Minnesota Wild

MNWild The First #WildWednesday Jeff Dubay Podcast & Updates

Oct 2, 2014 • 3:32 pm

WildHBcommunity: MNWild The First #WildWednesday Jeff Dubay Podcast & Updates

Trio of Young Defenders Showing Potential & Ability to Compete in NHL NOW

The impressive young talented trio of Mathew Dumba, Gustav Olofsson, and Christian Folin has proven the past two months they are a lot closer to competing in the NHL than maybe the organization was even ready for them to be. Everything we have heard from Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher on these three kids has been tempered by the fact that each is either so young or inexperienced.

As it stands Dumba has the most professional experience of these guys and that constitutes less than 20 games total. Folin is the most physically ready to compete and contribute as a 23 year old 6'3" 200LB right shot defender. I was most impressed by Olofsson during the prospect scrimmages and in general because he is an under the radar type of 2nd round selection that left Colorado College after just one year. Olofsson projects to have a very high ceiling because of how skilled he is already. Dont get me wrong Olofsson is going to need a couple of AHL season but man this kid is still growing and he can move like Jonas Brodin with the puck.

Previous to the preseason I DOUBTED that Dumba would make the NHL roster but at current he is has been tremendous in every game and in camp in general. Folin is very solid and consistent so I really believed he would get the nod over some of the veterans and Dumba. Folin is the muscle that we lost with Clayton Stoner signing in Anaheim but more skilled.

The Wild claimed Nate Prosser today on waivers which to me indicates the end for Keith Ballard more than it eliminates Dumba and Folin from making the opening night roster. Prosser is a strong two way defender who Wild Head Coach Mike Yeo trusts. Prosser will be able to play with any of the other defenders on the bottom pair. Ballard likely is not healthy enough to compete right now and honestly he was just never able to string together enough consistent play to justify a roster spot in my opinion.

I also doubted that Stu Bickel plays enough actual hockey to satisfy Yeo and his staff making him the 13th forward or 7th defender. Prosser being claimed means many defenders saw their tight window of opportunity to sneak onto this squad close. Jon Blum certainly had a chance to make the opening night roster as well but now that appears to be a longshot.

Here is a Quick Promo For #WildWednesday Podcast

@jeffdubay @DevilsBarMN @TonyDeanHB @mcgov_podcast Wild Wednesdays promo at Devil's Advocate: http://t.co/FQqSTKqyuz
— Sean Barnard (@SeanBDigital) October 1, 2014

Here is the Jeff Dubay Podcast First of MANY #WildWednesday Edition Featuring @TonyDeanHB

#MNWild I am listening back to our #WildWednesday edition of @JeffDubay Podcast from @DevilsBarMN Find it here: http://t.co/niccNZOjAU
— Tony Dean (MNWild) (@TonyDeanHB) October 2, 2014

That's all for now thanks for reading!

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