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Minnesota Wild Blogger •
At long last, something other than regime change to write about. While the hiring of Fletcher and Richards is nice, it doesn't necessarily whet the appetite for those of us in the State of Hockey who have lived vicariously through other teams since mid-April. Time to get back on the Wild bandwagon folks. However, for some, they need a reason to. Perhaps the upcoming NHL draft, trades and/or free agency will give Minnesota fans a reason to jump back on.
Last Friday, the Minnesota Wild held a draft preview press conference during which new GM, Chuck Fletcher, and Assistant GM and head of scouting, Tommy Thompson, addressed the media.
Fletcher started talking about how "championships are won on the draft floor" and how "the best teams make the best moves" on draft day and how it is "a critical, critical day" for every organization. He talked of drafting players who will essentially "disappear" for 2 to 3 years and how "developing" these players was equally important. He said that he "already had some calls from some teams" and that he "won't hesitate to move up", but "will also move back, if a group of guys" are still available when their pick, #12 overall, comes up. He talked about draft day literally being the amateur scouts' day and "how they work all year for one day."
Tommy Thompson then addressed the media. He talked about the Wild having 7 picks currently in this year's draft. A first round (#12), three fourth round picks (#99, #103, and #116) [#99 from Tampa Bay for exclusive negotiating rights to Brian Rolston and #116 from Boston in Manny Fernandez trade], and then their own fifth, sixth and seventh round picks (#133, 163 and 193, respectively). The Wild's lack of a second round pick is due to the trade with Nashville for Marek Zidlicky and their lack of a third round pick was due to their trade with New Jersey to move up one spot when selecting Tyler Cuma at the draft.
Thompson went on to speak to the quality of this draft as being "better than we thought", "above average", but "not as good as last year's" given all of the big defensemen available last year. He talked about there being a "group of players in the first round that stretches beyond pick #12" that the Wild apparently are interested in. He also talked about this group of kids being the "highest quality group that I can remember." He talked about the Wild's use of a psychologist consultant, administering questionaires, conducting interviews and asking each player they were interested in for an additional hour to continue the interview later to which EVERY player agreed to do including "the biggies" i.e. Tavarres, Hedman, Duchene, etc. Regarding the quality of this group of young guys in the first round, Thompson told of how Victor Hedman was running late, being stuck in traffic after signing a deal with Reebok, and how he called while in traffic to apologize for being late.
Thompson then talked about the "local guys" who are draft eligible. He indicated he would be "very surprised if Jordan Schroeder, Nick Leddy and Zack Budish do not get selected in the first round." Regarding Budish, he talked about how they looked at him on the ice just the evening before and how everything looks fine regarding his injured knee which caused him to miss his entire senior season of hockey. He said that there is a chance that he gets bumped to the second round if teams decide to pass on what they would essentially consider damaged goods. Thompson also talked about local guys like Josh Birkholz and Mike Lee. He said of Lee that he may well be among the best goalies in the world for his age, but that he probably would not get selected in the first round of the draft because of the quality of skaters that exist throughout the entire first round.
He talked about how a lot of the focus for the fans are on the first round picks, but stressed that every round has players that play in the NHL, they are just harder to find. He talked about last year's later round picks in Justin Falk, Cody Almond and Carson McMillan, all of whom had very good years last year with their hockey clubs. He talked about having more picks this year than in the last four years. He talked about how GM Fletcher will be active in each round. He also stressed that the Wild "need players with some pizzazz" i.e. speed, scoring, open ice hits, exciting play makers. Essentially, the seem to be looking for each player they draft to possess something in their game that gives them the requiste "pizzazz" he spoke of. Why? He talked about how, in this economy, "it is not just enough to win in tough times" and how you "have to make it fun for people to come".
After both Fletcher and Thompson were done with their public comments, they were both made available for interviews. Thompson talked in private about how the Wild are looking for "size that can play". Fletcher spoke about "moving back to get an extra player or two" and how the Wild "need more depth". He also talked about a "good draft" as being one where two of seven players selected eventually play full time in the NHL. He also talked about how unlikely it will be for the first round selections to make the Wild in the year they are selected like under the previous regime. He indicated that it would be more the exception, rather than the rule. He didn't rule it out, however, indicating each player would need to "make the team" and if a recent draft pick did that, he would not rule out that possibility. However, he noted the obvious problems this leads to under the current collective bargaining agreement in that young players would, in such cases, qualify for free agency much sooner than the now standard age 27 or 7 years of NHL experience (defined as having played more than 40 games in a given season). He then talked about moving picks to get talent or moving talent to get picks. It sounded like he was more inclined to do the latter, rather than the former. However, he also said that the Wild "may do both" this year. He also talked about "taking the best player available" and how they would do that at each and every round of the draft, as opposed to taking a local kid for the sake of appeasing the fan base or drafting for position.
Coming out of this press conference, I was of the distinct impression that (a) there was a group of players the Wild are interested in drafting in the first round; (b) that, if possible, the Wild would definitely move back from their current position so they can pick up either a second or a third round pick or both; and (c) that Zack Budish would be their first round selection. Why Buddish? He's a guy that may get overlooked by a bunch of teams given his injury to his knee, thereby making it possible to move back in the draft and still pick him up with a later selection in the first round and, given his size, coupled with the fact that he was probably the best player on the Edina Hornets last year and he didn't even play, he is that "size that can play" type of guy who can also bring some "pizzazz" while also appeasing the local fan base. By moving back in the first round, the Wild can essentially kill two birds with one stone: take the best player available and appease the local fan base. Also, I found it terribly interesting that they had him on the ice just the night before this press conference. Most mock drafts I looked at had the Wild selecting Jordan Schroeder at #12. If still on the board, he probably fits the same bill as Budish i.e. a local kid who is the best player available. The only difference is Schroeder does not fit the definition of "size" that the Wild are apparently looking for. The kid can play. No doubt about it. But at 5' 8", he is more of the "new NHL" type of player.
I felt so strongly about Budish being the Wild's focus, I immediately texted Eklund about this. I say this because as I was scouring the internet, I came across another blog that incorporates bloggers for each team and saw that they had picked Budish in that site's mock draft. Needless to say, I almost had to change my pants. In any event, either the saying is true about "great minds thinking alike" or we are just a bunch of "homers" here in Minne. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out come Friday and whether any other teams are on the scent of young Mr. Budish.
On another note, in speaking with a "source", I am told that local kid, Nick Leddy, last year's Mr. Hockey and captain of the AA high school champions, Eden Prairie Eagles, could get drafted in the top ten of this year's draft. That surprised me because I saw Leddy in most mock drafts as either a late first round pick or an early second round pick.
As for upcoming Wild events, the Wild start their Road Tour throughout the State of Hockey and end in St. Paul this Thursday for their annual Wild Summer Bash. Then on July 7, they will be hosting a development camp at the X. They also advised us that next year's schedule comes out on July 15th. But, until then, we will have to make due with upcoming trades, the draft and then free agency. It could be a whirlwind week for Wild fans as GM Fletcher implied that he is not against considering trading anyone who's contract allows them to be traded. If the right deal comes along, Wild fans could be in for a shock or two. Let's hope so because, as I see it, something has to change around here. Being average is getting a little old and is not furthering this team to any great degree. As I've always said in the past, either be really good or really bad. History has shown us that really bad eventually turns out to be really good and only really good hockey clubs have a shot at winning the Stanley Cup.
Go Wild!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last Friday, the Minnesota Wild held a draft preview press conference during which new GM, Chuck Fletcher, and Assistant GM and head of scouting, Tommy Thompson, addressed the media.
Fletcher started talking about how "championships are won on the draft floor" and how "the best teams make the best moves" on draft day and how it is "a critical, critical day" for every organization. He talked of drafting players who will essentially "disappear" for 2 to 3 years and how "developing" these players was equally important. He said that he "already had some calls from some teams" and that he "won't hesitate to move up", but "will also move back, if a group of guys" are still available when their pick, #12 overall, comes up. He talked about draft day literally being the amateur scouts' day and "how they work all year for one day."
Tommy Thompson then addressed the media. He talked about the Wild having 7 picks currently in this year's draft. A first round (#12), three fourth round picks (#99, #103, and #116) [#99 from Tampa Bay for exclusive negotiating rights to Brian Rolston and #116 from Boston in Manny Fernandez trade], and then their own fifth, sixth and seventh round picks (#133, 163 and 193, respectively). The Wild's lack of a second round pick is due to the trade with Nashville for Marek Zidlicky and their lack of a third round pick was due to their trade with New Jersey to move up one spot when selecting Tyler Cuma at the draft.
Thompson went on to speak to the quality of this draft as being "better than we thought", "above average", but "not as good as last year's" given all of the big defensemen available last year. He talked about there being a "group of players in the first round that stretches beyond pick #12" that the Wild apparently are interested in. He also talked about this group of kids being the "highest quality group that I can remember." He talked about the Wild's use of a psychologist consultant, administering questionaires, conducting interviews and asking each player they were interested in for an additional hour to continue the interview later to which EVERY player agreed to do including "the biggies" i.e. Tavarres, Hedman, Duchene, etc. Regarding the quality of this group of young guys in the first round, Thompson told of how Victor Hedman was running late, being stuck in traffic after signing a deal with Reebok, and how he called while in traffic to apologize for being late.
Thompson then talked about the "local guys" who are draft eligible. He indicated he would be "very surprised if Jordan Schroeder, Nick Leddy and Zack Budish do not get selected in the first round." Regarding Budish, he talked about how they looked at him on the ice just the evening before and how everything looks fine regarding his injured knee which caused him to miss his entire senior season of hockey. He said that there is a chance that he gets bumped to the second round if teams decide to pass on what they would essentially consider damaged goods. Thompson also talked about local guys like Josh Birkholz and Mike Lee. He said of Lee that he may well be among the best goalies in the world for his age, but that he probably would not get selected in the first round of the draft because of the quality of skaters that exist throughout the entire first round.
He talked about how a lot of the focus for the fans are on the first round picks, but stressed that every round has players that play in the NHL, they are just harder to find. He talked about last year's later round picks in Justin Falk, Cody Almond and Carson McMillan, all of whom had very good years last year with their hockey clubs. He talked about having more picks this year than in the last four years. He talked about how GM Fletcher will be active in each round. He also stressed that the Wild "need players with some pizzazz" i.e. speed, scoring, open ice hits, exciting play makers. Essentially, the seem to be looking for each player they draft to possess something in their game that gives them the requiste "pizzazz" he spoke of. Why? He talked about how, in this economy, "it is not just enough to win in tough times" and how you "have to make it fun for people to come".
After both Fletcher and Thompson were done with their public comments, they were both made available for interviews. Thompson talked in private about how the Wild are looking for "size that can play". Fletcher spoke about "moving back to get an extra player or two" and how the Wild "need more depth". He also talked about a "good draft" as being one where two of seven players selected eventually play full time in the NHL. He also talked about how unlikely it will be for the first round selections to make the Wild in the year they are selected like under the previous regime. He indicated that it would be more the exception, rather than the rule. He didn't rule it out, however, indicating each player would need to "make the team" and if a recent draft pick did that, he would not rule out that possibility. However, he noted the obvious problems this leads to under the current collective bargaining agreement in that young players would, in such cases, qualify for free agency much sooner than the now standard age 27 or 7 years of NHL experience (defined as having played more than 40 games in a given season). He then talked about moving picks to get talent or moving talent to get picks. It sounded like he was more inclined to do the latter, rather than the former. However, he also said that the Wild "may do both" this year. He also talked about "taking the best player available" and how they would do that at each and every round of the draft, as opposed to taking a local kid for the sake of appeasing the fan base or drafting for position.
Coming out of this press conference, I was of the distinct impression that (a) there was a group of players the Wild are interested in drafting in the first round; (b) that, if possible, the Wild would definitely move back from their current position so they can pick up either a second or a third round pick or both; and (c) that Zack Budish would be their first round selection. Why Buddish? He's a guy that may get overlooked by a bunch of teams given his injury to his knee, thereby making it possible to move back in the draft and still pick him up with a later selection in the first round and, given his size, coupled with the fact that he was probably the best player on the Edina Hornets last year and he didn't even play, he is that "size that can play" type of guy who can also bring some "pizzazz" while also appeasing the local fan base. By moving back in the first round, the Wild can essentially kill two birds with one stone: take the best player available and appease the local fan base. Also, I found it terribly interesting that they had him on the ice just the night before this press conference. Most mock drafts I looked at had the Wild selecting Jordan Schroeder at #12. If still on the board, he probably fits the same bill as Budish i.e. a local kid who is the best player available. The only difference is Schroeder does not fit the definition of "size" that the Wild are apparently looking for. The kid can play. No doubt about it. But at 5' 8", he is more of the "new NHL" type of player.
I felt so strongly about Budish being the Wild's focus, I immediately texted Eklund about this. I say this because as I was scouring the internet, I came across another blog that incorporates bloggers for each team and saw that they had picked Budish in that site's mock draft. Needless to say, I almost had to change my pants. In any event, either the saying is true about "great minds thinking alike" or we are just a bunch of "homers" here in Minne. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out come Friday and whether any other teams are on the scent of young Mr. Budish.
On another note, in speaking with a "source", I am told that local kid, Nick Leddy, last year's Mr. Hockey and captain of the AA high school champions, Eden Prairie Eagles, could get drafted in the top ten of this year's draft. That surprised me because I saw Leddy in most mock drafts as either a late first round pick or an early second round pick.
As for upcoming Wild events, the Wild start their Road Tour throughout the State of Hockey and end in St. Paul this Thursday for their annual Wild Summer Bash. Then on July 7, they will be hosting a development camp at the X. They also advised us that next year's schedule comes out on July 15th. But, until then, we will have to make due with upcoming trades, the draft and then free agency. It could be a whirlwind week for Wild fans as GM Fletcher implied that he is not against considering trading anyone who's contract allows them to be traded. If the right deal comes along, Wild fans could be in for a shock or two. Let's hope so because, as I see it, something has to change around here. Being average is getting a little old and is not furthering this team to any great degree. As I've always said in the past, either be really good or really bad. History has shown us that really bad eventually turns out to be really good and only really good hockey clubs have a shot at winning the Stanley Cup.
Go Wild!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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