MINNEAPOLIS, Minn – When the Minnesota Wild entered the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, they wanted to add a bluechip prospect team to arguably the worst prospect pool in the league. By the end of two days, Wild fans’ confidence seemed to have sky rocketed with selections such as dynamic forward Mikael Granlund.
1st Round, 9th Overall
Mikael Granlund
Drafted 9th overall, the Wild hoped they added a talented forward that can someday provide offensive dividends to a team that is lacking any form of offense. Voted by TSN as the smartest player in the 2010 draft, Granlund possesses great stickhandling, superb hockey IQ, accurate passing, and willingness to be physical and to drive to the net. There have been concerns about his size and the lack of explosiveness in his skating to compensate for his 5’11” build, but the Wild seem to have confidence that he can overcome these obstacles with his effort to play bigger than he actually is.
Since being drafted, Granlund has erased any concerns about his transition from wing back to his natural position at center by scoring 10 points in 8 games as an 18- year old, tying for second in points in the SM-Liiga, a league mainly consisting of men.
While Granlund is still very young, he is seemingly the hockey diamond of Helsinki, showing up on almost every poster or IFK mural. Wild fans simply cannot wait till his pictures are finally up in Minnesota.
2nd Round, 39th Overall
Brett Bulmer
A feisty, physical winger, Bulmer plays an up-tempo game, which should project well into the Wild’s new style of play. At 6’3” and only 175lbs, Bulmer has room to grow, but that has not kept him from being a physical sparkplug, already getting into a chirping match with Wild’s agitator Cal Clutterbuck and Tyler Cuma during preseason camp.
The recipient of the Kelowna Rocket’s Most Improved Player Award, Bulmer excels in protecting the puck and with the play along the boards. While criticized for his defensive play and hockey sense, Bulmer seemed to have started the year quite well, impressing the Wild brass during camp and going 3 points in his first 3 games in the 2010/2011 Western Hockey League season, leading the Rockets in points.
Bulmer will take this year in order to bulk up and added more muscle that will make his physical and up-tempo game even more effective.
2nd Round, 56th Overall
Johan Larsson
If anything caught Wild’s scouts eye on Larsson, it would have been his play during the World U-18 Tournament, where he was captain for Sweden and scored 22 points in 16 games. Previous to the U-18 Tournament, Larsson was only seen as a solid two-way winger, with little upside. However, after his performance, Larsson showed promise of dynamic offense.
Extremely versatile and hardworking, Larsson possesses a solid body and good two-way skills. This season, Larsson has scored only 1 point in 6 games with Brynas, but he is only 18 years-old so he will have time to develop his game.
2nd Round, 59th Overall
Jason Zucker
After selecting Larsson at #56, the Wild traded up for the #59 pick with their #69 and #99 pick. Obviously, the Wild saw something that really liked in Zucker.
Many heard his name during the World Junior Championships U-2o tournament, where he was one of the youngest players on the team. He also had an impressive showing of 7 points in 7 games during the U-18 tournament. Heading to University of Denver, Zucker will have time to develop his game. He has high character and showed talent in forechecking, showing he can be a pain against the best when he played against Canada in where the USA prevailed with the gold. Zucker is defensively responsible and plays with grit. During his years at Denver, Zucker will have time to improve his offense and refine his two-way play.
6th Round, 159th Overall
Johan Gustafsson
Described as raw, Gustafsson possess the size and the athleticism that NHL teams look for. He is considered a project so the Wild will take time with the 6’2″ 207lbs goalie and let him develop on his consistency and other parts of his game. Rated 44th by Minnesota Wild’s ex-assistant general manager Tommy Thompson, Gustafsson has already started the season well with 0.936 save percentage and 2.00 goals against average in 3 games.
Gustafsson will challenge for a spot on Team Sweden this year, and the Wild will be willing to give him time to develop.
7th Round, 189th Overall
Dylen McKinlay
While McKinlay started the season slow, where he had 22 points in 41 games, his second half was much more impressive where he scored 21 points in 31 games and 5 points in 6 playoff games. The Wild hope McKinlay can continue his fast rise to next season and at only 162lbs, the Wild believe he will only get better as his increases his muscle mass.
McKinlay started his career in the juniors as a checking line forward, but after one off-season with personal trainer Pete Glover, McKinlay slowly transitioned into a top 6 forward. In 3 games in the 2010/2011 season, he has scored 2 points in 3 games.
Contact Daniel.Chan@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.