With the ASG and the lack of hockey news to consume my day, I've been doing some deep thinking about the Wild organization. I have a few questions and am just looking for opinions from you guys on them. It's gonna be a long post, bear with me, please.

1. Any confirmed reports on which prospects will join the organization next year? I remember hearing that Johan Larsson and Jonas Brodin have said that they will turn pro next year during the WJC. Granlund too. I imagine Bulmer will too given his play at the beginning of the year. Will Coyle/Phillips/Zucker?

2. Lats is an RFA at the end of the year and I remember someone on here saying that a qualifying offer for him would be $3 million. Can he be given a smaller contract later once everyone has a shot to sign him? What's the likelihood of him staying on with the influx of young talent and his injury history?

3. Does anyone see this organization as similar to the Twins? I mean in that we draft players and they stay with us for awhile and then become too expensive in FA and the whole process starts again. I know our real young talent is only starting to surface, but our only other two big name picks (Gaborik and Burns) have either walked in FA or been traded because they would become too expensive and net a huge return in young talent. Koivu is the only real big name draft pick that is still with the team. Bouchard too I suppose, but he is no Koivu/Burns/Gaborik.

That's all for now. Thanks!