The Wild Should Have Enough Of A Under-24 Core To Retain Kaprizov

I agree with Kalisha's conclusion, but I've got different pieces than she does in those spots. 

Damn, with an acronym like that (keey), you can’t help but be excited for the future. LFGW!!

Get Kaprizov signed for $12-13m at most, and you still have room to manuever.  It can get done.

I've never heard anyone else suggest 2022 4th round pick, Ryan Healey, was someone that the Wild should anticipate being in their top 6. He could be developing, but I wouldn't expect to see him helping the Wild prior to 2028, unless the help comes from including him in a trade.

Healey could possibly replace Declan Chisholm at the back of the defensive rotation for 27-28, but probably not before that. I suspect he may need a couple years of development in the AHL once his Harvard days are ending.

woah hold that excitement a bit! ODC is back.

on yurov -

40 goals hmm so he will do what none of our players could do except for kap? when? like immediately? or maybe a more cautious projection of around 15-25 goals is more in line? or dare i say - he may struggle and find himself first starting in AHL? or is he going to be scared off the Wild's play this year and sign for another year in KHL? or be sent to war?  nope - he will score 40 goals as a top line winger for us! yeap nothing ever goes unplanned for our heralded prospects....

productive against bigger player in NHL because he plays against an inferior competition in KHL but will kick ass in a tougher league? kind of backwards logic....but ok

only prospect that can challenge boldy? really? that is it? we have NO ONE who can challenge Boldy? this is scary if true, and i hope it is NOT. even with my pessimistic takes, some youth can surprise and show us 1st line play. heck look at how dallas seems to be delivering 1st line material EVERY year. shouldn't we expect our gurus at the helm to do the same? nope, just one prospect who can be good enough to play first line. 

"Is it possible that he becomes a 40-goal scorer? ....Yurov has already caught up to speed with the professional game in Russia, and he should still be productive against bigger players in the NHL.....Yurov is Minnesota’s only prospect who can challenge Boldy for his top-line spot."

on the explosive top nine - you say H&H boys are an update over Walker, but why? have they played a game in NHL yet? or is this a hope? then let's present it as such. Saying Haight will be lethal playing alongside Kumpy and Ohgren is also jumping a bit, wouldn't you say? they have what a combined 4 game NHL sample in garbage time? Let's maybe be happy if one of three see consistent time at 3rd line and proves they belong. and be happy about that.  

Rieger Lorenz - who is that? another gem of a prospect?

Dynamic D - Lambos and Healey = "bonafide" and "dynamic" and "dangerous" ouch common let's stop with the over hyping. they haven't sniffed NHL, and if any of the above described them, they would have been given that taste already. for now, they are closer to busts then NHL regulars, so dynamic d should be reserved for one person Faber. the rest are unknowns (all these amazing rookies) and over the hill (sadly brodin and spurgy) and useless/but for some reason on our team (Bogo and Midds and dare i say - we still have Goli??????)

Confident goal tanding duo HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

overall if i am Kaprizov - i sure do see a lot of promise here and will no doubt sign the extension. yeap. 

This is reading like a best case scenario, which, hey better than all the "we are going to lose everybody and the team will shutter doors and leave" type of article. I think Yurov is a safe pick to make it in the NHL, and help Ek up his points even more. I didn't know Haught sprouted like that, but in true mnfan fashion, kid needs 20 lbs, but height usually comes before the muscle, so hit the gym with Ek and pump iron.

I am all for hyping up the youths, would be amazing if they all reach the levels talked about in the article, but the jump to the NHL is HARD, and takes time. I would be happy if a handful hit like we hope. The upside with the prospects there is a good mix of some size and skill, this should be good building blocks throughout the whole lineup, and maybe guys who can move up and down as needed. If they all hit then we have trade ammo which could yield some great returns to fill in gaps (Like big meanies on the defense core). What I like the most from prospects like Ritchie and Hlavaj is the attitude they have, chip on shoulder, out to prove something. That hunger is what this team seems to lack, from an outside perspective. If that attitude mixes with god given talent and work ethic, it could be special. 3 names come to mind in Minnesota sports that had that same attitude, Jefferson, Moss, and Ant, want or wanted to be killers and put everyone on notice. For now, I will, in true MN sports fashion, I will enjoy the "overhype", fully expecting to be let down haha. With that, LETS FRICKEN GO!!!!!! Future looks bright

1 hour ago, OldDutchChip said:

"Is it possible that he becomes a 40-goal scorer?

Seemed like that comment was referring to JEE, not Yurov.

Boldy is also an established 30 goal scorer, but I could see Yurov as the 2nd line C with him rather than either on the top line. Edmonton splits their top 2 scorers some games, at least prior to the 3rd period.

This year should tell us quite a bit more about Yurov, particularly if increases his point total substantially. I don't see Yurov playing on line 1 his first year in the NHL, partly because I expect him to stick at center, but we'll have to wait and see how things develop. If he becomes dominant, it's possible he could push Eriksson Ek back to 2nd line, but that certainly isn't likely in year 1.

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 Their initials are fitting because they’ll be KEEY to the Wild’s offense. 

fucking mic drop.

I find it highly doubtful they move Yurov to the wing. Guerin and Brackett made it a talking point when they drafted him. It was as a center going forward. He proved he can play center in a real league like the KHL last year. The team wants more size down the the middle and Yurov fits the mold of a top 6 center.

Wow fantasy land ! You can’t write about any accomplishments of the wild because there are none. So we write fantasy stories about sh_t that’ll never happen and players that’ll never make it . Fire bill an his misfits. It’s what year a Billy’s tenure ? His team still sucks and he locked it up. 

Does anyone else feel like Dean is a closet Blackhawks fan just trolling us?

1 hour ago, mnfaninnc said:

Does anyone else feel like Dean is a closet Blackhawks fan just trolling us?

Dean and ODC… 😉

5 hours ago, IllicitFive said:

I think Yurov is a safe pick to make it in the NHL

I agree wholeheartedly, that yes, this is DY’s floor, well maybe subbasement. Since he’s already surpassing Kk’s numbers in the KHL my expectations are quite a bit higher. I think he becomes an impact player immediately in the NHL on his way to being a top 15 forward. I’m very much looking ahead to seeing his on ice chemistry with KK, assuming that’s where he ends up. 

A lot of hopes and dreams on the young players.  Even if Kaprizov leaves they should be all right.  Boldy is going to be a point per game plus player.  Yurov looks like he could be as good or better than Kaprizov.  Wallstedt and Hlavaj could be the Swayman/Ullman combo that could win you a cup.  

The only real question we have is can Lambos and the other Defenders in the system step up and actually be good Defenseman and if they don't we can always get others to come here.  Especially if Kaprizov leaves. 

I get The Wall being successful, but I don't know much about Hlavaj. If he can come in and be an NHL backup, to me, that would be a huge bonus. Goalies are simply weird, and rely so much on confidence. Everything I've seen from The Wall has been positive. He needs more NHL games against NHL shooters, but that's about it.

Kalisha mentioned a few players where I had to scratch my head a little. 1st off, Rieger Lorenz, from my eye test, does not look like a clutch scorer. Sure, he scored in the championship game, but watching him he really doesn't do much with the puck. He does look like a decent 4th liner in the N, though. I don't think comparing him as Foligno's replacement is exactly correct, I'd put that on Stramel.

Kalisha doesn't even mention Spacek, Masters, or Parker, but picks Healy out of the mix. I've got to believe that Spacek is further along and will be the best of the group, but Parker could also challenge. I'm not sure Healy is on anyone's radar.

I think the thing that bothered me the most about the article was the timeframe. I don't think this was clear. Is this a prospective lineup for '25 or '28? By '28, I think we will be completely in "win now" mode, and some of these guys will be trade fodder, not making the team. 

I do like the projection of Heidt and Haight, but Haight's got the same issue that Beckman had, you've got to get to the gym and fill out in muscle. Really, he's got enough skill, now he needs compete in the corners and front of the net and that only comes from having an NHL caliber body. If he is indeed 6'2", he needs to be around 205-210 to be taken seriously by the FO. That's a lot of reps lifting.

Continued-

There are a couple of other prospects I think will challenge: Bankier and Milne. Milne is listed at 5'11" 187 (elite prospects). Honestly, I didn't know he was so short. However, his game can be very effective at 195-200. Elite Prospects shared this about him:

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An absolute nuisance in the defensive zone, Milne scans off-puck for threats and closes with force as plays develop, always taking that extra stride to make contact where others lunge with their stick from a glide. The motor never stops running with this player, making him an absolute force on retrievals, too -- this also applies on the forecheck.

This screams bottom 6. A shorter guy in there will be quicker on his edges, and it looks like he desires contact (the easy way to stop).

Bankier is a little bigger and has always been a scorer in his role. He's got an NHL body already, maybe just a shade light, I still think he needs another year in the A, but he could be a nice middle 6 player, probably a wing, though he's a center now. He's listed at 6'2" 192. I thought his weight at the combine was more. Elite Prospects had this to say about him:

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He’s a skilled playmaker, pre-scanning for options then quickly passing to a teammate in scoring position. Even off retrievals or when forced to the backhand, he usually makes a positive play.

This is all nice, but as a middle 6 player, he's got to be taking the body a lot. This part of his game has to be worked on and is probably the main thing he will be working on in the A. Playing the right way requires bodychecking, and Bankier has the size to be good at it. However, he's pretty much been a scorer his whole career, so it will take a mentality change.

IMO, a big gym offseason for Milne could get him into the bottom 6 callup option for injury. I think he could easily challenge Johansson for his spot if Johansson is taken off of line 2. Let's review a little on Milne, he had the opportunity to play on a very good Winnipeg team that was challenging for a championship, but, instead chose to come to the baby Wild for better competition. To me, this says that he is hungry for something more, and that's what feeds him. He would be one who would look at what Rossi did, and say to himself "huh, that's all it took!" He's probably lifting right now as I type.

Bankier is the one who has a decision to make. Will he go the Grayovac route and be convinced he's a scorer, or will he conform to a lesser role but a chance to make a meaningful impact on an NHL roster? I realize many of these guys have dreams of being stars, but the only way you get there is to at least be on a roster. For him to be there, it will require more strength and a willingness to bang bodies. We shall see if he has this in him. He has the tools to make it happen!

4 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

An absolute nuisance in the defensive zone, Milne scans off-puck for threats and closes with force as plays develop, always taking that extra stride to make contact where others lunge with their stick from a glide. The motor never stops running with this player, making him an absolute force on retrievals, too -- this also applies on the forecheck.

What's not to love with this guy?  

Clutterbuck + Shawzy = Milnzy!!

7 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

He's probably lifting right now as I type.

And staring at his Tai Domi poster on the ceiling of his gym

#Givethiskidalookincamp

3 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

What's not to love with this guy?  

Clutterbuck + Shawzy = Milnzy!!

He just needs a frame to do this, and not get swatted like a mosquito when he tries. That's essentially it with his game, it's all he needs. Milnzy will grab everyone's attention if he weighs in day 1 at 200ish. He might want to weigh in with his water bottle in hand, keys and wallet and phone in his pockets!

3 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

And staring at his Tai Domi poster on the ceiling of his gym

#Givethiskidalookincamp

Huh, that beats having mirrors there!

Just like we say with the Twins pertains to the Wild.  Prospects are just suspects unless and until they prove otherwise.  Impress me on the ice.  I'm thinking it's going to be a very mediocre year for the Wild.  I hope I'm wrong but I think they will miss the playoffs again.  

16 minutes ago, greg said:

Just like we say with the Twins pertains to the Wild.  Prospects are just suspects unless and until they prove otherwise.  Impress me on the ice.  I'm thinking it's going to be a very mediocre year for the Wild.  I hope I'm wrong but I think they will miss the playoffs again.  

Gonna depend on A) health and B) goaltending. 

If Gus regains his form and Wallstedt hits the ground running, the team ought to make the post-season if we don't lose too many top-of-the-roster contributors throughout the season. 

More than half odd these prospects mentioned will be lucky to play more than 100 NHL games.

 The only true blue chip prospects we have right now are Wallstedt, Buium and Yurov.

 Everybody else is on the “maybe we get lucky” heap.

2 hours ago, TCMooch said:

More than half odd these prospects mentioned will be lucky to play more than 100 NHL games.

 The only true blue chip prospects we have right now are Wallstedt, Buium and Yurov.

 Everybody else is on the “maybe we get lucky” heap.

Party pooper

Maybe Greg is right, maybe we do come out mediocre. Here's the definition:

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of moderate or low quality, value, ability, or performance : ordinary

It adds up to ordinary. In the NHL do you know what ordinary means? Competitive. Ordinary makes the playoffs in a WC capacity, or just misses the playoffs.

I don't see anything on this team outside of Kaprizov that says we're not ordinary. A healthy Kaprizov ticks us up a bit from there. 

Even without the vets that were signed in the last 2 years, if we play the kids, we're nothing but ordinary in '24. But, in '25, if Rossi keeps improving at an expected rate, and if Faber does the same as well as Goose, suddenly we're better than ordinary.

Dino and Ohgren are coming into the mix. This will be their rookie year. I'd expect ordinary out of them this year, a little better next year. I believe Yurov will come in and be a bit above ordinary in '25. I expect Lambos to claim a spot and be ordinary. Same with The Wall. 

Here's the thing, though. If we've got young kids coming in, they will look well above ordinary in potential. There will be a learning curve. But, this group is going to be pretty good. I'd expect them to be better than the young core that Fletcher had. I'd also expect there to be more of that young core that Fletcher quit building. 

I believe Protec has the best way of looking at it-small steps in the right direction. Maybe we follow Dr. Leo Marvin's book and call them Baby Steps! 

Is Guerin right about his approach? Let's review it. He believes in developing kids through the A or similar leagues (NCAA, SHL, KHL). He believes in not putting them in a fulltime NHL uniform until they are ready to fully contribute. He has placeholders that when healthy are good enough...mediocre...to get the Wild a playoff invitation. This is required by his boss, OCL. But, he keeps these young guys hidden to keep working on their craft. I've already taken a negative stance to the bodies being NHL ready, but, perhaps this is part of the weeding out process. 

Guerin also isn't big on bringing in a huge crop of rookies all at once. Rookies tend to be rollercoasters, and he is looking for consistency night in and night out. It takes vets showing these guys the way for this to happen. 

Is this the right way? I have no idea, but it is opposite of the way Fletcher and Risebrough did their development. We're kind of far into this thing, more than 1/2 way, so let's just ride it out and see if it's successful.