Wild Prospects Report: Week of 2-1-2012

by BReynolds on Feb 1, 2012 3:00 PM CST in Prospects

If you visit here, much, you know that the Wild PR staff puts together a mean prospects report each week. We then turn around and share it with you, with comment. Well, we share it with you when we remember to do so. THis is one of those times.

After the jump, you will see a great deal of success from Wild prospects, including a high level of scoring from players drafted by the guy so many seem to want to be rid of. The prospect that jumps out at me the most is Bulmer. Over a point per game, and second on the team, despite missing the start of the season while he was with the Wild. Definitely convinced they have bigger plans for him than the third line at this point.

Granlund continues to be a stud, Phillips still rocking a well above PPG pace, and now Coyle is scoring at that level as well. Plus, there are a couple guys doing well in the PIM category, so you know, in case the Wild need a couple extra guys to take a ill placed penalty.

Enjoy the report. Thanks again to Wild PR for the excellent updates.

	TEAM	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM	NOTES
LW Brett Bulmer	Kelowna (WHL)	34	20	19	39	+6	60	Ranks 2nd on team in total points despite missing first 17 games. Has nine multiple-point games. Tallied a hat-trick in a 5-2 win vs. Spokane (1/4).
D Josh Caron	Everett (WHL)	22	0	0	0	-15	36	Ranks 6th in WHL in PIM (124 total). Played 20 games with Kamloops, compiling six points, 88 PIM and a +9 rating before being traded to Everett.
C Charlie Coyle	Saint John (QMJHL)	6	5	3	8	5	0	Has tallied at least one point in each game with Saint John. Represented Team USA at the IIHF World Junior Championship (12/26-1/5), tallying 5 points (4-1=5). Had 14 points (3-11=14) and a +7 rating with Boston University before transferring to Saint John.
C Tyler Graovac	Ottawa 67's (OHL)	30	5	13	18	+6	25	Registered a 4-game point streak (1/15-1/22), his longest streak of the season, tallying four points. Represented Team OHL in the 2011 SUBWAY® Super Series, helping his team to a 10-7 win vs. Team Russia (11/10).
D Colton Jobke	Regina Pats (WHL)	50	10	14	24	0	71	Ranks 6th on team in points and leads team with seven PPG.
C Zack Phillips	Saint John (QMJHL)	44	26	39	65	+38	19	Ranks 7th in points in the QJMHL. Leads team in plus-minus rating. Recorded two goals and an assist and went +4 at Acadie Bathurst (1/22). Tallied 41 points (13-28=41) during league-best 22-game point streak (10/14-12/4). Signed an Entry-Level contract with Minnesota (12/19).
COLLEGE/USHL	TEAM	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM	NOTES
C Anthony Hamburg	Omaha (USHL)	33	5	11	16	-4	53	Leads team in PIM. Has seven points (4-3=7) in his last eight games.
LW Erik Haula	U. of Minnesota (WCHA)	29	11	19	30	+13	18	Ranks 2nd on team and T-19th in nation in scoring. Owns nine multiple point games. Posted a goal and an assist in two games vs. St. Cloud State (1/27-1/28)
D Sean Lorenz	Notre Dame (CCHA)	27	3	10	13	-1	6	Ranks 2nd on team with 31 blocked shots. Scored one goal, went +2 and blocked 3 shots vs. Michigan (1/20).
LW Mario Lucia	Penticton (BCHL)	41	30	42	72	0	30	Ranks T-3rd in the league in points and ties for league lead with 1.8 points per game average. Represented the U.S. Junior Select Team at the World Junior A Challenge, tallying tournament third-most five points (4-1=5).
D Nick Seeler	Muskegon (USHL)	32	2	13	15	-8	32	Posted a three-game assist streak (1/14-1/21) and has four assists in last six games.
LW Jason Zucker	Denver (WCHA)	22	14	18	32	0	26	Ranks 2nd on Denver and T-11th in nation in points. On a four-game point streak (3-5=8). Has 10 multiple-point games. Served as captain for Team USA at World Junior Championship (12/26-1/5), tallying 7 points (3-4=7), second-most on the team.
INTL	TEAM	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM	NOTES
D Jonas Brodin	Farjestads BK Karlstad (SEL)	38	0	5	5	+5	14	Ranks 2nd on Farjestads in plus-minus rating. Helped Team Sweden earn gold at the IIHF World Junior Championship (12/26-1/5), tallying four assists. Represented Team Sweden at the Karjala Cup (11/10-11/13).
C Mikael Granlund	HIFK (SM-liiga)	38	19	26	45	+19	12	Ranks 2nd in SM-liiga in goals, T-2nd in plus-minus and 3rd in scoring. Served as captain for Finland at World Junior Championship (12/26-1/5), scoring tournament second-most 11 points (2-9=11) and was named a tournament All-Star. Represented Team Finland at the Karjala Cup (11/10-11/13) and was named to the First All Star Team.
D Bjorn Krupp	Cologne (DEL)	39	0	7	7	-4	66	Ranks 3rd on team in PIM.
LW Johan Larsson	Brynas (SEL)	37	8	19	27	-7	26	Ranks 3rd on Brynas in assists and total points. Served as captain and helped Sweden earn gold medal at World Junior Championship (12/26-1/5), leading the team with six assists.
GOALTENDERS	TEAM	GP	MIN	GAA	RECORD	GA	SV%	NOTES
Johan Gustafsson	Lulea HF (SEL)	23	-	1.85	-	-	.925	Ranks 5th in the SEL in SV% and in GAA. Helped Team Sweden earn gold at the IIHF World Junior Championship (12/26-1/5), going 5-0-0 with a 2.20 GAA and a .888 SV%. Represented Team Sweden at the Karjala Cup (11/10-11/13).
Dennis Endras	HIFK (SM-liiga)	17	1016	2.18	10-6-1	37	.926	Has won last two games. Owns one SO. Played six games with Houston (AHL), going 3-2-1 with a .913 SV% and a 2.46 GAA before being assigned to HIFK (11/29).
Stephen Michalek	Harvard (ECAC)	20	1192	2.92	6-5-8	58	.902	Has gone 2-0-1 in last three games.

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Comments

I know it's apples to oranges

and may be difficult but could someone rank the quality of each of these leagues in order? Include the NHL, KHL, AHL, Euro leagues (if possible), etc. Seeing Phillips at a +38 with 65 points in 44 games seems f-ing insane but it makes me wonder how that league compares to say the WHL.

by HonorableH on Feb 1, 2012 3:32 PM CST reply actions

It's considered the weakest of the Canadian Junior leagues

But his numbers still aren’t anything to scoff at.

I'm that ''ignorant dumbass'' who writes with the ''whiny idiot homer'' over at Hockey Wilderness.

Twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Feb 1, 2012 3:38 PM CST up reply actions

This is what i've seen numerous times

1)NHL
2) KHL
3a)SEL
3b)SM-Liiga
4)AHL
5)NCAA
6)OHL
7)WHL
8)QMJHL.

Couple things on that. SEL and SM-Liiga are generally fairly close, but SEL has historically been a little stronger. There are those that think SM-Liiga has the advantage at the current moment though.

For the three CHL leagues, generally the OHL is known for best well rounded player, QMJHL for offensive players and WHL for its defensive players. Thats generalizing obviously, but thats the jist of it.

by ThatGuy22 on Feb 1, 2012 4:33 PM CST up reply actions

I tend to think WHL better prepares players for the NHL.

Bit of a rougher league. The “Q” is about offense.

by cgp711 on Feb 1, 2012 5:08 PM CST up reply actions

Actually

It may not be as much about offense as it is about lack of defense.

I'm that ''ignorant dumbass'' who writes with the ''whiny idiot homer'' over at Hockey Wilderness.

Twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Feb 1, 2012 5:22 PM CST up reply actions

Haha touche

by cgp711 on Feb 1, 2012 10:37 PM CST up reply actions

Thanks -

that helps with perspective.

by HonorableH on Feb 1, 2012 5:57 PM CST up reply actions

I don’t think the KHL is as good as advertised…I would give the SEL a slight edge over the KHL.

by GooterBaby on Feb 1, 2012 7:31 PM CST up reply actions

Curious

What makes you say that? Its fairly well known the KHL is the second best league, and I have never heard someone dispute that. Have you watched a lot of KHL and SEL games? Or have an inside source in Europe?

by ThatGuy22 on Feb 2, 2012 8:43 AM CST up reply actions

It's only well known

to the KHL officials who try to sell the league. I’ve heard much more debate as to whether SM Liiga or the SEL are the second best pro hockey league in the world.

by Krotz the Wall on Feb 2, 2012 9:56 AM CST up reply actions

I don't think its a coincidence

That players that leave the SEL/SM-Liiga for the KHL typically see their PPG drop. Its a fair indication that the league is tougher to play in. Mikko Lehtonen is a good example of that, scoring over a PPG in the SEL last year and only putting up 17 points in 40 games this year.

by ThatGuy22 on Feb 2, 2012 10:41 AM CST up reply actions

It's a consistency factor

In the KHL there are a handful of good teams, and there are a bunch of really not very good teams. The refereeing is supposedly very inconsistent, with top teams able to defend very physically against other teams (clutch/grab/maul).

Yes, Lehtonen’s scoring is down. He’s also in a new league, with a great deal more traveling, and I can’t speak to the quality of his team.

by Krotz the Wall on Feb 2, 2012 10:55 AM CST up reply actions

Not just him though

3 of the top 10 scorers from the SEL last year are in the KHL, all their points are down(The others not as much as Lehtonen but still down). I am willing to bet if someone where to take the time and look over the past 3 or 4 years at everyone that left the SEL and SM-Liiga for the KHL had similiar results.

by ThatGuy22 on Feb 2, 2012 11:18 AM CST up reply actions

Actually

The work has already been done. Quick google search shows that Bruce Peters of PucK Worlds did the work in August.

The link below shows that on average for player that joined the KHL from SEL, for every point they scored in the SEL they scored .76 points in the KHL. Thats a strong indication the league is tougher.

http://www.puckworlds.com/2011/8/4/2344313/how-good-is-the-khl

by ThatGuy22 on Feb 2, 2012 11:21 AM CST up reply actions

Tougher doesn't necessarily mean better though.

I'm that ''ignorant dumbass'' who writes with the ''whiny idiot homer'' over at Hockey Wilderness.

Twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Feb 2, 2012 12:08 PM CST up reply actions

I was speaking more talent-wise

From the sounds of it the KHL is harder to score in but it doesnt seem like there is more talent in the league. No I have never watched any games in these leagues but it seems like for as big as Russia is it doesnt produce as much talent as of late as say the smaller countries like Sweeden and Finland.

by GooterBaby on Feb 2, 2012 3:17 PM CST up reply actions

They have as much Talent as any other country

I mean they have won the U20’s two years in a row. They have two of the top three prospects not in the NHL in Tarasanko and Kustenav.

The difference is, with the KHL being a good league in its own right and paying fairly well there is not as much of a reason to come over here as soon as possible. And they have a fair amount of guys that could be average NHLers, that just stay there because they can make more money there.

Add to that Russians dropping in the draft over fears they won’t come over, and its more of perception thing than reality. Heck the likely number 1 and 2 overall picks in this draft are both Russian(although they play in the OHL and QMJHL).

by ThatGuy22 on Feb 2, 2012 3:36 PM CST up reply actions

Also

The size of the countries doesn’t really matter all that much. Its the hockey playing population that does, and Finland, Russia and Sweden all have about the same number of registered hockey players(actually Finland has the most with 65,000).

by ThatGuy22 on Feb 2, 2012 3:45 PM CST up reply actions

Brett Bulmer

I really can’t wait to have this guy back next year. I’d love to see him playing on the 3rd line with Clut and Broziak.

by GerDevine on Feb 1, 2012 5:37 PM CST reply actions

Its good to see him putting up points this year…I thought he was a bad pick up the time but it turns out he really was a late bloomer. Cant wait to see what he can do next year.

by GooterBaby on Feb 1, 2012 7:35 PM CST up reply actions

I don't know if Brodziak is gonna be re-signed

The longer they wait, the less likely it seems he will be with the Wild next year. Larsson/Coyle seem like the same type player and he will be expensive to re-sign. It definitely is good to see him putting up points though. Wonder where he will slot in going forward.

by Joel Bertelsen on Feb 1, 2012 7:47 PM CST up reply actions

I still think its 50/50 that he will be back.

You gotta look at is as Chuck Fletcher brought him over here and obviously likes him…the only other teams I really see him signing with are Edm or Cal. I think enough teams realize he is not a number 2 center and won’t give him more than 2.5-3.25 mil. If we move Zids salary his chances of being signed go up also if Latendresse isn’t brought back that also increases the odds of giving his money to Brodz.

by GooterBaby on Feb 1, 2012 8:35 PM CST up reply actions

True, I'm not saying there's no chance

He is a great 3rd line center who can fill in on top 6 duty. I’m sure most teams realize that. The bigger problem is the young centers coming up through the pipeline. Granlund, Phillips, Larsson, and Coyle all play center. While realistically only Larsson and Coyle are suited to play that style game, that still is two options that will a) be cheaper and b) have a higher ceiling. Brodziak will want a longer(ish) term contract, not a 1-2 year deal that will bridge the gap until these guys are NHL-ready, I think. Just some of my thoughts. I would definitely love to see him back in a Wild sweater.

by Joel Bertelsen on Feb 1, 2012 9:12 PM CST up reply actions

I would still like to keep him regardless of who is coming up.

3 year deal sounds perfect to me and I wouldn’t think too many teams would give him a 4. It seems like the best teams always are log-jammed at center and thats how the Wild should stay. Matt Cullen should be gone after next year and I would hope Brodz stays for another three. As for the prospects they still have proving to do at the next level and keeping Brodz would help with this.

by GooterBaby on Feb 1, 2012 10:06 PM CST up reply actions

Also

Brodz is so versatile and he CAN play wing if need be. Didn’t he used to play 4th line winger in Edm? So if he is not the best option at center, he can move over to wing if need be. I think it is all going to depend on what he is asking for and if we can clear up Zids contract.

by eamon17 on Feb 1, 2012 11:16 PM CST up reply actions

True

And Larsson can play LW and Coyle can play RW too. I wasn’t saying I don’t want him back or anything, just doing a little thinking why he might not be back/playing devil’s advocate.

by Joel Bertelsen on Feb 2, 2012 12:31 AM CST up reply actions

I would think that would be the more likely option

The more I think about it the more I think Brodziak will be back. Even if half the prospects make the team next year they will be under contract for three years so its not like we can’t afford Brodz till then.

by GooterBaby on Feb 2, 2012 10:49 AM CST up reply actions

Let's not forget

That maybe Brodziak wants to test the market as his right as a free agent. I doubt the Wild get into a bidding war with another team if that happens. If he makes it to free agency, I doubt they resign him as his cost will be too high.

by cgp711 on Feb 2, 2012 2:25 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed

I believe that Brodziak is planning on testing the UFA market. Fletcher has made it clear he wants Brodziak back, so you have to assume that it’s Brodziak that is holding up the contract extension. Only reason he would risk a guaranteed extension (while running the risk of injury or cooling off) is if he wanted to go UFA.

You know you're a Wild fan if Spam Whoopie Gerald-buns comes up in conversation
Regressing all the way back to high school hockey.
Mikael Granlund = Suomi Savior

by JDesthubert on Feb 2, 2012 2:41 PM CST up reply actions

I know Grandlunds the savior

But after that Zach Phillips is my guy. Im more than willing pilot that bandwagon. Cant wait to see this guy play in houston and hopefully st paul sooner than later

by Burnsie4mvp on Feb 1, 2012 10:56 PM CST reply actions

Can we just hit the “simulate season” button and move on to next year? Not that i am not enjoying this year, but I am really excited for the future and seeing how the prospects turn out.

by eamon17 on Feb 1, 2012 11:18 PM CST up reply actions

Right there with you

It will definitely be interesting to see him work his way through the system. Hopefully he can keep up the scoring.

by Joel Bertelsen on Feb 2, 2012 12:41 AM CST up reply actions

as far as development

I’m really curious to see what lucia does in college. He is eating peoples souls right now. Those numbers are ridiculous even though he’s playing against inferior competition. I was kind of hoping he would go to one of the major juniors instead of college but that’s just my opinion.

Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against

by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 2, 2012 12:26 AM CST via mobile reply actions

Right there with you.

A plus on playing with Penticon is the majority of that roster will be playing in College next year so he is playing with some of the better college hockey prospect atm. I hope he can step in next year and score 12+ goals next year as a freshman.

by GooterBaby on Feb 2, 2012 10:56 AM CST up reply actions

also

What are peoples opinion on whether the nhl will help or hinder granlunds game? I don’t know much about sm liga so I thought some educated opinions might help me understand what to expect from him.

Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against

by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 2, 2012 12:30 AM CST via mobile reply actions

I don't know a whole lot

I’ve heard one of the bigger differences will be going from an olympic sized rink to the smaller North American sized rink. Also, I’m sure the size of the players and speed of the game will be big adjustments too.

by Joel Bertelsen on Feb 2, 2012 12:36 AM CST up reply actions

The NHL is much more physical as well.

There is going to be a period of adjustment and not to expect that would be foolish. He’s going to be a rookie so we should maybe lower our expectations a bit as well. Also, I think it depends on what position he plays here, center or wing. It might be easier for him to start as a wing here even though center is supposed to be his best position. Someone posted on here recently though that his faceoff numbers were not very good so we don’t want to run into a situation where he is a liability at center either. I think an expectation for 40-50 points is fair. Anything more would not surprise me at all but I am setting my sights low so that I’m not disapppointed.

by cgp711 on Feb 2, 2012 8:30 AM CST up reply actions

He'll still rely

on someone putting those pucks into the net off his hard work (Sorry Tom) and vision. He’s a playmaker rather than a goal scorer, though he can score, so his numbers will also rely a bit more heavily on who he’s paired with and how effective those people are at putting the puck into the net.

by Krotz the Wall on Feb 2, 2012 9:59 AM CST up reply actions