Minnesota Wild: Giant defenseman Stephan Falkovsky arrives from Los Angeles
By Luke Ryan
The Minnesota Wild have traded for an absolute giant of a man in Stepan Falkovsky, who arrives from the Los Angeles Kings with Pavel Jenys headed the other way.
Stepan Falkovsky wouldn’t be expected to step into the NHL with the Minnesota Wild yet, nor may he even immediately step onto the Iowa Wild blue-line; the 6’7″ Belorussian defenseman may not quite be ready for either.
His most recent stint has been with the Manchester Monarchs of the ECHL, however that is nothing to be said for his potential. Some players, especially in his case whilst learning to use his size benefit from a different developmental path. Indeed, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if he lands with the Minnesota Wild’s ECHL affiliate, the Allen Americans for a while.
His rights have bounced around between teams since being drafted by the Calgary Flames in the seventh round (186th overall) of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. That year, he was coming off the back of a 32 point season in the OHL with the Ottawa 67’s, working out at roughly a point every second game.
More from Wild News
- Defenseman Matt Dumba signs one-year contract with Arizona
- Minnesota Wild reach agreement with Brandon Duhaime on one-year contract
- Minnesota Wild receive mixed grades for picks in NHL Entry Draft
- Minnesota Wild draft heavy on centers and home-state selections
- Minnesota Wild open regular season at home against Stanley Cup Finalist
Stepan Falkovsky initially made a decent impression in the ECHL with the Adirondack Thunder; posting 32 points in 54 games there, earning a promotion to the AHL. However, he has yet to prove himself at that level.
Per Elite Prospects, he displays good offensive and defensive instincts and is becoming more physical and proactive defensively.
Obviously the ultimate challenge is to take that up to the level required, first to be dominant with the Iowa Wild and then to dominate in a Minnesota Wild jersey. Maybe he morphs into a Zdeno Chara or Dustin Byfuglien-type player; I guess, that’d be hitting his absolute peak potential (and as a very late bloomer) given his size.
In giving up Pavel Jenys, the Minnesota Wild have seen an ECHL player of their own depart; he has 4 goals, no assists in 9 appearances thus far this year; showing offensive talent but you’d say less upside than what a 6’7″ defenseman may still have.
Next. First meeting with the Jets this year. dark
It’s pretty easy to see this for what it is; a minor league trade of a seventh round center who seems very unlikely to ever make it for a minor league physical behemoth, that may just make it, at least to AHL level, based on size alone. Remember the name, Stepan Falkovsky; he might just do something big one day!