Post by Bryce - Minny on Jan 5, 2010 14:49:44 GMT -5
The Guidelines
- Cannot have more than 100 NHL games player prior to current NHL season
- Must be under 26 years old
Minnesota Wild Prospect Rankings
1. Drew Doughty (D) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10430
· The consensus number 1 prospect. Doughty is playing with the Wild in the BRHL, and GM Shuck has compared him to “Ray Bourque reincarnated”. This is high praise from the man so infatuated with the Bruins of old that he gets to name his first son Cam.
· Doughty has made the Canadian Olympic team as a 19 year old defenseman, which is unheard of. The future holds many a Norris Trophy for Doughty
2. Jacob Markstrom (G) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9787
· Rumour is that Markstrom was 3rd on GM Shuck’s draft board, but waited till later in the round to grab him. Shuck has been quoted as saying that Markstrom will be the best European goalie ever, and all trade talk around Markstrom has been shut down. Currently is playing in the BRHLE for MODO. Markstrom is the face of goaltending future in Minnesota
· Markstrom has played very well for Brynas in the Elitseren with a .924 save percentage and a 2.1 GAA in 27 games.
3. Luke Schenn (D) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=11400
· Despite rampant trade speculation, Luke Schenn remains a favourite of GM Bryce Shuck, and the rumblings are only out there because the team has 7 defensemen in their top 15 prospects. Schenn is playing for the BRHL Wild and remains at this point, pencilled in with Doughty as the top pairing for the long-term future in Minnesota.
· Schenn has had his struggles in his sophomore season with the Leafs. But remains a physical presence, who is learning the nuances of being an elite level shutdown defenseman at the NHL level.
4. Jordan Eberle (RW) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=11098
· Eberle is the top forward prospect in the Wild organization, and has high end offensive talent. Currently playing for GM Shuck in the BRHLJ with the Edmonton Oil Kings, Eberle could be making an impact with the Wild by season 12.
· Eberle is having a ridiculous WHL season with 29 goals and 31 assists in only 28 games. At the current WJC he has been Canada’s best player and has 11 points in 5 games, and his start shines brightest in big games.
5. Mikkel Boedker (LW) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=5996
· Boedker is still adjusting to the strength of professional players in his sophomore season. Playing with the Wild in the BRHL, he has played well and is amongst the leaders in rookie scoring.
· Boedker has played the bulk of his season in San Antonio of the AHL, and hasn’t lit it up there yet as one would expect. But he possesses world class speed, and the hands are there as evidenced by his junior days. Boedker is still very much in the plans of the Wild going forward.
6. Jake Allen (G) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=17522
· Allen is playing net in the BRHLJ for a weak Denver Pioneers team. He has played well though with a 5-6 record, .904 save% and 2.67 GAA
· Allen is the starting goaltender for Canada at the WJC, which has sent the trade requests for him skyrocketing. Allen is behind Markstrom on the prospect list, and followed closely by Jeff Deslauriers, so there is speculation he may be moved, but the trio gives the team fantastic depth in net.
7. Brandon Sutter (C) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9339
· The recently acquired Brandon Sutterhas been assigned to the Houston Aeros in the BRHL, and will look to lead them into the playoffs. Sutter is a favourite of GM Shuck and his all around game will look to become a fixture on the Wild lineup, as soon as next season.
· With 10 goals, and 6 assists in 32 NHL games this season for Carolina. Sutter is starting to show his offensive game at the big level. Projected over an 82 game schedule that would be 26 goals, which is the sort of production, along with a strong defensive game, that would make Sutter an upper echelon second line center, which is where the organization has him pegged.
8. Jeff Deslauriers (G) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9134
· Deslauriers is currently the starting goalie for the Houston Aeros in the BRHL AHL. Deslauriers is part of a trifecta of good young goalies with Markstrom and Allen, while he may not have the highest upside of the three, he is the furthest along in his development, and will be the starter for the Wild next season.
· In the NHL Deslauriers has been the starter for the Edmonton Oilers since the middle of November. With a .906 save percentage and 2.86 GAA, Deslauriers has kept the putrid Oilers in many games they had no business being in.
9. Chris Butler (D) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9206
· Butler is currently playing the BRHL AHL for the Houston Aeros, and is having a fantastic season paired with Luca Sbisa. Butler is expected to crack the Wild roster next year as a regular.
· In the NHL, Butler has 11 points thus far, and has played top line minutes on many nights. He is a fixture in the Sabres PK, and has looked every bit the part of a solid shutdown defenseman. His stature as a top 4 defensive defenseman is almost written in stone.
10. Luca Sbisa (D) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=13946
· Sbisa is playing for the Houston Aeros in the BRHL minors. Having a strong season, and having found time with the Wild as well, Sbisa continues his development into an all around top 4 dman in the Tomas Kaberle mold.
· Sbisa played 8 games with the Ducks in the NHL, before being sent back to juniors. He had 13 points in 17 games in juniors, and was playing with the Swiss team in the WJC when he injured his abdomen and he is currently sidelined for a couple of months. Sbisa is turning into a longer term project than originally thought, but Wild management is still very high on him, and see him as a longterm fixture on the point.
11. Andrei Loktionov (C) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=11867
· Currently playing with the PA Raiders in the BRHLJ. Loktionov continues to see his stock rise as he develops faster than anyone expected. Now a legitimate top 6 prospect, Loktionov is one of the most asked about members of the Wild.
· Loktionov has put up nearly a point per game for Manchester in the AHL as a 19 year old, and even had his first NHL game with the Kings. Loktionov is emerging as a blue chip prospect, and the Wild are happy to have him on board.
12. Vladimir Zharkov (RW) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9303
· Zharkov currently is playing very well for the Aeros in the minors. Given the look of the Wild roster, and his play in the NHL, he could very easily be a member of the Wild next season. Described as a Devils fan as Sergei Brylin 2.0, Zharkov has value as a defensive 2nd-3rd line player in the near future.
· In 16 NHL games with the Devils, Zharkov has 7 points, and sees regular PK time. At only 21 years old, Zharkov looks to be a fixture in the Devils lineup for the longterm. His BRHL value has risen as well, as he can be counted on to be a solid 2nd-3rd line center for the next decade or so.
13. Jason Demers (D) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=12154
· Demers is currently playing for the Aeros in the minors, and has played well in a PP role and sheltered minutes. His longterm value to the team as a powerplay specialist, like a MA Bergeron with size, will fill a valuable role on the team for the longterm.
· Demers had a successful NHL debut with the Sharks at almost a half point per game in the NHL. Currently he is down with the Worchester Sharks in the AHL and has 2 goals and an assist in 5 games. Demers has been under the weather for the last bit and has missed some time with the flu.
14. Taylor Chorney (D) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10430
· Chorney is currently playing for the Aeros in the BRHL minors, and has played reasonably well in his first pro BRHL season. With good puck moving skills and a developing defensive game, Chorney has progressed nicely to date.
· Chorney has battled injuries in his second pro seasonas he has split time between the Edmonton Oilers and Springfield Falcons. Chorney showed a surprisingly adept defensive game while up with the Oilers, and continues to put up the offensive numbers at the AHL level. He likely needs another season or two to develop, but could be a fixture in the top 4 very soon.
15. Theo Peckham (D) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=11266
· Peckham is currently playing for the Aeros in the BRHL minors. He brings something to the defense stable that their isn’t an abundance of, grit and strength. He, Butler and Schenn should longterm provide the grit as composed to the skill of Chorney, Sbisa, and Demers. Doughty of course brings everything.
· Peckham has struggled with injuries to start the season but is back and healthy and sports a tidy +4 on a horrid Springfield team in the AHL. Peckhma played in a few games with the Oilers earlier in the season, and now healthy is likely the first callup on the defensive end for the Oilers.
16. JF Jacques (LW) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9026
· Jacques is playing with the Aeros in the BRHL minors, and has played reasonably well bouncing between the second and third line. Next season anticipate him on the Wild in a 3rd-4th line role.
· Jacques has played well in his first full NHL season, unlikely to ever be a big points producer, Jacques is near the lead league in hits, and brings size and grit to every game he plays. He will likely be a long-term fixture to the depth lines on the Wild.
17. Gustav Nyqvist (C) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6223
· Nyquist is playing in the BRHLJ for the Moncton Wildcats. His production has been a bit disappointing thus far in the BRHLJ but on a stacked Wildcats team, he is pressed for icetime.
· Nyquist is dominating at the University of Maine with 30 points in 18 games this season. A dark-horse for the Hobey baker in only his sophomore season, Nyquist looks to be the latest in a long line of Detroit drafting Swedes who pan out ahead of projection. Nyquist would be much higher on this list except for his expected delay into the pro season by at least a few more years.
18. Linus Omark (LW) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=4008
· Omark is currently playing in the BRHLE for MODO. Omark has the skill set for the NHL, as he matures, there is rumblings already that he may be in Edmonton in the NHL as soon as next season.
· Omark is getting red hot in the KHL in his first season there. After starting slowly he is up to 16 goals on the season and has been on fire the past month and a half. With an out clause in his contract, it is possible Omark is in the NHL next season, and he has said he will not come over without a one way deal. The Wild make have a diamond in the rough here.
19. Philippe Cornet (LW) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=19051
· Cornet is playing in the BRHLJ for the Kamloops Blazers.
· Cornet has 49 points in 36 games for the Huskis in the QMJHL. A late cut by Team Canada for the WJC, Cornet is one of the most prolific scorers in juniors, but he also plays a well rounded game for a Q player. A few years away from making an impact for the Wild, Cornet is the type of high risk reward player that Shuck tends to draft in the mid-late rounds.
20. Michal Jordan (D) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=12567
· What you expected him to be #23? Jordan is currently playing in the BRHLJ for the Calgary Hitmen.
· Jordan was the captain of the Czech WJC team this season, and continues to develop his all around game in the OHL with 21 points in 28 games. Jordan brings a strong all around game to the table and the Wild hope he continues to develop and adds to the great defensive pool of prospects as Jordan is the 8th defenseman in the teams top 20.
Also considered
21. David Wohlberg (C) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=17509
· Wohlberg continues to develop as an all around package. With over a half point per game in his sophomore college season at Michigan, Wohlberg is on the clubs long term radar as a solid defensive centerman.
22. Francis Pare (C) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=12135
· Pare has struggled a bit in his sophomore pro season with Grand Rapids in the AHL. With over half a point per game though he still flashes his offensive ability. The 22 year old centerman remains a solid bet to carve out a niche for himself in the NHL in the future.
23. MacGregor Sharp (C) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=24905
· After a stellar college career at Minnesota-Duluth, Sharp has transistioned nicely into the pros this season. Playing out of the ECHL to start the season due to the Ducks not having an AHL team, he was called up to the Ducks for an 8 game cameo, and played reasonably well. Then he was sent back to the AHL with San Antonio and promply put up 6 points in 8 games. Recalled to the Ducks on January 4th, Sharp is back for his second stint in the NHL. Long term Sharp could be a solid 2-3 line center with his strong all around game and his exceptional face-off skills.
24. Byron Bitz (RW) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=14041
· Bitz is a big man. At 6’4, 220lbs he has the size to intimidate opponents, yet has some hands as well. With 9 points in 36 NHL games, Bitz brings size to the bottom six for the Wild. With he and JF Jacques providing the same thing, there is rumblings that Bitz could be on the move in the near future.
25. Alain Goulet (D) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=12559
· Goulet has struggled a bit in his first pro season, but he flashes his offensive game still, and is developing at Providence in the AHL. As a 21 year old, Goulet is still filling out. The team is optimistic that long term, he could end up being a Tom Gilbert type in the NHL.
26. Yannick Riendeau (RW) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=24192
· Talk about boom/bust. Riendeau has offensive ability, there is no doubting that with 126 points last season in the Q, he has high end offensive skill. Whether or not that translates to the pros remains to be seen. At 5’10, 180lbs he is slight in stature, and has missed the entire season due to injury. He just played his first pro game, recording an assist for Providence. Riendeau is a project, but one who could pay huge dividends in the future.
27. Patrick Maroon (LW) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=12063
· Maroon is a budding power forward who is developing his game in the AHL. A 6’4 230lbs monster, Maroon has 21 points so far this season on a weak Phantoms team. Power forwards take longer to develop, and Maroon has more offensive upside than others of his size and remains a long term project for the Wild.
28. Chad Kolarik (RW) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9432
· After a strong rookie pro season last year, Kolarik started off very slow this season, but he has picked it up as of late and currently has 20 points in 31 games for San Antonio in the AHL. Kolarik had a prolific college career, and has a strong two way game. Kolarik could emerge as a 2nd-3rd line winger on the Coyotes in the next year or two.
29. Mattias Modig (G) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=2356
· Modig has struggled in the SEL a bit this season, but remains very much a good prospect. With the uncertainty in the Anaheim crease next season, rumours are that Modig may be coming overseas to compete for a backup job as early as next season.
30. Colin Long (C) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=14504
· Long has struggled mightily adapting to the pro game with only 4 points in 27 games so far this season. He has a solid two way game which has kept him in the line-up thus far. His offensive game will come, as he adapts to the size and speed of the pro game.
31. Justin Falk (D) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=12543
· Falk is a pure defensive defenseman who is developing a shutdown game which should translate nicely to the NHL. With the Wild having a ton of UFA players, Falk is a guy who could get an NHL look this season or hopefully a full-time gig next season in the NHL.
32. Ryan Keller (C) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=11763
· Keller is in his first season back in North America after a stint for a few years in Finland. This 25 year old late bloomer has put up a point per game in the AHL, and has gotten in 6 games in the NHL with the Ottawa Senators thus far, and is currently still up with the big club.
- Cannot have more than 100 NHL games player prior to current NHL season
- Must be under 26 years old
Minnesota Wild Prospect Rankings
1. Drew Doughty (D) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10430
· The consensus number 1 prospect. Doughty is playing with the Wild in the BRHL, and GM Shuck has compared him to “Ray Bourque reincarnated”. This is high praise from the man so infatuated with the Bruins of old that he gets to name his first son Cam.
· Doughty has made the Canadian Olympic team as a 19 year old defenseman, which is unheard of. The future holds many a Norris Trophy for Doughty
2. Jacob Markstrom (G) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9787
· Rumour is that Markstrom was 3rd on GM Shuck’s draft board, but waited till later in the round to grab him. Shuck has been quoted as saying that Markstrom will be the best European goalie ever, and all trade talk around Markstrom has been shut down. Currently is playing in the BRHLE for MODO. Markstrom is the face of goaltending future in Minnesota
· Markstrom has played very well for Brynas in the Elitseren with a .924 save percentage and a 2.1 GAA in 27 games.
3. Luke Schenn (D) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=11400
· Despite rampant trade speculation, Luke Schenn remains a favourite of GM Bryce Shuck, and the rumblings are only out there because the team has 7 defensemen in their top 15 prospects. Schenn is playing for the BRHL Wild and remains at this point, pencilled in with Doughty as the top pairing for the long-term future in Minnesota.
· Schenn has had his struggles in his sophomore season with the Leafs. But remains a physical presence, who is learning the nuances of being an elite level shutdown defenseman at the NHL level.
4. Jordan Eberle (RW) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=11098
· Eberle is the top forward prospect in the Wild organization, and has high end offensive talent. Currently playing for GM Shuck in the BRHLJ with the Edmonton Oil Kings, Eberle could be making an impact with the Wild by season 12.
· Eberle is having a ridiculous WHL season with 29 goals and 31 assists in only 28 games. At the current WJC he has been Canada’s best player and has 11 points in 5 games, and his start shines brightest in big games.
5. Mikkel Boedker (LW) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=5996
· Boedker is still adjusting to the strength of professional players in his sophomore season. Playing with the Wild in the BRHL, he has played well and is amongst the leaders in rookie scoring.
· Boedker has played the bulk of his season in San Antonio of the AHL, and hasn’t lit it up there yet as one would expect. But he possesses world class speed, and the hands are there as evidenced by his junior days. Boedker is still very much in the plans of the Wild going forward.
6. Jake Allen (G) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=17522
· Allen is playing net in the BRHLJ for a weak Denver Pioneers team. He has played well though with a 5-6 record, .904 save% and 2.67 GAA
· Allen is the starting goaltender for Canada at the WJC, which has sent the trade requests for him skyrocketing. Allen is behind Markstrom on the prospect list, and followed closely by Jeff Deslauriers, so there is speculation he may be moved, but the trio gives the team fantastic depth in net.
7. Brandon Sutter (C) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9339
· The recently acquired Brandon Sutterhas been assigned to the Houston Aeros in the BRHL, and will look to lead them into the playoffs. Sutter is a favourite of GM Shuck and his all around game will look to become a fixture on the Wild lineup, as soon as next season.
· With 10 goals, and 6 assists in 32 NHL games this season for Carolina. Sutter is starting to show his offensive game at the big level. Projected over an 82 game schedule that would be 26 goals, which is the sort of production, along with a strong defensive game, that would make Sutter an upper echelon second line center, which is where the organization has him pegged.
8. Jeff Deslauriers (G) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9134
· Deslauriers is currently the starting goalie for the Houston Aeros in the BRHL AHL. Deslauriers is part of a trifecta of good young goalies with Markstrom and Allen, while he may not have the highest upside of the three, he is the furthest along in his development, and will be the starter for the Wild next season.
· In the NHL Deslauriers has been the starter for the Edmonton Oilers since the middle of November. With a .906 save percentage and 2.86 GAA, Deslauriers has kept the putrid Oilers in many games they had no business being in.
9. Chris Butler (D) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9206
· Butler is currently playing the BRHL AHL for the Houston Aeros, and is having a fantastic season paired with Luca Sbisa. Butler is expected to crack the Wild roster next year as a regular.
· In the NHL, Butler has 11 points thus far, and has played top line minutes on many nights. He is a fixture in the Sabres PK, and has looked every bit the part of a solid shutdown defenseman. His stature as a top 4 defensive defenseman is almost written in stone.
10. Luca Sbisa (D) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=13946
· Sbisa is playing for the Houston Aeros in the BRHL minors. Having a strong season, and having found time with the Wild as well, Sbisa continues his development into an all around top 4 dman in the Tomas Kaberle mold.
· Sbisa played 8 games with the Ducks in the NHL, before being sent back to juniors. He had 13 points in 17 games in juniors, and was playing with the Swiss team in the WJC when he injured his abdomen and he is currently sidelined for a couple of months. Sbisa is turning into a longer term project than originally thought, but Wild management is still very high on him, and see him as a longterm fixture on the point.
11. Andrei Loktionov (C) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=11867
· Currently playing with the PA Raiders in the BRHLJ. Loktionov continues to see his stock rise as he develops faster than anyone expected. Now a legitimate top 6 prospect, Loktionov is one of the most asked about members of the Wild.
· Loktionov has put up nearly a point per game for Manchester in the AHL as a 19 year old, and even had his first NHL game with the Kings. Loktionov is emerging as a blue chip prospect, and the Wild are happy to have him on board.
12. Vladimir Zharkov (RW) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9303
· Zharkov currently is playing very well for the Aeros in the minors. Given the look of the Wild roster, and his play in the NHL, he could very easily be a member of the Wild next season. Described as a Devils fan as Sergei Brylin 2.0, Zharkov has value as a defensive 2nd-3rd line player in the near future.
· In 16 NHL games with the Devils, Zharkov has 7 points, and sees regular PK time. At only 21 years old, Zharkov looks to be a fixture in the Devils lineup for the longterm. His BRHL value has risen as well, as he can be counted on to be a solid 2nd-3rd line center for the next decade or so.
13. Jason Demers (D) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=12154
· Demers is currently playing for the Aeros in the minors, and has played well in a PP role and sheltered minutes. His longterm value to the team as a powerplay specialist, like a MA Bergeron with size, will fill a valuable role on the team for the longterm.
· Demers had a successful NHL debut with the Sharks at almost a half point per game in the NHL. Currently he is down with the Worchester Sharks in the AHL and has 2 goals and an assist in 5 games. Demers has been under the weather for the last bit and has missed some time with the flu.
14. Taylor Chorney (D) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10430
· Chorney is currently playing for the Aeros in the BRHL minors, and has played reasonably well in his first pro BRHL season. With good puck moving skills and a developing defensive game, Chorney has progressed nicely to date.
· Chorney has battled injuries in his second pro seasonas he has split time between the Edmonton Oilers and Springfield Falcons. Chorney showed a surprisingly adept defensive game while up with the Oilers, and continues to put up the offensive numbers at the AHL level. He likely needs another season or two to develop, but could be a fixture in the top 4 very soon.
15. Theo Peckham (D) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=11266
· Peckham is currently playing for the Aeros in the BRHL minors. He brings something to the defense stable that their isn’t an abundance of, grit and strength. He, Butler and Schenn should longterm provide the grit as composed to the skill of Chorney, Sbisa, and Demers. Doughty of course brings everything.
· Peckham has struggled with injuries to start the season but is back and healthy and sports a tidy +4 on a horrid Springfield team in the AHL. Peckhma played in a few games with the Oilers earlier in the season, and now healthy is likely the first callup on the defensive end for the Oilers.
16. JF Jacques (LW) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9026
· Jacques is playing with the Aeros in the BRHL minors, and has played reasonably well bouncing between the second and third line. Next season anticipate him on the Wild in a 3rd-4th line role.
· Jacques has played well in his first full NHL season, unlikely to ever be a big points producer, Jacques is near the lead league in hits, and brings size and grit to every game he plays. He will likely be a long-term fixture to the depth lines on the Wild.
17. Gustav Nyqvist (C) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6223
· Nyquist is playing in the BRHLJ for the Moncton Wildcats. His production has been a bit disappointing thus far in the BRHLJ but on a stacked Wildcats team, he is pressed for icetime.
· Nyquist is dominating at the University of Maine with 30 points in 18 games this season. A dark-horse for the Hobey baker in only his sophomore season, Nyquist looks to be the latest in a long line of Detroit drafting Swedes who pan out ahead of projection. Nyquist would be much higher on this list except for his expected delay into the pro season by at least a few more years.
18. Linus Omark (LW) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=4008
· Omark is currently playing in the BRHLE for MODO. Omark has the skill set for the NHL, as he matures, there is rumblings already that he may be in Edmonton in the NHL as soon as next season.
· Omark is getting red hot in the KHL in his first season there. After starting slowly he is up to 16 goals on the season and has been on fire the past month and a half. With an out clause in his contract, it is possible Omark is in the NHL next season, and he has said he will not come over without a one way deal. The Wild make have a diamond in the rough here.
19. Philippe Cornet (LW) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=19051
· Cornet is playing in the BRHLJ for the Kamloops Blazers.
· Cornet has 49 points in 36 games for the Huskis in the QMJHL. A late cut by Team Canada for the WJC, Cornet is one of the most prolific scorers in juniors, but he also plays a well rounded game for a Q player. A few years away from making an impact for the Wild, Cornet is the type of high risk reward player that Shuck tends to draft in the mid-late rounds.
20. Michal Jordan (D) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=12567
· What you expected him to be #23? Jordan is currently playing in the BRHLJ for the Calgary Hitmen.
· Jordan was the captain of the Czech WJC team this season, and continues to develop his all around game in the OHL with 21 points in 28 games. Jordan brings a strong all around game to the table and the Wild hope he continues to develop and adds to the great defensive pool of prospects as Jordan is the 8th defenseman in the teams top 20.
Also considered
21. David Wohlberg (C) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=17509
· Wohlberg continues to develop as an all around package. With over a half point per game in his sophomore college season at Michigan, Wohlberg is on the clubs long term radar as a solid defensive centerman.
22. Francis Pare (C) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=12135
· Pare has struggled a bit in his sophomore pro season with Grand Rapids in the AHL. With over half a point per game though he still flashes his offensive ability. The 22 year old centerman remains a solid bet to carve out a niche for himself in the NHL in the future.
23. MacGregor Sharp (C) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=24905
· After a stellar college career at Minnesota-Duluth, Sharp has transistioned nicely into the pros this season. Playing out of the ECHL to start the season due to the Ducks not having an AHL team, he was called up to the Ducks for an 8 game cameo, and played reasonably well. Then he was sent back to the AHL with San Antonio and promply put up 6 points in 8 games. Recalled to the Ducks on January 4th, Sharp is back for his second stint in the NHL. Long term Sharp could be a solid 2-3 line center with his strong all around game and his exceptional face-off skills.
24. Byron Bitz (RW) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=14041
· Bitz is a big man. At 6’4, 220lbs he has the size to intimidate opponents, yet has some hands as well. With 9 points in 36 NHL games, Bitz brings size to the bottom six for the Wild. With he and JF Jacques providing the same thing, there is rumblings that Bitz could be on the move in the near future.
25. Alain Goulet (D) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=12559
· Goulet has struggled a bit in his first pro season, but he flashes his offensive game still, and is developing at Providence in the AHL. As a 21 year old, Goulet is still filling out. The team is optimistic that long term, he could end up being a Tom Gilbert type in the NHL.
26. Yannick Riendeau (RW) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=24192
· Talk about boom/bust. Riendeau has offensive ability, there is no doubting that with 126 points last season in the Q, he has high end offensive skill. Whether or not that translates to the pros remains to be seen. At 5’10, 180lbs he is slight in stature, and has missed the entire season due to injury. He just played his first pro game, recording an assist for Providence. Riendeau is a project, but one who could pay huge dividends in the future.
27. Patrick Maroon (LW) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=12063
· Maroon is a budding power forward who is developing his game in the AHL. A 6’4 230lbs monster, Maroon has 21 points so far this season on a weak Phantoms team. Power forwards take longer to develop, and Maroon has more offensive upside than others of his size and remains a long term project for the Wild.
28. Chad Kolarik (RW) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9432
· After a strong rookie pro season last year, Kolarik started off very slow this season, but he has picked it up as of late and currently has 20 points in 31 games for San Antonio in the AHL. Kolarik had a prolific college career, and has a strong two way game. Kolarik could emerge as a 2nd-3rd line winger on the Coyotes in the next year or two.
29. Mattias Modig (G) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=2356
· Modig has struggled in the SEL a bit this season, but remains very much a good prospect. With the uncertainty in the Anaheim crease next season, rumours are that Modig may be coming overseas to compete for a backup job as early as next season.
30. Colin Long (C) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=14504
· Long has struggled mightily adapting to the pro game with only 4 points in 27 games so far this season. He has a solid two way game which has kept him in the line-up thus far. His offensive game will come, as he adapts to the size and speed of the pro game.
31. Justin Falk (D) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=12543
· Falk is a pure defensive defenseman who is developing a shutdown game which should translate nicely to the NHL. With the Wild having a ton of UFA players, Falk is a guy who could get an NHL look this season or hopefully a full-time gig next season in the NHL.
32. Ryan Keller (C) www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=11763
· Keller is in his first season back in North America after a stint for a few years in Finland. This 25 year old late bloomer has put up a point per game in the AHL, and has gotten in 6 games in the NHL with the Ottawa Senators thus far, and is currently still up with the big club.