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  • Liam Ohgren Stands At A Crossroads Next Season


    Image courtesy of Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
    Robert Brent

    Last season was supposed to be a massive step for Minnesota Wild prospect Liam Öhgren. A former first-round pick, Öhgren was projected to be a regular part of the Wild lineups, with some thinking he could even fit on the second line. Unfortunately, that never materialized. Öhgren occasionally struggled last year, but the highlights of his season give plenty of reason to believe this upcoming season could be another crucial year for the winger.

    Before discussing Öhgren’s future, revisiting last season is vital. Öhgren struggled early in the campaign, averaging less than 10 minutes per game. In his early NHL stint, he failed to register a point or even a high-danger shot attempt.

    Öhgren turned his season around in Iowa, scoring 19 goals in 41 games and making good on his potential as a two-way physical forward with a knack for the net. Öhgren’s positive results in the AHL earned him some more time with Minnesota later in the season, where he played a bit better, finishing the year with five points in 24 games. 

    What was different between his play in Iowa and Minnesota that led to such different results? Answering that question is key to understanding how Öhgren can establish himself more as a full-time NHL player. 

    Öhgren was much more successful in Iowa at asserting himself offensively. He averaged 3.2 shots on goal per game in the AHL compared to 1.3 per game in Minnesota. The scouting report on the winger states that he’s at his best when playing a physical and competitive game, allowing him to use his better-than-average shot to score goals. That aspect of his game was largely absent in Minnesota. He struggled to produce shots on goal, especially from dangerous areas.

    Screenshot 2025-06-02 at 5.24.13 PM.png

    (Source: Moneypuck.com)

    He was much more successful at finding the high-danger spots on the ice in Iowa, leading to a much better goal-scoring output. When the forward gets to his areas on the ice, his heavy shot makes him a significant scoring threat. 

    Öhgren also struggled defensively in the NHL last year. According to naturalstatrick.com, the winger was on the ice for 3.28 goals against per 60 minutes, the worst on the team. His advanced metrics weren’t much better, with an expected 2.57 goals against per 60 minutes, the fifth-lowest mark on the team. 

    While that’s concerning, it was also his first year in the NHL. Öhgren still has time to adjust and catch up to an NHL-style game, and he’s drawn praise in scouting reports for his defensive ability. DobberProspects states, “Öhgren also displays responsible, pro-level habits away from the puck.” That part of his game will develop with more reps. 

    The other main differentiating factor between Öhgren’s time in Iowa and Minnesota was his deployment. In Minnesota, Öhgren played an average of 11:06 per game and never eclipsed 15 minutes. 

    His most common line combinations included trios of Ohgren-Gaudreau-Trenin and Ohgren-Khusnutdinov-Lauko. Neither of those lines was offensively effective and didn’t give Öhgren a chance to use his offensive capabilities. 

    Meanwhile, Öhgren played significant minutes in Iowa and was on the team’s powerplay unit. If he saw better deployment in Minnesota, it seems likely Öhgren could produce better results. 

    That all leads to the question of what role would best suit Öhgren to fully establish himself as a productive member of the Wild’s roster next season. 

    Given Öhgren’s need for growth and versatile skill set offensively and defensively, he could fill a role as a utility middle-six forward. The team could depend on him to play on a shutdown third line or vault into the top six to provide a scoring punch when necessary. 

    Gustav Nyquist, Marcus Foligno, and Marcus Johansson filled that role last year, but Öhgren could do a similar job while also being better suited to that niche. At his ceiling, he could be a more versatile player who doesn’t sacrifice anything on either end of the ice. 

    Liam Öhgren has every attribute needed to be a valuable middle-six forward in Minnesota if given the opportunity, but earning those minutes may be easier said than done. As mentioned, the Wild will finally have some cap space to add to their roster and are focused on strengthening their forward group. 

    Minnesota will likely need to prioritize the center position, especially if they trade Marco Rossi. However, adding another winger would push Öhgren further down the projected lineup card.

    The team has already re-signed Marcus Johansson, a player who profiles similarly to Öhgren in that he plays solid defense and contributes a bit offensively. Öhgren will also have to compete with another highly-touted prospect, with Danila Yurov arriving next season.

    Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, and Mats Zuccarello are firmly entrenched as top-six wingers in Minnesota. Signing someone else to join that group would push Öhgren completely out of contention for the top six. The Swedish forward will likely work best as a scoring winger, but will that spot even be open for him?

    That leaves Öhgren in an interesting spot this season. He’s still young, but players entering their age-22 season are often nearing the start of their scoring prime. The Wild must use him as an asset now or risk wasting another season of him in Iowa.

    Suppose he can put together an impressive camp. Minnesota would be best served if he were a utility middle-six forward who could provide a scoring punch while still playing responsible and physical defense. He has that skill set; the Wild must give him the platform to show it. Whether Öhgren seizes that opportunity or ends up in Iowa again will be a fascinating storyline this season.

    If Öhgren can’t seize a spot in the Wild’s lineup, it could lead to serious questions about his future on the team.

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    5 hours ago, Citizen Strife said:

    That's the thing.  He needs to show sticking power.  Even in his second stint, I didn't see a guy that tilted the ice.  He was "a guy."

    He was a guy playing his first games in the nhl. Almost nobody makes it right away. Rossi’s first year in the nhl wasn’t super impressive but that’s because it takes time for players to get confidence and experience. He deserves patience just like everyone else. I realize we need production right now but that’s isn’t his fault. I really think he’s got potential to be a 20-25 goal scorer who could potentially score 45-65 points a season at his peak but we will see. The way he played in Iowa was extremely encouraging.

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    10 hours ago, Citizen Strife said:

    That's the thing.  He needs to show sticking power.  Even in his second stint, I didn't see a guy that tilted the ice.  He was "a guy."

    But Jojo and Freddy were better and deserving of 2nd line time...

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    4 hours ago, Need4speed99 said:

    But Jojo and Freddy were better and deserving of 2nd line time...

    I didn't see Ohgren scoring 30-40 pts last year, or getting clutch goals to win games or change momentum, or bowl people over like Foligno does.

    But sure.  Tell me again how people like Ohgren deserve 2nd line minutes too.  Marat Khusnutdinov, Adam Beckman, and Sammy Walker sure were being held down, weren't they?  How's CalenAdroson doing these days?

    I want Ohgren to succeed too, but sometimes you have to look at people for what they are, not what their draft stock says they could be.  Go ahead and say he was drafted higher, he should have more rope.  Don't care.  Produce or play the game in a way that other aspects are too impossible to ignore.

    If Ohgren plays way better, give him a shot.  Right now, he's "too good to be AHL, too meh for NHL.". That doesn't scream 2nd line.  Guerin has to find anyone willing to be those guys (Peterka, Ehlers, keep Rossi, etc.). That is why Mojo or Freddy got those minutes: lack of talent either above or below them.

     

     

     

    Edited by Citizen Strife
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    11 hours ago, Mateo3xm said:

    He was a guy playing his first games in the nhl. Almost nobody makes it right away. Rossi’s first year in the nhl wasn’t super impressive but that’s because it takes time for players to get confidence and experience. He deserves patience just like everyone else. I realize we need production right now but that’s isn’t his fault. I really think he’s got potential to be a 20-25 goal scorer who could potentially score 45-65 points a season at his peak but we will see. The way he played in Iowa was extremely encouraging.

    Agree 100%.  Looking for Ogz to take a stair step in his development this season.  Needs to earn a middle six role (beat out league minimum Nojo or a 46 yr old Zuccy)  and be more decisive and confident this season.  Training wheels are off kid.  Time for you to nut-up or shut-up.  If he becomes Nino Light in his second season I'd be happy with that progress.  Show us your not destined to be a bottom 6 journeyman.

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    3 hours ago, Fezig said:

    NoJo showed up in the playoffs. Is that why BG rushed to re-sign him because I'm doubting there were a lot of suitors knocking on the door. 

    the fact he signed for $800k is our proof there was no interest around the league.  But P-Tingles, he wanted to not have to move his family.  He likes it here and he likes us.  For $1M he'd leave his family here and take more airplane rides if another team was willing to pay.

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    I'm still not seeing any anchors on Johansson on Puckpedia. I do miss the timeliness of Capfriendly!

    As for OgZ, what I noticed 1st and foremost was his desire to defer. This speaks to confidence that he really wasn't sure if he belonged. The 2nd thing was he seemed to be more of a slot hockey player. Perhaps Heinzy gave him the instructions of "go out and play, but don't f up?" He played scared to make a mistake.

    Robert is correct in his draft assessment, and I didn't see that in the eye test while he was here. OgZ's personality might be one that has anxiety, so he really needs to relax and just go play. But, what needs to change?

    Physicality, this is a strong bull who needs to start taking the body like a Foligno does. I saw him with some bumps and that's not what working the dirty areas is about. He needs defenders to fear the finished bodycheck and cough pucks up early to avoid them. This was missing in both stints.

    Stick work, his stick was slow and he was very easily poke checked. OgZ simply didn't have an NHL ready stick and he needs to improve that quickness. As I recall, even the blue line was able to poke check him. 

    Drive the net. This was missing in consistency in both stints. This is where he needs to get that nose for the net and cancel out players on the boards. OgZ does not button hook well, so he simply needs to learn to drive the net and get hungry for rebounds, tips, and screens. 

    Our patience-OgZ is a 2022 draft pick. To get here in year 3 would be 2 years ahead of schedule. His body is NHL ready, his mind and stick need to catch up. He has had a taste of this level, now he needs to seize the day. I know he's weight training since he's a gym rat. My hope is that he is doing a lot of stick training to speed up the handling and shot generation. Too much was poke checked and blocked. And the last thing on the list is get rid of deferring. 

    Personally, I think training with Ek would be a huge benefit for him, as Ek had to do the same things. Taking a young guy under your wing like that is exactly what is needed so he can gain confidence. I also think this guy will be a Nino type player, perhaps a 20/20 guy. Scoring numbers will not be his calling card as he will be the guy doing the dirty work on his line.

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    It's sad but the Wild's typical MO. Another top prospect wilting away in Iowa while the big club remains a bubble team. If the Wild know they aren't going to win the cup and their only goal is to make the playoffs, why not give him a legitimate chance? If the idea is to put butt's in seats, I'm sure the fans would be thrilled to see him on the second line over Johansson. What's the worst thing that happens, he outscores him? Keep drafting Ferrari's and only letting them out in rush hour traffic. The Wild have only had one prospect make this team since Billy became the GM. Anyone care to guess who that is? He won't be here for much longer.

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    6 hours ago, Pewterschmidt said:

    Agree 100%.  Looking for Ogz to take a stair step in his development this season.  Needs to earn a middle six role (beat out league minimum Nojo or a 46 yr old Zuccy)  and be more decisive and confident this season.  Training wheels are off kid.  Time for you to nut-up or shut-up.  If he becomes Nino Light in his second season I'd be happy with that progress.  Show us your not destined to be a bottom 6 journeyman.

    100%. 

    Video Team: Send Ogie all the tape on Niederietter and have him study. He is very similar, good shot, size is pretty good. Need him to just elevate the power and confidence. 

    There were plays last season while he was up with the Wild that looked really good offensively. It seems that the defensive side against guys like Stone, Tkachuk, or Perry is the stuff coaches wanna see. 

    It's a complete contradiction but that's why they don't value Rossi highly enough despite playing NoJo 14mins every game last season. 

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