Minnesota Wild: Top 10 prospects entering the 2019 season

The Minnesota Wild don’t have much depth in their prospect pipeline, but they could have a few impact players. Let’s take a look at their top 10 prospects as the 2019-20 season draws near. 

The Minnesota Wild are in an interesting situation. They’re a team who’s looking to win now, as they have Mats Zuccarello, Zach Parise, Mikko Koivu, and Ryan Suter. But at the same time, the Wild are retooling, hoping to remain competitive while building up their pipeline.

Former general managers Chuck Fletcher and Paul Fenton have left Minnesota’s prospect cupboard mighty barren. It will be the job of the next general manager, whoever it may be, to build up their pipeline despite having a team that isn’t exactly built to be terrible enough to have a good chance of getting high draft picks.

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Before I begin, I’d like to clarify my definition of who a “prospect is”. For me, a prospect is any player who meets the following criteria. First of all, they must be under 25 years old as of the start of the 2019-20 season. Secondly, they must have played in no more than 30 NHL games in any season, or no more than 40 in any two consecutive seasons.

Also, my evaluation depends on several things. First of all, how high is a player’s ceiling? In other words, how great can they be? Secondly, what’s their floor? Thirdly, what’s their likelihood of success? I like to start off with goaltenders because I feel they deserve to be their own separate category from skaters. So let’s get started.

Goaltenders

1. Kaapo Kähkönen

Acquired: 2014 NHL Draft (fourth-round pick)

Age: 23

Stats: 39 games, 2.78 GAA, .908% save percentage (Iowa Wild, AHL)

I like goaltenders with results, and none of the other Wild goaltending prospects have put up results in professional leagues. Kaapo Kähkönen was very solid in the AHL last season and has an impressive resume in Liiga as well.

He had a great first half, but didn’t do well down the stretch. Still, I think he projects to be an NHL goaltender. Most likely a backup, but I could see him being a respectable starting goaltender. Kähkönen should at worst be a good place holder for one of their other two prospects.

2. Mats Robson

Acquired: Undrafted

Age: 23

Stats: 31 games, 2.78 GAA, .921% save percentage (University of Minnesota, NCAA)

Mats Robson could definitely be a guy for the Minnesota Wild. He’ll be playing in the AHL this season. I imagine Kähkönen and Robson will be splitting the starts down there. Robson is very good at taking away angles, which helps make up for his less than stellar quickness.

I think he’s got what it takes to be a backup goalie in the NHL someday. However, I don’t see enough quickness or enough athleticism to confidently say he’ll be a starter.

3. Hunter Jones

Acquired: 2019 NHL Draft (second-round pick)

Age: 18 (turns 19 in September)

Stats: 57 games, 3.31 GAA, .902% save percentage, 5 postseason games, 4.66 GAA, .862% save percentage (Peterborough Petes, OHL)

The Wild drafted Hunter Jones in the second round of the 2019 NHL Draft. I think that was a bit high for him, but there’s quite a bit to like about him. Jones has size (6’4″) and he likes to play deep in the crease. He’s poised in net as well. However, Jones has yet to impress me that much.

10. Louie Belpedio

Acquired: 2014 NHL Draft (third-round pick)

Age: 23

Position: Defenseman

Stats: 2 games, 0 points (Minnesota Wild, NHL); 70 games, 6 goals, 15 assists, 21 points, 11 postseason games, 1 goal, 2 assists, 3 points (Iowa Wild, AHL)

Louie Belpedio had a very nice season last year. He was one of the Iowa Wild’s best defensemen and even got a cup of coffee in the NHL. Belpedio’s lack of offense will likely keep him as a third-pairing option, but he skates well and his positioning is sound.

He doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses in his game. Unfortunately, Belpedio doesn’t really have a calling card, so it will be hard for him to earn a consistent roster spot. If he can improve on special teams, though, I could see him finding a niche there.

9. Nico Sturm

Acquired: Undrafted

Age: 24

Position: Center

Stats: 39 games, 14 goals, 31 assists, 45 points (Clarkson University, NCAA); 2 games, 0 points (Minnesota Wild, NHL)

Nico Sturm is the Wild’s most NHL ready forward prospect, in my opinion. He has everything you look for in a bottom six forward. Sturm plays responsibly and has a nice 200-foot game. He has enough offensive upside to be interesting.

Sturm was a Hobey Baker finalist, and deservedly so. He was terrific in his senior season, though he did have a year on most of his competition. Sturm has an NHL-ready frame and should be ready to compete for a roster spot as soon as this season.

He has the ceiling of a bottom-six forward and his floor is an interesting depth forward. Sturm played two NHL games last season and I think they won’t be his last two.

8. Sam Hentges

Acquired: 2018 NHL Draft (seventh-round pick)

Age: 20

Position: Center/Right Wing

Stats: 37 games, 10 goals, 10 assists, 20 points (St. Cloud State University, NCAA)

Sam Hentges was drafted as a slight overager in 2018, as he was about to turn 19 when drafted. He had a very solid freshman season, earning a consistent spot in the lineup on a team that was very stacked. Hentges didn’t get too much special teams time, so his 20 points in 37 games is better than it looks.

I’m a big fan of his skating, but not much else about his game stands out to me. His hockey IQ is great as well. I think Hentges has a shot at being a top nine scoring forward. At the very least, he’ll be a fascinating depth forward. Every team would sign up for that from their seventh round picks.

7. Connor Dewar

Acquired: 2018 third-round pick

Age: 20

Position: Left Wing

Stats: 59 games, 36 goals, 45 assists, 81 points, 9 postseason games, 5 goals, 5 assists, 10 points (Everett Silvertips, WHL)

On paper, Connor Dewar dominated last season. He filled the scoresheet regularly and averaged over a point per game. However, I have some concerns about Dewar’s ceiling thanks to his unimpressive skating.

He’s got skill for sure. But I’m not entirely sure it’s enough to overcome his average at best skating. I like his hockey IQ and his creativity, so he definitely have a chance at being a regular NHL forward. It wouldn’t shock me if he’s a top-six forward at some point. But at the same time, it wouldn’t surprise if he doesn’t pan out.

Dewar also has to learn how to play his size. He’s 5’10” and about 175 pounds. Dewar will have to be better at avoiding contact to stick in the NHL.

6. Jack McBain

Acquired: 2018 NHL Draft (third-round pick)

Age: 19

Position: Center/Wing

Stats: 35 games, 6 goals, 7 assists, 13 points (Boston College, NCAA)

As a fan of The Simpsons, I liked Jack McBain from the moment I heard his name. While he didn’t have a good freshman year, there were some circumstances beyond his control. McBain had mono, which obviously affected his play. But he was very impressive as the season went on.

The 2019-20 season is a critical one for McBain. His offense has potential, but it’s time for him to show it’s more than just potential. I see his ceiling as a good third-line center and his floor as a fourth-line forward. And if he doesn’t pan out? Well, he’ll be hearing “You suck McBain!” a lot.

5. Adam Beckman

Acquired: 2019 NHL Draft (third-round pick)

Age: 18

Position: Center/Wing

Stats: 68 games, 32 goals, 30 assists, 62 points, 15 postseason games, 8 goals, 4 assists, 12 points (Spokane Chiefs, WHL)

Adam Beckman is an intriguing prospect for me. He didn’t play in major juniors until last year, but he left a strong impression in his rookie season. Beckman was arguably one of the best WHL rookies, even if he had a bit of an age advantage over most of his competitors.

His hockey IQ jumps out at me. He’s not the most skilled forward, but he finds ways to score goals. Beckman tends to be in the right place at the right time a lot. For me, that says he’s got a good hockey IQ. His skating isn’t terrific, but I think it’s good enough.

Beckman’s goal scoring is the only thing other than his hockey IQ that jumps out at me. But if you’re going to be a one trick pony, that’s one heck of a trick to have. Beckman needs to get stronger to be an NHL guy. But I think he could be a Brett Connolly type, adding surprising goal scoring from the third line in the NHL.

4. Mason Shaw

Acquired: 2017 NHL Draft (fourth-round pick)

Age: 20 (turns 21 in November)

Position: Center

Stats: 76 games, 8 goals, 25 assists, 33 points, 3 postseason games, 1 goal (Iowa Wild, AHL)

Mason Shaw could be a diamond in the rough for the Minnesota Wild. He’s a fourth-round pick who is coming off a very nice rookie season in the AHL. Shaw did this despite missing all of the 2017-18 season. I love his offensive upside. Shaw uses his speed and creativity to create chances, both for himself and his teammates.

He’s impressive with the puck, but he’s got to improve away from it. Still, Shaw could make it in the NHL as a sheltered bottom-six forward. He was more consistent towards the end of the 2018-19 season. If that’s the Shaw we see moving forward, I could see him as a decent second-line forward.

3. Alexander Khovanov

Acquired: 2018 NHL Draft (third-round pick)

Age: 19

Position: Center

Stats: 64 games, 25 goals, 49 assists, 74 points, 10 postseason games, 4 goals, 6 assists, 10 points (Moncton Wildcats, WHL)

Hepatitis cut Alexander Khovanov‘s 2017-18 season short. The Wild were the beneficiaries of him falling in the 2018 draft, as he had an outstanding season in 2018-19 for the Moncton Wildcats. For me, Khovanov was a fringe first-round talent before factoring in the hepatitis.

He has above-average speed, but what I love is he can make difficult plays at his top speed. That tends to be something that separates the good players from the average ones. Khovanov’s shot wasn’t impressive to me, but it was much better last season.

Give the man credit. Khovanov overcame hepatitis and he’s probably going to be an NHL player. I see him as a second-line center at best. Khovanov should be a very good third-line center at worst.