Wild Prospect Depth Analysis: Centers

by danccchan on May 23, 2011 1:45 PM CDT in Prospects

The draft is upcoming here and when the Wild goes up to the podium and announces their pick, it is interesting to figure out WHY they picked who they picked.

Recently, HW did its player grades on the players on the professional roster, but what about those players and prospects elsewhere in the organization? The Wild have players playing all over the world. They have prospects in the American Hockey League, ECHL, CHL (WHL, OHL, QMJHL), NCAA and in Europe.

In addition, the Wild are on the verge of creating an entirely different image. Wild veterans Andrew Brunette and Antti Miettinen are expiring unrestricted free agents and the discussion of trading Brent Burns has become a real possibility. So let's go and take a look at what the Wild already have in the pipeline.

First off, we’ll take a look at the centers:

Mikael Granlund

#64 / Center / HIFK

Height: 5-10

Weight: 180

Born: Feb 26, 1992

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2010 - HIFK	39	8	28	36	6	14

Great playmaking skills ... superb hockey sense ... extremely crafty ... can play center or wing, extremely versatile ... very hard-working ... underrated shot ... plays with high energy ... not afraid to get into dirty areas ... world-class hands … a bit undersized ... lacks explosive speed ... SM-liiga Rookie of the Year (2010), Gentleman of the Year (2010) and SM-liiga Champion (2011) … World Championship Gold Medal (2011).

The center prospects are highlighted by Finnish sensation Mikael Granlund. By now, we all know who this kid is so I'll skip the introductions and everything. Fact is, he's going to be one heck of a hockey player.

GM Fletcher tried to bring Granlund over for the next season to play either in Minnesota or Houston, but the kid finally decided to stay in Finland to take care of some personal goals. He’ll likely command top playing minutes with the HiFK, and it will be interesting to see whether he continues developing at center, where he did not perform the best, according to a few Finnish fans.

Drafted 8th overall during last year’s draft, the center has dazzled fans with his shifty moves and ability to create plays out of nothing. Exhibit A:

Mikael Granlund UNBELIEVABLE lacrosse goal vs Russia IIHF WC 2011 Semifinals (via NHLvideosOnly)

Casey Wellman

#17 / Center / Houston Aeros

Height: 6-0

Weight: 173

Born: Oct 18, 1987

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2010 - Houston Aeros	42	14	21	35	0	14

possesses quick feet ... has a quick, solid release ... superb vision ... has soft hands ... willing to drive, go into the corners and contribute on the forecheck ... Hockey East Honorable Mention Team (2010) ... Hockey East All-Rookie Team (2009) ... Hockey East All-Academic Team (2009) ... UMass Hockey's Rookie of the Year (2009) ... defensive play is still raw ... needs to add more strength

Speaking of Houston, the Aeros will try to win Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals in the AHL after dropping a 3-0 game lead over the Hamilton Bulldogs. Center Casey Wellman provides secondary scoring for the team alongside Chad Rau and Robbie Earl.

However, they need to start performing, with Wellman scoring only 2 points and a minus 5 throughout the Hamilton series.

Still, the Wild would love to have some cheap, offensive talent, and they must have loved seeing Wellman putting on 16lbs to fill out his frame. Wellman has the speed and offensive skills to have a chance to make the Wild roster through training camp.

Cody Almond

#27 / Center / Houston Aeros

Height: 6-2

Weight: 199

Born: Jul 24, 1989

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2010 - Houston Aeros	65	15	19	34	-2	124

Great conditioning ... impressive hockey sense ... possessing above average speed ... very versatile, able to play center or wing ... very hard-working ... underrated offensive skills ... plays a responsible two-way game ... first player in Kelowna Rocket history to lead the team in scoring as a seventeen year old ... won the Rocket's top scorer award (2007), most improved award (2007), scholastic player of the year award (2007), and the unsung hero award (2009) ... needs to work on consistency ... questions about his offensive upside

Another Wild hopeful in Houston is Cody Almond. Called up for eight games with the Wild, he played a solid game on the bottom two lines. He plays a hard game, going on the forecheck, checking opposing forwards and driving to the net.

Before, it was hard to tell what type of player Almond would develop into, but at this point, it is safe to say he is progressing into a solid bottom six forward.

The Wild, handcuffed with large salaries from their pro players, will look towards cheaper alternatives for the third and fourth lines, presenting Almond and Wellman a chance to stick during next season’s training camp.

Joel Broda

Center / Bakersfield Condors

Height: 6-0

Weight: 203

Born: Nov 24 1989

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2010 - Bakersfield Condors	32	17	13	30	9	39

The signing of Joel Broda earlier on the season is a promising feeling. It is great to see the Wild finally trying to capitalize on free-agent prospect signings, where it seem they have struck gold with Jared Sprugeon. However, with Broda, things are still developing. Broda could not stick with the Aeros, but has made the most of his time in the ECHL, being named onto the ECHL All-Star Team.

Broda is signed to a three-year entry level deal with the Wild, so he will have time to develop.

Anthony Hamburg

Center / Omaha Lancers

Height: 6-1

Weight: 185

Born: Aug 30, 1991

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2010 - Omaha Lancers	31	6	14	20	-9	15

possesses good vision ... decent offensive abilities ... pass first mentality ... strong work ethic ... tied for the USHL Scholar-Athlete Award ... lacks strength ... needs to improve defensive play ... needs to become more physical ... can improve his stride and his quick start.

Last but not least, the Wild’s last pick in the 2009 draft Anthony Hamburg is trying to find some playing time. After starting the season with Colgate University and only playing 7 games, Hamburg left to join the Omaha Lancers where amassed 20 points in 31 games.

Leaving Colgate University was probably a smart move on his part as we all know what sitting on the bench the whole season can do (Sheppard).

Summary

Talent-wise, the Wild are quite good in the center position.Two of their top prospects, Granlund and Wellman, are both making great strides and can potentially give the Wild some offensive boost in the near future. Behind them is Almond, he is progressing into a solid bottom six center.

However, there isn't much depth to be found. Granlund will be in Finland next season and Wellman and Almond are anything but sure things. Relying purely on Granlund for the future of the Wild's centermen is worrisome.

With six picks in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, don't be surprised to find the Wild drafting a center in the late rounds in order to create some depth within the organization.

So. What do you think?

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Comments

There is some good depth at center in the draft this year

If it were up to me, I’d look to trade down this year and stock up on some picks. It’d be sweet to get a late second rounder or early 3rd rounder for moving down in the first round, and it’s possible that some really talented centers will still be left in the late part of the 1st round.

My opinion changes if Couturier falls to 10th (although I highly doubt that happens).

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by ADN on May 23, 2011 6:34 PM CDT reply actions

I have to disagree with you

Since there are so many centers but very few big-time wings, I can’t see the team trading down. They need some finishers to help Mikko and Marty, and passing to stock up picks in a weaker draft class isn’t the way to do it.
Plus, Burns will probably be in play at the draft, so the Wild don’t necessarily need to trade down to acquire more picks.

Also, this draft has a lot of top-end talent in the first few picks, but there’s a major drop off after the first 5 or 6 players. There are a lot of centers, but not necessarily a lot of overly talented, high ceiling centers.

by JDesthubert on May 23, 2011 8:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Your last point is essentially my point. I agree with the fact that there is a major drop off, and that is why I think it would be prudent to trade down and get some extra picks. I will fully admit that I don’t know a whole lot about the draft though, and if there’s a player that Fletch and Co. love then I’ll be alright with them using the pick. It could also be hard to find a lot of buyers unless a player with top 5 talent drops to 10, in which case I’d rather Fletch just make the pick :)

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by ADN on May 24, 2011 12:44 AM CDT up reply actions

Ok, well if there’s a major drop off, why would you load up later picks? Having only depth players is the problem the Wild have now. Trading down to acquire a 2nd round pick for a depth player isn’t going to help this franchise. The Wild already have Wellman and Almond, so what’s the use in drafting another 3rd line center? The team should really be using the pick to select a top-tier wing, as they are rare in this draft.

by JDesthubert on May 24, 2011 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions

How can you assume that a 2nd round pick is automatically a depth player? That’s absolutely not the case, nor was it ever.

I’m of the mind that the more draft picks the Wild have, the better. You can never be sure what a prospect is going to be based on a where he’s picked in the draft (i.e. Sheppard, Pouliot, Thelen), so why is it impossible to pick up a highly skilled player later in the draft ?

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by ADN on May 24, 2011 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions

I’m not just assuming. The scouting reports indicate that after the first round, a lot of the players are not going to be top-6 type forwards. This just plain isn’t a good drafting year. No elite game-breakers, not a whole lot of quality depth, and not too much star power. Just not a good draft.

Now, I never said it’s impossible to find a highly skilled player late in the draft. I will say that it’s not all that common to do so.
As for Sheppard, Pouliot, and Thelen, well congrats on listing bad draft picks by a regime that was terrible at drafting to begin with. You definitely proved that HWSRN had a terrible draft strategy and poor management of prospects.

I just don’t see this being a draft class to trade down. There’s not a lot of return from picking in the 2nd-round to justify moving down, especially if all the good wings are selected by the time the Wild come back up to pick.

by JDesthubert on May 24, 2011 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions

I think there is some talent in the 2nd round...

…but again, the Wild can’t be choosers here. Our main problem is we lack top end talent everywhere. We got tons of bottom six or 3rd pairing prospects, just no top end talent (besides Granlund).

I think this is the year we just have to pick the guy we want.

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by danccchan on May 24, 2011 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions

My point is that there’s not that much talent in this draft in general (as you’ve mentioned), and there isn’t even . Who exactly is the highly skilled winger that you think is going to bring redemption to the Wild’s prospect pool? Baertschi?

I’m just not seeing enough of a reason that the Wild shouldn’t consider moving down in this years draft.

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by ADN on May 24, 2011 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions

1) Never said there was a redeeming winger that would save the prospect pool. Please stop putting words in my mouth, as this is the 2nd time you’ve just creating fictional statements that I’ve never even alluded to.

2) We’ve agreed that this draft is a weak draft, so why would you want to trade down from a pick where good players will still be available to acquire a late 1st-round pick and a late 2nd-round pick where the talent starts to fall off again? That just doesn’t seem like good value for the pick.

3) Sven Baertschi, Joel Armia, and Mika Zibanejad are all good wing prospects that would help add real top-6 talent to the prospect pool. Trading down to the late 1st all but guarantees the Wild don’t get a shot at any of the three.
Personally, I would love to see Baertschi drafted by the Wild, as he led the WHL in Rookie Scoring (85 points in 65 games with 34 goals), plays a feisty game (74 PIM), and has been called a better offensive player than Nino Niederreiter by El Nino himself. Central Scouting has him ranked higher than Ryan Strome.

by JDesthubert on May 24, 2011 5:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Frankly

I don’t believe the Wild is deep enough to trade down. We need the best available… as long as it’s not a d-man, that would just be wrong.

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by JSLandry on May 24, 2011 8:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

by JDesthubert on May 25, 2011 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions

''My opinion changes if Couturier falls to 10th (although I highly doubt that happens)

Fowler… Gormley… Of course, they’re D-men, so it’s quite different, but Couturier has already fallen a bit, as he was projected #1 at the start of the season.

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

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

twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on May 23, 2011 9:13 PM CDT up reply actions