Russo got to ask The Athletic’s head scouts, Cory Pronman and Scott Wheeler, about the Wild’s chances of moving up in tbe draft and potentially snagging a center. Here’s what they had to say:
_The Wild own the 21st pick and two seconds. Is that enough equity to potentially move up in this deep draft and snag a bonafide future No. 1 center? —Michael Russo_
__Pronman:__ The only potential bonafide No. 1 centers for me, on a contender anyways, are Bedard, Fantilli, Carlsson and Smith. That is not enough to get to those players. I think Danielson and Dvorsky have chances to be No. 1s but more likely are second-line centers on a good team. Even then, I think that’s not enough to get to where they will go in the draft.
__Wheeler:__ Concur with Corey. I’ve got a lot of time for Dvorsky, the speedy Moore, and the direct skill of Yager. There are some who are high on the roundedness of Danielson, and others who believe a breakout is coming from Calum Ritchie, too. But at their ceilings, Dvorsky, Moore and Yager are probably impactful second-line centers, and Danielson and Ritchie are probably solid second- or third-line centers. I think the package you’re describing may be enough to move up and grab a Moore or a Yager in the teens if they’re there. A Ritchie may still be there at No. 21, too. But you’re not likely finding your 1C of the future where the Wild are currently picking in the first round.
Source: https://theathletic.com/4533389/2023/05/25/nhl-draft-2023-biggest-questions-pronman-wheeler/?source=user_shared_article
by Radagastdl
4 Comments
What kind of package would it take to get one of those 1Cs? Could any of the teams picking in that range take on one or more guys from the organization along with picks?
To me this is kind of a terrible answer from Pronman and Wheeler.
>A Ritchie may still be there at No. 21, too. But you’re not likely finding your 1C of the future where the Wild are currently picking in the first round
I get why they say this, because if they thought there was a 1C in the 20’s of this draft then they would have them in the top 10, but neither Pronman or Wheeler’s rankings are going to be anywhere close to accurate because no one’s are.
This draft is probably the deepest since 2015 and when we look at 2015 we have Barzal at 16, Aho at 35, Hintz at 49, and Cirelli at 72.
It the draft is as deep as everyone says it is, then it would be absolutely shocking that there wouldn’t be a some top line center available at 21. Whether the Wild can identify that player, I don’t know, but there’s almost certainly going to be someone outside the top 20 that will develop into a top line center.
2003 is the other historically deep draft, and there you had Getzlaf at 19, Kesler at 23, Bergeron at 45
I have no problem with them drafting a center, or moving up for a center, but I really think that some combination of Khusnutdinov, Rossi, and Eriksson Ek will be a good 1-2-3 center lineup for years to come. I know a lot of you don’t believe in Rossi, but you’ve also never seen him in the top 6 yet and he’s not fully developed yet.
That being said, moving up for a top prospect is a brilliant move with a team that has so many good, but not elite, prospects. They tried to move up for Lundell and Kent Johnson in recent drafts so they’ll probably try again.
time for me to proselytize the good word of oliver moore again i guess!!!!! that kid has the most insane work ethic. truly loves the game. he’s small atm but once he bulks up a little he’s absolutely going to be a rock solid 2C and really might even deserve a look for 1C with a little more work. i think he’d be a good snag for us if we could get him.
(plus, minnesota sports do love our local boys.)