By Bryan Reynolds -
We've almost completed our stroll through the prospects who may be available with the ninth pick. While we have settled on Mikael Granlund as our pick, we would be remiss to not cover everyone we think may be there at nine... just in case.
Today, we look at Ryan Johansen, center from Portland of the WHL.
Buddha: It always boggles my mind when I read one post calling a kid "big" and then another calling him "skinny." He is 6' 2", 192lbs. That is not a small person. While he certainly could add some bulk, he is most definitely not small. CSB has him as the tenth best NA skater, The Hockey News has him going 12, and most mocks have him anywhere from 12-16. Yes, some place him in the top 10, but not many.
69 points in 71 games in his rookies campaign in the WHL shows the kid has some scoring touch. He still has at least two junior seasons left before he lands in the AHL for development. Questions about his compete level away from the puck are going to make him drop past the top ten. I think Johansen may be the kid that everyone passes on, and no one really knows why. My guess is he goes in the late first round. The Wild have better options at 9.
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