Minnesota Wild Reader Top 20 Prospects: Choosing #1

We could have gone with a top 20 count down, but we decided to just jump head long into the top prospect. Why not start with the most exciting, right? After the jump, the first batch of prospects and a very brief history of them. Make sure you vote and make your case in the comment section. We hope you enjoy.

If you are looking for an objective opinion, you may not find one for Granlund among the Wild fan base. So many people putting so much faith in such a young kid can't possibly be healthy. That said, he has dazzled with his play in the Finnish Elite League and international play. He has elected to spend this coming season in Finland while wrapping up his studies and military responsibility. If he is the next coming of the Koivus is yet to be seen, but if the desire for him to become a star is enough, the guy is in for an amazing career.

After landing the top college free agent prize last summer, the Wild sent their prize to Houston to further develop. He also got a taste of NHL action, and performed admirably in the role he was given. Wellman looks to be a top six forward, which in the Wild organization is still not loaded with top end talent, but is suddenly rather crowded. Wellman has proven he deserves his chance, and with Mike Yeo behind the bench, maybe Wellman gets the first call up to fill an injury hole in the top six.

The first of the 2011 NHL Draftees to make the poll, Brodin was impressive at Wild development camp. Brodin's skating has been praised, hearing words like "skates like the wind." I'm still not sure how the wind skates, but if it's good, then so be it. He is not an offensive d-man by any means, so his defensive and puck moving abilities better justify his 10th overall draft position. We don't have much to work with on Brodin, but he has to be considered near the top of the prospect rankings, if only because he is the newest member of the top first round pick club for the Wild.

We'll add some bios to the list later in the week. For now, get your vote in for the Wild's top prospect. We'll give this poll until Wednesday at 11:59PM. Don't forget to make your case in the comments and try to convince your fellow Wild fans why they should vote for your guy.