PHN Mock NHL Entry Draft: Minnesota Wild

SAINT PAUL , Mn. – Trying to predict the 24^th pick in the NHL draft would be as difficult as attempting to predict who Minnesota Wild General Manager Doug Risebrough would choose with any pick. Put the two forces together and you have the makings of the perfect storm. The fact that the Wild are weak at center and defense, the state of league agreements, and the past actions of Risebrough, the field can, however, be narrowed to a handful of selection possibilities.
 
The Wild were short a center all season long. With Wes Walz leaving mid-season, and the return of Pavol Demitra most likely a non-starter, the

situation does not look to resolve itself. Benoit Pouliot looks poised to make the jump to the big club to fill the gap after making a strong showing late season and in some playoff appearances. Risebrough is a future oriented GM and will be looking at the prospects in Houston, the Wild’s AHL affiliate, and elsewhere as the Wild have little to claim for solid talent at center.
 
The defensive corps of the team also is short handed with the return of Keith Carney and Sean Hill unlikely at best. The Wild have locked up Nick Schultz and Brent Burns to long term deals, Kim Johnson still has two years left on his current deal, and Martin Skoula is entering the final year of his contract. This makes defense another strong area of need in the coming years.
 
Further narrowing the field for the Wild is the state of the IIHL-NHL agreement. The Wild already have one top prospect locked up. Forward Julien Sprunger’s future with the team is completely up in the air until the two leagues reach a new deal. These facts will most likely make NHL teams wary to use a first round pick on a European player. This possibility eliminates quite a few players from the deliberation, at least until after the first round.
 
All reports have this being a top-heavy draft with all of the NHL ready talent going in the top ten. The draft pool does not look good for offensive power late in the first round which means the Wild will most likely look at the remaining defensemen with their pick (24^th overall).
 
With their late pick in the first round, the two most likely candidates for defensemen that might be  left on the board will be Tyler Cuma of the Ottawa 67’s, and Jake Gardiner, who just finished his senior year at Minnetonka High School. Which payer is selected will come down to which one is left.
 
Cuma is 6 foot 2 inches, 185 pounds, and has proven himself to be more than capable of playing at an elite level. He played in the CHL-NHL top-prospects game, and also played for the Canadian under 18 team in the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. According to NHL.com, “He isn’t shy about playing a physical game in his own end and has enough skill to contribute offensively, as well.”
 
Cuma is ranked number 19 North American skater available in the draft according to Central Scouting and would be a solid pick for the Wild. Cuma could potentially move up to the big club quickly.
 
Gardiner, 6 foot 2 inches, 180 pounds, is a graduating high school senior, and has already committed to play for the University of Wisconsin next season. This makes him a future oriented pick and plays right into Risebrough’s hands. Gardiner just finished his career in Minnetonka, a suburb near Saint Paul, making him an immediate fan favorite should he make his way to the Wild blue line.
 
Gardiner “possesses great vision, passing, speed and playmaking ability” according to Mike Morreale of NHL.com. The fact that he has played defense for less than two seasons should not be a concern for NHL clubs. The move, according to NHL.com, came from a suggestion of WCHA Coach of the Year, Troy Jutting, and played the position at a high enough level to play for an elite college team for the near future.
 
Again, which of these two players is selected will come down to availability. If Cuma falls to the 24^th spot, look for the Wild to move quickly and snatch him up. If not, they will plan for the future and select Gardiner.
 
Pressed for a final opinion, the Wild will announce the following on draft day.
 
“With the 24^th selection in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, the Minnesota Wild select, from the Ottawa 67s, Tyler Cuma.”
 
The author can be reached at bryan.reynolds@prohockeynews.com
Photos courtesy of the NHL