NHL Draft Prospect Preview: Erik Gudbranson

Who knows, maybe one of the teams in front of the Wild "pulls a Risebrough" (note, this does not count as mentioning HWSRN's name, instead it a new label for drafting someone that you have no business drafting).

Today, we look at defenseman Erik Gudbranson from Kingston of the OHL.

NHL.com Profile:

Nathan: As complete a player available in the draft, Erik Gudbranson has size, hands, skating ability, can move the puck, can play physical, block shots, get in the passing and shooting lanes and drop the gloves if necessary. He would only need a partial season in the AHL coming out of camp just to ensure that he's up to speed after missing part of last season with mono. Seriously, he's a Calder candidate who is a franchise top pairing defenseman. There is no chance that he's available at 9. In fact, there's a good chance that he goes #3. If he's available, you take him even though the Wild need forwards. He's that good.

Would the Wild take him at 9 if, by some miracle, he drops that far? You had best be on the phone betting your house, your car, and your next year's worth of salary that they would. But Buddha, a d-man? Yes, a d-man. A top paring, ready very soon, large, physical d-man with the ability to add offense. Yeah, like you wouldn't want that.

Circular Theory: A favorite of mine. He possesses all the tools to become a top pairing d-man. He has strong shot, long stick, good mobility, good defensive skills, a mean edge, solid body, and great character. While considered the most raw out of the 3 defenseman expected to be selected in the top 10 (Fowler, Gormley, Gudbranson), he may possess the highest upside because of all his tools mentioned previously. At #9, the Wild should be fortunate to have a chance to draft a prospect like Gudbranson but this might be the time for the Wild to move down and collect a few extra picks and trade the pick to a team that wants a potential top pairing defenseman.