Wild Prospect Depth Analysis: Left Wing

Now we’ll take a look at the left wings:

Update: Thank you Nodak for revealing my idiocy and forgetting Jason Zucker.

Leading the Aeros in playoff goals with seven, Gillies post-season emergence has Wild fans seeing hope in what they presumed to be a bust.

In his recent call-up to the Wild, Gillies managed to get one goal in 7 games, using his size to go in front of the net, fight off a defenseman and scored a spinning backhand.

Gillies will have a chance to crack the Wild roster next year during training camp since his speed and skill on the forecheck will be a very welcome addition.

After being signed by the Aeros and producing well for a rookie, the Wild inked him for a two-year deal and Rau has not disappointed.

His natural position being center, Rau is versatile to play wing and the Wild will love his ability to play anywhere they put him. He’ll come next year and try to prove he is worth a call-up.

Another big body in Houston, Matt Kassian plays the enforcer role with the Aeros.

Standing at 6’5" 245lbs, Kassian commands an immediate presence of the ice. However, his role is pretty much set as the enforcer so offense doesn’t come much.

In his four game callup to the Wild, he looked okay. He played very little icetime but managed to gather 12 penalty minutes as expected from his role. However, his time is running out and the need for a tough guy on the Wild roster isn’t in high demand.

The wildcard in the 2009 draft, the Wild selected Foucault based on his very hot playoff run.

Foucault has shown flashes of repeating that offense in the regular season but has done so in an inconsistent manner. The Wild have yet to sign the winger.

Drafted as a lanky winger but with a good frame and with an aggressive game, Brett Bulmer came into camp and immediately got into fights with several Wild players. Good job!

Bulmer increased his point totals by nine in eight less games than last season, which is impressive. However, he has the team’s worst plus/minus rating with a minus 12.

One of his biggest flaws coming into the season was his defensive play and it continues to show. He will have to continue adding muscle and improve his play in his own zone if he wants to become a top six Wild player.

The Wild traded up in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft to ensure they selected Jason Zucker. So far, the move seems to have paid off.

The energetic winger was named WCHA Rookie of the Year, so its nice to see offense becoming a big part of his game when originally projected to be a top nine forward. In addition, he continues to join Team USA and plays during the World Junior Championships as a veteran.

The Wild must be impressed by his three gold medals, one silver medal and his Rookie of the Year award. Watch Zucker take up a leadership role with the 2011-12 WJC USA Team.

Not much has been heard about Erik Haula since he became a Minnesota Gopher but he has quietly put up a solid rookie year.

Tied third in team scoring with 24 points, Haula has the ability to become the Wild’s steal in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Johan Larsson recently signed an NHL entry-level deal with the Wild, proving how much faith they have in the kid.

The versatile forward played for his professional team in Sweden as a rookie and didn’t see much icetime. However, as the season winded down, his icetime doubled and he started to produce more offensively.

The Wild love his ability to play center and his two-way play and will keep a close eye on his development when he goes back to Sweden, which is the more likely case.

Not much is known about Jere Sallinen except that he is a physical winger that is projected to be a bottom six winger.

However, there has been little indication by the Wild that they have any interest in pursuing Sallinen and he will have to be signed by June if the Wild want to retain his rights.

Summary

It is great to see the 2010 Draft class looking promising with Johan Larsson and Brett Bulmer. Erik Haula also looks like a good pick by the Wild and Jason Zucker continues to impress. These prospects have the potential to be top nine forwards for the team.

However, the lack of top end talent is not exempt from left wing. None of these prospects have that game-breaking potential that Wild would love to have. However, there is depth and that is a nice change of scenery for many Wild fans.

In the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, possibly Wild picks include Sven Baertschi, who offers an impressive wrist shot and who plays on the left wing. The Wild will have to think long and hard on whehter Baertschi is the one they want.

What do you think?