Hunter Haight – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #24 Minnesota Wild – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:01:57 +0000

SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 14: Michigan State Spartans forward Charlie Stramel (15) reacts after a play during a men's college hockey game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on November 14, 2025 at the Compton Family Ice Arena in South Bend IN. (Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire)

Prospect System Ranking – 24th (Last Year - 14th)
GM: Bill Guerin Hired: August 2019
COACH: John Hynes Hired: November 2023

It has been a slow build in Minnesota, and one that veered slightly off course for a few seasons. But with Kirill Kaprizov locked into a long-term deal and players like Matt Boldy continuing to develop into one of the NHL’s premier goal scorers, general manager Bill Guerin decided to take a major swing.

Taking advantage of a turbulent situation in the Pacific Northwest, Guerin made one of the most significant moves in franchise history. Parting with a trio of key future assets, along with the club’s 2027 first-round pick, he acquired star defenceman Quinn Hughes. The price was steep, but landing one of the world’s elite blueliners instantly elevated the Wild into legitimate contender status.

Minnesota’s sharp drop in the prospect rankings, however, is not solely tied to the Hughes trade. The more significant factor has been the graduation of several highly regarded prospects, including Zeev Buium, Liam Öhgren (both now traded), and Danila Yurov, who have all moved beyond prospect status and into the NHL picture. Their departures have naturally thinned what was previously considered one of the league’s mid-range pipelines. Now leading the next wave is Charlie Stramel (87th), who is thriving in his junior season at Michigan State as an assistant captain and one of the program’s top offensive contributors. The former first-round pick appears poised to sign his professional contract this spring as he prepares to make the transition to the pro ranks.

Another player enjoying a breakout campaign is 2025 fourth-round selection Adam Benák, a recent Western Michigan commit. The skilled forward has emerged as one of the OHL’s top point-per-game producers while playing a key role for a strong Brantford Bulldogs squad. Meanwhile, at the professional level, prospects such as Riley Heidt (100th), David Špaček (139th), and Hunter Haight are gaining valuable AHL experience and could push for NHL opportunities in the near future.

With Quinn Hughes now anchoring the blue line and a talented forward core already in place, Minnesota appears firmly committed to maximizing its current competitive window. The organization has already sacrificed significant draft capital, including its 2026 first-round pick and second-round selections in the next three drafts. All signs point toward pushing their chips toward contention. The window is open, and the time to capitalize is now.

NHL	RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	2024-25 TM	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
Min	1	Charlie Stramel	C	21	6-3/215	Michigan State (NCAA)	37	19	25	44	32
Min	2	Riley Heidt	C	21	5-10/180	Iowa (AHL)	71	8	17	25	38
Min	3	David Spacek	D	23	5-11/175	Iowa (AHL)	59	7	29	36	16
Min	3	David Spacek	D	23	5-11/175	Minnesota (NHL)	2	0	0	0	0
Min	4	Ryder Ritchie	RW	19	6-0/175	Boston University (NCAA)	36	7	10	17	28
Min	5	Adam Benak	C	19	5-8/165	Brantford (OHL)	48	28	49	77	29
Min	6	Aron Kiviharju	D	20	5-10/185	HIFK (Fin-Liiga)	48	6	11	17	6
Min	7	Hunter Haight	C	22	5-10/175	Iowa (AHL)	54	18	14	32	22
Min	7	Hunter Haight	C	22	5-10/175	Minnesota (NHL)	9	1	1	2	4
Min	8	Carson Lambos	D	23	6-1/200	Iowa (AHL)	70	8	11	19	48
Min	8	Carson Lambos	D	23	6-1/200	Minnesota (NHL)	1	0	0	0	0
Min	9	Justin Kipkie	D	20	6-4/205	Arizona State (NCAA)	35	4	9	13	16
Min	10	Theodor Hallquisth	D	18	6-2/185	Troja-Ljungby (Allsvenskan)	30	0	3	3	14
Min	10	Theodor Hallquisth	D	18	6-2/185	Orebro (Swe J20)	17	0	6	6	29
Min	10	Theodor Hallquisth	D	18	6-2/185	Orebro (SHL)	8	0	1	1	2
Min	11	Caedan Bankier	C	23	6-2/190	Iowa (AHL)	66	10	10	20	18
Min	12	Jack Peart	D	23	5-11/185	Iowa (AHL)	61	4	11	15	24
Min	13	Rasmus Kumpulainen	C	20	6-2/190	Iowa (AHL)	48	1	4	5	24
Min	13	Rasmus Kumpulainen	C	20	6-2/190	Iowa (ECHL)	24	5	11	16	16
Min	14	Rieger Lorenz	LW	22	6-3/210	Denver (NCAA)	43	17	18	35	38
Min	14	Rieger Lorenz	LW	22	6-3/210	Iowa (AHL)	3	0	0	0	4
Min	15	Carter Klippenstein	C	19	6-3/180	Brandon (WHL)	38	11	17	28	74

1. Charlie Stramel, C, Michigan State University (NCAA)

Sometimes it is worth it for a prospect to play four years in college, Charlie Stramel is proof of why. Ever since transferring to Michigan State, he has added an offensive dimension sorely needed in his game, without losing the two-way prowess that made him special. Stramel’s strong and quick skating is the foundation of his play in every zone. He is a great backchecker, forechecker and is great at annoying opponents during rushes. Adam Nightengale has fully awakened his offensive game, as Stramel nearly eclipsed 20 goals and 50 points this season. Much of the improvement has stemmed from offensive IQ, getting Stramel to become more involved in the offensive zone, and the results have been incredible. The Minnesota Wild are desperate to get this young man over to St. Paul for their playoff run. He is going to be a solid depth center for them this season, and many to come. Is Stramel a potential top six center? Even with this year's breakout, it seems unlikely. However, he has so many quality pro intangibles, it would be wise not to underestimate him.

2. Riley Heidt, C, Iowa Wild (AHL)

Riley Heidt has faced some expected struggles in his rookie AHL season and hasn’t been able to translate his high-octane playmaking to the next level thus far. This was always the concern with Heidt as a prospect and one of the main reasons his elite WHL scoring ability did not translate into his draft stock being anything higher than a late 2nd round pick. As a smaller player with average skating, it’s incredibly difficult to create the separation needed for offensive creation at higher levels, especially on the playmaking side. However, Heidt is still very young and many players struggle in their first professional season. Next season will be crucial for him to rebound and start showcasing the elite playmaking ability that allowed him to excel in junior. He’s still a ways away from getting a proper look in the NHL at this point but the ceiling remains fairly high with natural offensive ability. In terms of his ceiling, I still think it’s possible he can become a top six player, though a big rebound is needed before that can happen.

3. David Spacek, D, Iowa Wild (AHL)

Spacek is in his third full season of professional hockey and has emerged as a projectable bottom pairing defenseman in the NHL. He’s a safe defenseman who coaches can trust and is dependable when it comes to putting in a full effort every game. Despite playing in the AHL, he cracked Team Czechia’s roster for the Olympics, which is no easy feat. Spacek also earned his first crack at the NHL, having played in two games so far this season. I would expect him to start earning more time in the big leagues and eventually carve out a role as a bottom-pairing defenseman by the end of next season. Given his play style and career trajectory to this point, it’s unlikely he develops into a top four defenseman but his floor is high and there are signs he’s already outgrowing AHL hockey. Look for him to potentially earn a spot out of training camp next season.

4. Ryder Ritchie, RW, Boston University (NCAA)

Ritchie made the much-anticipated move to college hockey this offseason, heading to Boston University, and he has actually shown some solid strides as a prospect. In a year where almost every Terrier has taken a step back, Ritchie has led all BU freshmen in points, exhibiting some great flashes of his shot and playmaking ability. He’s even made adjustments to improve his game away from the puck, Ritchie has been steadily developing as an offensive threat. However, his move to the NCAA has proved that his upside is as limited as some feared. His skating is still average, and he will likely never be a play driver at any level. Additionally, he doesn’t have the willingness to use his 6’2 frame to play a more two-way game. Ritchie is still showing a limited game as he did in the WHL, however, the offensive upside in spite of his lack of speed gives many hope that with another year in college, he can round into a solid support scorer in the NHL.

5. Adam Benak, C, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

Selected 102nd overall in the fourth round of the 2025 NHL Draft by the Minnesota Wild. Benak spent last season playing with the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL, recording 59 points in 56 games. After being selected second overall in the CHL Import Draft by the Brantford Bulldogs, Benak decided to make the move to play in the CHL this season. Benak got off to a real hot start with the Bulldogs recording 20 points in his first 10 games. Benak is currently averaging over 1.5 points per game playing on Brantford’s top line. Benak is a highly skilled playmaking center who can shift to the wing. Listed at 5-foot-8, Benak had little difficulty transitioning to the USHL and OHL, showcasing his elite creativity with the puck while producing at a high rate. There is no question he possesses the offensive skill, skating ability, and hockey IQ to project as a scoring winger at the NHL level. The challenge for Benak will come with handling the physical side of pro hockey as an undersized forward. He will need to find a way to bring a high level of consistency to every aspect in his game on the ice. He will need to continue working on winning puck battles against larger opponents through anticipation and body positioning, maintain a high tenacity on loose pucks, and find ways to avoid being closed out of plays. Minnesota is hoping Benak falls towards his ceiling potential and become a mid-round pick player that teams possibly regret overlooking on drafting earlier due to his size.

6. Aron Kiviharju, D, HIFK (Liiga)

Aron Kiviharju, selected 122nd overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2024 NHL Draft, remains one of the most intellectually gifted defenders in his cohort. Once considered a consensus top-tier prospect early in his draft cycle, Kiviharju’s trajectory was interrupted by a significant knee injury in his draft year, causing him to slip in the draft. Since then, he has focused on steady development with HIFK in Liiga, cementing his reputation as a cerebral, high-IQ game manager who prioritizes processing speed over raw physical force. Kiviharju’s game is built on a foundation of elite anticipation and vision. While he is not the biggest defender at 5-foot-10, he relies on active stick-work, tight gap control, and exceptional positioning to negate rush attempts and kill plays efficiently. The primary developmental hurdle remains physical maturity and translating his high-end offensive awareness against heavy professional competition. Projection-wise, Kiviharju profiles as a potential middle-pair NHL defenseman and a specialist on the second power-play unit. His success at the next level will depend on his ability to continue adding strength to his frame to withstand the grind of the professional game while maintaining the elite processing speed that defines his ceiling.

7. Hunter Haight, C, Iowa Wild (AHL)

In his sophomore AHL season, Haight has largely failed to increase his stock as a prospect. He has been an average AHL player for almost two seasons now, earning a five game NHL stint in the process. Haight has always been a prospect that scouts like based on his projectable tools. I liked him a lot back in his draft year and thought it was a fine pick by the Wild at #47. The progression hasn’t been ideal since then. The tools are all there – Haight is an above average skater, has good puck handling and can even mix it up physically. There are times he looks like a legit NHLer. For some reason, it is yet to all click for him despite being over 100 games into his pro career. For him, the floor is as a top six AHLer, similar to what he is now. If he can use his tools more effectively, I see a player who can mesh in the bottom-six despite his lack of size.

8. Carson Lambos, D, Iowa Wild (AHL)

Time is running out for the former first-round pick to live up to expectations. There just hasn’t been significant progression in his development since he was drafted. The knock on Lambos has always been that he lacks any elite traits that will make him an impactful defenseman at the NHL level. This is still very evident in his game and is something that is incredibly difficult to overcome. He's not particularly big or physical, his skating is average and he doesn’t provide much offense from the back end. The concern is that his skating and hockey sense won’t be able to keep up with the NHL pace. He’s already a serviceable AHLer and continues to improve but at this point the ceiling for Lambos is that of a bottom-pairing defenseman. It’s hard to see him reaching top-4 potential the Wild hoped for when they picked him. That being said, he played his first NHL game this season. Perhaps the Wild see him as being fairly close to NHL ready.

9. Justin Kipkie, D, Arizona State University (NCAA)

The aggressive and speedy NCHC conference was a perfect destination for Justin Kipkie. With his solid speed and great dexterity, he has adapted to the quickness of his opponents well, supporting his team on entries and defending the rush. The WHL prepared him at the latter, with his strong stick and gap control being his best facets at killing plays. His aggressiveness can get him in trouble at times, pinching too hard or trying to jump into plays prematurely, leaving him out of position to defend. Kipkie will likely be trusted with more minutes next season as a sophomore, as he has become more disciplined throughout his year. At that time, you could probably expect an uptick in offensive production as he continues to make the adjustment from the WHL to the NCAA. Kipkie's projection remains that of a solid bottom pairing type who could aid in the transition game.

10. Theo Hallquisth, D, Örebro HK (SHL)

While picking long-term project Hallquisth at 52nd overall in the 2025 NHL Draft is still seen as a reach, the Wild should be pretty pleased about how he’s coming along. The young RHD is logging serious minutes in the HockeyAllsvenskan with Troja-Ljungby, where he sees time on both the PK and PP. He’s even getting into SHL games with Orebro. Hallquisth is a mobile, physical defenceman who defends the rush well and is a very reliable passer. There is almost no risk to his game - Hallquisth isn’t someone who makes things happen, he’s more of a play settler and calming presence. He’s got a quick shot from the point, but otherwise his offensive zone play is limited. His gap management and skating quickness have taken steps and look very solid at the pro level. However, defending the cycle is a bit of a challenge currently. Like many young defencemen, he is prone to lapses in concentration and makes mistakes. Hallquisth is at his best when he keeps his game simple. Continued improvement to his overall mobility, physical strength and defensive reads may bear fruit for the Wild in a couple of years. Hallquisth projects to be a defence-first bottom pair defenceman who can PK.

11. Caedan Bankier, C, Iowa Wild (AHL)

Not a lot of growth from Bankier over these last few seasons and that has to be concerning to the Wild. A former WHL standout and Canadian WJC team member, Bankier may be on the bubble to be qualified.

12. Jack Peart, D, Iowa Wild (AHL)

Even throughout Peart’s NCAA time, he never really found that next level as an offensive defender. No question he’s intelligent, but average sized, jack of all trades type defenders have a pretty low hit rate. Now in his second pro season, the ceiling looks limited.

13. Rasmus Kumpulainen, C, Iowa Wild (AHL)

Playing in his first pro season, Kumpulainen has struggled to adapt. He’s spent half the year in the ECHL for that reason. The big pivot is a solid two-way player, but he looks a long way off.

14. Rieger Lorenz, LW, University of Denver (NCAA)

Lorenz is in the midst of his best NCAA season as a senior at the University of Denver, but the former AJHL standout has failed to really breakthrough offensively as a star at the college level. As such, he could be on the bubble to be signed when this NCAA season ends.

15. Carter Klippenstein, C, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

The offensive ceiling as a pro is pretty limited. But that’s not why the Wild drafted Klippenstein in the fourth-round last year. He has the size, skating ability, defensive IQ, and physicality to develop into an elite fourth line center and penalty killer.

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – MINNESOTA WILD – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #14

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 20:36:01 +0000

ST. PAUL, MN - APRIL 18: Minnesota Wild forward Liam Ohgren (28) controls the puck during the second period of an NHL game between the Minnesota Wild and Seattle Kraken on April 18, 2024, at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. (Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire)

Prospect System Ranking – 14th (May 2025 - 7th)
GM: Bill Guerin Hired: August 2019
COACH: John Hynes Hired: November 2023

The Minnesota Wild are finally emerging from the shadow of the Ryan Suter and Zach Parise buyouts, freeing up nearly $13 million in cap space. While a portion of that will be earmarked for Kirill Kaprizov’s looming extension, GM Bill Guerin now has real flexibility to shape the roster.

That timing aligns perfectly with a young core featuring Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, Marco Rossi (unsigned), Brock Faber, and newly signed Zeev Buium—players poised to drive the franchise forward.

Buium, McKeen’s sixth-ranked prospect, is as dynamic as they come and is set to push for an NHL role in 2025-26 after an outstanding NCAA career. Once he graduates, Danila Yurov will take over as the system’s top prospect. Fresh off signing his entry-level deal, Yurov joins Minnesota after five years in the KHL, where he tallied 88 points in 209 games. At 21, his playmaking and vision could translate immediately to NHL production.

Several other prospects are on the cusp of breaking through. Liam Öhgren impressed in his first North American season, producing 37 points in 41 AHL games, and should compete for a roster spot out of training camp. In net, Jesper Wallstedt is expected to challenge for the backup job behind Filip Gustavsson with Marc-André Fleury now retired. Early on, a timeshare between the pipes isn’t out of the question.

Riley Heidt, meanwhile, is turning pro after a prolific WHL career that saw him record 370 points in 281 games. His creativity and offensive instincts will be assets as he adjusts to the AHL game.

While Minnesota added intriguing talent such as Adam Benak at the 2025 draft, the absence of a first-round pick limited the overall impact of their class. Still, with multiple high-end prospects on the verge of making the jump and newfound financial flexibility, the Wild are positioned to become one of the NHL’s most intriguing young teams in the short term.

Minnesota Wild Top-15 Prospects

1 - Zeev Buium

Zeev Buium was just as good in his sophomore season compared to his freshman year, solidifying himself as a top-tier offensive defenceman. Early in the year, he displayed strong breakout capabilities, maintaining composure under pressure and making smart decisions with the puck. His skating and agility have remained elite, providing him with the ability to create space and generate offensive opportunities. As the season progressed, Buium’s defensive game matured, showcasing sound positioning, effective gap control, and reliable man-to-man coverage. His active stick and awareness allow him to break up plays and transition quickly. While his high-risk plays can lead to turnovers, his offensive contributions and skating often outweigh the occasional mistake. Strengths include his dynamic skating, puck-handling, and hockey IQ, excelling in all situations with significant ice time. To elevate his game further, reducing unnecessary risks and refining decision making will be key. Zeev Buium projects as a top-line NHL defenceman with first line power play potential, providing both offensive production and defensive reliability.

2 - Danila Yurov

After recovering from shoulder surgery, Danila Yurov took some time to find his game this season but quickly returned to elite form. Once a raw talent, he’s now one of the most dynamic players in the KHL. Yurov plays at a high pace, using his speed to drive offence and pressure opponents defensively. He creates chances off the rush, breaks up plays with an active stick, and consistently wins puck battles. His shot has developed into a major weapon over the past few years. His wrist shot and one-timer are both dangerous and he does a great job working himself into space to create quality looks. While strength in battles remains a concern, he’s improved significantly, learning to use positioning and stickwork to stay competitive. Yurov officially signed his ELC in May, ending fan’s anxieties as he gears up for his first North American season. He looks NHL ready and could challenge for a top six role in Minnesota next season.

3 - Liam Öhgren

Liam Öhgren split the 2024-25 season between the NHL and AHL. While his NHL production was minimal, he hovered around a point-per-game mark with Iowa. Despite injury concerns in his development years, Öhgren played nearly 65 pro contests. He terrorized AHL goalies with his snappy, accurate release, picking corners with ease. In transition, Öhgren is clinical, regularly achieving clean zone entries using his stickhandling and speed changes. What stands out is how he constantly switches up his approach, creating space and time. He also drives hard to the net, causing chaos, and cleaning up pucks around the net. Öhgren will be a fixture on Minnesota's second or third line for years to come and has a good shot at a full-time NHL role in the bottom six this year alongside fellow Minnesota youngster Danila Yurov. He may never have elite production in the NHL, but he brings lots of value off the puck and in the defensive zone.

4 - Riley Heidt

The 2025-26 Cougars campaign ended earlier than expected, following an opening-round loss to a lower-seeded opponent, but it certainly wasn't for a lack of effort or results from Heidt, their captain and best player. The cerebral center was a linchpin for his team, scoring points in bunches while also consistently helping to elevate the play of those he shared the ice with. The continued progression of his off-puck play is also worth mentioning, as it went from something of a weakness in his draft year to a genuine strength nowadays. After a fairly stable tenure in Prince George that spanned five seasons it will be interesting to see how Heidt translates his game to the AHL level and how long the Wild will want him to grow there before he's ready for the ultimate challenge of the NHL. If all goes according to plan, he could become a top six pivot in Minnesota.

5 - Jesper Wallstedt

It’s not a secret that Jesper Wallstedt took a massive dip in performance this past season. He’s been known as one of the best goalie prospects in many people's eyes for the past couple of years, but now that’s being drawn into doubt. He still possesses a strong skill set, which is promising, including great positioning, anticipation, footwork, and athleticism. The problem is that he seems to have lost all confidence and lacks consistency from game to game. He’s always been a reserved goalie, someone who’s very methodical. But now it looks to almost hinder him. He lacked the same swagger and intensity seen previously. He looks defeated after allowing a bad one and opens the gates. He also struggled with his rebound control, which has given him the tendency to easily get burned on rebound shots. His previous play and skill set should still leave one hopeful about his future. His future rides on how he plays next year. If he turns it around, he can still end up a starter, if not, it will be exceedingly difficult to reach that once promising potential.

6 - Ryder Ritchie

Last summer Ritchie felt that he and his former club, the Raiders, weren't fully on the same page, which led to him requesting a change of scenery. That decision couldn't have worked out much better for him on the ice, as he was traded to the championship-winning Tigers, led by superstar-in-the-making Gavin McKenna (certainly not a bad guy to hang out with and pick things up from). Playing in more of a secondary role helped him find his game a little better after an up-and-down prior season, and he's now looking much more like the guy who earned WHL Rookie of the Year honors in 2022-23. The son of former NHLer Byron Ritchie, Ryder is a winger with a good, balanced blend of different smarts and skills, the kind of player who can find a way to fit and contribute on any line but might never be the best option to drive one at the NHL level. He’s a quality complement to the rest of the Wild’s prospect pool.

7 - Hunter Haight

Hunter Haight was selected in the second-round for his two-way game and potential as a middle lineup depth piece. This year, he surprised many by posting over half a point per game in his first pro season. Haight is always in the right place, active off the puck, and constantly adjusting his angles to create opportunities. He drives to the net with such fluidity, almost as if the puck is glued to his stick, able to get a quick release in tight with precision. His defensive game is solid as well. He closes gaps quickly and shows a willingness to block shots. This season has been encouraging for Haight's development, and after one more year in Iowa and an offseason to get stronger, I could see him transitioning to the NHL. He looks like a future asset for Minnesota's bottom six. Haight’s biggest barrier is his size, which, at his level of skill, might barricade him from receiving NHL looks, given the plethora of depth talent Minnesota possesses.

8 - Charlie Stramel

A first-round selection in 2023, Stramel’s sophomore season at Wisconsin was pretty much an unmitigated disaster, leaving little hope that he was anything more than a wasted high selection. However, following a move to Michigan State through the transfer portal, Stramel has re-invigorated hope in his NHL chances. The big pivot had a solid junior year for one of the best teams in the country, and he’s going to return to the Spartans for his senior year, where he’ll likely take on even greater responsibility. At this point, Stramel isn’t likely to be a top six forward. You could probably make the argument that his draft projection wasn’t even that optimistic. However, he still possesses many attributes that you look for in a bottom six center in today’s era; he’s got size, he can skate, he can play a power game, and he plays both ends of the rink. Let’s see if he can build off his first solid offensive showing at the NCAA level.

9 - David Spacek

David Spacek’s rise through the ranks comes as a surprise to many, as the 2022 fifth rounder nearly tripled his point totals from his first North American pro season. Spacek has shown that he can produce from his days in the QMJHL to 2024-25 with the Iowa Wild. Spacek has a high level of energy on the ice, itching to be involved in play and eager to work in the corners. Despite being a little on the smaller end at 6-foot-0, Spacek battles hard in front of the net to establish positioning and engages physically whenever possible. Spacek’s skating is another positive trait, allowing him to join the rush and get back in time to break up the counterattack. One area I would like to see him improve is his first pass under pressure; he tends to throw the puck away to get it out of his end and could benefit from a touch more patience. He projects as a bottom-pairing defenceman who can provide offence while competing hard in his end.

10 - Adam Benak

The hockey world temporarily stood still during the 2024 Hlinka-Gretzky tournament for the 5-foot-8 Czech Forward Adam Benak. Even though his hype tapered off during his season, his year with Youngstown was great, being a point-per-game player. The draw of Benak’s game comes down to his skill and offensive strengths. His creativity in the offensive zone is advanced, especially for a player his size, warranting the chance Minnesota took on him in the fourth round. However, his skating drawbacks and physical limitations with his size are very real and are critical in talking about his NHL viability. We have ranked him as Minnesota’s 10th-best prospect, next to another short-statured, similarly hyped Aron Kiviharju. Brantford took Benak second in the CHL Import Draft and should seriously see some great things from the Czech as he looks to show the hockey world why he was once regarded so highly.

11 - Aron Kiviharju

Injuries and primarily size-related concerns eventually saw the once highly touted U18 star become a fourth-round pick in 2024, but he quickly let GM Bill Guerin know about how astute a pick he had ultimately made. Now Kiviharju has finally gotten in a full season of Liiga play in his DY+1 and also captained the silver medal winning Finnish side at the WJC, averaging just over 21+ minutes of TOI over seven contests. Another season of Liiga play is on dock.

12 - Carson Lambos

With multiple layers of blueline deception, Lambos entered pro play two seasons ago as an agile defender who understands timing, dekes, and how to generate offence. A healthy shot from the point helps. But despite an average of approximately 20 minutes of TOI per night this past winter, his offensive totals only slightly improved. At his best, Lambos shows the patience to make a positive impact. Although clearly knocking on the door, Lambos faces solid organizational competition.

13 - Rasmus Kumpulainen

Kumpulainen’s size/skill package had him looking like an exciting prospect in his draft year, especially after he put in a solid POINT-PER-GAME U18 Worlds performance. He followed that up with a good, but not great, season of OHL play with the Oshawa Generals. Having signed his ELC, the crafty puck-protector was then loaned to Liiga outfit Lahti this past season and experienced his fair share of struggles, also seen in his yeoman WJC. Crucial year ahead to get back on track.

14 - Justin Kipkie

It’s not that often nowadays that unsigned draftees get re-drafted, but Minnesota decided not to let Arizona-drafted Kipkie slip through to free agency this past summer, selecting him in the fifth round after a big offensive campaign (including 13 points in 11 playoff games) as the captain of the Victoria Royals. There’s some irony in his Arizona connection because Kipkie is now taking his wares to Arizona State University, where he’ll look like the elder statesman on a very young blueline.

15 - Aaron Pionk

Pionk’s older brother Neal is already a well-paid blueline star for the Winnipeg Jets. Unlike his older brother, Aaron has actually been drafted. Already an exceptional high school and then USHL player, the younger Pionk is coming off a sophomore season of college hockey that saw him best his solid freshman performance by six points and +10 +/- improvement. In addition to sound two-way ability, Pionk excels in closing gaps and stopping opponents off the rush. Will he build on that this season?

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #7 Minnesota Wild – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

Sat, 31 May 2025 12:29:49 +0000

Minnesota Wild forward Liam Ohgren (28) (Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire)

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Minnesota 25 Prospects

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – MINNESOTA WILD – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #8

Introduction - Dave Hall, Profiles - Derek Neumeier — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 13:00:05 +0000

Prospect System Ranking – 8th (Previous Rank - 5th)
GM: Bill Guerin Hired: August 2019
COACH: John Hynes Hired: November 2023

The Minnesota Wild are saddled with nearly $15 million in dead cap space due to the buyouts of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. This financial squeeze only intensifies the need for young, affordable talent to step up.

Despite holding McKeen’s eighth-ranked prospect system, there are limited names ready to make an immediate NHL impact. Marat Khusnutdinov (ranked 99th) is one of the few exceptions, having come over from the KHL and suited up for 16 games in Minnesota last season. Liam Öhgren (98th) also grabbed two points in four NHL games but will likely spend more time in Iowa before securing a full-time spot.

All eyes are on Jesper Wallstedt, the 11th-ranked McKeen’s prospect overall and the second-rated goaltender. Having spent two years in the AHL, Wallstedt will likely remain in Iowa for another season, with Marc-André Fleury signing a one-year extension. But make no mistake about it, Wallstedt is the future between the pipes at the Xcel Energy Centre.

The Wild were fortunate to land one of the more intriguing defensive prospects in the 2024 NHL Draft when Zeev Buium (ranked 25th) fell to them at 12th overall. Despite being projected as a top 10 pick by most, Buium slipped and instantly became Minnesota’s top defensive prospect. Coming off a stellar freshman season at the University of Denver, which included accolades such as NCAA (NCHC) Best Offensive Defenceman and a U20 WJC Gold Medal, expectations are sky-high in his sophomore year. The hope is that he signs his pro papers by season’s end.

Meanwhile, Danila Yurov (36th) continues to develop well in the KHL. Coming off a historic season, he posted 49 points in 62 games to mark the best season for a second-year player in KHL history. Expected to return to Metallurg Magnitogorsk to defend his championship, Yurov should provide a significant talent boost for the Wild if he makes the jump to North America after the 2024-25 season.

Although the Wild may lack youthful talent ready to make the leap, their core group of young players is already well established. Led by 27-year-old Kirill Kaprizov, the team features youngsters like Matt Boldy (23), Marco Rossi (22), and the recently extended Brock Faber (21), they will hold down the fort until the list of reinforcements are ready to make the jump.

Minnesota Wild Top-15 Prospects

1. Jesper Wallstedt

With the Wild re-upping Marc-Andre Fleury for one final, farewell season it looks likely that Wallstedt will be heading back to the AHL for his third tour of duty there. And really, that’s probably for the best. His game is steadily progressing down there, he’s going to get the lion’s share of the starts for Iowa once again, and the NHL can be utterly vicious to young goalies if they’re not absolutely, completely ready to face it. Wallstedt sure does seem like he’s close to being ready, though. The group of skaters in front of him throughout 2023-24 wasn’t very good, and the club easily could have sunk near the bottom of the league standings if it wasn’t for their star young netminder and team MVP keeping them afloat. Much like many of the world’s best goalies, his large frame, tight technique, and unflappable mindset help him make stopping pucks look simple.

2. Zeev Buium

The top of the 2024 draft was so crowded that Buium easily could have been selected a lot higher than he was, and some other teams surely would have done so if they were the ones picking, but the Wild certainly aren't complaining about how that worked out for them. He wrapped up a true dream season for himself right before that, which included winning both a World Junior gold medal as well as an NCAA Frozen Four championship, the latter of which occurred alongside his older brother, Detroit prospect Shai. His game revolves around doing everything at a high pace, and he's masterfully methodical and precise with how he drives the puck through zones and opens things up offensively. He doesn't quite have the skating of Quinn Hughes or the offensive vision of Adam Fox, but the best-case scenario for him would be to become something of a blend of the two.

3. Danila Yurov

Yurov has finally started to get the ice time in the KHL that he so clearly deserved, and lo and behold, the results so far have been magnificent. He led his entire Magnitogorsk Metallurg team in scoring during the regular season, and not content to stop there, he continued to play a key role for the club as they romped through the playoffs and captured the league championship. There are few forwards out there who can boast having a bag of tricks as deep as his, with smooth hands that can drive possession with care and then extend it through mazes of sticks and skates. The Wild must be thrilled by his progression, because they want to be more competitive as soon as possible, and Yurov, achieving professional success already, might be able to make an impact in the NHL immediately, whenever he crosses the pond.

4. Riley Heidt

The Wild were able to wait all the way until 64th overall in the 2023 draft to pick Heidt, and the organization must still be outright thrilled by that stroke of good fortune, especially with the work he’s done dragging the Cougars from the WHL basement up to being one of the best teams in the league. He's a monstrous offensive threat and point producer, thanks primarily to his exceptional hockey sense and playmaking ability. He's also intensely focused, biding his time patiently to read the play and pick his spots before striking with surgical precision. There's a certain aura about him offensively, where he always seems to be in control and a step or two ahead of his victims. He's also making a lot of necessary progress with his off-puck engagement and resiliency. Prior worries about his ability to translate his game to the NHL level are starting to fall away quickly.

5. Liam Öhgren

Ohgren has had to fight through two straight injury-plagued seasons, so it was a nice gesture when Minnesota called him up late in the year after they were eliminated from the playoffs. And then he returned the favour by scoring his first career NHL goal, which probably felt great for both parties. He is a stocky bulldog of a forward who is great at driving pucks into high-danger areas, and then he also has an aptitude for getting them across the goal in ways both dirty and clean. How he plays takes its toll on his body, but the results speak for themselves. He’s also a born leader who has worn a letter on multiple Tre Kronor sweaters, which he could very likely do again at some point in the future, and his trophy case is already occupied by a number of differently coloured medals.

6. Marat Khusnutdinov

Khusnutdinov had a rather muted opening trial with the Wild, but the franchise is hoping that him getting his feet wet this spring will be a valuable stepping stone that will make him just that much better in the fall when he embarks upon his first full campaign in North America. Make no mistake, though, he showed some flashes of the razzle-dazzle that he was well-known for over in Russia. He can be truly electrifying with how he flies through the neutral zone with the puck on his stick, and once he gets more accustomed to the smaller ice surface of the NHL, he should be able to resume doing this as a regular occurrence. How well will he be able to handle the physical grind of an 82-game season? That’s the big question, and the answer will heavily influence how much value he brings.

7. Ryder Ritchie

Ritchie must feel glad to be done with 2023-24, which was a season riddled with injury issues, inconsistency, and bad puck luck while playing for a bad Raiders team. At least he was able to end his playing time on a high note, walking away with a gold medal from the U18s as a member of the Canadian squad, while scoring at a point-per-game clip. He had entered his draft year as one of the top prospects to watch after a stellar rookie season and impressive showing at the 2023 Hlinka tournament, where he also won a gold medal for Canada, so Minnesota is betting that he can rekindle more of his previous fire moving forward. He's a slippery, skilled winger who loves to attack and can single-handedly create scoring looks for himself or his teammates, while also having a lot of smarts and commitment for his defensive duties.

8. Carson Lambos

Are there any other prospects out there whose stock has fallen as much as Lambos’s has in recent years? Once considered a possible Top 10 pick in the 2021 draft, he ended up sliding down to the 26th selection that year. Things haven’t gone much better since, with stagnated development throughout the remainder of his tenure in the WHL, getting snubbed by Hockey Canada for their 2023 World Juniors roster, and then a wholly pedestrian debut season in the AHL. While he’s certainly not a liability in any of the key areas of the defense position, he doesn’t really excel in any of them either. It’s almost like he’s a player without a clear identity, and that’s always a cause for concern. Luckily for him and for the Wild, there’s still a lot of time left for him to figure things out, and he won’t be rushed along.

9. Daemon Hunt

Hunt is the type of defenceman who has a knack for winning over his coaches, because he seems to always find a way to get the job done, even if it's not always pretty or exciting. If he needs to bear down and defend hard, he can do it. If his team needs a goal and he needs to ramp up the pace, he can do that, too. The best way to describe him might be "low maintenance," and every team needs at least a few guys who fit that description. He’s wise and mature beyond his years, and comes across as someone with natural leadership tendencies, too. It's easy to foresee him repeatedly earning roster spots over more highly-touted peers and grinding out a long and popular NHL career, even if he rarely draws in on a team's top two defensive pairings or becomes any kind of special teams specialist.

10. Charlie Stramel

The 2023-24 season is one that Stramel surely wants to forget. His draft year was strong, strong enough that he got selected 21st overall by the Wild, but he unfortunately followed it up by taking a step backward. His point production slowed down, his overall impact on games waned, his ice time was cut, and he was left off the American roster for the World Juniors despite being included the prior two times. Unsurprisingly, he opted to enter the NCAA transfer portal after it was all said and done, leaving the struggling Wisconsin program for the up-and-coming Michigan State and a reunion with his former coach Adam Nightingale, which might be a career-saving change of scenery for him. There's still enough of a foundation in place for him to eventually become a physical two-way forward in the NHL, but he'll desperately need to find some way to snap out of his funk.

11. Aron Kiviharju

At the start of last season, it would have been unheard of to think that Kiviharju would slide to the 4th round of the draft. However, his progression hit a roadblock, raising questions about his NHL upside. His hockey sense is undeniably great, but for a defenceman of his size, his skating and puck skills might not be as good as they need to be. Many past defenders who resembled him struggled to succeed. Will he be able to buck that trend?

12. Ryan O'Rourke

O’Rourke garnered a lot of fans during his OHL days with his no-nonsense, shutdown brand of defending. The concern that has surfaced, however, is whether his individual tools are good enough to be that kind of player in the pros. He’s not especially big, tough, or athletic, and now he’s much less able to neutralize opponents than he used to be. His character is high and he has experience being a leader, but can those traits help him turn the tide?

13. Hunter Haight

A trade from Barrie to Saginaw in 2022-23 helped provide a short-lived reset for Haight, but overall, he continues to look like a prospect who won't quite live up to his draft status. He plays fast and competes well, but his on-ice impacts and results don't always move the needle as much as they should. At this point it's tricky to envision what kind of role he would fill on an NHL roster.

14. Caeden Bankier

Bankier is a nice find for Minnesota coming out of the 2021 draft, as none of the players in the dozen picks immediately before him or after him are looking as impressive thus far. He protects pucks adeptly with his frame and hands, and he reads the play well enough to get pucks on his stick in offensive situations. There’s NHL potential here as someone who can dress as a checker while also being able to move up the lineup when called upon.

15. Rasmus Kumpulainen

Leaving Finland to go play in the OHL was the best thing for Kumpulainen's career, even though his progression as a player is still moving incrementally. He's a big body who's good at slowing things down and protecting the puck with his reach and strength. Unfortunately, he's a bit of a one-note kind of player. Could he become a 4th-line center who is heavy on the puck down low? Absolutely. Anything more than that, though, is doubtful.

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #5 Minnesota Wild – Organizational Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Player Profiles - Derek Neumeier, Team Overview - Robert Howard — Sun, 09 Jun 2024 11:21:26 +0000

A very disappointing season for the Wild, after two 100-point seasons. It led to a coaching change early in the season but did not result in a playoff berth. GM Bill Guerin’s hands have been largely tied by the salary cap and over $15 million dollars in dead cap space for the Zach Parise and Ryan Suter contracts. Those are reduced to less than $2 million following the 2024-25 season and should provide some welcome oxygen to the organization. It is a big reason why they have not been able to make a big splash in free agency, or at the trade deadline to push this team past the first round of the playoffs. They enter the year with less than $6 million in cap space. Any advancement will likely have to come from within. The core has shown they can do it in the past, and they boast some exceptional young talent in Kirill Kaprizov (27-years old), Joel Eriksson Ek (27) and Matthew Boldy (23).

Marco Rossi (22) graduated to the NHL this season and showed glimpses of his potential, firing 21 goals. Brock Faber (21) emerged as a budding star this season and in the Calder Trophy discussion. 24-year-old Filip Gustavsson struggled in 2023-24 after a promising 2022-23, but not unusual for a young goalie. Marc-Andre Fleury has signed for one more year to ease the pressure on the youngster, while the 9th ranked affiliated prospect on our list, Jesper Wallstedt, continues to develop in the AHL, where he has been excellent. In addition to that core, they boast the fifth best prospect pool among NHL teams, giving them hope for further roster additions. Along with Wallstedt, Danila Yurov ranks 25th by McKeens, after a breakout season in the KHL with 49 points in 62 games. He could have an immediate impact if he decides to come to North America. A deep pool and a strong scouting and development team will look for more gems to emerge from that group.

RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	Acquired	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
1	Jesper Wallstedt	G	21	6-3/215	Iowa (AHL)	`21(20th)	45	22	19	2.70	0.910
2	Danila Yurov	RW	19	6-1/175	Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)	`22(24th)	62	21	28	49	35
3	Riley Heidt	C	19	5-10/180	Prince George (WHL)	`23(64th)	66	37	80	117	42
4	Liam Ohgren	LW	20	6-1/200	Farjestads (SHL)	`22(19th)	26	12	7	19	12
					Minnesota (NHL)	`22(19th)	4	1	1	2	0
5	Marat Khusnutdinov	C	21	5-11/175	SKA St. Petersburg-HK Sochi (KHL)	`20(37th)	55	6	14	20	10
					Minnesota (NHL)	`20(37th)	16	1	3	4	6
6	Carson Lambos	D	21	6-1/200	Iowa (AHL)	`21(26th)	69	4	10	14	64
7	Ryan O'Rourke	D	21	6-0/180	Iowa (AHL)	`20(39th)	70	3	9	12	62
8	Charlie Stramel	C	19	6-3/215	Wisconsin (B1G)	`23(21st)	34	3	5	8	20
9	Caedan Bankier	C	21	6-2/190	Iowa (AHL)	`21(86th)	51	13	10	23	22
10	Daemon Hunt	D	21	6-0/200	Iowa (AHL)	`20(65th)	51	3	26	29	29
				6-0/200	Minnesota (NHL)	`20(65th)	12	0	1	1	0
11	Rasmus Kumpulainen	C	18	6-2/190	Oshawa (OHL)	`23(53rd)	58	28	28	56	48
12	Samuel Walker	RW	24	5-11/160	Iowa (AHL)	`17(200th)	70	14	31	45	24
13	Adam Beckman	LW	22	6-1/170	Iowa (AHL)	`19(75th)	51	19	14	33	24
				6-1/170	Minnesota (NHL)	`19(75th)	11	0	2	2	12
14	Vladislav Firstov	LW	22	6-1/185	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	`19(42nd)	67	17	18	35	68
15	Hunter Haight	C	20	5-10/175	Saginaw (OHL)	`22(47th)	68	25	42	67	28

1. Jesper Wallstedt, G, Iowa Wild (AHL)

With the Wild re-upping Marc-Andre Fleury for one final, farewell season it looks likely that Wallstedt will be heading back to the AHL for his third tour of duty there. And really, that’s probably for the best. His game is steadily progressing down there, he’s going to get the lion’s share of the starts for Iowa once again, and the NHL can be utterly vicious to young goalies if they’re not absolutely, completely ready to face it. Wallstedt sure does seem like he’s close to being ready, though. The group of skaters in front of him throughout 2023-24 wasn’t very good, and the club easily could have sunk near the bottom of the league standings if it wasn’t for their star young netminder and team MVP keeping them afloat. Much like many of the world’s best goalies, his large frame, tight technique and unflappable mindset help him make stopping pucks look simple.

2. Danila Yurov, RW, Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)

3. Riley Heidt, C, Prince George Cougars (WHL)

The Wild were able to wait all the way to 64th overall in the 2023 draft to pick Heidt, and the organization must still be outright thrilled by that stroke of good fortune, especially with the work he’s done dragging the Cougars from the WHL basement up to being one of the best teams in the league. He's a monstrous offensive threat and point producer, thanks primarily to his exceptional hockey sense and playmaking ability. He's also intensely focused, biding his time patiently to read the play and pick his spots before striking with surgical precision. There's a certain aura about him offensively, where he always seems to be in control and a step or two ahead of his victims. He's also making a lot of necessary progress with his off-puck engagement and resiliency. Prior worries about his ability to translate his game to the NHL level are starting to fall away quickly.

4. Liam Ohgren, LW, Farjestad BK (SHL)

Ohgren has had to fight through two straight injury-plagued seasons, so it was a nice gesture when Minnesota called him up late in the year after they were eliminated from the playoffs. And then he returned the favour by scoring his first career NHL goal, which probably felt great for both parties. He is a stocky, bulldog of a forward who is great at driving pucks into high-danger areas, and then he also has an aptitude for getting them across the goal in ways both dirty and clean. How he plays takes its toll on his body, but the results speak for themselves. He’s also a born leader who has worn a letter on multiple Tre Kronor sweaters, which he could very likely do again at some point in the future, and his trophy case is already occupied by a number of differently coloured medals.

5. Marat Khusnutdinov, C, HK Sochi (KHL)

Khusnutdinov had a rather muted opening trial with the Wild, but the franchise is hoping that him getting his feet wet this spring will be a valuable steppingstone that will make him just that much better in the fall when he embarks upon his first full campaign in North America. Make no mistake, though, he did show some flashes of the razzle-dazzle that he became well-known for over in Russia. He can be truly electrifying with how he flies through the neutral zone with the puck on his stick, and once he gets more accustomed to the smaller ice surface of the NHL he should be able to resume doing this as a regular occurrence. But how well will he be able to handle the physical grind of an 82-game season? That’s the big question, and the answer will heavily influence how much value he brings.

6. Carson Lambos, D, Iowa Wild (AHL)

Are there any other prospects out there whose stock has fallen as much as Lambos has in recent years? Once considered a possible Top 10 pick in the 2021 draft, he ended up sliding down to the 26th selection that year. Things haven’t gone much better since, with stagnated development throughout the remainder of his tenure in the WHL, getting snubbed by Hockey Canada for their 2023 World Juniors roster, and then a wholly pedestrian debut season in the AHL. While he’s certainly not a liability in any of the key areas of the defense position, he doesn’t really excel in any of them either. It’s almost like he’s a player without a clear identity, and that’s always a cause for concern. Luckily for him and for the Wild, there’s still a lot of time left for him to figure things out, and he won’t be rushed along.

7. Ryan O'Rourke, D, Iowa Wild (AHL)

O’Rourke garnered a lot of fans and admirers during his OHL days with his old school, no-nonsense, shutdown brand of defending. The concern about him that is starting to nag now, however, is whether his individual tools are actually good enough to be that kind of player effectively at the professional level. He’s not the biggest of guys, or the toughest of guys, or the most athletic of guys, and now he’s finding himself unable to neutralize opposing forwards like he used to before. There are still things to like about him, though. His character rates highly, his shot is heavy, and he has a lot of experience being a leader. Him becoming an NHLer in the future is far from certain, and if he does carve out a roster spot it will most likely be as a bottom-pair defenseman and secondary penalty killer.

8. Charlie Stramel, C, University of Wisconsin (NCAA)

9. Caedan Bankier, C, Iowa Wild (AHL)

Bankier is shaping up to be a very nice find for Minnesota coming out of the 2021 draft, as none of the players in the dozen picks immediately before him or the dozen immediately after him are as valuable as prospects as of this point in time. You can really tell just how great of a job the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers did nurturing his development during his time with them. He protects pucks very adeptly with his frame and smooth hands, and he reads the play well enough to consistently get the puck on his stick in prime offensive situations. He knows how to score points within a tight system. His odds of having a long NHL career are pretty good, because he should be able to hold his own in a checking role while also being able to chip in points and move up the lineup when called upon.

10. Daemon Hunt, D, Iowa Wild (AHL)

Hunt is the type of defenseman who has a knack for winning over his coaches, because he seems to always find a way to get the job done, even if it's not always pretty or exciting. If he needs to bear down and defend hard, he can do it. If his team needs a goal and he needs to ramp up the pace, he can do that too. The best way to describe him might be "low maintenance," and every team needs at least some guys who fit that description. He’s wise and mature beyond his years, and comes across as someone with natural leadership tendencies, too. It's easy to foresee him repeatedly earning roster spots over more highly touted peers and grinding out a long and popular NHL career, even if he rarely draws in on a team's top two defense pairings or becomes any kind of special teams’ specialist.

PROSPECT CRITERIA: Players under 26 years of age as of 9/15/2024 who have appeared in less than 60 games (30 for goalies) and less than 25 in one season (25 for goalies).

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – MONTREAL CANADIENS – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #11

Brock Otten, Derek Neumeier, Chapin Landvogt and Josh Bell — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 16:00:12 +0000

EDMONTON, ALBERTA - AUGUST 10: Austria's David Reinbacher #5 takes a slapshot against Sweden in Preliminary Round - Group B action at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship at Rogers Place on August 10, 2022 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Top 20 Montreal Canadiens Prospects

1. David Reinbacher - D

Going 5th overall in this summer’s draft, a world of new expectations has been mounted upon the shoulders of the young Austrian defender who wasn’t even thought of as a surefire second rounder as late as the summer of 2022. This catapulting up the ranks automatically brings along unexpected pressures with it, each now compounded by his being diagnosed with Osgood-Schlatter disease, which brings about cartilage and bone fragmentations in the knees. It is fully expected that the medical faculty will be able to get the problem under control, but the inherent risk is now only heightened. Nonetheless, Reinbacher is coming off a season for the ages in Switzerland’s top league where he eclipsed the 20-minute ice time mark in 20 of his 49 games on the season and put up an offensive stat- line that ultimately blew away anything seen from an 18-year old defenseman at any point in Switzerland’s top league history. Mark Streit? Roman Josi? They didn’t even come close at that age. Two WJCs and a strong showing at the men’s World Championships topped off a very busy year in which the swift-skating, offensively adept defender wowed the scouting world. He’ll be in Montreal’s main camp, then we find out where he’ll spend the upcoming season.

2. Lane Hutson - D

Standing at 5-10”, 161 pounds, there have been a large number of doubters when it comes to Hutson. This was despite a greater than point-per-game performance with the USNTDP as a defender in his draft year. Skip forward to last season, and what Hutson did as an NCAA freshman is nothing short of remarkable. Scoring the most points for a defender at his age since Brian Leetch (48 in only 38 games), Hutson was named a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. He’s an extremely fun player to watch due to how well he sees the game and how light he is on his feet. He can dance along the blue line or storm up in transition, creating chances in the process. His defensive game seems to have improved from his draft year, with excellent positioning, quick attacks, and an active stick getting in lanes. With the path he’s on, the NHL is just a matter of time.

3. Joshua Roy - RW

Coming into the QMJHL in 2019-20 as the first-overall pick in the QMJHL Draft, there was a ton of excitement around the young forward. He played well in his rookie season, setting the stage for a strong draft year. He was good in that season as well but didn’t take the step forward that was hoped for. Still, the Canadiens bet on him, selecting him 150th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft. He responded with a 119-point season, leading the league in points and getting a nod as a First-Team All-Star. He followed that up with another dominant QMJHL season last year. Roy is an excellent possession player, protecting the puck well with quick, creative hands. His small-area game is excellent. He has done very well at adjusting his game in the moment. He seems like a safe bet to be a top nine contributor and is a candidate to make the jump next season.

4. Sean Farrell - C

It’s no longer a question of when Farrell will make the jump to the NHL since the young prospect has already made that jump. After a strong season in the USHL, Farrell slid in the 2020 NHL Draft all the way to the Canadiens' 124th pick. He responded with a 101-point season with the Chicago Steel and being honored as both the USHL and the USA Hockey Junior Player of the Year. He then made the jump to Harvard University, contributing over one point per game as a freshman. Last season he took another big step forward and was named a Hobey Baker Award Finalist. The Habs rewarded him with an NHL contract, and he made the jump to the league. Farrell is smaller at 5- 9”, 174-pounds, but his offensive intelligence shines every time he hits the ice. He’s well on his way to becoming a top six offensive factor.

5. Owen Beck - C

Selected in the 2022 NHL Draft, 33rd overall, Beck is one of the many OHLers the lost their entire 2020-21 season due to the pandemic. He came back in 2021-22 as an OHL rookie and impressed, being named to the Second All-Rookie Team and as the CHL Scholastic Player of the Year. He’s taken another step forward this season, thanks to his drives through the middle of the ice, his blazing speed, and his ability to dictate the pace of play. That resulted in a nod to Team Canada at the 2023 World Juniors where he won a gold medal, as well as an emergency call-up to the NHL where he played one game with the Canadiens. Look for Beck to make the move to the AHL next season as he attempts to carve out a role as a strong 3C in the NHL as someone who can play in any situation.

6. Logan Mailloux - D

There’s an asterisk next to Mailloux’s name as a Canadiens prospect due to comments earlier this year from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. He noted that if and when the team wants to bring him to the NHL, they’ll review the situation. But he did leave the door open for “redemption and rehabilitation” so Mailloux’s future remains to be seen*. The defender is a big body at 6-3”, 212 pounds, who plays an extremely confident game. He’s always ready to carry the puck on his own or jump into the rush. He needs to work on his timing though, as he can get caught taking risks and making poor decisions. He has a very hard shot and isn’t afraid to get physical. If all things work out for Mailloux, he has the potential to be a second-line defender, but this story doesn’t seem to be over just yet.

*The NHL has since opened the door for Mailloux to play.

7. Filip Mesar - C

After selecting Juraj Slafkovsky first overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, the Canadiens continued to look to Slovakia in the first round and nabbed Mesar at 26th overall. The winger already had two seasons of men’s hockey under his belt, playing with HK Poprad in the top-Slovak men’s league. He was immediately signed and came overseas, nearly made the NHL roster, then nearly stuck in the AHL, but ultimately was sent to the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers for the season. He’s a very strong skater who excels at getting off the wall and plays with a high level of confidence. He plays hard and fast, enough to help him succeed in the NHL. He might not be an overly offensive player in the league, but he’ll be a consistent contributor able to impact the game on every shift, likely in a middle-six role. He should jump to the AHL - at least - this season.

8. Riley Kidney - C

Kidney just seems to make consistent forward progress in his development. Ever since making the QMJHL in 2019-20, his stock has been rising, leading to back-to-back 100+ point seasons in the league. As is a theme with Canadiens prospects, they selected him 63rd overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, just before his first 100-point explosion. While he has shown the ability to bury the puck, it’s his playmaking ability that truly stands out, and he displays excellent vision and a knack for creating chances. He continues to get better and better and creates opportunities for himself as well, getting to the middle of the ice regularly. Kidney is strong off the puck as well, a competitor who always looks to get the puck back. He likely fits as a strong, bottom six forward and a candidate to move up when needed. His transition to the next level will be telling to his future ceiling.

9. Adam Engstrom - D

One of the fastest rising prospects in the Montreal system, Engstrom has gone from a third rounder last year to one of the top defensive prospects in a deep prospect pool because of his strong debut in the SHL. He was fantastic for Rogle, an organization with a reputation for developing high end defenders. An intelligent two-way blueliner, Engstrom does so many things well. He starts the breakout well thanks to great instincts and quick feet. He can quarterback the powerplay. He has great defensive awareness and understands how to use his mobility to help him be aggressive in his own zone. So what are the next steps? Engstrom will return to Rogle of the SHL this year and will look to establish himself as one of the top defenders in all of Sweden. Maybe that takes one year, maybe two. Our guess has Montreal looking to bring him over following this season, especially if his positive progression continues.

10. Jakub Dobes - G

Goaltender Dobes had his eyes set on the NHL and moving up in the hockey world, heading overseas from Czechia two years before his draft year, starting early in AAA and high school hockey. He moved up to the NAHL and then USHL, catching the attention of the Canadiens, who drafted him 136th overall in 2020. After one more season in the USHL, he moved to NCAA Ohio State where he stood out as a rookie. With a strong sophomore season under his belt as well, the Canadiens saw enough, signing him to his entry-level deal. He has good size at 6- 4”, 201 pounds, challenges attackers, and tracks the puck with ease. His movement can be a struggle, especially laterally, where he can get caught. Stepping into the pros this season will help to shed some light on how he projects. For now, he likely looks like a depth, AHL goaltender.

11. Jacob Fowler - G

A 2023 draft selection, Fowler’s 2022-23 season could not have gone any better. He was the USHL’s Goaltender of the Year and captured a USHL championship. He should be the immediate starter for a great Boston College team next year and will be focusing on improving his agility and quickness throughout his college career.

12. Oliver Kapanen - C

As you might expect from the nephew of former NHL’er Sami Kapanen, Oliver is a speedy, two-way center with a chance to develop into a solid middle six option for the Canadiens. He is coming off his best season to date in Liiga and may only need one more year in Finland before making the jump.

13. Emil Heineman - LW

Heineman is a powerful and quick North/South winger with a great shot and scoring touch. He was an immediate impact player at the end of the year for Laval. Hopefully he can keep that going over a full season this year.

14. Mattias Norlinder - D

Norlinder’s development hasn’t exactly gone the way many had anticipated. A strong offensive defender thanks to his excellent mobility and instincts at the point, Norlinder’s had trouble with consistency in the AHL. This is likely a big year for his development.

15. Jan Mysak - C

After a solid few years in the OHL, it feels like Mysak was really hurt by the Covid situation as his development stalled during that difficult 2020-21 season. His first true pro season last year wasn’t great; he needs to find a way to play between the hash marks like he did in the OHL. It’s still too early to give up on the former second rounder.

16. Cayden Primeau - G

It would appear that Montreal has grown tired of Primeau’s inconsistent play at the AHL level and his inability to truly take that next step forward, as they signed Dobes and drafted a few netminders this year. The former top prospect will need to pass through waivers to be sent down so he will need a huge camp to win back admiration.

17. Jayden Struble - D

Even though his offensive game never developed in college (with Northeastern) the way many thought it might, Struble still offers value as a potential defensive defender thanks to his athleticism and physicality. He will play his first pro year with Laval this season.

18. William Trudeau - D

Trudeau, an intelligent two-way defender and puck mover, had a terrific rookie year with Laval last season and really opened some eyes in the organization. If he can continue to improve his skating, he could be an option for the Canadiens in the near future.

19. Xavier Simoneau - C

The odds are stacked against the diminutive pivot, but don’t completely count him out. The talented playmaker has that feisty demeanour and the speed you look for from smaller players. He showed a lot of promise in his first pro season with Laval.

20. Vinzenz Rohrer - C

A feisty and versatile forward, Rohrer can slide up and down the lineup due to his consistent effort and energy. He made a shocking choice to leave the Ottawa 67’s of the OHL for the Swiss men’s league for this upcoming season and it will be interesting to see how he performs at a pro level.

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – MINNESOTA WILD – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #8

Brock Otten, Derek Neumeier, Chapin Landvogt and Josh Bell — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 11:27:30 +0000

Jesper Wallstedt.

Top 20 Minnesota Wild Prospects

1. Jesper Wallstedt - C

Wallstedt has all the tools necessary to become a premier starting goaltender in the NHL, and it's only a matter of time until that potential turns into reality. The Iowa Wild were careful with his workload last season, having him split net duties with veteran Zane McIntyre, but the stoic Swede is no stranger to pressure and probably could have handled more responsibility without even breaking a sweat, despite his young age and it being his first season outside of Sweden. He oozes composure and is well beyond his years in terms of technique and ability to read the play. The phrase “work smarter, not harder” fits him like a glove, as he never seems to scramble or panic, and makes a lot of stops look easy, simply by being in the exact position he needs to be in and letting his form and natural size do the work.

2. Marco Rossi - C

Rossi being robbed of an entire year of hockey due to Covid-related illness at one of the most pivotal times of his development is an utter tragedy. He made a laughingstock of opposing OHL teams in his final season in Ottawa and seemed primed and ready to keep that momentum going. However, anyone who is familiar with him knows that his drive to improve is nearly unparalleled and that if he really wants to become one of the best players in the world (and he does), then it's going to happen eventually. Don't read too much into him coming up short in his first attempt to jump to the NHL. He's almost impossible to strip the puck from, which is a rarity for a player his size, and good luck stopping him from sending it where he wants it to go. Minnesota will pry the door wide open for Rossi this season.

3. Danila Yurov - RW

Yurov was a major wildcard in his draft year, being viewed by some scouts as a possible top 10 talent, while also being viewed with scepticism by others due to the quality of development he was receiving in Russia. After two years of splitting time equally between the junior MHL and the professional KHL he spent the vast majority of his 2022-23 season playing in one of the best leagues in the world, albeit with modest results in terms of offensive production. The bad news is that his ice time was lacking, averaging well below 10 minutes per game. Yurov has the potential to become a well-rounded top six scorer and play-driver at the NHL level, with high-end puck skills, shooting talent, and defence-unravelling processing, but his current developmental situation is raising genuine concerns that his growth will remain stunted until he leaves his homeland.

4. Liam Ohgren - LW

Öhgren's 2021-22 season was a tale of two draft years: he absolutely torched Sweden's top junior league to the tune of 33 goals and 25 assists in just 25 games but managed only a meagre one goal and one assist in 25 appearances in the SHL. This statistical discrepancy led to some questions about how translatable his scoring ability is to the professional level. And while the HockeyAllsvenskan is not on the same level as the SHL, he is nevertheless showing how scalable his game can be. He uses his strength and sturdy frame to fight through checks and win positioning in prime areas and has the shot mechanics and scoring touch to fill the back of the net. He isn't the fastest or most elusive forward but knows how to maximize what he does have when attacking off the rush.

5. Brock Faber - D

The Wild had a lot of defensive depth even before Faber's 2022-23 season ended and he signed his entry-level contract, so it speaks volumes that the team insisted on getting him into their lineup before the end of the regular season to better gauge what he can do against NHL competition. He is a local boy through and through, growing up in Maple Grove and then playing his college hockey about a 15-minute drive from the Wild's home arena. And as if that didn't already raise fan expectations enough, he was a star player on one of the best school teams in the country. The good news is that he takes his game to another level under the bright lights. A sublime skater who also thinks as fast as he moves, Faber left an impact in his NHL debut and isn't going to slow down one bit from here.

6. Marat Khusnutdinov - C

It is going to be fascinating to watch how Khusnutdinov transitions to North America and tries to find his way there, whenever he decides to make that leap. On the bigger ice surface in Russia, he is electrifying. His skating is magnificent, his energy never runs out, and his eyes light up every time he gets the chance to touch the puck. There are few prospects who can go for a Globetrotter-like skate through and around opposing players like Khusnutdinov. He is going to have to get a lot more used to getting hit, stick-checked, and angled to the outside once h moves over to play on the smaller ice surfaces in North America. That said, as hard as it is to single-handedly drive possession in that sort of way in the NHL, Khusnutdinov is one of the few rare talents who could actually make it work.

7. Carson Lambos - D

Lambos has spent the past three seasons on a very strong WHL Winnipeg ICE team, and while that might seem like a good thing overall, questions have arisen about whether it might have been a detriment to his individual development in some ways. Once considered one of the best defensemen in the world for his age group, his stock started to fall early in his draft season and hasn't really recovered since. Most notably, he was omitted from Canada's 2023 World Juniors roster despite having represented his country at the tournament in 2022. His game is balanced and doesn't have any glaring weaknesses, however he hasn't turned into a genuine difference-making, impact player like was once expected. The ICE are so talented and so deep that some of their players don't get enough of the stress-testing that often leads to growth. Turning pro could be a rude awakening for Lambos.

8. Adam Beckman - LW

Beckman has had a few cups of coffee in the NHL already, and while they haven't yet led to his first NHL goal or a full-time role, both of those things seem inevitable. He is a north-south, goal-scoring winger who applies a lot of power to both his skating stride and his shots. Allow him to generate a head of steam and some space with the puck and it usually leads to a quality scoring chance, and without the puck he can close on opponents quickly on the forecheck. His game undeniably tilts more to the offensive side than the defensive side, but with his reach and how easily he can cover ground in a straight line he can still be a disruptive force. With the right linemates and the right usage Beckman could become a 20-goal scorer in the NHL at his peak.

9. Riley Heidt - C

A player’s stats never tell his full story, but in Heidt’s case they paint a fairly accurate picture. A split of 25 goals and 72 assists last season showcases his proclivity for playmaking, and 43 of his 97 points coming with the man advantage make it obvious where his offense shines the brightest. He’s the type of player that a coach wants to have the puck more than any others. He is a true play driver, with a stellar knack for receiving pucks, getting them under his control, keeping them safe under his guard, and then making sure they get where he wants them to go. His head is constantly up and scanning the ice in front of him, and he can handle, pass or shoot the puck without having to redirect his vision. For a smaller forward he plays with a sneaky amount of bite and pestilence. Getting his skating up a notch or two long term is essential, to consistently gain enough separation space to overcome his lack of strength. Despite some limitations with his game, he still projects comfortably as a second-line NHL center and top-unit powerplay specialist.

10. Charlie Stramel - C

While Stramel would not have been our first choice at 21st overall, we understand why the Wild selected him where they did. Even though we had him ranked 61st heading into the draft, we expected him to be a first-round pick. Entering the NCAA as a freshman with a fair amount of prospect hype, his disappointing season with a disappointing Wisconsin program placed a lot of doubt on his upside. Stramel has a big frame at 6- 3” and 215 pounds, and he started to find out how to use that size to his advantage over the course of the season. With his size and strength, he’s extremely difficult to knock off the puck or even off balance. However, consistency was a major issue last year. Will the coaching change to former Minnesota State bench boss Mike Hastings have a profoundly positive effect on his development?

11. Caeden Bankier - C

A big two-way center, Bankier was excellent in the WHL last year, emerging as one of the top pivots in the league. He looks on track to become a quality middle six option for Minnesota in the future and will turn pro this year.

12. Rasmus Kumpulainen - C

The Wild’s second round pick in 2023, Kumpulainen is a rangy pivot with a penchant for driving the net and playing a power game down low. Recently drafted by Oshawa in the CHL Import Draft, there will be a push to get him there to continue his development. The OHL would be a great place for him to focus on improving his skating.

13. Ryan O’Rourke - D

Thus far, O’Rourke’s offensive game hasn’t translated to the pro level, but he remains a solid prospect because of his defensive acumen. A staunch, physical defender, he should become a serviceable #4-6 for Minnesota if he can continue to improve his skating.

14. Samuel Walker - C

Walker, an undersized scoring forward, was signed by Minnesota after the Lightning failed to come to an agreement with him following his senior year at the University of Minnesota. He is coming off a terrific first year in the AHL with Iowa, even getting into some games for the Wild.

15. Jack Peart - D

A strong two-way defender, Peart had a very good sophomore year at St. Cloud State and he has a chance to be one of the better defenders in the NCAA this year if he continues to progress.

16. Hunter Haight - C

Haight’s game really took off following a trade to Saginaw this year and he will look to be a huge piece of their Memorial Cup push this season. The key for Haight is maintaining his physical intensity. He is at his best when he brings a physical element to match his skill.

17. Daemon Hunt - D

Hunt is a similar player to O’Rourke in the sense that his offensive abilities aren’t likely to translate to the pro level, making him more of a mobile, stay-at-home type. The two are likely on a similar timeline and will be battling for a depth spot soon.

18. Vladislav Firstov - LW

Firstov, a big power winger, left UConn to play in the KHL last season. That move was a good one for his development as he was one of the top rookies in the league. He will now return to North America to play in the AHL this year and expectations are high.

19. Mikey Milne - LW

A relentless competitor and a winger with a unrelenting motor, Milne knows exactly what he is and what he can be for the Wild in the future. He’s not going to be a top six option, but if his offensive game continues to develop, he could end up being a great bottom six forward and penalty killer.

20. David Spacek - D

Spacek is coming off a great season that saw him continue his high level of play in the QMJHL, while also helping Czechia to a Silver medal at the WJC as one of the tournament’s best defenders. He is now focusing his attention on turning pro in the AHL and the key will be improving his footwork and mobility.

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #4 Minnesota Wild

Derek Neumeier — Thu, 25 May 2023 17:49:22 +0000

The Wild have put together back-to-back 100 points plus seasons. 113 points in 2021-22, good for fifth in the league, falling back slightly to 103 points and 11^th last season. They are currently built around three critical young pieces, superstar 26-year-old Kirill Kaprizov, Matthew Boldy (22) and Joel Eriksson Ek (26). Goaltender Filip Gustavsson emerged last season as a future star at 24-years-old. In the system, they have another outstanding prospect, ranked as the first goaltender overall by McKeen’s, in Jesper Wallstedt. Both have the ability to emerge as a strong number one in net.

GM Bill Guerin was appointed in August 2020 and has overseen the last two drafts. To date, he has held onto his picks and added through trade. He made four first-round picks in those two drafts netting Liam Ohgren (#19), Danila Yurov (#24) and Carson Lambos (#26) along with Wallstedt (#20). He has made 12 picks in the first four rounds over two years, replenishing an already strong prospect system. He has added at the deadline to improve playoff chances, but they have not been large swings but mainly depth adds, apart from Marc-Andre Fleury last year for a second. Nor has he been particularly active in free agency. Marco Rossi joins Wallstedt ranked with our top 20 prospects, at #16, and should make the leap to the NHL next season with a wide-open opportunity. Guerin’s caution to date will likely hold as he sees how this strong system progresses next season. They are not far away from competing for Stanley Cups, and if he sees things lining up, he has the cards to play.

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 06: Minnesota Wild center Marco Rossi (23) skates with the puck during the NHL game between Minnesota Wild and Boston Bruins on January 6, 2022, at TD Garden in Boston, MA. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire)

Jesper Wallstedt

Wallstedt has all the tools necessary to become a premier starting goaltender in the NHL, and it's only a matter of time until that potential turns into reality. The Iowa Wild were careful with his workload this season, making him split net duties with veteran Zane McIntyre, but the stoic Swede is no stranger to pressure and probably could have handled more responsibility without even breaking a sweat, despite his young age and it being his first season outside of Sweden. He oozes composure and is well beyond his years in terms of technique and reading the play. The phrase “work smarter, not harder” fits him like a glove, as he never seems to scramble or panic, and makes a lot of stops look easy simply from being in the exact position he needs to be in and letting his form and natural size do the work.

2. Marco Rossi

Rossi being robbed of an entire year of hockey at one of the most pivotal times of his development is an utter tragedy. He made a laughingstock of opposing OHL teams in his final season in Ottawa and seemed primed and ready to keep that momentum going. However, anyone who is familiar with him knows that his drive to improve is nearly unparalleled, and that if he really wants to become one of the best players in the world (and he does), then it's going to happen eventually. Don't read too much into him coming up short in his first attempt to jump to the NHL. He's almost impossible to strip the puck from, which is a rarity for a player his size, and good luck stopping him from sending it where he wants it to go. Minnesota will pry the door wide open for Rossi next season.

3. Danila Yurov

Yurov was a major wildcard in his draft year, being viewed by some scouts as a possible top 10 talent, while being viewed with skepticism by others due to the quality of development he was receiving in Russia. After two years of splitting time equally between the junior MHL and the professional KHL he spent the vast majority of his 2022-23 season playing in one of the best leagues in the world, with modest results in terms of points. The bad news is that his ice time was lacking, averaging well below 10 minutes per game. Yurov has the potential to become a well-rounded top six scorer and play-driver at the NHL level, with high-end puck skills, shooting talent and defense-unravelling processing, but his current developmental situation is raising genuine concerns that he is growing as much as he could and should be.

4. Liam Ohgren

Öhgren's 2021-22 season was a tale of two draft years: he absolutely torched Sweden's top junior league to the tune of 33 goals and 25 assists in just 25 games but managed only a meagre one goal and one assist in 25 appearances in the SHL. This statistical discrepancy led to some questions about how translatable his scoring ability is to the professional level. And while the HockeyAllsvenskan is not on the lame level as the SHL, he is nevertheless showing how scalable his game can be. He uses his strength and sturdy frame to fight through checks and win positioning in prime areas and has the shot mechanics and scoring touch to fill the back of the net. He isn't the fastest or most elusive forward but knows how to maximize what he does have when attacking off the rush.

5. Brock Faber

Minnesota had a lot of defensive depth even before Faber's season ended and he signed his entry-level contract, so it speaks volumes that the team insisted on getting him into their lineup before the end of the regular season to better gauge what he can do against NHL competition. He is a local boy through and through, growing up in Maple Grove and then playing his college hockey about a 15-minute drive from the Wild's home arena. And as if that didn't already raise fan expectations enough, he was a star player on one of the best school teams in the country. The good news is that he uses bright spotlights to take his game to another level. A sublime skater who also thinks as fast as he moves, Faber left an impact in his NHL debut and isn't going to slow down one bit from here.

6. Marat Khusnutdinov

It is going to be absolutely fascinating to watch how Khusnutdinov transitions to North America and tries to find his way there, whenever he decides to make that leap. On the bigger ice surface in Russia, he is electrifying. His skating his magnificent, his energy reserves never run out, and his eyes light up every time he gets the chance to touch the puck. There are few prospects who can go for a Globetrotter-like skate through and around opposing players like he can. On smaller ice surfaces, however, he is going to have to get a lot more used to getting hit, stick-checked, and angled to the outside. That said, as hard as it is to single-handedly drive possession in that sort of way in the NHL, Khusnutdinov is one of the few rare talents who could actually make it work.

7. Carson Lambos

Lambos has spent the past two seasons on a very strong Winnipeg team, and while that might seem like a good thing overall, questions have arisen about whether it might have been a detriment to his individual development in some ways. Once considered one of the best defensemen in the world for his age group, his stock started to fall early in his draft season and hasn't really recovered since. Most notably, he was omitted from Canada's 2023 World Juniors roster despite being there in 2022. His game is balanced and doesn't have any glaring weaknesses; however, he hasn't turned into a genuine difference-making, impact player like was once expected. The Ice are so talented and so deep that some of their players don't get enough of the stress-testing that often leads to growth. Turning pro could be a rude awakening for Lambos.

8. Adam Beckman

Beckman has had a few cups of coffee in the NHL already, and while they haven't yet led to his first NHL goal or a full-time role, both of those things do seem inevitable. He is a north-south, goal-scoring winger who applies a lot of power to both his skating stride and his shots. Allow him to generate a head of steam and some space with the puck and it usually leads to a quality scoring chance, and without the puck he can close on opponents quickly on the forecheck. His game undeniably tilts more to the offensive side than the defensive side, but with his reach and how easily he can cover ground in a straight line he can still be a disruptive force. With the right linemates and the right usage Beckman could become a 20-goal scorer in the NHL when he reaches his peak.

9. Caedan Bankier

Bankier took a huge step forward in his development this season and was rewarded with a spot on Canada's World Juniors roster, leaving his very first international tournament with a gold medal around his neck. He could also add a Memorial Cup to his resume this season as a key member of host Kamloop's strong roster. When he has possession of the puck, he is difficult to contain, using his frame, strength and hands to play keep-away, and he is above average at finishing plays as both a playmaker and a shooter. Those strengths have always been there, and he's rounded out his game with improved conditioning, mobility and off-puck play. The overall package is impressive, and further gains in all areas are still possible. Bankier is a very safe bet to make it as an NHLer because he should be able to fit into a variety of different roles.

10. Ryan O'Rourke

There was never any doubt that O'Rourke would find a way to hold his own at the AHL level, especially after a successful junior career that saw him evolve into a steady, sturdy blueliner who was no fun to play against. The real question, though, has always been about just how much NHL upside he possesses. There are some things to really like about his game: his natural leadership, his smarts, his competitive drive. Unfortunately, not he's the most naturally gifted skater or puck handler, and he has less reach than a lot of top defenders who share his strengths. As effective as he is right now, will he be able to shutdown the biggest or the fastest players in the world? At the very least, O'Rourke should become a trustworthy third-pairing defenseman who sets a positive example for his teammates and is low-maintenance for coaches.

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – MINNESOTA WILD – Top 20 Prospects

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 18:44:27 +0000

1 - Marco Rossi C

The last two years have not been easy for Marco Rossi, the ninth overall pick by Minnesota in 2020. For those unaware, he missed nearly all of the 2020-21 season due to Covid-19 complications. For the average person, this would be quite the setback. However, Rossi is a notoriously hard worker and gym rat and he worked hard to get himself back for the start of last season. It was a highly successful one for him too, as he led the Iowa Wild in scoring and even earned a cup of coffee with Minnesota: quite the remarkable bounce back. The Austrian pivot is a tremendous playmaker. His vision and passing precision may be among the best of any player currently outside of the NHL. He may not be huge, but he is also as strong as an ox, allowing Rossi to control the wall and the puck in open ice. He is so difficult to separate from the puck. He is also a strong two-way presence who brings physical intensity and a hunger for the puck on every shift. If his development goes well, Rossi could easily find himself a candidate for the Selke Trophy at some point during his career. One of the only things missing from his game at a younger age are explosiveness and first step quickness. An average skater, Rossi will need to continue to improve in this department to unlock his full potential. The Wild will be forced to make a tough decision this coming season. It is very likely he will push hard for a spot on the Wild’s main roster; however, Minnesota’s forward depth is very strong right now. They could use Rossi in a fourth line center role and ease him in, using him on the penalty kill and higher in the lineup pending injuries, or they could return him to Iowa so that he can play first line minutes again. Either way, he is not far from making an impact at the NHL level. - BO

2 - Jesper Wallstedt G

The 20^th overall selection in the 2021 NHL draft by the Minnesota Wild, Wallstedt fell on draft day from where many in the public eye thought he was supposed to go. It is fairly hard to evaluate young goaltenders as most are wild cards, but Wallstedt has been a special talent for a long time and continues to prove why. In his draft eligible year, he did something that no other draft eligible goalie has ever done, which was play his entire 18-year-old season as the starting goaltender in the SHL. Not only did Wallstedt start, but he performed surprisingly well, finishing the year with 12 wins, a 2.23 GAA and a .908 SV% in 22 games on a poor Luleå team. He may not be the biggest goalie prospect but at 6’3” he is not small. For his age, he never seems to lose his composure even when faced with pressure. He tracks shots extremely well from all angles and has strong rebound control, rarely allowing a second shot on net. Wallstedt built on his draft eligible season by improving his numbers this past season, producing 12 wins, a 1.98 GAA and a .918 SV% over 22 games. He also recently played for Sweden in the August World Juniors, where he dominated the field, putting up a 1.62 GAA and a .940 SV% on route to help Sweden capture bronze. He was also named best goaltender in the entire tournament. Wallstedt signed his entry level contract with the Wild and is expected to transition to North America and start the year in the AHL playing for the Iowa Wild. Time will tell, but Wallstedt seems like a generational goalie and someone who folks will wonder how he ever fell to the 20^th pick in his draft year. - ZS

3 - Danila Yurov RW

One of the biggest surprises of the 2022 draft was Yurov lasting as long as the 24^th pick. Even taking the new Russian factor into consideration, a player who was considered a Top 10 talent and has been a consistent performer all season long, falling that much just doesn’t make sense, although Wild fans and management are happy to take advantage of the situation. Yurov has complete player potential, as he demonstrates potential greatness in every area of his game, giving him clear top six upside. One of the internal jokes between the draft analysts was his usage in the KHL last season, as he barely got any ice time there at all despite his number of games there being solid on paper, yet he was mostly dressed as the 13^th forward there. The good news is that, according to his coaches’ comments and as seen in preseason games, it is expected that he will get a full-time role on the KHL team next season. It should also be mentioned that Yurov is in the final year of his KHL contract, although it is not out of the question that he would sign an extension. The quality of opportunity provided to him will likely play an outsized role in how much longer Yurov stays in Russia. - VF

4 - Brock Faber D

Brock Faber may have been selected in the second round of the 2020 NHL draft, but it’s difficult to imagine that he’d fall that far if the draft was re-done today. Faber, half of the Wild’s return package as part of the Kevin Fiala trade, has been a treat to watch at Minnesota, doing just about everything a coach could want a shutdown defenseman to do. Faber has been a minutes-eating defenseman for the Golden Gophers, operating in any sort of high-leverage situation his team might find themselves in. The safety that’s present in Faber’s game works to his advantage. When play is at its most hectic, Faber has this way of calming things down and stabilizing his team’s defensive effort. Faber is a goalie’s best friend, and he also should be able to handle a role as an anchor for a more aggressive offensive defenseman who has defensive deficiencies. Albeit very rare, there are some defensemen who are never great scorers at lower levels only to unlock a new level of production as professionals. Faber could be one of those defensemen, likely if he’s paired with offense-first defensemen and therefore placed in more advantageous offensive situations. Faber isn’t enough of an individual creator to rubber-stamp as a potential number-one defenseman, but he looks like as safe of a bet to eventually become a leader in a team’s top-four as any prospect can realistically be. - EH

5 - Liam Ohgren LW

Ohgren was selected 19^th overall by the Minnesota Wild in the most recent NHL draft. He had a dominant draft year in the J20 league playing for Djurgårdens. Statistically, Ohgren put up one of the strongest DY numbers in the J20 league, with 33 goals and 58 points in only 30 games. He also spent some time in the SHL for Djurgårdens, producing 2 points in 25 games in a limited role. Internationally is where Ohgren really stood out. In the April U18 tournament, he was named captain and led his team to a gold medal finish. He left a statement on that tournament with 9 points in 6 games, topped off with 2 goals – including the game winner - and an assist in the gold medal game. Ohgren is balanced offensively, having both power and finesse. He generates power and speed with a quick release which often catches goaltenders off guard. Standing at 6’1”, 200 pounds, he uses his size to protect the puck nicely. The next step needed to elevate his game is to work on the first step in his skating stride. If he can elevate the speed he generates on his skating stride, Ohgren will have plenty of success in the NHL. He should play for Djurgårdens this season, mainly with the senior team. Hopefully his role in the men’s league (Allsvenskan, as the team was relegated last season) will increase, giving him a larger opportunity to showcase and develop his offensive talent. - ZS

6 - Calen Addison D

Acquired as part of the package in the Jason Zucker to Pittsburgh trade a few years ago, Addison has been a standout in the Wild system thus far since turning pro. His offensive skill set and powerplay quarterbacking abilities have transitioned seamlessly to the pro level and it appears that he has significant potential as a point producer on the back end at the NHL level. An undersized defender, Addison has actually proven that he can defend well as a professional. He never backs down from a physical challenge and has developed into a pretty good open ice hitter. So, what’s stopping him from taking that next step as a permanent NHL player? Minnesota’s depth on the blueline is a team strength, even more so after trading for Jacob Middleton late last season. The reality is that there just isn’t space for Addison right now, unless they want him sitting in the press box, which would not be the best thing for his development. So, like he did last year, he will serve as the team’s top defensive call-up in case of injury. Maybe that means at some point this year he earns a permanent spot. He did get into 15 games last year. However, there is also a possibility that Minnesota uses Addison as a trade chip at some point, as the team has championship aspirations in 2022-23. - BO

7 - Carson Lambos D

After missing almost all of his abbreviated draft year, it was great to see Lambos healthy and playing again in Winnipeg. A near point per game player on the blueline for the Ice, he helped them to a terrific year: although with a disappointing finish after they lost to Edmonton in the Conference finals. Lambos is an excellent athlete. His four-way movement is sound, and he has great quickness, exploding quickly to evade forechecks and start the breakout. He may not be a natural offensive defender; his hands and shot probably grade out as average at the NHL level, however he does have some potential to be a point producer. Due to his combination of size, mobility, and physicality, Lambos’ NHL future may be tied to his defensive development. When he plays aggressively, he can be a difference maker in the defensive end. However, there are moments where his concentration seems to wane and his decision making suffers. There is room for improvement in his defensive zone reads. His difficulty with pace was one of the reasons why he was scratched for the majority of the recent WJC’s in Edmonton. This coming season Lambos will return to Winnipeg where he should be one of the WHL’s top defenders. With a strong year of development at both ends, he could push for a spot on Minnesota’s blueline the following season and projects as a solid second pairing defender. - BO

8 - Ryan O'Rourke D

The 39th overall selection in the 2020 NHL Draft, Ryan O’Rourke has continued to look like a solid pick for the Wild. The former 20th overall selection in the 2018 OHL Draft had a great rookie season, finishing with 22 points (8G,14A) in 62 games. During the 2019-2020 season, O’Rourke was named captain of the Greyhounds and had another great season, finishing with 37 points (7G,30A) in 54 games. In the 2020-2021 season, O’Rourke got the opportunity like some others to play in the AHL, which was an exception made because of the OHL being shutdown. He made the adjustment well and didn’t look out of place, finishing the season with seven points (1G,6A) in 33 games. Getting the experience to play in the AHL as a young defenseman is a great opportunity to grow and O’Rourke definitely did just that. In the 2021-2022 season, O’Rourke made the return to the OHL and had another great season, finishing with 46 points (10G,36A) in 51 games, which was 15th in the league for points by a defenseman and 3rd on the team for assists. O’Rourke’s best assets are his competitiveness and physicality. You know when he’s on the ice because he’s always in the battle for the puck, having a relentless motor that allows him to out-battle any opponent. Not only does he have a motor that never quits, but he also uses great physicality whenever the chance is there, making opponents feel his presences. He’s great at closing gaps in transition and suppressing chances by the net by clearing space well with his body. Going into the 2022-2023 season, O’Rourke will make a return to the AHL and look to continue to be a strong defensive defenseman that can move the puck well. - DK

9 - Marat Khusnutdinov C

Marat Khusnutdinov was selected #37 by the Minnesota Wild in 2020. He has become a more well-rounded player since being selected in the draft. He has also proven to be a team leader, serving as the captain of Russian national teams. And although his production is still below the norm, he hasn't lost his speed advantage over KHL players and has proven, already, to be an excellent role player. Khusnutdinov can be a dynamic offensive player. He has the ability to draw people to him then find that open guy and slide it to him. His hockey IQ is impressive, and he plays a consistent 200-foot game. He is very shifty, always around the puck, battles for every loose puck and needs very little space to make something happen. Khusnutdinov could stand to be better at protecting the puck at full speed and this would allow him to be more of a focal point offensively. Off to a quick start at the KHL level already this season, he will play out both this season and next season under a new contract. After 2023/24, he will have to make a decision on whether to make the jump to Minnesota in an attempt to make the Wild. Given his well-rounded profile, he projects as a middle six center for Minnesota who could potentially play in all situations. - DB

10 - Rieger Lorenz LW

It’s not incredibly common that a player spending his draft season in Canadian Junior A. gets picked in the first two rounds of the NHL draft, but as taking the NCAA becomes more and more of a viable option for Canadian prospects, more picks from leagues such as the AJHL and BCHL will happen. Winger Rieger Lorenz was the 56th overall pick at the 2022 draft, earning his selection there on the backs of an 85-point regular-season campaign with the AJHL’s Okotoks Oilers. The six-foot-two Lorenz looked overqualified for that level. There was little pressure that defenders could apply to Lorenz that Lorenz couldn’t handle. NHL scorers typically must either create space with their skating or their puck protection skills to be impactful offensive players, and at the AJHL level Lorenz was able to create space using both tools. Lorenz protects the puck well in order to give himself space to operate, and he has the edgework to create room with his skating as well. Lorenz will head to the University of Denver next season, and there he will attempt to answer some questions that could keep him from living up to the promise he shows as a second-round pick. Firstly, Lorenz will need to show that his skating is still good enough to separate against top-end college defenders. Secondly, Lorenz will need to improve his play without the puck. He was so dominant at the AJHL level that he simply didn’t need to be a two-way force, as he could have his way offensively more often than not. In the NCAA, Lorenz will face greater tests. He has a chance to become a second or third-line scoring winger at the NHL level if he spends his time at Denver well. - EH

11 - Adam Beckman

There were some ups and downs for the former WHL standout in his first full pro season. His IQ is a major positive, but his skating still needs upgrades before he becomes a consistent offensive threat at the pro level.

12 - Jack Peart

The former second round pick had a strong freshman year at St. Cloud State last season. Creating offense from the backend is his speciality. Even bigger things are expected of him as a sophomore.

13 - Daemon Hunt

If Hunt could only stay healthy. When he’s played, Hunt has been a standout at both ends with the mobility, skill, and physicality to be an impactful two-way defender. However, as he enters his first pro season, durability is a concern.

14 - Filip Gustavsson

Acquired for veteran Cam Talbot, the former Senators young netminder will likely serve as Marc Andre Fleury’s backup this year. Jury is still out on whether he has what it takes to be a starter down the line.

15 - Hunter Haight

Thanks to a lost season (due to the pandemic), Haight is a player who struggled with on ice identity as an OHL rookie and draft eligible player last season. He has a lot of intriguing tools, but how they come together remains to be seen.

16 - David Spacek

The son of former NHL defender Jaroslav Spacek, David is an intelligent two-way puck mover who plays in the QMJHL with Sherbrooke. Upgrading his athleticism and mobility is priority number one.

17 - Vladislav Firstov

After a disappointing junior season with UConn, Firstov has turned pro and will join Iowa next year. The big winger is plenty skilled, but consistency remains an issue.

18 - Michael Milne

A 2022 draft selection, Milne looks like a surefire NHL player in some capacity thanks to his speed, tenacity, and improving skill. The Winnipeg Ice standout has options on where to play this coming year, but he should turn pro.

19 - Marshall Warren

Warren will return to Boston College for his senior season after improving each of his first three NCAA seasons. Warren is mobile and moves the puck efficiently. What will his role at the NHL level be without truly dominant qualities at either end?

20 - Mitchell Chaffee

The big winger, formerly of UMass, continues to be a standout at the AHL level since signing as an FA. He was second in goal scoring for Iowa last year. Durability has proven to be a concern, however, as he has had trouble staying healthy and sustaining momentum which would lead to him cracking Minnesota full time.

2022 NHL DRAFT MIDSEASON RANKING: TOP 100 PLAYER PROFILES WITH VIDEO – #61 thru #70

Brock Otten — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:15:57 +0000

In case you missed it, we updated our 2022 NHL Draft rankings recently. You can find that here. Shane Wright still headlines the list but the gap is unquestionably closing as other candidates elevate their play.

With this piece our intention is to briefly introduce you to each of the players that fill out the rest of the Top 100 (ranked 50-100), after previously looking at the Top 50. Below you will find a short summary of their games in addition to a top highlight. In the coming months you will see in-depth scouting reports published by our regional scouts on each of these players (like this one on Shane Wright).

FRISCO, TX USA - APRIL 29: Russia's Sergei Ivanov #29 and Arseni Koromyslov #7 defend during preliminary round action against Germany at the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Comerica Center on April 29, 2021 in Frisco, TX USA. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Arseni Koromyslov - Defense - SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)

A late born ‘03, Koromyslov has long been on the scouting radar since debuting in the MHL at the age of 15. A 6’3, smooth skating defender, Koromyslov has evolved his game to be a more effective defensive player over the last few years, especially when it comes to defending pace and counter attacks. He takes away time and space really well and definitely projects as someone who can make a difference in the defensive end at the NHL level. However, his offensive production has not really taken that next step forward this year despite possessing the hands and creativity to play aggressively and to play deep in the offensive zone. Has his development stagnated? What is the disconnect here? Either way, his combination of mobility and size will be attractive, and all eyes will be on him to close out the year strongly.

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Jack Hughes - Center - Northeastern (NCAA)

The jokes have been fast and furious the last few years regarding Hughes, no relation to the other Hughes family (Jack, Quinn, and Luke) which is quickly becoming hockey royalty. Instead, Jack is the son of Kent Hughes, the newly named general manager of the Montreal Canadiens. This Jack Hughes is a dynamic and intelligent playmaker who is having a solid freshman season at Northeastern. He loves to attack the offensive zone using his mohawk (10 to 2) stride, showing an ability to keep the puck on a string as he moves in and out of traffic. He lacks the strength to be a consistent contributor away from the puck at the NCAA level right now, but he does generally have a high work rate and should improve into more of a well-rounded player as he gains strength. Our ranking of him is definitely lower than some of our contemporaries. The main reason is his reliance on mohawking to generate off the rush, which has not had a strong track record of transitioning well to the NHL (or even AHL) level. Ask Jeremy Bracco (or Antonio Stranges last year).

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Lane Hutson - Defense - USNDP (USHL)

Hutson is viewed in a similar light to his program teammate Tyler Duke. He is not big, but his game is highly efficient. Hutson is a beautiful skater, especially in terms of his ability to build speed out of pivots. This helps him to escape the defensive zone, even under duress. It also helps him quarterback the powerplay effectively and move the puck along the blueline. Our video scouting team absolutely loves Hutson and believes that he has tremendous offensive upside as he gains confidence in his ability to carry the puck and play more aggressively. That said, there are times where he is overwhelmed in the defensive zone. He is a better skater than Duke, but his physical tenacity and his effectiveness in defending the net front is not at the same level. This begs the question, is Hutson limited to being more a specialized defender at the next level who needs to be sheltered? Or is there a definitive top four upside as his defensive game (and body) matures?

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Gavin Hayes - Wing - Flint Firebirds (OHL)

It has been a bit of a rollercoaster year for Hayes thus far. He had a really strong showing at the Hlinka/Gretzky for the U.S., excelling as a physical attacker and generator off the rush. However, when the OHL season started, he found himself buried on the fourth line (or the press box) in Flint. He eventually turned things around and earned more playing time, even getting back on to the top powerplay unit. However, when Flint got Ethan Keppen back from the AHL recently, his ice time was once again reduced. One thing Hayes has had trouble doing this year is blending his physicality/energy with his ability to be a dangerous offensive player. When he has been scoring, he has played a more passive game without the puck. When he has not been scoring, he has been bringing physicality and excelling in all three zones. The merger of the two to be a true difference maker has not yet happened, despite the expectation that it would (and it did at the Hlinka/Gretzky).

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Otto Salin - Defense - HIFK (Fin-Liiga)

Injuries have been a problem for this promising, right shot, offensive defender this season. However, he has returned recently after a long lay-off and is playing on HIFK’s third pair and on the powerplay. A strong skater, Salin can be an impactful puck mover because of how efficiently he is able to start the breakout. His vision is definitely his best asset, and it is rare to find a right shot defender with the kind of mobility and offensive awareness that Salin possesses. There are a few questions, likely because of his lack of playing time this year. The first is, how skilled and creative is Salin? Can he be a powerplay quarterback at the NHL level? The second is, what is Salin’s ceiling as a defensive player? Can he improve his defensive zone play to the point where he would be classified as a strong two-way defender? He will be a player to watch down the stretch as he is finally back to playing again. We should get a better read on his progression by the time the U18’s roll around.

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Hunter Haight - Center - Barrie Colts (OHL)

Haight is one of the best examples of what the year off did to the development of some players in Ontario. He had a terrific summer camp with Hockey Canada, excelling in the U18/U20 blended games. However, his start to his OHL career has been rocky. His inconsistent play has led to another young star, Beau Jelsma, passing him on the team’s depth chart. Haight is still one of the most individually skilled and creative players in this Ontario age group. In fact, he’s actually a pretty well-rounded player too, who shows well on both sides of the puck when he is dialed in. The issue right now stems from a lack of strength, confidence, and the fact that his skating does not look quite as strong as it did as a U16 player. Haight is the ultimate home run swing in the middle rounds because of the upside he possesses. He has not played his best this year, but let’s see how he closes the year and if his game shows development down the stretch.

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Antonin Verreault - Wing - Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)

A highly intelligent and creative playmaker, Verreault has not quite elevated his game the way many expected he would this year. The QMJHL’s rookie of the year last season was arguably one of the best ‘04’s in the CHL last year. Verreault is at his best in the offensive zone. He works in and around traffic with strong small area quickness and agility and is able to prolong possession with his elusiveness. His poise and vision with the puck are strengths as he operates surgically from the outside. Herein lies the issue though. At 5’9, Verreault is not big, and the one criticism of his game is that he does not find success inside as consistently as he needs to. Be it a need to alter his mindset. Be it a need to add strength on the puck. Verreault can be kept to the perimeter. However, he does possess a high upside as an offensive player because of his intelligence and creativity in the offensive end. Our scouts will be looking for him to truly step up and elevate his game with the QMJHL starting back up in order to keep his spot in the Top 75.

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Cameron Lund - Wing/Center - Green Bay Gambles (USHL)

Playing in his first season in the USHL, Lund has been a standout for Green Bay, especially lately. The Northeastern commit is a well-rounded player. He looks strong as a transitional attacker because of his power and puck protection ability. However, he also drives the net hard and plays a power game, looking to use his 6’2 frame physically to gain leverage near the crease and in the corners. It is really easy to see him becoming a quality, long time pro with his versatile skill set. Is the upside significant? Probably not. But as Lund fills out, you could easily see him becoming a really solid two-way player and an asset down low. It should also be mentioned that Lund was one of the U.S.’ best players at the Hlinka/Gretzky last summer, so his progression has been consistent since leaving Cushing Academy.

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Bryce McConnell-Barker - Center/Wing - Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)

McConnell-Barker is a former high pick in the OHL draft who has had a bit of a difficult time finding his footing thus far. He has been moved up and down the Greyhounds’ lineup and has shifted between the middle and wing. There have been moments where he has looked great, but consistency has certainly been an issue, much like Hunter Haight ranked slightly ahead of him. Best case scenario, McConnell-Barker develops into a solid two-way, goal scoring center who can push the pace with his speed and play in all situations. He is quick. He has good size. His compete level in all three zones is generally solid. He has a heavy shot. It is about putting all these pieces together. The major concern is whether McConnell-Barker has enough skill to be a play driver or consistent finisher. He has had some trouble finishing off plays in tight this year. Additionally, given his high-end shot, he needs to find a way to slip into soft spots in coverage more consistently to get himself good looks. In a lot of ways, he and Ludwinski are similar in that the shell of an impactful two-way forward is there, but the production has been inconsistent due to possible skill limitations.

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Brennan Ali - Center - Avon Old Farms (USHS - PREP)

Inside our top 50, we had Sam Rinzel as the top ranked player from the Minnesota high school ranks this year. Well Brennan Ali is the top ranked prep player from the East coast. Ali is a highly competitive pivot who loves to push and attack the middle. He is consistently dialed in physically and his work rate is extremely high, especially on the forecheck and down low. This is a player who loves to get under the skin of the opposition. While he’s played primarily with Avon Old Farms, he has looked great in limited action with Lincoln (USHL) and in a few guest appearances with the US U18 team. The Notre Dame commit probably does not have the upside of a top six player, but his skating and physicality combination makes him a fun player to watch. If his puck skill and finishing ability can improve through his college career, Ali could have a long career as a Brandon Dubinsky type.

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Hunter Haight – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #24 Minnesota Wild – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Prospect System Ranking – 24th (Last Year - 14th) GM: Bill Guerin Hired: August 2019 COACH: John Hynes Hired: November 2023

1. Charlie Stramel, C, Michigan State University (NCAA)

2. Riley Heidt, C, Iowa Wild (AHL)

3. David Spacek, D, Iowa Wild (AHL)

4. Ryder Ritchie, RW, Boston University (NCAA)

5. Adam Benak, C, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

6. Aron Kiviharju, D, HIFK (Liiga)

7. Hunter Haight, C, Iowa Wild (AHL)

8. Carson Lambos, D, Iowa Wild (AHL)

9. Justin Kipkie, D, Arizona State University (NCAA)

10. Theo Hallquisth, D, Örebro HK (SHL)

11. Caedan Bankier, C, Iowa Wild (AHL)

12. Jack Peart, D, Iowa Wild (AHL)

13. Rasmus Kumpulainen, C, Iowa Wild (AHL)

14. Rieger Lorenz, LW, University of Denver (NCAA)

15. Carter Klippenstein, C, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – MINNESOTA WILD – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #14

Minnesota Wild Top-15 Prospects

1 - Zeev Buium

2 - Danila Yurov

3 - Liam Öhgren

4 - Riley Heidt

5 - Jesper Wallstedt

6 - Ryder Ritchie

7 - Hunter Haight

8 - Charlie Stramel

9 - David Spacek

10 - Adam Benak

11 - Aron Kiviharju

12 - Carson Lambos

13 - Rasmus Kumpulainen

14 - Justin Kipkie

15 - Aaron Pionk

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #7 Minnesota Wild – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – MINNESOTA WILD – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #8

Minnesota Wild Top-15 Prospects

1. Jesper Wallstedt

2. Zeev Buium

3. Danila Yurov

4. Riley Heidt

5. Liam Öhgren

6. Marat Khusnutdinov

7. Ryder Ritchie

8. Carson Lambos

9. Daemon Hunt

10. Charlie Stramel

11. Aron Kiviharju

12. Ryan O'Rourke

13. Hunter Haight

14. Caeden Bankier

15. Rasmus Kumpulainen

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #5 Minnesota Wild – Organizational Overview – Top 15 Prospects

1. Jesper Wallstedt, G, Iowa Wild (AHL)

2. Danila Yurov, RW, Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)

3. Riley Heidt, C, Prince George Cougars (WHL)

4. Liam Ohgren, LW, Farjestad BK (SHL)

5. Marat Khusnutdinov, C, HK Sochi (KHL)

6. Carson Lambos, D, Iowa Wild (AHL)

7. Ryan O'Rourke, D, Iowa Wild (AHL)

8. Charlie Stramel, C, University of Wisconsin (NCAA)

9. Caedan Bankier, C, Iowa Wild (AHL)

10. Daemon Hunt, D, Iowa Wild (AHL)

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – MONTREAL CANADIENS – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #11

1. David Reinbacher - D

2. Lane Hutson - D

3. Joshua Roy - RW

4. Sean Farrell - C

5. Owen Beck - C

6. Logan Mailloux - D

7. Filip Mesar - C

8. Riley Kidney - C

9. Adam Engstrom - D

10. Jakub Dobes - G

11. Jacob Fowler - G

12. Oliver Kapanen - C

13. Emil Heineman - LW

14. Mattias Norlinder - D

15. Jan Mysak - C

Prospect System Ranking – 24th (Last Year - 14th)
GM: Bill Guerin Hired: August 2019
COACH: John Hynes Hired: November 2023