The Minnesota Wild come into this year’s draft in an interesting spot: They have some tantalizing prospects in their system, but none that seem obvious breakthrough candidates for Bruce Boudreau in his first season as head coach.
This becomes the issue with just barely getting into the playoffs year after year: No opportunities to draft a high-end prospect like Auston Matthews or Patrick Laine.
The Wild will have their first opportunities to develop prospects Alex Tuch and Mario Lucia, draft picks that signed with them after their college seasons ended in the spring. The team deftly signed college free agent Sam Anas, a high-scoring if somewhat undersized right winger from Quinnipiac.
On the blue line, Mike Reilly had stints with the team last year, and will have an opportunity earn a regular spot in St. Paul rather than Iowa. The team has six defensemen under contract, but will very like re-sign restricted free agent Matt Dumba, who had 10 goals last season. But after Reilly, there is not a lot of depth (More on that in a second).
The other real issue the Wild have is the limited number of draft picks. Minnesota has draft picks in the first, fourth and two seventh round picks (their own and Florida’s), thanks to some less-than-stellar trades. For example:
- Second-round pick to Buffalo for Matt Moulson and Cody McCormick
- Third-round pick for Sean Bergenheim and Florida’s seventh rounder.
- Fifth-round pick for Boston’s fifth-rounder last year in a Draft Day trade.
- Sixth-round pick plus Niklas Backstrom to Calgary for David Jones.
The Minnesota Wild have to make this year’s picks count. Without a second round pick next year (thanks to a trade for Chris Stewart in 2015), their flexibility is reduced. Given the team’s dearth of high-end talent, continuing to ship future picks for sketchy returns is ill-advised.
Back to the blue line. Minnesota needs defense. In addition to trying to get one back in a deal to move some salary, using their first round pick here is advisable. The best defenseman available is Charlie McAvoy.
Entering his sophomore season at Boston University, McAvoy led the Terriers’ defensemen in scoring and made the Hockey East All-Rookie team. He’s only scored three goals last season, but offers strong two-way play. He can lead the rush well while also maintaining his defensive responsibilities.
McAvoy may not replicate Mike Green’s game back in Boudreau’s first stop of Washington, but given the lack of reliable defensive depth, taking the best defenseman available is a slam dunk.
With the 15th pick of the NHL Draft, the Minnesota Wild select Boston University defenseman Charlie McAvoy.
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