SAINT PAUL, Minn. – If the goaltender is the most important position on the ice, center is a very close second. They are the pivot for the forwards. They follow the puck, roaming the entire surface, going anywhere needed in order to set up a scoring play, or to take the open shot. They also have huge defensive responsibilities and are expected to follow the puck to the far reaches of the ice. The good news for the Wild is that they have Mikko Koivu, one of the best two-way centermen in the game today. The bad news for the Wild is that there is little to no depth below him. Since Koivu made the team and holds the top line center spot, the Wild have searched for the man to skate on the second line. Here is how the future of the center position looks for the Wild: 1. Casey Wellman – Signed at the end of this season, Wellman finished sixth in the NCAA scoring race. He was a free agent, having gone undrafted before turning into an offensive threat this season. He is signed with the Wild through the end of next season, after which he becomes a restricted free agent. Wellman likely signed with the Wild because he knew he would get a chance to play immediately, without being sent to Houston (AHL). Wellman has shown good hands, NHL caliber speed, and a wrist shot to go with the best of them. While he needs to bulk up, he is likely to remain in the NHL next season. 2. Cody Almond – Given two games of limited NHL experience this season, Almond is certainly one of the brighter pieces of the Wild’s future. He can play nearly any role, from scoring winger to shut down center. If his development goes as planned, he is looking at a Koivu type of game. Unless the Wild make some off-season acquisitions, Almond should see increased time at the NHL level. For more information on Almond, see Pro Hockey News Aeros Beat Writer Heather Galindo’s report from earlier this season . After Almond, the light dims significantly. No other prospect looks to have much of a chance to see NHL time short of major injury issues with the Wild. Some other faces in the organization include: 3. Anthony Hamburg – A seventh round draft pick in last summer’s draft, Hamburg is currently playing with the Omaha Lancers of the USHL. He has already exceeded expectations and has a strong work ethic, something that serves him well. While he is still a long shot, the Wild organization’s lack of depth at center could bode well for him. 4. Julian Walker – The Wild took a gamble on Walker, taking him in the 6th round in 2006. Players from Switzerland are slow to make the jump to North America, and Walker is likely no exception. While he plays a strong game, and has the size (6’ 2”, 209lbs), Walker has shown no interest in moving to North America to develop in the AHL. Unless something drastic happens, such as being given a guaranteed shot at the NHL, there is little chance he will make the move from overseas. The Wild has centers in the organization; however, even Hamburg and Walker were stretches to be considered true prospects with hope of making the league. To list players like Morten Madsen, Chris Hickey, Nathan Smith, or Peter Zingoni as true prospects would be disingenuous. They are career AHL players, but should the Wild become desperate for fill in players due to injury one of all of them could get a shot. Even with that unlikely occurrence, the Wild would sooner make a trade than use the bottom rung of the depth ladder. This is not to say these players are incapable of solid hockey, however they have been around long enough that if they were going to get their shot, they likely would have already. The author can be reached at bryan.reynolds@prohockeynews.com
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