If they have a handful of prospects graded out in the same grouping when they pick, I'd like to see them draft a player who projects to be a center. It'll be a lot easier to add a 2nd pairing defenseman (if we need one) through FA/trade than a top 6 center.
Koivu - He's 29. Obviously he still has good years left, but he's not young.
Granlund - Could develop into a top 6 center, but it's way too early to tell.
Larsson - Seems to be a 2C/3C.
Brodziak - Like him, but realistically shouldn't be more than a 3C.
Phillips - More likely a winger if he makes it.
So, all things being equal, I think the Wild could use a center more than a defenseman or winger. Of course, if they have a player rated higher at another position, then by all means they should take him.
Forgetting Haula?
But, yes, I do agree....certainly wouldn't hurt to add a few more.
I think Larsson is our #2 man of the Future and Granlund will either have to grow into #1 center, or at the very least if MiG doesn't work out at center we'll probably try Coyle back there before long. Still tho we're like 5 years away from having to worry about this with Koivu still holding down the spot. Besides i'm sure in that time another Minnesotan *cought*Stepan*cought* will want to come back home and play.....
i think its too early to tell, that Houston team had some talent but now its a rag tag bunch of guys with some good draft picks in there, it's not a team and their defense is just dog **** with out Brodin/Scandy
Confused. His stats have been great for 2 years now.
i think its too early to tell, that Houston team had some talent but now its a rag tag bunch of guys with some good draft picks in there, it's not a team and their defense is just dog **** with out Brodin/Scandy
Care to expland on that? He's the leading scorer (avg 1.4 pts/game) on the best team in the country (sorry Quinnipiac) and has played 3 fewer games than the other top players.
i think its too early to tell, that Houston team had some talent but now its a rag tag bunch of guys with some good draft picks in there, it's not a team and their defense is just dog **** with out Brodin/Scandy
Except for a short period of time when he was coming back from his wrist injury, he's been the 2nd line center all season.
Not sure why you claim he "definitely" won't be an NHL center....based on what?
His game and style of play scream winger. He might play center in college, but he's definitely not a bottom six center in the NHL. He doesn't have that kind of game, and if he wants to play in the top six, he's going to play as a winger. He's not defensive enough, and doesn't hit enough to succeed elsewhere.
His game and style of play scream winger. He might play center in college, but he's definitely not a bottom six center in the NHL. He doesn't have that kind of game, and if he wants to play in the top six, he's going to play as a winger. He's not defensive enough, and doesn't hit enough to succeed elsewhere.
His game and style of play scream winger. He might play center in college, but he's definitely not a bottom six center in the NHL. He doesn't have that kind of game, and if he wants to play in the top six, he's going to play as a winger. He's not defensive enough, and doesn't hit enough to succeed elsewhere.
Wow...I guess I disagree with just about everything you said here....Haula works extremely hard in the defensive zone and is a fierce competitor. He's also excellent at creating scoring opportunties for himself and his linemates....just ask Zach Budish.
I think he has the potential to fill a 2C or 3C role.
