Minnesota Wild 2008 Draft Review

SAINT PAUL , Minn.   –  Going into the draft, the Minnesota Wild had two strong needs, defense and size. With the 2008 draft, the Wild filled both. After trading up to ensure they landed the guy they wanted, the Wild went on to draft two other defensemen, and a little known Finnish forward. The Wild had just four picks this draft, after trading away the third round pick in the Marc-Andre Burgeron deal, the sixth round pick for Chris Simon last season, and giving the seventh round pick to New Jersey.
 
The Wild traded up one spot, giving up their third round pick in 2009 to do so, and drafted Tyler Cuma from the Ottawa 67’s, a prediction brought to you first by Pro Hockey News. Cuma is a 6’ 2”, 180 lbs offensive minded d-man, who will be definite long term help for the Wild. He is a converted center with true two-way ability, and is the definition of a puck moving defenseman. While Cuma will most likely play another season in juniors, look for him to move to Houston as soon as he is old enough. The Wild will want him close as soon as possible, and may pressure to make the team in 2009.
 
In the second round, the Wild again looked for a big defenseman, and chose Marco Scandella, of the Val d’Or Foruers of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League,   who comes in at 6’ 2”, 190 lbs. He is slated as a more stay-at-home style rear guard than is Cuma, and the two could wind up complimenting each other well in the near future.
 
Moving to the fourth round, the Wild did not stray far from the game plan. They chose yet another big defensman, Sean Lorenz, a graduating High School senior who will play his next season at Notre Dame. He is listed at 6’ 1”, 198 lbs, and is expected to play all four years of his college eligibility before starting his NHL career. Slated as “solid, if not spectacular” by hockeysfuture.com, Lorenz is a work in progress. Hoping that the years in college will help him progress, the Wild is in no hurry to see Lorenz in the NHL.
 
With the final pick the Wild had, they stunned even the guys behind the big board at the draft. They selected Eero Elo, a forward playing in Finland, and completely unranked by central ranking. The NHL did not even have a name plate for him to insert in the big board at the draft in Ottawa to let the audience know who had been selected. Little has been reported in Saint Paul about Elo, other than his selection, and little information seems to be available. Minneapolis Star Tribune writer Mike Russo said in his blog, “I googled him, and he’s a hotel.” In all honesty, this was a long shot pick by the Wild, picking up a 6’ 3”, 200 lbs net crashing forward. While he may never see the NHL, what else is the fifth round for, if not taking a chance?
 
All-in-all, the Wild had a solid draft by all accounts. They ensured the future of their blue line, something has been a weak point the past two seasons. While none of the help is immediate, the future of the Wild looks to be a solid blue line, with a smattering of big men crashing and banging around the ice.
 
The author can be reached at bryan.reynolds@prohockeynews.com.