Players to keep an eye on for the 2011 draft

by nemo1107 on Apr 12, 2011 2:54 PM CDT

A lot of change is going to come to the Wild this off-season. Todd Richards is gone, and a new coaching search will begin shortly. The Wild has 6 NHL-level UFA's, Andrew Brunette, Antti Miettinen, Chuck Kobasew, John Madden, Jose Theodore, and Josh Harding, with no guarantee that any of these men will be re-signed. One thing that shouldn't change however, is Chuck Fletcher's continued work to re-stock our prospect pool with high quality players. Fletcher continues to add to that with College Free Agents like North Dakota Defensemen Chay Genoway, but let's take a look at some players who could be available for the Wild in this year's upcoming draft, where the Wild are slated to pick 10th, pending tonight's Lottery.

The Wild have been steadfast in adding to their prospect pool over the last few seasons. Players like Jared Spurgeon, Clayton Stoner, Marco Scandella, and Maxim Noreau round out some nice depth for our defensive corps, while Matt Hackett, Dennis Endras, and Darcy Kuemper have solidified our goaltender situation behind Nik Backstrom. Wild GM Chuck Fletcher has spent a lot of his efforts to add high-powered forward prospects as well like Casey Wellman, Patrick O'Sullivan, Mikael Granlund, Mikko Lehtonen, and Jason Zucker, but this is clearly still where the Wild need to focus their efforts when the Draft comes to Saint Paul in June.

The Central Scouting Service has just released their final rankings of North American and International prospects and there are several forwards who the Wild have to keep their eyes on. Here are some names to keep in mind when we have all of the post-season to think about this.

North American Skaters:

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Gabriel Landeskog, Johnathan Huberdeau, Sean Couturier, Sven Baertschi, Ryan Strome, Vladislav Namestnikov, Mark McNeil, Zack Phillips, Mark Scheifele, Ty Rattie and Brandon Saad

International Skaters:

Mika Zibanejad, Joel Armia, Dimitri Jaskin, Marcus Granlund, and Viktor Rask

Of these players, I am really high on Nugent-Hopkins, Landeskog, Huberdeau, Couturier, Strome, Saad, Armia, and Rask.

I know it's still early to be thinking about the draft, but I have to do something to keep me motivated about this team. What say you Wilderness?

The opinions posted here are not those of Hockey Wilderness

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If the Wild draft Marcus Granlund, it will be 100% confirmed someone powerful in the organization has a hard on for Fins…

by ThatGuy22 on Apr 12, 2011 3:09 PM CDT reply actions

He'll be a second rounder at best

by nemo1107 on Apr 12, 2011 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions

While it may not be Marcus

there are a few Finns that definitely should be on the Wild’s radar, one of which is Armia.

Where is Salomaki supposed to fall? There’s another Finn forward for ya!

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by ADN on Apr 12, 2011 10:43 PM CDT up reply actions

A good read on Armia's progress this year:

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=557968

by nemo1107 on Apr 23, 2011 10:50 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't care who they take as long as he is the best FORWARD available.

I just want some guys who can put the puck in the damn net!!!!!!

Blood and death are waiting like a raven in the sky
I was born to die
Hear me while I live
As I look into your eyes
None shall hear a lie
Power and dominion are taken by the will
By divine right hail and kill

Man-o-war

Death to Technowild the Scarecrow & MKIA the Dopey dwarf #7

by FightingWild on Apr 12, 2011 3:33 PM CDT reply actions

I'm a bit bummed at Couturier's fall in the rankings

A Bathurst guy, would’ve love to see him get picked #1

JS, Champion of the first ever Hockey Wilderness Playoff Bracket Challenge! WHOOOOOOOO!

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by JSLandry on Apr 12, 2011 3:34 PM CDT reply actions

I could see that happening

But my money is on Adam Larsson to the Oilers.

by nemo1107 on Apr 12, 2011 4:00 PM CDT reply actions

What if?

We trade the Oilers ………Burns, are first, and Cuma for their first?

and throw in whatever else they want

by Brandon Godward on Apr 12, 2011 8:06 PM CDT reply actions

I think the real question is would that be worth it?

Don’t get me wrong, the Wild could stand to get a franchise type player with a first overall draft pick, but this draft doesn’t have that type of player or the depth of talent. Nugent-Hopkins/Landeskog/Larsson are awesome and I’d love to have them. However, none of those players are a Tavares/Stamkos type talent as far as I know.

If I’m going to trade everything including my girlfriend for the first overall pick, I want to be damn sure I’m getting a player that will change my franchise for the better.

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by ADN on Apr 12, 2011 10:47 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

I think that is a big overpayment considering there isn’t a clear number one.

I don’t think our 1st would need to be included, maybe a 2nd. Plus having the 1st and 10th pick would be great!

by Kingpin45 on Apr 13, 2011 8:53 AM CDT up reply actions

The first overall pick is Gold, like money in the bank.

& The Oilers know it. If they feel this class is weak then they most certainly will trade it but will be looking to cash in to the highest bidder. Since there are several bad teams out there looking to improve sooner rather than later it will certainly be a sellers market. My guess is the Wild will trade Burns on draft day for a higher pick in the draft, a 2nd rounder & a prospect or two. Sort of like the Pavlovs dog trade Risebrough pulled off.

Man-o-war

Death to Technowild the Scarecrow & MKIA the Dopey dwarf #7

by FightingWild on Apr 13, 2011 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions

Won't happen

Edmonton is pretty set on picking first again, and they don’t need to give up their first pick to get an impact defensemen. Adam Larsson is a quality, puck-moving defensemen. I doubt they would want Burns when they can just draft their own player, pay him less, and have him guaranteed for longer than just one year.

by JDesthubert on Apr 14, 2011 9:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Really?

Is that why Steve Tambelinni said the pick is in play & would listen to all offers that come in? It was reported on all the sites.

Man-o-war

Death to Technowild the Scarecrow & MKIA the Dopey dwarf #7

by FightingWild on Apr 15, 2011 6:51 AM CDT up reply actions

I would rather see them trade Burns for Paajarvi or one of the Oiler other young forwards.

by M.Maguire on Apr 25, 2011 6:39 PM CDT up reply actions

As mentioned before, get the best forward available.

So far I feel the Fletch regime has done an excellent job drafting, so I think that’s what they’ll do.

Hopefully a player like Couturier will fall to 10 and we can snatch them up at awesome value (think Cam Fowler).

It would’ve been nice to win the lottery, stupid Devils. Those 4 extra spots could mean a lot in terms of talent.

Owner of The Haves & Havlats in the Hockey Wilderness Fantasy League
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by ADN on Apr 12, 2011 10:53 PM CDT reply actions

Draft trade ideas:

Wild get: 4th pick and Rolston
Devils get: 10th pick, 2nd rounder and Barker

Wild get: 3rd pick
Panthers get: 10th pick, 2nd rounder, Gillies and Cuma

Wild get: Voracek and 1st
Jackets get: Burns and 2nd

Wild get: Staal
Penguins get: Burns

Wild get: Okposo and 5th pick
Islanders get: Burns and 10th pick

Wild get: Eriksson and 3rd
Stars get: 10th pick and Burns

by Kingpin45 on Apr 13, 2011 6:38 PM CDT reply actions

On your trades...

The Wild don’t have a 2nd round pick this year, so we would have to send them our 2012 draft pick, and that really wouldn’t help a whole lot for a team that needs to draft and add talent; therefore, I can’t see your first three trade offers ever happening.

I really doubt that Pittsburgh would trade away Staal for Burns. They already acquired Alex Goligoski, they have Kris Letang, and they have a bigger need for forwards in 2011 since 9 of their forwards are unrestricted free agents. I can’t see the Pens trading away another forward (which they need now more than ever) for a defensemen (where they are already loaded and set for next season).

No way the Islanders trade away Okposo and the 5th overall pick. Way too much upside in Kyle Okposo. With Burns, what you see is what you get. That would literally have to be Burns and our first in exchange for Okposo.

I think Loui Eriksson just got a contract extension that started this season, so I’m not sure Dallas would want to move him right away.

by JDesthubert on Apr 14, 2011 9:42 PM CDT up reply actions

The Pens traded Goligoski away, they didn't acquire him

But they wouldn’t have traded him in the first place if they needed a puckmoving defenseman.

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by JSLandry on Apr 14, 2011 10:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Probably true. Neal would have been nice…

by Kingpin45 on Apr 16, 2011 5:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Trades were a bit crazy..

Burns and our 10th for Okposo, no way! Burns is #1 defenseman on a lot of teams and a #2 on every team. He is extremely valuable. I don’t know why everyone is so high on Okposo, yes he has potential, but will most likely put up 20-25 goals and 60 points.

Look at what puck moving defenseman have been getting in trades. Erik Johnson a 1st and Jay Mclement brought in Chris Stewart, a 2nd and Kevin Shattenkirk.

Alex Goligoski brought in James Neal and Matt Niskanen.

Burn’s value is beetween Johnson and Goligoski so should bring in quite a haul.

by Kingpin45 on Apr 16, 2011 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions

So if we are going to trade burns?

When do we do it

Now during the off season or do we wait until the trade deadline

And I would hope for a lot more in return than okoposo, who quit on his college team mates a few years ago. Showed a lot of character!

by Brandon Godward on Apr 16, 2011 8:17 PM CDT reply actions

If Burns is traded it happens at the draft

That is where the Wild would get the best value for him. Waiting another season to try and deal him really puts the pressure on the Wild and they will get low-balled because other teams know that we would want to get rid of him at that point.

If they don’t trade him at the draft my bet is that he will be re-signed to a deal similar to Havlat’s.

by nemo1107 on Apr 20, 2011 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions

The Burnsy Experiment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don’t mean to sound dumb but with many delivering, up coming D men prospects in the org. Why not try Burns at forward? Maybe with Koivu on the first line. I thought that someone told me he did once and didn’t do all that great but he is accurate and offensive minded. This would allow him to put up points and not be caught with his pants down pinching on the blue line. Could someone with more expertise weigh in on this because I’m not sure why this isn’t more seriously considered. Yet I’m not as familiar with Burns playing forward. I know I’m not the only one to consider this, food for thought.

by Cole_Train on Apr 20, 2011 8:57 PM CDT reply actions

Also I know that Sawbitz used to play a good amount of D. He could move back to D if Burns moved up, or maybe it’s best to let the rooks have a try, most have shown some promise. Either way there are options.

by Cole_Train on Apr 20, 2011 9:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Lemaire did this quite a bit in Burns first couple years, the thought was the constant switching back in forth hurt his development cause he didn’t get to focus on learning one position. Then they decided he was going to be a D and stuck him there for good.

by ThatGuy22 on Apr 21, 2011 9:12 AM CDT up reply actions

Well now that Burns isn’t a prospect anymore and has somewhat developed his game and reaching his prime, the move to offense seems to be a good idea. I think he could easily put up 30+ goals with Koivu and we have some promising young D men willing to take his place. We still have Zidlicky (offensive minded puck mover) which is a whole other subject, but this idea excites me. Not sure it will be done though.

by Cole_Train on Apr 21, 2011 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions

Burns coming up from the D position should help him be a great 2 way forward as well. I think him and Koivu would be a killer 1st line. Who the other wing is, not sure yet, maybe Butch. second line (Havlat, Cullen, Lats)?

by Cole_Train on Apr 21, 2011 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions

No offense, but by your standards, Detroit would be better suited to move Nick Lidstrom up from D to forward. Boston would be better suited having Zdeno Chara play center. Keith Yandle should move to Edmonton, play forward, and become the second coming of #99. Ok, that last one is really sarcastic, but I think you get my point. Just because Brent Burns is an offensively talented defenseman doesn’t mean he will translate into a productive wing.

When Lemaire moved Burns up to wing, it followed his best statistical year as a defenseman. What ensued was a black hole of suck. He was really, REALLY bad at wing. The only reason that this experiment was attempted was because of another injury to Marian “My Nuts Broke” Gaborik. For two years, the Wild were stuck trying to get Burns comfortable, first as a wing, and then trying to get him to re-learn the position of defenseman. There are forwards and then there are offensive defensmen. Burns is definitely the latter.

All of this is irrelevant anyways. Burns will probably get traded away at the draft, as he is the only real positive asset the Wild can trade that would bring back some help while clearing cap space.

by JDesthubert on Apr 21, 2011 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions

I have to agree!

Burns at wing is a disaster waiting to happen. Burns himself said he has no desire to play forward in any way shape or form. If you really wanted to try, move him to wing on the power play where all the pieces change anyways. Park his big body in front alla Big Buff. Thats the only forward he should ever play.

Man-o-war

Death to Technowild the Scarecrow & MKIA the Dopey dwarf #7

by FightingWild on Apr 21, 2011 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks, As mentioned I always highly doubted it would happen and never thought that it was the best answer. I got your analogies of moving Dmen up to forward from other teams the only difference is all those teams have players who can score as we sure as hell don’t. I would so much rather have someone like Parise at wing but that too is unlikely so I was just pondering the idea because we need some offense oh so badly and I don’t realistically see how we are going to get it anytime to soon. Trading Burns may be our best hope and even then I’m not all sure what he will fetch us. I worry about Koivu and how much shit he is going to get if he doesn’t have a legit line to play with when being paid so much, and putting in 50-60 points at best. This too will really hurt Fletcher and between him and Koivu if they are under attack it could be pretty demoralizing to the team as a whole. So I’m just trying to think of how we can have a real first line. Look at pretty much every other first line and it makes ours look like a 3rd line. I like Koivu a lot I just want to see him have someone who can put it in the net for him when he can’t himself.

by Cole_Train on Apr 21, 2011 8:30 PM CDT up reply actions

The mantra needs to be patience...

The Wild can’t rush. Desperation moves, like the Kobasew deal, do more harm than good.

The UFA pool is pretty weak this year. As far as scoring wings that will be UFA’s: Michael Ryder, Alex Tanguay, Milan Hejduk, Tomas Fleischmann, Alexi Ponikarovsky, Steve Sullivan, Alexander Frolov, Marek Svatos, Nikolay Zherdev, Ville Leino, and Simon Gagne. None of these players are really attractive adds.
Ryder is streaky (although he just scored the winner in OT against Montreal), Tanguay and Hejduk are both really old, Fleischmann may not play again, Ponikarovsky didn’t look good in Pittsburgh or New York, Sullivan is pretty old, Frolov is streaky and can be lazy, Svatos has yet to repeat his freshman success, Zherdev is really lazy, Leino is a grinder but can add a lot of talent and depth on the Wild (sad), and Gagne is old and has had injury problems.

The most attractive UFA in that list is Tomas Fleischmann, but his blood clot problems and subsequent blood thinners may end his career.
After that, maybe Simon Gagne, but he’s definitely a risk/reward player. Are fans really interested in having another 40+ goal scorer sit in the press box because of injuries?

Add on to that the problem that the Wild do have some cap issues to work with means that they probably won’t be too active come Free Agency. Cap restrictions may mean that only Fleischmann is financially available. Leino could be in play, depending on what he is looking for in a contract. At least it would give Mikko another Finn, so that whole attitude thing might be silenced for a little bit.

Like the title says, Wild fans may have to accept a rebuilding team that loses before Mikko has a pair of wings worth of actually playing on a top line. A lot of the recent acquisitions won’t be NHL ready, so look for Marty to be placed on the top line along with either PMB or Lats (if he is healthy and in shape). After that, there’s not a lot of depth unless the current roster steps up.
Casey Wellman and Colton Gillies, I predict, will get their shot to prove they can handle the NHL. Granlund, Fontaine, Larsson, and Bulmer will need one year to adjust to North American, pro-style hockey. Zucker will be back in Denver.

There aren’t a whole lot of answers right now. The fans and media may need to curb their expectations for the 2011-2012 season. Oiler fans have been patient, and they will be rewarded soon. The Wild fanbase needs to take a page out of this playbook, and just prepare for some lean years in order to get better as a team.

by JDesthubert on Apr 21, 2011 9:14 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

This

by nemo1107 on Apr 22, 2011 8:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Nice work

I’d have to agree on your free agent potential interests in Flash and Gagne.

However, the only way that I would appreciate a signing of these players is if the contract was for one year. I could see Flash doing that for cheap because of his injury issues, Gagne not so much

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by ADN on Apr 23, 2011 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions

@ the X-Draft

The Wild will be making noise at the draft. I would bet money on it if I had any. I foresee Burns, PMB, Zanon being in play. We know Leo is not a sit & wait owner. I don’t get the impression that Fletcher is as well. I would think he kicked the tires on trading our UFA’s & didn’t like the responses he got. That said Burns will go this summer for a huge return, the others? I don’t know, cap relief & open some spots to the kids. Next year will be the learning curve for the kids. I personally want to see:
Cullen(Lantendresse)-Koivu-Clutterbuck
Lantendresse(PMB)-Brodziak-Havlat
Wellman-(Cullen)Rau-Gillies
Nystrom-Almond-Staubitz

Man-o-war

Death to Technowild the Scarecrow & MKIA the Dopey dwarf #7

by FightingWild on Apr 22, 2011 8:57 AM CDT reply actions

Pierre-Marc Bouchard has a No-Trade Clause in his contract, so he would have to waive that in order for a deal to occur. The team would probably have to be some form of a contender for him to waive it. In addition, you would have to find a team that would take on his $4 million contract. I think this might be much harder to do since he has a history of concussions.

Burns will be moved. PMB might be a little tougher to trade. As for Zanon, there are cheaper shot blockers. $2.1 million for a guy that’s only there to block shots is a little expensive. Maybe in play, but I can’t see a whole lot of teams biting on this one.

by JDesthubert on Apr 22, 2011 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions

He had a verbal NTC with Risebrough,

So it is up to Fletcher as to whether or not to honor it.

Man-o-war

Death to Technowild the Scarecrow & MKIA the Dopey dwarf #7

by FightingWild on Apr 22, 2011 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions

the verbal NTC

was for only the first 2 years of the deal. that part has been honored, by fletch. so he is in play if some one will offer the right price, but he seemed to click well once he got his feet back under him.

Will the Real Thor Please Stand Up ... ?

by the Real Thor on Apr 22, 2011 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Plus, it would be hard to trade away a young, offensively-talented player when that’s the area the Wild hurt the most

by JDesthubert on Apr 22, 2011 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions

That what I’m thinking. PMB isn’t going anywhere unless it has to happen to push through a bigger deal.

by GThomas on Apr 22, 2011 8:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Back to Burns

So lets have some fun and “realistically” predict what we would get out of a Burns trade at the draft. Is it a super long shot to trade for Parise signing rights. Him as a RFA pick up has a steep price. Getting Parise would be huge for this team! I don’t feel it will happen though. One can wish. Could and would we want to trade for Semin? These two seem to be the most attractive and realistic situations to trade for yet I don’t see it happening for either.

by Cole_Train on Apr 24, 2011 10:52 PM CDT reply actions

I don’t really see either trade as realistic. Semin has a $6.7 million cap hit this upcoming season. Parise will command a bigger deal than that as an elite goal-scorer in the NHL. It doesn’t seem like the Wild would have the cap space to obtain players like Parise or Semin. In addition, Burns is nowhere near close enough for a one-to-one trade. The Wild would be sending picks along with Burns for either player in large quantities.

As I stated before, it’s honestly better for the Wild to just stay the course for right now. Making huge splash deals for one good player won’t fix the depth issues this team has. Good drafting and development is going to make the Wild a contender. If you don’t believe me, look at the formula used by Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Chicago. All three teams develop their own players. They make free-agent depth signings, not signings that will make or break their team.

by JDesthubert on Apr 24, 2011 11:26 PM CDT up reply actions

I totally realize Burns alone wouldn’t land any of these players and picks or prospects would be needed as well. Like I said I don’t for see these trades just having some fun hoping for it to be true. I don’t want to trade Burns if we aren’t going to get offense out of it. OniLink04, you sounded quite confident that we’ll trade Burns at the draft, what do you expect/want out of such a trade? Also, a lot of people are saying this is a week draft class. Those teams as you mentioned do have a formula and draft well, but all those teams too have some pure goal scorers which we do not and I don’t for see us drafting the likes of a pure goal scorer anytime soon.

by Cole_Train on Apr 25, 2011 2:38 AM CDT up reply actions

I personally think Burns is going to be traded.

He has his moments of flash & dash. When he is on he is great but he has always been a bit of a project on the defensive side of the puck. That said I do not see the Wild paying 5 Million plus a season for him. I wish he could be sound defensively along with his offense pinache but unfortunately the 2nd half of the season showed just how weak his defensive play is. It seems like he was on the ice for every crucial goal against when the WIld hit their season ending skid. To me he is to large a risk.

Man-o-war

Death to Technowild the Scarecrow & MKIA the Dopey dwarf #7

by FightingWild on Apr 25, 2011 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions

I think Burns would fetch a player, a prospect, and a 2nd round pick. I would personally like to see him go for 2 picks and a prospect, possibly a 2011 2nd round and a 2012 2nd round pick. Either that, or maybe trade Burns and our 4th round pick to Florida in exchange for David Booth and Florida’s 3rd round pick. When you look at Florida’s blueline, there is no talent there. Burns would help them immediately on the back end, while Booth would give Koivu a shooter on the top line.

If we just get picks and/or prospects, I think with the cap money we save from him, we could pursue either a Ryder, Fleischmann, or Gagne. Give each a one-year deal and see if they fit well with the team.

I’m still intrigued by the idea of signing Ville Leino, as he’s a good two-way player, a Finn to keep Mikko happy, he’s durable, scores clutch goals (especially in the playoffs) and he would have a real opportunity here to be a top-line player. He did rack up 53 points as mostly a depth player for Philly, so given the opportunity to play top-line minutes, I could easily see him with 65+ points. If the Wild had the opportunity to sign him, I would say go with a medium-length deal, as he’s only 26 and still has upside yet to be tapped.

by JDesthubert on Apr 25, 2011 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions

I like the Burns/Booth idea. Not to sure it would happen but I’d be happy with that. If we don’t find ourselves a scorer this offseason, I sure hope that GLats can show up. I think he can be a decent player but I’m not yet convinced he can score consistently like he did the prior year, but maybe he can. I sure hope I’m wrong.

by Cole_Train on Apr 26, 2011 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions

I think the Booth trade is very sensible

and would be beneficial to both teams. My question is who would you put on the other wing? I don’t see CF re-signing Brunette, so that would leave the other wing open. It could be interesting to see what Clutterbuck can do, but I think he’s best served on a checking line. I want to see PMB Havlat and GLat together, just to distribute the talent, so either Wellman or someone that you listed who will become a UFA could be a good solution.

I really like the idea of going after Leino, too. He wouldn’t be too expensive and would be a good to increase the scoring depth on the team.

by nemo1107 on Apr 27, 2011 5:18 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree with you that Clutterbuck shouldn’t be given the spot. Perhaps an unpopular view, I don’t buy Clutter as a 25-30+ goal scorer. Just me, but I think he’s an over-glorified agitator. He tends to be streaky with goals, but the overall inconsistency in scoring causes me to shy away from giving him top-line minutes.

I think PMB would be given the first shot, as Havlat and Brodziak play well together. Not out of the realm of possibility would be Gui Lats. He’s a big body that could bang in garbage goals and dig in the corner. I think he would be a good compliment to a playmaker and a shooter.

by JDesthubert on Apr 27, 2011 6:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Burns should bring in much more then two 2nd rounders and a propsect, unless that prospect is real impressive. I could see Columbus be willing to trade thier first and a roster player or prosepct for Burns.

I think the Booth idea makes sense, but what Florida is lacking most is offense. Most of their good prospects are dmen, they need thier fowards. So I don’t really see that happening.

I like the Leino idea but 65+ points, no way, I just dont see it. He is a good player but shit the Flyers are stacked at offense. Their third line is a first line haha. I wouldn’t mind signing him though…

by Kingpin45 on Apr 27, 2011 5:39 PM CDT up reply actions

You're probably right

I could totally see Columbus giving up the 8th pick in the draft and a player in exchange for Burns, since Brent Burns is clearly a Top 10 player. My mistake…

You’re also right that Ville Leino would never hit 65+ points playing with an elite playmaker like Mikko Koivu. Actually getting powerplay time in Minnesota would never be worth 7 to 10 more points. My bad, I probably should have realized that the 53 points he had this year was a total fluke and will never ever be approached again.

I’ll be the first to admit that was dripping with sarcasm, most of it probably unnecessary, but still…
Burns isn’t a Top 10 player, so I doubt that Columbus would want to give up the 8th pick for a defensman that can be a defensive liability.
Besides, if Minnesota really wanted the 8th pick, they wouldn’t trade Burns for it. They already own the 10th pick, so I bet the 10th pick and a 3rd round pick would be enough to convince Columbus to move down two spots, especially if who they actually wanted isn’t available anymore.

With Florida, there are two reasons why I think they would actually go with this deal.
1) There’s no clear veteran leader on the blueline in Florida. They do have good prospects, but none of them have anyone to follow to be a good pro. I still believe the best thing that happened to Clayton Stoner this year was Greg Zanon. He seems to calm the kid down. My bet would be Burns would help teach some of their young players a little bit about that first pass out of the zone, as well as PP and pinching.
2) Booth always seems to be shopped around the deadline. If Florida wasn’t interested in moving him, then they would come out and squash the speculation; however, the name keeps popping up. They always seem to be rebuilding, and Booth can bring back some form of return.

As for Ville Leino, he doesn’t get 1st line minutes, plays very little to no powerplay, and gets stuck with grinders. You may think that Philly is loaded up and down the lineup, but they’re wasting money on Nic Zherdev. Blair Betts, Darrel Powe, and Dan Carcillo also eat up roster spots. Oh yeah, and that yahoo Hartnell still exists. The Flyers are top heavy, but the core of Philly hockey has always been grind it out, tough play. Leino is asked to do that a lot, but I believe that he could easily add 10+ points if given a more offensive situation.

by JDesthubert on Apr 27, 2011 6:30 PM CDT up reply actions

So I don’t really follow Columbus or Filatov but is he a total bust? Another James Shep? In theory he should be a talented player but I’ve heard he is kind of a cancer and still quite unproven. When I read your last post about Columbus I had thought about him but the more I think about it the more I would disagree with that.

by Cole_Train on Apr 27, 2011 9:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Still too early to even consider a bust label. Apparently Filatov is a good scoring forward. North American scouts doubt his defensive abilities, while Russian scouts claim he’s the next Steven Stamkos. Hard to find a happy medium in there.

From what I understand, Filatov did not mesh well with Ken Hitchcock, later asking for a transfer back to the KHL for the 2009-2010 season. There may be character issues, but I don’t know for sure.

To be totally honest, I don’t follow the Bluejackets closely enough. Filatov is just a name in NHL 11 to me. Anything that I can tell you is simply from looking up any information about the kid online. The major reservation I would have against Filatov would be this:
If Ken Hitchcock is on the Wild list of coaching candidates, would it be that smart to pursue a player that doesn’t like Ken’s coaching or system? Filatov went to the KHL instead of playing defense for Hitch.

by JDesthubert on Apr 27, 2011 9:57 PM CDT up reply actions

Filatov

Well either way, sounds like he has some issues and could be a cancer, so I don’t know about him, We already have Patty O’, lacking in the Defense area. Anything is possible but I doubt Hitchcock is going to coach here. I’m sure it’s wide open but the two names I hear the most are Therrien (most likely spelled wrong) and Hartsburg, the former N.Star.

by Cole_Train on Apr 28, 2011 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions

1) A top 10 player he is not, and that is not what is required for the 8th pick. A young proven offensive dman is what Burns is. Unlike the 8th pick, who is unproven and a huge gamble. A top 10 player needed for a top 10 pick? Umm no.

2) Leino averaged 16 minutes a game, over two minutes on the power play and on a much better team. In no way justa grinder. You think a couple more minutes a game and lower quality players are going to have his numbers jump. Think again.

by Kingpin45 on Apr 28, 2011 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Central Scouting's Final Rankings

http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=68892

After looking at this list and a couple scouting reports, I’m pretty sure that the Wild will draft Sven Baertschi. He fills the role of a goal scoring wing that can play with on a top line. Ranked as the #7 skater in North America, Baertschi led all WHL rookies with 85 points (34 goals, 51 assists) along with 74 penalty minutes, so not exactly a pushover.

If Baertschi is off the board at pick #10, I get the feeling the Wild would trade down in an attempt to re-acquire a 2nd-round pick. There’s a major fall off in scoring wingers, so it wouldn’t surprise or disappoint me if Minnesota did move down.

by JDesthubert on May 1, 2011 7:16 PM CDT reply actions

I'm really hoping that Ryan Strome falls

It’s wishful thinking as most mocks I’ve looked at have him going before the Wild have their pick at 10, but he’s got such a great ability when the puck is on his stick. I’m gonna be jealous of whoever gets him…

by nemo1107 on May 3, 2011 2:51 AM CDT up reply actions

Every mock draft I’ve seen has him around 5 or 6, 3rd center off the board after Nugent-Hopkins and Huberdeau, but you never know. Granlund was the top European skater and he fell to 10. Stranger things have happened in drafts…Adrian Peterson to #7 ha!

by JDesthubert on May 3, 2011 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions

One that I have my eye on is Tomas Jurco

This kid is rated way lower than I thought he would be. Saw him play a couple of times for Saint-Jean, the last time I saw him, he got a hat-trick against the Moncton Wildcats, he was electrifying.

JS, Champion of the first ever Hockey Wilderness Playoff Bracket Challenge! WHOOOOOOOO!

Author, watchdog, enforcer and french-canadian connection for Hockey Wilderness.

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by JSLandry on May 3, 2011 9:30 AM CDT reply actions