MINNEAPOLIS, Mn – The Minnesota Wild made some trades that the team hoped would help in the chase for a playoff spot in the intensely competitive Central Division. Instead, it resulted in a last-place finish in General Manager Paul Fenton’s first season in charge. Fenton’s trades may not have helped the team make the playoffs, but it helped them get younger, a must in the organization right now. According to The Roster Resource, the Wild have the third oldest roster (and top 12 forward group) in the NHL.
There are definitely some questions about the defensive depth in the organization. But sitting at the 12th overall spot in the NHL Entry Draft, there’s a question to how much value there is in taking a blueliner at that spot. Whichever direction Fenton goes, he’ll need to get something out of the pick.
The Wild have had three players suit up for them out of the last four drafts: Luke Kunin (2016), Joel Eriksson Ek, and Jordan Greenway (2015), all of whom have bounced between St. Paul (NHL) and Iowa (AHL), and unable to keep a regular spot in the Minnesota lineup. Both Kunin and Eriksson Ek have been bottom-six forwards, and with Zach Parise, Eric Staal, and Mikko Koivu all top-six forwards in their mid-30s, the Wild need an athletic forward in the pipeline.
Alex Newhook may have been playing in a lower-tier of junior hockey (British Columbia Hockey League), but the Victoria Grizzlies’ captain tore up the (BCHL). He had a league-leading 102 points in 53 regular season games, 24 points in 15 playoff games. As a rookie in 2017-18, Newhook led rookies in points and assists, and was named Rookie of the Year, the All-Rookie team, and a First Team All-Star. This past year, the Boston College commit had 10 points for Team Canada in the Under-18 World Junior Championships.
His skill set isn’t in question. He’s considered one of the better skaters in the draft class, with the hands to match. But how will the level of competition affect his draft stock? The skills should outweigh those concerns.
“With the 12th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, the Minnesota Wild select, from the Victoria Grizzlies of the British Columbia Hockey League, .Alex Newhook.”
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