Prospect Info: Wild Prospect Thread 2023-2024

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Walker is starting to heat up with 5 points in the last two games. He will goose the offensive game of Bankier a little bit. I've been disappointed with Sammy's game so far this year...thought he'd be first in line for callups, though the cap situation plays into things, also.
 
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Kumpalainen vs Canada looked really good to my eyes, playing like a man out there and generating chances the right way, skating looks smoother than the last time I saw him too, he’s improved his lower body strength to better match his size.

Really like the combination of size and hockey IQ, hope he continues to develop those hands and he could be a real good one.
 
Russo and Smith: Why the Wild aren't worrying about a Yurov KHL re-signing, plus Faber's surreal moment

Some notable snippets, although the entire article seems to mostly be conjecture.
According to a source close to Yurov, the 2022 first-round pick is in constant contact with Wild president of hockey operations and GM Bill Guerin and Wild player development execs Brad Bombardir and Matt Hendricks. Everyone’s on the same page, the source said. The Wild are aware his team has approached him about an extension. And as of now, contrary to some reports, the source said no decision has been finalized.
And the recent extensions to the veterans have created a perception for prospects like Yurov, Ohgren, Khusnutdinov, Rasmus Kumpulainen, Hunter Haight, Riley Heidt that there’s little to no room for them.
If the Wild didn’t have such little faith in Rossi coming into this season, they probably never would have jumped at extending Gaudreau late last season or Hartman before this season began. And if they knew Yurov would have a season like he’s having, they almost certainly would have left another spot open.
 
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Yurov has to sign an extension today or it will have to wait until after the season
 
I would far prefer that he comes over here next year. Even if he starts the year in Iowa, he can always be called up during the course of the year, and certainly as a Black Ace. Will be able to get all the time he needs here during the pre season, and will get acclimatized with the Wild system and players, some of whom will be NHL'er together with him in the future, such as Marat, Ohgren, Milne(?), Bankier, and the Dmen/Wall.

I really don't see why he can't be a middle six wing in place of MarJo/Hartman/foligno, moving them down in the lineup... assuming that he has the right stuff, of course. Rossi needs another offensively talented winger. Marjo just doesn't seem to have it this year, and seems to be reverting to his bottom six form.
 
I would far prefer that he comes over here next year. Even if he starts the year in Iowa, he can always be called up during the course of the year, and certainly as a Black Ace. Will be able to get all the time he needs here during the pre season, and will get acclimatized with the Wild system and players, some of whom will be NHL'er together with him in the future, such as Marat, Ohgren, Milne(?), Bankier, and the Dmen/Wall.

I really don't see why he can't be a middle six wing in place of MarJo/Hartman/foligno, moving them down in the lineup... assuming that he has the right stuff, of course. Rossi needs another offensively talented winger. Marjo just doesn't seem to have it this year, and seems to be reverting to his bottom six form.
I definitely don’t want him re-signing in Russia. Regardless of how confident they are that he wants to come over; I remember there being some confidence that we were going to get Kap over here right before he signed his KHL extension. I think it’s pretty critical to get him in the system and evaluate how he looks with our prospects.

Guerin needs to know who he’s going to be able to pencil in on that 25-26 roster so he can make the correct UFA signings over the next two offseasons.
 
The only reason for him to stay in Russia would be family/maturity ones. Maybe his English is really poor and he wants to work on it, or he is close to family and wants to stay in Russia so he doesn't have to worry about visas, etc. GF, maybe, too?

Still, if he wants to be a NHL'er, i don't see why coming here wouldn't be a good move. Hynes/BG can't be seen to hand him a spot, but as long as he is just down the road in Des Moines with Marat, don't see how it would be a bad thing for either the Wild, or him. If he is as good as some feel he is, it will become obvious, if not, then he can work on his game down there.
 
Iowa top line of Ohgren-Yurov-Khusnutdinov
In reality, they'll split them up with the likes of Walker and Petan, maybe Bankier and Milne. Not the worst thing. Those are pretty good players, and won't hold them back, while helping to integrate them into the league. The AHL can be a tough league to adapt to, even for SHL and KHL'ers.
 
Russo and Smith: Why the Wild aren't worrying about a Yurov KHL re-signing, plus Faber's surreal moment

Some notable snippets, although the entire article seems to mostly be conjecture.

Makes me feel better that they're in constant contact with Yurov
Makes me feel worse that it sounds like Hartman was the one they wouldn't have signed had they known Yurov would have a year like he has, instead of Zuccarello or Foligno


Also
And the recent extensions to the veterans have created a perception for prospects like Yurov, Ohgren, Khusnutdinov, Rasmus Kumpulainen, Hunter Haight, Riley Heidt that there’s little to no room for them.
Screen_Shot_2018-10-25_at_11.02.15_AM.png
 
In reality, they'll split them up with the likes of Walker and Petan, maybe Bankier and Milne. Not the worst thing. Those are pretty good players, and won't hold them back, while helping to integrate them into the league. The AHL can be a tough league to adapt to, even for SHL and KHL'ers.
I'm a bit harder to Khusnutdinov because of his lack of size, high-end offense and a decent but no awe inspiring 2023-24 season. I think your right and see Khusnutdinov play with more energetic forechecking players like Milne-Bankier to develop that side of his game - I've heard Haula comparisons and statistically, that seems like a sound comparison. Then Ohgren-Yurov-Walker/Petan, the more high-end first line.
 
Wouldn't Kumpelanian (spelling?) be a candidate to also be in the AHL next year?
Yes, i think so because he played in Finland before the CHL, BUT, he was a very late birthday(Aug). Another year in Junior to allow him to fill out would probably be the thing for him. Stramel is almost a year older.
 
The only reason for him to stay in Russia would be family/maturity ones.
Naw, there's a ton of reasons. C'mon lets be fair about this:

1.) He would probably make more money playing in the KHL. The average salary in the K is like 400K right now vs an NHL entry deal, which by the CBA would be capped at like 80K while he plays in the AHL.

This alone is enough to explain everything but lets also consider

2.) KHL teams travel by plane. AHL teams travel by bus. Which would you rather spend your time doing? Short flight to large Russian cities you're familiar with surrounded by people who speak your language? Or loooong as f*** bus rides back and forth between minor midwest cities like des moines and grand rapids, completely isolated by language and culture?

3.) The level of play is pretty comparable between the KHL and AHL anyway. Sure it makes sense for a team to ask you to sharpen your skill at a higher level if you're coming from SHL, Liiga, Czech league or where ever but its not like there's some great disparity between K and A anyway. Some might even argue the K is harder or at least its been considered that way in the past.

I think the whole "mercurial Russian" thing is like 90% bullshit tbh. They're not being difficult for the sake of being difficult - its just that they have other options.
 
AHL is not a higher level than SHL. Different for sure, but not higher. More sideways with a different flavor
 
Does anyone who watches Iowa think that Simon Johansson has NHL upside?
No. I don't see any attributes that seem NHL caliber to me. He has the worst +/-, he's not that big, above average skater, and lacks much offense. He will make some decent defensive plays sometimes, but regularly gets outmuscled.
 
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No. I don't see any attributes that seem NHL caliber to me. He has the worst +/-, he's not that big, above average skater, and lacks much offense. He will make some decent defensive plays sometimes, but regularly gets outmuscled.
SJo is tall, with a nice reach. At least 2" taller than ROR and Hunt, to my eyes....at least 6'2, but more like 6'3". He was a forward that converted to D, so with that you get a Dman with surprisingly good puck skills, and poise in the O zone. On the down side, he seems hesitant defensively, and in puck battles. Pretty passive.

He needs to work with Rossi's trainer next summer if he wants to turn things around and get a sniff of the NHL. Guy needs some beef, and some aggro. He's not a lost cause, but there are a lot of D prospects coming, and he'll have to fight to stand out among them. Right now he seems like a poor man's Gustav Olofsson, albeit w/o his injury problems.
 
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Yeah, his size stood out to me. I know Iowa isn’t great defensively, so I didn’t put much stock in his +/-. I also wasn’t sure how he was being used (offensively or defensively), or which pairing/partners he’s been with.

It‘s interesting to me that he played a couple of seasons in the SHL, put up decent numbers, then he made the jump to the AHL.

Someone in the organization must believe he’s got upside, otherwise he’d have been better off staying and developing in the SHL… Right?

He’s 24, so maybe he transfers back to Sweden if he doesn’t get a call-up soon.
 
Yeah, his size stood out to me. I know Iowa isn’t great defensively, so I didn’t put much stock in his +/-. I also wasn’t sure how he was being used (offensively or defensively), or which pairing/partners he’s been with.

It‘s interesting to me that he played a couple of seasons in the SHL, put up decent numbers, then he made the jump to the AHL.

Someone in the organization must believe he’s got upside, otherwise he’d have been better off staying and developing in the SHL… Right?

He’s 24, so maybe he transfers back to Sweden if he doesn’t get a call-up soon.
His little brother, Anton, is even bigger at 6'4". He's playing D with Sweden at WJC right now. They also have an even younger brother, Victor who is a D as well. Their father played 17 seasons in the SHL as a D and he is currently the GM of Leksand in the SHL. Their cousin is Alexander Wennberg, so it's a real hockey family. Who knows, maybe he gets his game going and can be useful in the future.
 
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Just wanted to make clear that my comparison of him to Gustav Olofsson wasn't meant to be a slight. I really liked GO, and thought he looked like a two way, middle pairing NHL Dman of the future, but his career was destroyed by injuries....shoulder and knee, i think? SJO is not as good defensively, but at least as good offensively, though he isn't the best on the breakout. He also has that tall thin build and a passive demeanor, which kind of worries me.

I like Dmen who are resolute, tough, smart, and decisive in the their own end. I'm not sure that any of those adjectives apply to him in the D zone. ROR is, which is why he has a better chance to be a NHL'er, even though he isn't a sure thing, either.
 
SJo is tall, with a nice reach. At least 2" taller than ROR and Hunt, to my eyes....at least 6'2, but more like 6'3". He was a forward that converted to D, so with that you get a Dman with surprisingly good puck skills, and poise in the O zone. On the down side, he seems hesitant defensively, and in puck battles. Pretty passive.

He needs to work with Rossi's trainer next summer if he wants to turn things around and get a sniff of the NHL. Guy needs some beef, and some aggro. He's not a lost cause, but there are a lot of D prospects coming, and he'll have to fight to stand out among them. Right now he seems like a poor man's Gustav Olofsson, albeit w/o his injury problems.
By not big, I meant not beefy, sorry. ROR and Hunt play a much bigger game and are tougher on the puck. Not refuting you, just clarifying my post.

With the possibility of Peart and a Kalem Parker being in the mix next year, I'd rather his minutes goes to Spacek/Masters, assuming they earn it by the end of the year. I think both of them have more potential, are younger, etc.
Yeah, his size stood out to me. I know Iowa isn’t great defensively, so I didn’t put much stock in his +/-. I also wasn’t sure how he was being used (offensively or defensively), or which pairing/partners he’s been with.

It‘s interesting to me that he played a couple of seasons in the SHL, put up decent numbers, then he made the jump to the AHL.

Someone in the organization must believe he’s got upside, otherwise he’d have been better off staying and developing in the SHL… Right?

He’s 24, so maybe he transfers back to Sweden if he doesn’t get a call-up soon.
Normally I don't care that much about +/- but I think it is more valid here when comparing to the other D. Welinski is the only one I'd say is worse in the D zone.

Prior to the influx of D men, we were super barren. My guess is he was older, had played in the pros as you mention, and the belief was that he'd be able to be a stopgap. He does seem to get more minutes and is trusted more, so the coaches obviously know more than me, and I definitely have not watched him shift by shift, so it is entirely possible I am missing something.

The other argument, albeit a weak one imo, is that he has been paired with 20 or 21 year olds the last two years. If he is trying to cover for them, then perhaps that is contributing to his play. But even then, his raw skills don't jump out at me at all.

Just wanted to make clear that my comparison of him to Gustav Olofsson wasn't meant to be a slight. I really liked GO, and thought he looked like a two way, middle pairing NHL Dman of the future, but his career was destroyed by injuries....shoulder and knee, i think? SJO is not as good defensively, but at least as good offensively, though he isn't the best on the breakout. He also has that tall thin build and a passive demeanor, which kind of worries me.

I like Dmen who are resolute, tough, smart, and decisive in the their own end. I'm not sure that any of those adjectives apply to him in the D zone. ROR is, which is why he has a better chance to be a NHL'er, even though he isn't a sure thing, either.
RE: ROR - I've actually really come to appreciate his game more this year. I think he is accepting and digging into more of what his role will be. He doesn't overplay the puck, gets shots on net, and plays hard. Wouldn't surprise me if we don't see him for another year or two, but I think letting him get a lot of minutes will make him a good 4-6 Dman.
 
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