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  • Jack Peart Offers A Lot Of Promise But Still Has A Way To Go


    Image courtesy of Nick Wosika-Imagn Images
    Bekki Antonelli

    On Saturday, the Minnesota Wild trimmed the roster again, narrowing the prospective team to 39 players. Unfortunately, Jack Peart did not make the cut and will start the year in Iowa. 

    Peart grew up in Grand Rapids and played college hockey at St. Cloud State. The Wild took him 54th overall draft pick in 2021, and he had 8 goals and 47 assists in three years with St. Cloud before joining the Iowa Wild for 9 games last year.

    The Wild only played Peart in their preseason game on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. Unfortunately, the Minnesota native immediately looked a little shaky. On his first shift into the game, he picked up the puck and started looking for a pass. However, he ended up losing control of the puck for a second. 

    Peart recovers momentarily, and the Wild break the puck out. A fumble isn’t anything out of the ordinary for an NHL player. Even the league’s best players, like P.K. Subban infamously, have weird moments that can lead to goals against. However, Peart is consistently a second too late in getting a pass or shot off throughout the game and fumbles the puck multiple times. 

    Considering he’s made it this far, I’m fully confident in Peart’s ability to stickhandle a puck or catch a pass. However, this is his first NHL game, and his reaction time is not quick enough. We can also attribute his fumbles to the nerves of playing in front of a hometown crowd or just having an off game. 

    Peart was not capitalizing on his opportunities. However, his multiple penalties are probably why Minnesota cut him from their final roster. With roughly 1 minute left in the first period, Peart took a shot on net that went wide after the Jets got a stick on it, and Winnipeg took advantage. 

    He saw what was happening and started backchecking hard to catch up with Jets forward Axel Jonsson-Fjallby. Old friend Mason Shaw carried the puck and had 4 Wild players in front of him, including Peart. Unfortunately for Minnesota, he made a very nice off-the-board pass for Jonsson-Fjallby to pick up. 

    To stop Jonsson-Fjallby from scoring, Peart wraps his arms around him, which results in a holding call. Peart probably expected Jonsson-Fjallby to beat him to the net. I understand Peart’s move because I’m fairly sure I couldn't beat Jonsson-Fjallby in a foot race, either. 

    However, Peart was pretty much stride for stride with Jonsson-Fjallby until he stopped moving his feet and went for the bear hug. Peart still stopped what could have been a goal. However, a more experienced player would not have ended up in the box because of it. 

    Unfortunately, Peart probably broke a record for back-to-back penalties. He steps onto the ice after his time in the sin bin is up. Literally 2 seconds later, Winnipeg’s Shaw was carrying the puck up the ice and tripped over Peart’s stick, who was standing in the way. The ref immediately called another penalty on Peart. 

    From the clip, it looks like Peart saw him coming. But again, he was not moving his feet with the play. While the timing was a bit of bad luck for Peart, I think this was also a pretty avoidable penalty. He could see the play developing before he was even out of the box and had two full seconds to start skating once he was on the ice. In a league full of players who can react instantly, 2 seconds is more than enough time to do something other than stand in the way. 

    While Winnipeg could not put a puck in the net during their extended power play, back-to-back penalties still make Peart a liability. Minnesota had the third-worst penalty-killing unit last season, with a 74.52% success rate. The Wild penalty kill could use some work, but in the meantime, they don’t need players who are constantly in the box. 

    The Jets had solid pressure during Peart’s time in the box, landing multiple dangerous shots on net. However, after one Jets scoring opportunity, Wild forward Marat Khusnutdinov sent a pass to Ben Jones, who netted a shorthanded goal. Still, Peart is culpable for his defensive shortcomings. 

    The rookie was also on the ice for two goals against and ended the game with -1 plus/minus. 4:32 into the second period, Jets defenseman Haydn Fleury brought the puck down the boards and curled around, passing to Mason Appleton, who scored. 

    Peart was right there trying to block that pass from Fleury but might have had better luck picking up Appleton, especially since Kyle Masters was already on Fleury. Though the goal wasn’t the direct result of Peart’s mistake, it likely also counted against him. 

    However, Peart got himself on the score sheet once again 12:29 into the second period, this time with an assist. 

    The Wild defense took a low shot from the point and got it on net, which resulted in a perfect rebound that Joel Eriksson Ek put into the net. Considering how many assists Peart had at St. Cloud, this gives me hope for the young player down the line. Good low shots from the point often make great rebounds, and Minnesota could certainly use help putting the puck in the net. Continuing this strategy in Iowa could gain him a spot back in Minnesota.

    Later in the game, Peart makes another bizarre move. He catches the pass and then loses it behind him with absolutely zero pressure. 

    He cannot recover in time, and the Jets quickly capitalize and get multiple shots off. It also was a crucial missed opportunity. What should have been a quick breakout resulted in the Wild being stuck on defense. However, bringing back my earlier point, I don’t think Peart lacks the ability to make a pass. He just looks like he’s having a particularly off game. 

    17:24 into the 3rd period, Peart was on the ice for another goal against.

    The puck bounced around the defensive zone for about a minute before Brayden Yager netted a goal for Winnipeg. While I don’t think Peart was at fault here either, he also wasn’t effective at getting the puck out of the zone. 

    Between bad luck and possibly nerves, the Minnesota native showed he’s still early in his development cycle. Peart made some sound passes and got shots off on net. However, his reaction times often seemed just a little too late. 

    Players fighting for the last roster spot against guys like Jones and Lauko have no room for error. I think he has good instincts, but he’s still a relatively young player at 21 years old. Peart could use some more time in Iowa to gain experience and confidence. Hopefully, we will see him back in Minnesota later this season or next year. 

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    He’s only 21 and is playing with some nerves probably. I think he’s playing pretty good, and hopefully can replace a guy like Merrill who still makes rookie mistakes. 

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    I did not see a future nhl’r in peart. But P-train he’s young…he’s 21 so if he’s gonna make it he should show some promise and he’s small.  I’d predict Lambos gets more nhl toi, and this sports fan is not expecting much nhl toi from that over hyped prospect. 

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    Wild are desperate to see a player drafted in the second round by Judd  to hit. Other teams are finding gems. Logan Stankoven comes to mind as a 21 year old making a strong showing for, yes, your Dallas Stars. Brock Faber was drafted by the Kings so second rounders are definitely in play. 

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    54 minutes ago, Burnt Toast said:

    Wild are desperate to see a player drafted in the second round by Judd  to hit. Other teams are finding gems. Logan Stankoven comes to mind as a 21 year old making a strong showing for, yes, your Dallas Stars. Brock Faber was drafted by the Kings so second rounders are definitely in play. 

    Why would they be desperate?  Players typically take a couple years to develop.  It's probably unlikely to expect a 2nd rounder from anything more recent than 2021 and of those selections, Khusnutdinov is playing in the NHL.  I don't see him ever being more than bottom 6, but it's still an NHL player.  Many 2nd rounders never even make the NHL, and it seems likely that a couple of those players will become NHL players after they develop.

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    25 minutes ago, raithis said:

    Why would they be desperate?

    Excellent point. TBH it’s me that’s desperate. I’m desperate to see the Wild break out of this mid tier funk. I can see it’s possible but only if the prospects coming through the system break out ala Logan Stankoven. Knus hopefully will be one of those guys this year, but I haven’t seen it yet. 

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    5 minutes ago, Enforceror said:

    Yurov currently at 5gp with 2g 1a 65% fow

    Yeah, he didn't get any points in the first 2 games back from injury, so 2 goals and an assist in the last 3 games. Hopefully he can be up around a point per game by the end of the season. Have to like that faceoff %.

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    18 minutes ago, Enforceror said:

    Yurov currently at 5gp with 2g 1a 65% fow

    Kumpulainen 7gp with 3g 3a. Liiga's website doesn't show FOW% but gametracker shows he is around 50% although looks like a couple games he was out on the wing.

    He's a wildcard prospect for me, has good size but hopefully he actually comes over to the US.

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    22 minutes ago, M_Nels said:

    Kumpulainen 7gp with 3g 3a. Liiga's website doesn't show FOW% but gametracker shows he is around 50% although looks like a couple games he was out on the wing.

    He's a wildcard prospect for me, has good size but hopefully he actually comes over to the US.

    If ogzy, kampu and/or Stromboli can become CONTRIBUTING middle sixers that’ll be a win for Brackett because this org (like every org) needs this skill set.  These players take the spots that nojo/fred/deweys have been holding down ineffectively 

    for this org to take steps forward it must improve in these role players too.  Not just top 6 rs

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    3 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

    If ogzy, kampu and/or Stromboli can become CONTRIBUTING middle sixers that’ll be a win for Brackett because this org (like every org) needs this skill set.  These players take the spots that nojo/fred/deweys have been holding down ineffectively 

    for this org to take steps forward it must improve in these role players too.  Not just top 6 rs

    Agreed. A couple defensively aware 20g scorers would be impactful.

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    7 minutes ago, Enforceror said:

    Agreed. A couple defensively aware 20g scorers would be impactful.

    And I’m not even seeing the bar that high.  If they can score 10-15 goals AND play a Trent Frederic/Tyler bertuzzi style game that’s improvement.  

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    I am sensing some trades in the future months. MN has Spurgeon, Brodin, and BoGo who could potentially be replaced by Buium, Chisholm, Hunt. 

    Yurov, Ogie, and RasmuKampu, Rossi, and Knudi are all good looking prospects that could step in for NoJo, Fred, or Zuccy. 

    Now most of these vets I mention fit in for now and aren't on track to be bumped from their roles. At the same time, MN has some decisions to make and opportunity to upgrade and manage the cap & assets. This year or by next Summer seems like the time to shuffle and select the players and costs that will go forward with the post-penalty period. If Brodin or Spurgeon was traded next Summer, I wouldn't love losing them, but the cap space and players to step in are intriguing. 

    If BoGo or Zuccy don't stay, or if NoJo rides off into the sunset, that's gonna allow the team to get better. Does MN have logjam-scenarios that would allow them to improve and assure Kaprizov stays to win with new players? If so, MN is gonna need to upgrade and sideline some of their current depth and veteran guys IMO. 

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    36 minutes ago, Protec said:

    I am sensing some trades in the future months. MN has Spurgeon, Brodin, and BoGo who could potentially be replaced by Buium, Chisholm, Hunt. 

    Yurov, Ogie, and RasmuKampu, Rossi, and Knudi are all good looking prospects that could step in for NoJo, Fred, or Zuccy. 

    Now most of these vets I mention fit in for now and aren't on track to be bumped from their roles. At the same time, MN has some decisions to make and opportunity to upgrade and manage the cap & assets. This year or by next Summer seems like the time to shuffle and select the players and costs that will go forward with the post-penalty period. If Brodin or Spurgeon was traded next Summer, I wouldn't love losing them, but the cap space and players to step in are intriguing. 

    If BoGo or Zuccy don't stay, or if NoJo rides off into the sunset, that's gonna allow the team to get better. Does MN have logjam-scenarios that would allow them to improve and assure Kaprizov stays to win with new players? If so, MN is gonna need to upgrade and sideline some of their current depth and veteran guys IMO. 

    Been wondering this myself. At center, were going to have Hartman (wing?), Ek (not going anywhere), Rossi (?), Khus, Yurov (as advertised?), Gadreau (wing or gone). Not counting Heidt yet as I think he's a ways out.

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    10 hours ago, Pewterschmidt said:

    and he’s small.

    Quinn Hughes, Cale Makar, and Adam Fox are all the same height or smaller. It would be nice if He was like Chara, big and intimidating.

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    Calen Addison released from PTO with Ottawa. So after 100 games or so, the offensive talents weren't enough to become a regular NHL guy. If the Sens and Sharks are upgrading that's probably a sign your defense stinks and the PR-hype received early on in MN was just that. Many 2nd rounders will never make it. 

    Pulling for RasmuKampu and Heidt is good, but the players have to do their part. Ignore the noise and just keep getting better where you're at. Make the AHL roster and do what Rossi did there first. Addison was a prime example of a guy who kinda got too big for his britches and just never adapted to the pro-level. 

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    On 10/2/2024 at 12:04 PM, Pewterschmidt said:

    I did not see a future nhl’r in peart. But P-train he’s young…he’s 21 so if he’s gonna make it he should show some promise and he’s small.  I’d predict Lambos gets more nhl toi, and this sports fan is not expecting much nhl toi from that over hyped prospect. 

    This is not a bad report, but it does show that Peart has got to go to work. My hope is that he was nervous and he looks good in the A. Here's a stat that can't be coached: 5'11" 185. Why is this important? Because it's real hard for him to rub guys out as a defender, and, quite frankly, at St. Cloud St. he didn't really have to.

    Yes, this is the same measurements of some very elite defenders. However, Peart does not have that same elite skill. He's a decent puck moving defender that hasn't learned that he needs at least (to be read minimum) of 10 lbs. of strength. If he got 15, that would be better. Would that affect his quickness? Likely. But, it would also affect positively his ability to defend. 

    But, if he wants to stay at that weight and just do some conditioning, he can follow Johansson to the Swedish spritzer league. Look at where he is on the depth chart. He's going to have to make himself into quite a player to beat out Lambos and Buium. To do that he must learn to defend, and that includes reading the plays right and taking guys out of the play. At his current measurements, he'd probably get trucked 25% of the time. Why? Because he's not an elite skater and puck handler. 

    P-sizzle's right, we probably could get more in a trade package for him to get in someone who we really need rather than him making the NHL ice as a member of the Wild. I'll be rooting for him, but it's a long runway and he's at the very beginning. 

    Now, this calls into serious question Judd's defensemen drafting philosophy. He has consistently tried to draft good skating, puck moving, 2-way defenders who are smart yet undersized. This would be good if we actually developed a slew of good skating, puck moving, 2-way defenders who are smart and could trade them for a King's ransom, or trade established ones and plug and play these. Where the problem lies is that it appears in Iowa that nobody knows how to develop this type of defenseman, and they have no established former player who can speak into these kids. 

    Our former player personnel were all grinding wings. What do they know about undersized defenders who move the puck, other than those are the candidates to truck on the ice? I mean let's be real honest here, Marcus Johansson at 6'1" 203 could truck these kids. Think about that for a moment. 

    Judd doesn't change his drafting defensemen philosophy no matter what round they are in. I guess he figures that if you draft enough of them, someone is going to punch through. Buium is another example of this, except he is far more elite than Peart. Kiviharju is a Buium clone and we really don't know how good he is due to injury. Guys in the 3rd round and beyond should at least have some size because you need that too! We can't have 1 dimensional body types at any position, it takes all kinds. He does the same thing with the 6'-6'2" forwards who skate well, are smart, have 200' games and are good with the puck. That's all he drafts. 

    Why would he draft Stramel and Kumpulainen, then? Because Shooter hijacked the draft and picked those guys himself. It is the only plausible explanation, especially with this Perrault guy I was rooting against us taking. Perrault was exactly a Judd type of forward. 

    I wish Peart all luck, injury luck, and hope he finds his way to the gym and really starts gaining strength. This is his rookie year in the A and I'm hoping he's smart enough to figure out that he has to get bigger to compete with the next level.

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    13 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

    This is not a bad report, but it does show that Peart has got to go to work. My hope is that he was nervous and he looks good in the A. Here's a stat that can't be coached: 5'11" 185. Why is this important? Because it's real hard for him to rub guys out as a defender, and, quite frankly, at St. Cloud St. he didn't really have to.

    Yes, this is the same measurements of some very elite defenders. However, Peart does not have that same elite skill. He's a decent puck moving defender that hasn't learned that he needs at least (to be read minimum) of 10 lbs. of strength. If he got 15, that would be better. Would that affect his quickness? Likely. But, it would also affect positively his ability to defend. 

    But, if he wants to stay at that weight and just do some conditioning, he can follow Johansson to the Swedish spritzer league. Look at where he is on the depth chart. He's going to have to make himself into quite a player to beat out Lambos and Buium. To do that he must learn to defend, and that includes reading the plays right and taking guys out of the play. At his current measurements, he'd probably get trucked 25% of the time. Why? Because he's not an elite skater and puck handler. 

    P-sizzle's right, we probably could get more in a trade package for him to get in someone who we really need rather than him making the NHL ice as a member of the Wild. I'll be rooting for him, but it's a long runway and he's at the very beginning. 

    Now, this calls into serious question Judd's defensemen drafting philosophy. He has consistently tried to draft good skating, puck moving, 2-way defenders who are smart yet undersized. This would be good if we actually developed a slew of good skating, puck moving, 2-way defenders who are smart and could trade them for a King's ransom, or trade established ones and plug and play these. Where the problem lies is that it appears in Iowa that nobody knows how to develop this type of defenseman, and they have no established former player who can speak into these kids. 

    Our former player personnel were all grinding wings. What do they know about undersized defenders who move the puck, other than those are the candidates to truck on the ice? I mean let's be real honest here, Marcus Johansson at 6'1" 203 could truck these kids. Think about that for a moment. 

    Judd doesn't change his drafting defensemen philosophy no matter what round they are in. I guess he figures that if you draft enough of them, someone is going to punch through. Buium is another example of this, except he is far more elite than Peart. Kiviharju is a Buium clone and we really don't know how good he is due to injury. Guys in the 3rd round and beyond should at least have some size because you need that too! We can't have 1 dimensional body types at any position, it takes all kinds. He does the same thing with the 6'-6'2" forwards who skate well, are smart, have 200' games and are good with the puck. That's all he drafts. 

    Why would he draft Stramel and Kumpulainen, then? Because Shooter hijacked the draft and picked those guys himself. It is the only plausible explanation, especially with this Perrault guy I was rooting against us taking. Perrault was exactly a Judd type of forward. 

    I wish Peart all luck, injury luck, and hope he finds his way to the gym and really starts gaining strength. This is his rookie year in the A and I'm hoping he's smart enough to figure out that he has to get bigger to compete with the next level.

    Not sure anyone caught it but Russo tweeted that Stramel is number 1 center for Michigan State. It is going to be fun to see how he does with it.

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