The Top 10 Prospects in the Minnesota Wild Organization

We rank the Wild prospect pool based on the ceiling of the player in the system, age, production, and overall value to the Minnesota Wild.

Just over two years ago, the Minnesota Wild’s prospect pool was quite weak, but with Fenton’s crew in 2019 and Wild GM Bill Guerin alongside head scout Judd Brackett in 2020, the Wild have established themselves as a top 10 team in their prospect pool. It may be too early to tell, but the WIld have had two solid drafts the past seasons, laying out a bright future ahead.

#10 Marshall Warren, D

Warren is one of the most underrated prospects in the Wild’s system. The 2019 6th round selection is looking like a potential steal by former GM Paul Fenton. Warren is a steady defender with great poise, control, and puck protection. The New York native is a very smooth skater who moves the puck very well out of his defensive zone. NHL ETA: 2-4 years.

#9 Ryan O’Rourke, D

One of the top defenders in the 2020 draft class, O’Rourke was taken at pick number 39 by the Minnesota Wild. A defender Brackett and Guerin were quite excited about and another natural-born leader taken by the Wild. The Ontario native has all the skills you love to see in a defender. He is mean, nasty, violent, and not afraid to play a very physical game. O’Rourke’s lethal slap shot rounds out his perfect 2-way game. NHL ETA: 2-3 years.

#8 Calen Addison, D

Calen is a gifted offensive defender who was originally drafted by the Penguins in the 2018 NHL draft at pick number 53. Addison came over in a trade to Minnesota that sent winger Jason Zucker to Pittsburgh in exchange for Alex Galchenyuk, Calen Addison, and now a 2021 1st round pick.

Addison was tied for 6th in the WHL for points as a defender during the 2019-2020 season. Addison also recorded 9 points in 7 games for Team Canada last world juniors. The Wild’s very strong D-core will allow them time to continue to develop their top defender prospect Calen Addison. NHL ETA: 1-2 years.

#7 Adam Beckman, LW

Another Paul Fenton pick, Beckman has spent most of his developmental years with the Spokane Cheifs where he has recorded 169 points across 131 games. The 2019 3rd round pick has notched 80 goals in 131 games.

Beckman was converted to an LW from center during the 2019-2020 WHL season which saw him led the league in goals(48) and points (107) in 68 games with the Cheifs. The Saskatoon native has a wonderful shot with an elite release and great sense for when to use it. Beckman is most dangerous from the high slot. NHL ETA: 2-3 years.

#6 Kaapo Kähkönen, G

The 2014 4th round pick is one of few butterfly goalies in the league. After winning AHL Goaltender of the year and appearing in 5 NHL games last season the Wild have big aspirations for their Finish netminder. Kähkönen moves extremely well laterally with a quick glove.

With his elite vision, the Helsinki native covers all angles with a great sense of knowing how to position himself properly. Kaapo is also an aggressive goalie who is not afraid to cut down angles by playing out of his crease. NHL ETA: 0-1 years.

#5 Alexander Khovanov, C

After a slow start in the KHL, the 2018 3rd round-pick was loaned to the VHL where he since has recorded 15 points in 14 games with Bars Kazan. Khovanov caught the eyes of many last seasons in the World Juniors with Russia where he notched 3 goals 5 assists for 8 points in 7 games. The Russian centerman has great poise and hockey sense with a great shot and better hands. NHL ETA: 2-3 years.

#4 Matt Boldy, LW

The first of three Paul Fenton selections on the list. Boldy was taken 12th overall in the 2019 draft, currently playing for Boston College in the NCAA and soon for Team USA for the 2020 World Juniors. The 6’2″ Massachusetts native is a highly-skilled winger with a unique blend of size, skill, vision, and heavy shot. Boldy will get a lot of looks on Team USA for this World Junior tournament coming up, and is certainly one Minnesota Wild fans should keep their eye on. NHL ETA: 1-2 years.

#3 Marat Khusnutdinov, C

Khusnutdinov was essentially acquired in a trade that sent forward Luke Kunin and a fourth-round selection to the Nashville Predators for Nick Bonino and picks in the second and third round, which were used to select centerman Marat Khusnutdinov.

Marat is an elite two-way center with a powerful stride, which brings him to a very good top speed. Very good a taken face-offs and getting back to the defensive zone to break up plays. Has the tools to be a very skilled 2-way centerman in the NHL soon. NHL ETA: 2-3 years.

#2 Marco Rossi, C

The 2020 9th overall selection has already been labeled the steal of the 2020 draft, and rightfully so. Rossi’s 2019-2020 season had him leading the OHL with 120 points in just 56 games. The 5-9 forward is a two-way center with elite offensive upside. Despite his size, Rossi competes as if he’s 6 feet tall. His hockey sense sets him apart from most top prospects and blows my mind how he was still available at pick number 9. NHL ETA: 0-1 years.

#1 Kirill Kaprizov, LW/RW

The former 2015 5th round selection has been the best player in the KHL the last two seasons, leading the league in goals in back-to-back seasons. Kaprizov is a goal-scorer but he also moves the puck very well and is as creative as an elite playmaker.

The 23-year old also has elite vision and sense. Kaprizov plays a similar game to New York Rangers’ forward Artemi Panarin and has been following in the footsteps of the elite Rangers’ winger. He will be graduating from the prospect pool to the NHL this year. NHL ETA: Now.

All stats coming from eliteprospects.com. All scouting reports are based on my own opinion.