting fired in Winnipeg and doing fine in Florida. Rod Brind'Amour coming up as an assistant in Carolina and being successful. There are qualified assistance out there also.

    I agree with what your saying, there are the losers and retreads. I know BG already has a list or idea of who he would want or has had that conversation already in case. BG is connected in the NHL and we are fortunate to have him when it comes to those connections whether in players, coaches, GM's and the like.

    DeBoer has bounced around for a reason, he always has a big first year then regresses. For Bruce, I agree who knows why he was let go but that is a very rare instance, I would argue it was because he couldn't win it with a stacked Boston team. Rod fits the same mold as DE to an extent, also hasn't won a cup but great regular seasons. I think Dean needs to be allowed to have a few more years because he has done very well with scraps and 15 mil cap penalty, imagine 2 players taking up 15,wether an 11 mil and 4 or 8mil and 7. Those are big assets. 

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    6 minutes ago, IllicitFive said:

    DeBoer has bounced around for a reason, he always has a big first year then regresses. For Bruce, I agree who knows why he was let go but that is a very rare instance, I would argue it was because he couldn't win it with a stacked Boston team. Rod fits the same mold as DE to an extent, also hasn't won a cup but great regular seasons. I think Dean needs to be allowed to have a few more years because he has done very well with scraps and 15 mil cap penalty, imagine 2 players taking up 15,wether an 11 mil and 4 or 8mil and 7. Those are big assets. 

    I'm not sure the Wild are going to be able to give him the opportunity this year or next I see him lacking. His playoff strategies and a need for addressing those voids. Would two players help in a playoff game, obviously, I'm not blind to that.

    DE has no adjustments in his repertoire when it comes to those games thus far. They fought like hell to go up two games against St Louis ad Dallas, they adjust, he stays with the idea "of what got them there". His rigid lack of change of lines kills him. I believe we had enough talent to beat St. Louis and Dallas, but got outcoached and I hold him responsible for the lost focus, that's his job also. Could we have advanced further, probably not.

    I think the opportunity this year is fringe playoffs if we can stay healthy. Can he do any better in the future with a stacked team like Cassidy in 25-26? If we handled his coaching deficiencies or opportunities with him, like he does our young players coming up trying to earn a chance, he would be coaching in IA in the AHL.

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    18 hours ago, M_Nels said:

    I get what you’re saying but I think DE & crew can be given some credit for player development. Development doesn’t stop when you graduate from the AHL. Ek being a prime example. However, not every player is going to develop in the NHL even and they have short careers. 
     

    That being said, it’s debatable if he’ll be able to develop Rossi and the young guns coming up in the system. But it’s tricky if you put more blame on the AHL coaches for that or NHL coaches. 

    Exactly. And, If DE has a reputation for anything it's being a developmental coach. Also part of being an NHL coach or really any other is putting players in positions for them to have success. I think Deano has done well at that also.

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