Minnesota Wild Reader Top 20 Prospects: The Second Man Is...

It is easy to say Granlund is the best prospect. The trouble starts at number two, and we hold that vote starting today. Keep it clean in there, no low blows. When the bell rings, come out swinging. Ready? Go.

Before we start, we were rightly reminded to set the ground rules. I'll use Dan's definition of prospect from last year:

Not Selected at #1:

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.

New to the Party:

If you want proof that Wild fans shouldn't care about where a guy is from, this guy is it. From the middle of the desert, and playing for a major rival of the local college team, Zucker won himself the rookie of the year honors in the WCHA. Forty five points in forty games as a freshman is... well, it's pretty good. As he progresses through his college career, he will get even more chances to succeed as he is given larger and larger roles to play. That is, if he decides to stay in school. He'll certainly be there next year, after that, who knows. Wild fans are drooling to see him with the big squad, but rest assured, he'll visit Houston for a stint first. Right now, Zucker is certainly worthy of some consideration here at #2.

Is Spurgeon still a "prospect?" He still has to earn and keep his spot on the roster. He still meets Dan's definition. That's good enough for me. Spurgeon has performed admirably, and is certainly the most NHL ready prospect. Does that make him better than the guys a year or two away? Or does potential upside play a part? That's for you to decide. Spurgeon is certainly a top prize, and is no longer someone anyone has doubts about. If this were December, my bet is, Spurgeon doesn't make the list because he will have too many games played. What that means for his rank? Cast your vote.