Who Are the Top Five Minnesota Wild Prospects for 2020-2021?
With the extended pause the NHL is currently in, it seems like a perfect time for the much anticipated, frequently promised, Prospect Report. Today, we’ll count down our top five prospects.
With so little going on in the Hockey world right now, felt like the right time to check on the prospects- especially since the last time we took a look at the prospect pool, I demanded it was time for the Wild to Fully Restructure. That was back in November. We were due for a check-in.
After a full season of play under all the players who one day could don a Minnesota Wild Jersey, we count down the top five to be excited for.
5. Alexander Khovanov (Center)
The Russian Center selected in the Third Round of the 2018 Draft, Alexander Khovanov had an electric season. In Fifty-One games this season, Khovanov had Ninety-Nine points: Thirty-Two were goals and Sixty-Seven were assists. That was good for second in the scoring race, only behind the widely agreed number one overall pick in next year’s draft, Alexis Lafreniere.
At 5′ 11′ and a hair under two hundred pounds, Khovanov has very good hands, a precise/accurate shot, and plays a level-headed game. Here’s a goal from World Junior’s this year:
He doesn’t do much in this play, but he picks off a pass from the Canadians trying to exit the zone, and puts a shot on net that the Canadian goalie can’t quite handle, which finds the back of the net.
Khovo Cop winning it in OT:
Great positioning and passing by Khovanov to feed his teammate in a great spot and then receive the 2nd half of the Give n Go to tap it home. Stick on the ice is always nice.
Also from WJC:
Similar thing here, Khovanov does a great job putting himself in position to score, on the back door. He’s always in places ready to receive passes and quickly move the puck to someone else or to put it on net and score.
Sounds like Khovanov is pretty good! And he’s a Center! We need those right? Why’s he so low?
He’s likely still a year or two from playing on the Minnesota Wild roster. Khovanov also might have scared some fans after a Michael Russo Straight From the Source podcast, specifically an episode with Khovanov’s former coach John Torchetti, in which, Torchetti stated that Khovanov had threatened to leave North American hockey for the KHL if he wasn’t on the pro roster.
Fans immediately jumped to the conclusion that Khovanov would be Kaprizov 2.0, in that, we’d have to wait and wait and wait for him to join the pro roster because of an existing KHL contract.
What fans missed from that Torchetti comment is that he had talked him away from making the jump, saying his play would be better improved in the North American system and getting used to North American culture and style of play.
Personally, I think he’ll play for Iowa next year. We may see a call-up to the Pro Roster intermittently through the year, but he’s at least a year away from NHL hockey.
But right now, he looks like a Third Round Steal.
4. Adam Beckman (LW)
There have been few more enjoyable things to watch this season than with how dominant Adam Beckman has been in the WHL. In Sixty-Three games this season, he had One Hundred and Seven Points: Forty-Eight Goals and Fifty-Nine Assists. Good enough to be the top scorer in the WHL.
This offseason, the 2019 3rd Round Pick signed his Entry-Level Contract. So he’s ready for the NHL, right?
Pump the brakes. While I’m incredibly excited about Beckman’s rise to the NHL, it’s widely unlikely he joins the Wild this season. Because of his age (18), he doesn’t qualify to play in the AHL. So, he will either play for the NHL or the WHL next season. Unless he’s absolutely dominant, he’ll likely spend the next season in Junior Hockey.
Still, let us enjoy the 6′ 1″, 180lb’s highlights:
How about a Teddy Bear Toss Goal?
And a highlight package for the Bob Clarke Trophy Winner?
Can’t wait for the young winger to continue to develop.
3. Calen Addison (D)
The prospect acquired in the Jason Zucker trade, Calen Addison is fairly exciting. Bill Guerin has officially stated that the defenseman will be turning pro next season- joining the Iowa Wild. Everything I’ve read of the prospect has labeled him as Puck-Moving Dman, solid offensive abilities, and solid potential to quarterback a Power Play.
It feels like he could be a Cale Makar-Lite. He has incredible vision, great puck-moving ability, and very solid skating ability.
It also feels like that Addison could be a suitable replacement if Belpedio were to make the Pro Squad- if a spot were to become available.
Not many fans know much about Calen Addison. With the free time, look into him! He’s an exciting prospect, was Pittsburgh’s best prospect before the Zucker trade.
2. Kaapo Kahkonen
According to the Hockey Writers, Kaapo Kahkonen is labeled as the 2nd best NHL goaltending prospect. We’ve seen Kahkonen perform well in the five games he’s played for Minnesota this season, going 3-1-1. Have to remember, this was early in the season while the Wild were still struggling a bit.
So what makes Kaapo Kahkonen so special? The Hockey Writers cited:
His calm and controlled demeanor, as well as great positioning, has made the transition to the North American game a smooth one for Kahkonen. He moves from post to post fluidly and has tremendous rebound control. He got his first taste of the NHL with five starts earlier this season and it sure won’t be the last we see of him at the game’s highest level.
What was notable about Kahkonen with his games in the NHL is how he battles to make every save. Doesn’t give up on a puck, plays with plenty of heart.
I think we could see Kahkonen join the Wild Roster full time as soon as next year.
Kahkonen sets Franchise Record for Saves by Rookie Goaltender
Kahkonen Robs Canada at WJC
Scoring Touch? On a Goalie? IN THIS ECONOMY?
1. Kiril Kaprizov
Kaprizov is joining the Minnesota Wild next season. Guerin has reported as much, Kaprizov has been quoted as saying he’s excited to join the NHL this upcoming season, even the KHL seems to have come to terms with it.
https://twitter.com/FSGonePuckWild/status/1242830240868716546
Seems like our favorite KHLer is missing from the graphic. Hmmmmm.
Reports are coming out that the Wild are trying to sign Kaprizov early (ProHockeyRumors) although, the NHL has mandated that any newly signed prospects can play for their new franchises as soon as the 2020-2021 season. This is likely because the remainder of the KHL season and playoffs have been canceled and although it was reported that the prospect would likely play in World Championships in late spring, those have also been canceled.
Ranked the #1 NHL-affiliated prospect in hockey (ESPN+ [subscription required])
Fun Highlight Package of Kaprizov
He can play either Wing and the Jason Zucker trade seemed to be solely to create an open spot for the young Russian next year.
We know he’s an elite goal scorer, skates well, and has amazing potential. It’s time for him to come to Minnesota.
Disagree with our list? Who are you excited about? Leave a comment/reply down below or tweet at us @FSGonePuckWild!