By Daniel Chan -
Now it starts to get interesting!
Last week, we took a look at the 16-20 ranking that consisted of Nate Prosser, Kristopher Foucault, David McIntyre, Chay Genoway and Stephen Michalek. When two of your prospects at the bottom of the rankings appeared with the Wild and did not look out of place, you know the organization is doing something right with their developmental system.
And the World Junior Championships is JUST around the corner! Team Canada made its cuts today and the Wild's Brett Bulmer is still in the race.
Earlier in the year, we did a readers poll on our top prospects. What has changed over the course of the last few months? Take the jump and find out!
Here were the results from the Readers Poll:
Grant Erickson (Scout.com) - Link
Haula plays a great style of hockey that his centered around his speed and playmaking ability. At 5-foot-11 and 170 pounds, Haula will not be the biggest guy on the ice. What he lacks in ideal size he makes up for with his passing.There isn't more you could ask for from your 7th round selection. Haula is 2nd in team scoring with a solid 25 points in 20 games.
He isn't the biggest player or the most physical, but he makes up with a solid toolbox of well-rounded offensive abilities. He has vision, playmaking ability and quickness. More impressively, Haula has produced points at every level he has played in, including the World Junior Championships, scoring 4 goals and 3 assists in only 6 games.
Haula is still considered a raw project but has continuously proven himself as an offensive producer.
This quote is written a year ago and now it seems more evident that Almond has become a checker who is a hard-nose forward with a strong defensive mind-set.
He is currently up with the Minnesota Wild and has not looked out of place on the fourth line. He has size, decent skating and works the Yeo's style forecheck quite well. He isn't going to score many points but you need guys on your energy lines to tire the opposition and keep the puck in the offensive zone.
Some may be wondering what I have him over guys like Haula. Main reason? He's looking good in his fourth line duties and has a good chance of becoming an NHLer, even though his upside may not be as high as others.
How's the new Minnesotan pick from the 2011 NHL Entry Draft doing? Great!
He is tied at second in league scoring with 55 points in 28 gqames, but leads the league with 2.0 points per game. Pretty good for a kid that is considered very raw but full of potential. This season shows that he is well on his way putting all his impressive tools together.
He will be heading to Notre Dame next season as a freshman. Lucia is an intriguing prospect. Tons of offensive upside and a huge 6'3" frame that he could add 15lbs of muscle to. Can't wait to see what he can do at 6-4 220lbs.
Easily one of the most underrated and under-appreciated prospect in the Wild prospect pool. Sean who you say?
Lets list some of the things he has quietly achieved
So not only is he one of the team's top players on the ice, he is extremely involved off the ice. He also finds time for his studies with a ridiculously good GPA considering how busy he is.
Now I know that NOTHING to do with performance on the ice, but it says tons about his character, and this commitment to his studies is something I truly respect, especially when it comes from student-athletes who can easily not care and just brisk by. Props!
And his on-ice performance is nothing to scoff at either. While his plus/minus rating isn't great this season, he is still considered one of the better defensive defensemen in the league. He should see some nice development time with Houston next season.
The goaltending battles continues within the Wild organization.
Years ago, it was Dwayne Roloson and Manny Fernandez. Then it was Fernandez and Backstrom. Then it was Backstrom and Theodore. Now its Backstrom and Harding.
It doesn't stop there. Within the pipepline, its Matt Hackett vs. Darcy Kuemper vs. Johan Gustafsson. Kuemper finds himself at #11.
Remember when won CHL Goalie of the Year and WHL Player of the Year Award? He hasn't slowed down, being named ECHL Goalie of the Week of Nov. 21-27, then being named AHL Player of the Week. With the Aeros, he boasts a ridiculous 0.944% and a 1.79 GAA.
Here is the updated rankings:
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