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Minnesota Wild: Weekly Roundtable, Bold Predictions for the Season

By Cody Defoe

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 20: (L-R) Ryan Carter #18, Mike Reilly #4, Nate Prosser #39 and Matt Dumba #24 of the Minnesota Wild stand in position at an auxiliary rink during practice for the 2016 Coors Light Stadium Series game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Minnesota Wild at TCF Bank Stadium on February 20, 2016 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 20: (L-R) Ryan Carter #18, Mike Reilly #4, Nate Prosser #39 and Matt Dumba #24 of the Minnesota Wild stand in position at an auxiliary rink during practice for the 2016 Coors Light Stadium Series game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Minnesota Wild at TCF Bank Stadium on February 20, 2016 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 07:
SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 07: /

Ryan Darnley: Jordan Greenway will Score 50 points

This seems like a bold suggestion to make, but I think in his rookie campaign that Jordan Greenway certainly has the potential to score big.

Why do I think this, you ask?

If the youngster continues to be placed at center on the Minnesota Wild third line, he should be seeing slightly less challenging opposition; at least a second or third defensive pairing from most teams.

That, in itself, should at least give some opportunity for him to generate scoring chances. If, on top of that, Bruce Boudreau is wise and limits his defensive zone starts, at least for the first part of the season, he could build up some early numbers and with that early confidence.

Add to that, his playing style; Greenway is a big body which if he is smart means he should be pushing himself to the net-front. That will give him the chance to pick up some goals from both tip-ins and rebounds. Not always the prettiest of points, but points all the same.

In his time in the NCAA with Boston University, Jordan was a near point-per-game player; this is never a guarantee or even clear indicator of NHL success, but he also managed to grab 2 points in his five-game playoff stint with the Minnesota Wild last year.

That is a clearer indicator. Scoring in the high-pressure environment that is the play-offs isn’t something to be shrugged at.

If he can continue his development curve, he’s not exactly tipped to have an 85 point year like Mathew Barzal or even a 69 point year like Auston Matthews the year before. No, he’s not a lock for the Calder Trophy.

However, what he is a reasonable chance at is 50 points. No more, no less.

Big bodies, if used effectively, still count for a lot even in a much speedier more dynamic NHL.

Getting in front of the other teams’ goalie can create chaos and Greenway will hopefully be able to be the big-bodied benefactor!

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