NHL Draft Preview: Jeff Skinner

As we approach the NHL draft on June 25th, Hockey Wilderness takes a look at who may be available with the ninth pick, who fits, who doesn't, and who we think the Wild will select. Do they pick for need, do they take the best available player, or do they find a combination of both? For the purposes of this exercise, we will assume the Wild do not trade up or down, and select a player with the ninth pick.

Nathan, Buddha, JS  and special guest CircularTheory, will be analyzing the pick and many of the prospects who have been discussed around the blogosphere and tied to the Wild.

Here is his NHL.com profile:

Nathan: 50 goals as a 17 year old in the OHL. 20 goals in 20 playoff games. Looking at these numbers, how can he only be ranked the 34th best prospect by the CSB? Oh, you say that he has some issues with his skating? Hmm, that could be a problem once he starts dealing with bigger, stronger defensemen. Clearly the kid knows how to score and with 40 assists, he's a decent playmaker, but if he isn't 6'3", 220, you don't necessarily want to risk a top 10 draft choice on a guy who is a project when it comes to mobility. At his size, he needs to be able to fly, and Skimmer can't do that right now. Now, does it mean he can't do it in the future? No, of course not, but it does mean that he shouldn't be the pick at #9. So, should he fall to the second round (like the CSB predicts), I would grab him there, but he's behind guys like Granlund, Etem, Connolly, Bjugstad, etc.

Buddha: Rated as the 34th best NA skater by Central Scouting, and picked to go 25th by The Hockey News. How this happens when a guy pots 50 goals and 90 points in 64 games in the OHL is difficult to comprehend. While I don't feel he is top 10 draft talent, someone is going to get him late in the first or early in the second, and they will be getting a steal. Criticized for his skating ability, it cost him from being ranked in the top three, but he should be able to pick that up in continued time in juniors, and some time in the AHL. He is not NHL ready, and like Etem, is a long term prospect. As much as I would love to see him in the system, he is not a #9 pick, and unless he falls all the way back to the Wild in the second, I don't it happening.