Wild takes Nick Leddy; And let the picking (and trading?) begin; Sources: Kalus coming back to the Wild
Posted on June 26th, 2009 – 5:51 PMBy Michael Russo
Wild takes Nick Leddy 16th. They passed on Jordan Schroeder … twice. Fresh blog in a couple hours
Wild makes trade?; Chris Snow to Central Registry. Wild moves down, trading the 12th to the Islanders for the 16th and 77th they just acquired from Columbus and the 182nd. Wild now has nine picks in the draft.
I have this feeling Nick Leddy will be with the Wild. Just a gut feeling.
Hedman goes 2 to TB, Duchene 3 to COL, Evander Kane 4 to Hotlanta, Brayden Schenn 5 to L.A., … Phoenix on the clock with cheers of HAMILTON, HAMILTON (takes Larsson 6th); Kadri goes 7 as Burkie gets bigtime booed (he loved it); Scott Glennie to Dallas at 8, Jared Cowen 9 to Ottawa, Svensson 10th to Edmonton, Nashville takes Ellis 11th; Isles take de Haan at 12, Kassian to Buffalo at 13, Kulikov to FLA at 14, Holland at 15 to Anaheim
6:51 EDT: Star Tribune sources say Chris Pronger to Philly is “done.” Don’t know who’s going other way yet. Joffrey Lupul’s got to be going back to Anaheim plus other things. TSN’s reporting now it’s for Lupul, Sbisa and two firsts.
John Tavares does go No. 1, which is very funny. Word started to be leaked all around the place that Duchene was going 1, and you know that came right from the Islanders table. Dater’s probably got half a Tavares feature written by now :)
“I had no idea,” said Taveras, the London Knights star who used to play with the Wild’s Cal Clutterbuck in Oshawa. “I was just like everybody else wondering what the decision would be. It was a great moment and special feeling.”
Here we go, the Islanders are on the clock in nine minutes.
Also, and I’ve been working on this for a few days and I told you it wasn’t earth-shattering, but I am now comfortable reporting that according to multiple sources, prospect Petr Kalus is returning to the Wild. Kalus, 21, quit the Houston Aeros last October after being upset about not making the Wild. He only played 17 games in the Kontinental Hockey League and was miserable.
Kalus, a former Bruin, was acquired in the Manny Fernandez deal set up at the Draft two years ago. He will be at the Wild’s development camp July 6.
568 Responses to "Wild takes Nick Leddy; And let the picking (and trading?) begin; Sources: Kalus coming back to the Wild"
MsC… you should have mail.
So gonna rewrite my resume and watch the draft tonight. Sounds like an exciting evening for me.
The new system seems to be paying off. Lets hope free agents find us as enticing.
I knew he’d be back. Put out there by management to show he is an available asset??
sources say Chris Pronger to Philly is “done.”
Step in and veto the deal, Don.
I’m happy that Kalus is coming back solely for the reason that at least we have something (not sure what it is) to show for trading Manny.
When Russo says he was miserable, does that mean personally or his play I wonder.
Kalus isn’t much to show, Greg. Gawd. Surprised and disappointed. Didn’t miss him one iota.
Wonder if Lupul goes back to Anaheim in that Pronger trade.
Tweet: Chuck Fletcher now huddling with Director of Pro Scouting Blair MacKasey. Blair has one function at this Draft, and it ain’t amateurs
Let’s give Boston our pick and Zidlicky (plus some garbage?). That’d be almost as good as Kaberle and Toronto’s pick. We could throw in Harding and they could trade him for some assets.
woo.
plan the parade.
Victor Hedman is a tall boy.
Tavares looks a little twitchy.
Another Russo Tweet:
Chuck Fletcher is now talkling with the entire pro scouting staff #nhl
Oh man. Don’t know how many NFL fans are here, but the New York Jets fans usually boo loudly when the Jets make their first-round draft pick. It’s the highlight of any NFL draft. I’m excited for the hockey version with the Islanders (who, like the Jets, are kind of the ignored younger brother to the Rangers/Giants.)
Tavares looks a little twitchy DOUCHEY.
There, I fixed it for ya.
Agree, ATX. Don’t like him.
Kevin, that’s cause the Isles were only created to keep the WHA out of the New York area. … That was me being a geek again. Oh well, I got my picture taken with Boogie, Scotty, and Cal last night, I’m happy right now.
Bring back Voloshenko and Rashkat Raskmatulin or whatever his name from the Scott Pellerin trade!
We also got cap space in the Manny trade. That has become quite a commodity in the last few years.
Even more so in the next couple. Think about it. North American economies are down ~20% so it isn’t too much of a stretch to see the salary cap take a ~15% or more hit in 2010-11.
Thanks ATX, but just to be certain, shouldn’t that be “doochy.”
Bring back Voloshenko and Rashkat Rasmatulin or whatever his name is from the Scott Pellerin trade!
I love that they’re booing bettman. Hilarious!
Bettman just looks like a tool. And could he French be worse? C’mon, get some help if you’re gonna try.
LOL, Bettman got booed pretty clearly.
Bring back Voloshenko and Rashkat Raskmatulin or whatever his name from the Scott Pellerin trade!
And Dupuis!
Thanks ATX, but just to be certain, shouldn’t that be “doochy.”
Damn! I phail.
AIH-
didn’t the NHLPA induce some sort of “booster” to keep the cap around 52 million?
I thought I read that this last week.
And why are you trying so hard to get rid of Dupuis, KiPA?
Anyone found the draft live on line somewhere… since I”m at work I don’t have TSN or versus right now….
Russo, why do you keep saying that the draft begins at 6:00 p.m. CT. It doesn’t begin until 7:00 p.m. CT. You’re there. Shouldn’t you know this? Or, are you too busy trying to build more war stories about your many travels? Do your job, flake.
Not a failure ATX, just a clarification.
Stop talking Bettman and let them pick!!
LWF: NHL has streaming audio
Who’s drafting players for the Panthers??
I hope they don’t boo Duchene or Hedman if they get picked. That would suck for them.
A couple reasons, Mrs. A: First, it drives you guys nuts. 
Second, he’s too expensive to play on our fourth line.
It should be noted Dupuis’ single-best scoring year coincided with the Wild’s best playoff run.
um…Lala, I’m watching it now at 6:17 CT.
?!
luke: The Isles’ fans are likely to boo, but it’ll be aimed at Snow, not the player.
Tavares #1!!!!
Ah shucks, they did it. I was so looking forward to them not picking Tavares.
told you all
Lemm, thanks…
Whoopty Do. Taveres numero uno.
god I love pierre mcguire
Russo, why do you keep saying that the draft begins at 6:00 p.m. CT. It doesn’t begin until 7:00 p.m. CT. You’re there. Shouldn’t you know this? Or, are you too busy trying to build more war stories about your many travels? Do your job, flake.
With all due respect, you’re an idiot.
I was hoping they’d burn Nassau Coliseum down. Tsk.
After Taveres tweeted last night that he wasn’t going to be the #1 overall, its a little bit of surprised.
So now that the Isles fans got snow to pick who they wanted, who do they get to blame if he doesn’t turn out well?
Okay. Next?
Lala72=idiot.
I don’t disagree KiPA, but it still would suck for them. Don’t need to worry about it anyway 
So now that the Isles fans got snow to pick who they wanted, who do they get to blame if he doesn’t turn out well?
Snow.
After Taveres tweeted…
That’s the joy of Twitter and all these other crap Web sites, who knows if it was actually him.
With all due respect, you’re an idiot.
That’s an understatement.
What is Russo’s Twitter name?
Pronger to Philly for 2 Firsts, Lupul, and Sbisa
pronger to philly for lupul, luca sbisa, and 2 firsts
Details emerging on the Pronger trade. Lupul, defenseman Luca Sbisa and two firsts.
Bored Now… Next please!
That is a crapload for Pronger.
What is Russo’s Twitter name?
Russostrib
Holy balls…. why that much for Dooshbag Pronger?
Yes it is, Mrs. A…and the best thing is, they wanted to dump Lupul’s contract…but Pronger’s is bigger.
wildinatx-
And pronger is UFA next summer.
Anahaheim got the better end of that deal, I believe
I like that move if I’m an Anaheim fan.
Pronger move is a salary dump for the Fowl. Although being a tool, he’ll fit in well in Philly.
I like that move if I’m an Anaheim fan.
Hell yeah. And I am super pissed if I am a Flyers fan.
being a tool, he’ll fit in well in Philly.
+10000000000
Luca Sbisa looked to be a stud last year before they sent him back to juniors…talk about overkill for Pronger
Indeed, Ben. I liked (well, hated, because he was playing for the rival) what I saw from Sbisa. I didn’t look forward to playing him too often.
NEXT!
god lawton is sleazy.
I don’t even think Pronger was worth the two 1st round picks. Brutal.
the thing with sbisa is that you don’t know what kind of D he’ll be; a shutdown guy, an offensive guy, etc.
Either way, he’s a good player.
Anyone think Loiselle looked a lot like Mark McGwire?
Yep, ANA tore that trade up
Oh my lord. That is WAY overpayment!
Holy SHIZA! that is insane. Add a third to that.
Holy crap, a third round pick too?!
bettman is such a tool.
That’s crazy. Overpayment, migod.
Philly’s GM should be on Fletcher’s speed dial. That guy got hosed.
OMG that trade is insane…
Philly is dumber than Garth Snow
Man Duchene was pale before the announcement….
The Avs just got a helluva lot better
the avs still got a ways to go. Duchene’s a good start.
I like that kid. Too bad he went to CO.
He sounds like he’s very grounded.
Kane is adorable.
Did Mike Milbury take over in Philly when I wasn’t looking?
Did Mike Milbury take over in Philly when I wasn’t looking?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
POTD.
I was just thinking the same thing, ms.c.
I just watch for the sisters.
Nice shirtless shot for ya there Ms.C.
Kane is adorable but he’s taking too long hugging everyone. Get up there. Maybe he’s delaying wanting to join the Thrashers
Where? What? CRAP! I missed it!
Matt Millen apparently found employment in Philly.
I was hoping that Fletcher could somehow wheel and deal and get Duchene. The night’s not over yet, but I don’t think the Wild have the assets for that trade. Unless the Avs want our pick (#12) and Harding.
Yep. Shirtless and doing pull-ups with his 7% body fat figure….
They showed him at the Combine doing the high jump thing with no shirt on… rewind your dvr.
sunshine, would you want to join the Thrashers? It would mean moving to Atlanta. I’ve been through Atlanta, I didn’t like it, I was very glad we didn’t stop.
Dammit. Nah. Gotta forge ahead.
Oh commercial… I’m going back in!
Mr. ATX is right, it was the jumping thing, not pull-ups. I was… distracted.
It would mean moving to Atlanta.
Someone remind me. Did they say that Kane has a summer home or something in Atlanta?
who is Fordy Leipold?
From Russo’s Twitter: Fordy Leipold is the Wild’s Draft runner as proud papa looks on
Leipold’s kid?
Leipold’s kid dude
I’ve been through Atlanta, I didn’t like it, I was very glad we didn’t stop.
Be happy for that. It’s not a nice city.
Leipold shouldn’t be proud unless he made a deal.
KiPA: They were talking about Evander Holyfield’s place just outside Atlanta.
Fordy Leipold? Is that where they got the name for the mascot (Nordy?)
I mean, that’s what I thought too…. but Fordy? I thought Russo just mistyped.
Burke did not look happy.
HEXY!
Burke still doesn’t
Just saw Fordy behind Islanders Wang
Hahaa, they chanted “Hamilton” to the Yotes. That is funny.
Hamilton makes more sense than Phoenix.
Fordy? Isn’t that like a Boy named Sue??
Man.. no suprises yet. Well, except for the Philly disaster.
Secuel — we’ve had that debate many, many times before.
Russo’s Tweet: They hate the Leafs here; Fans chanting “67″
What’s the deal with the 67?
Toronto’s last Cup was 1967.
“67″ was the last time the Leafs won the Cup.
Kadri is a bust
THat makes sense. Thanks Kev.
Brian Burke is such an ass. But at least he’s honest.
Man, Burke is such a dick. It’s kinda awesome.
dang, Russo twitter is freaking awesome, especially draft day.
Love Burkie.
And yes, Love Russo twitter.
Burke is such a dick. It’s kinda awesome.
I was just thinking that. He’s a jerk at times, but he’s got this .. I don’t know how to describe it, this strange, twisted, bitter, sarcastic sense of humor that I love. I remember his interview at the trade deadline and I laughed my ass off at it. I love this guy.
I know Twitter is better than sliced bread, but I guess I’m not hip enough to ‘tweet’.
He is quite entertaining. Kadri didn’t seem to stoked though. He gave those generic canned responses.
stars select Glennie
WRT — I just joined yesterday so that I could get updates from Russo!
Chris in CA… you realize we are all watching too right? 
Glennie is a dude that the Wild had an eye on right?
I just joined yesterday so that I could get updates from Russo!
I’m just refreshing his twitter page. I will not join the Legion of Twits.
please post the tweets
Twitter has some security issues, IMO, that I don’t want to deal with yet…
WRT, just get a twitter account to follow along. That is what I did (set it up yesterday). It is actually pretty interesting.
i knew before the pick was announced from the stars tweet page Austin
I will not join the Legion of Twits.
I’m with you there. Maybe I’ll check it out again at the trade deadline.
Ahhh, don’t be twitterbabies. Join the revolution!
Oh I see Chris.. I was just messin with ya anyhow.
austintxwildfan
Not all of us are watching-I am at work.
I will never Tweet.. but I will follow other “tweeters”… god that sounds retarded. I hate myself a little bit now.
Hahaha, Russo getting in a dig at his fellow press up above.
Dater’s probably got half a Tavares feature written by now
I couldn’t get the tweets sent to my phone if I didn’t join — and I find that to be handy! Certainly won’t “tweet” myself though.
How old is this Ellis kid? 12?
Don’t let her kid you guys… she “tweets” herself on occassion.
Should Dater have a Duchene article halfway done, rather than Tavares?
I bet she does, Austin. *nudge nudge, wink wink*
He should, Mrs. A, but there was talk circulating all over the place at the draft that the Islanders would take Duchene and that Tavares would fall to Colorado.
Good point, KiPA!
New tweet — Chuck Fletcher is on the phone. Edmonton is up. #nhl
Ya, I have no intentions of tweeting, but it has come in handy for getting some “real time” info.
As we’re getting closer to the Wild’s pick, I’m kind of hoping they don’t trade down. But we’ll see…
Lurker, If they can pick up a second rounder for moving down a few spots and still nab Carter Ashton I am for it.
Harding to Edmonton? Is draft being simulcast anywhere?
True…
Bill, audio on NHL.com but I think it’s delayed as Russo has had the picks up before the audio stream.
It’s a deep draft, so I hope they can trade down and pick up another pick.
If we don’t trade down, hoping for Leblanc, Moore or Kassian
About the Pronger trade: GOOD LORD! They’re giving up two prospects and two 1sts for a guy that’s going to be a UFA in a year?
If I’m a Ducks fan, I love this deal. And believe me, I like the Ducks a whole lot more without Pronger.
KiPA: thanks for pointing out the Russo smack talk to fellow media. Russo is darn funny.
Is this worth the wait?
I want the Wild to trade down. I’d like to get another pick or two if there is still a lot of preferred players on our list available.
And a third-round pick too, Seamus. Anaheim also traded some guy named Dingleberry or Dungaroos or something.
Lurking, Thanks I am listening but would like to see whats going on.
Nice buzz going in Russoville. Kudos to everyone!
New tweet — FYI, once Wild selects, that’ll be in for awhile with the tweets unless there’s more wild news…#nhl
Does that sound like he thinks the Wild will pick at 12 to anyone else?
Bill, me too..
Yeah it does..
So what about Schroeder, we could use centers.
Nah, Mrs. A, just says whenever the Wild picks. Who knows when it’ll be.
here we go!
Wild select FSM #2 Jordan Schroeder
Fletcher is on the phone. Let’s hope he can trade down.
Pick Moore!!!!
How do you know this so quickly CinCA?
I say take Kulikov
9 draft picks in the last two years. Great strategy.
Scratch that melon Fletch.
Don’t pull a Vikings, Fletch.
How long does he have?
Trading down.
No D!!! Scoring Ws, Cs!!!
Looking like the Wild want to trade this pick.
I think its a trade that’s coming
Please don’t pull a Vikings…
per twitter,
Chris Snow is walking to Central Regsitry, trade made…
I like the trade down. Good move Fletch.
Yes! Trading down!
Nice trade…
Wang’s kid looks like a douche.
Yep, I dig.
NICE!
Sweet. Only 4 picks down. and picked up two more. I like it.
Woooooooo!!! 2 more picks!
12 pick for 16,77,182 pick
Nicely done.
Fletcher: 1 million
Doug: 0
per twitter Wild trades the 12th to the Islanders for the 16th, 77th, 182nd
That’s sounding like a fleece job, to get two picks and drop down four slots so the Islanders can trade someone 10 picks early.
awesome. more picks. Chuck and crew!
Wow, I like that deal for Minny. Now why would the Islanders trade up four spots for a guy who was supposed to go in the 20s?
So the Isles can draft, I mean.
Nothing wrong with that!!!!
What a move!!! Way to go Fletch, the anti-DR!!!
As a Gophers fan I’m glad Schroeder didn’t get picked by the Isles - the way he snatched Okposo mid-season was brutal, and Ness is drafted by the Isles too.
Full marks to Fletch for this move.
You are a douche. Leave the kids alone.
Makes you wonder if the Islanders were going to miss out on de Haan at 16. Whatever, gave us two more picks.
So is that a 3rd and a 5th????
I was hoping we could get a 2nd rounder but I will take it.
Duthie to Pronger: “Are you the missing piece in Philadelphia?”
I don’t know. Chris, do you know who your new starting goalie is?
Pronger is uuugggglllyyy. Geico should hire him to be one of their cave men
3rd and a 7th
sunshine, you have no room to talk. You’re consistently hating on people. I agree with you for4, he does look like a goof up there. Guess that’s what you get for being an owner’s son.
Tom- great question.
Drop down again and wait for Budhish to fall to us!!
or 6th
3rd and 7th
I was always bad at math(:
3rd and a 6th
That guy would’ve been available where they were. Snow must think he’s Jesus on ice.
I guess we can diss the picks, who are also kids, but not the owner’s son. Ok. Fair enough.
It is a bit strange, KiPA. Maybe it’s a Risebrough-style move? You know, he heard from someone that the team in front of them was going to take the guy they wanted….
Great move by Fletcher, trying to repair the damage done by DR. Third and a 6th for moving down only 4 spots…Garth Snow learned from DR??
Leblanc, Moore, Schroader or Kassian, please!
Ben: Could very well be one of those!
Good move Fletch! Schroeder will become a Wild Member!
Kassian to Buffalo…
Kassian to Buffalo
Carter Ashton!! Come on!
Ohh, no more Kassian. Buffalo nabbed him.
I’ll jump on the carter ashton bandwagon ATX
I’m just not sold on Schroeder to the Wild. I feel that he’s like another PMB, and I have enough on my hands defending one PMB, thankyouverymuch.
Is this Kassian related to our Kassian?
I have enough on my hands defending one PMB
So go the other way and pick on Schroeder. PMB makes a costly turnover that leads to a game-winning goal in the last two seconds? Blame it on Schroeder!
Oh mi gatos! We’re getting closer to getting what we all want…a MN player.
New Tweet: I just have this feeling Nick Leddy will soon be wearing a Wild sweater. Tommy Thompson absolutely adores the dude #nhl
I just have a feeling Fletch is going to start getting more MN boys in the system
If we really want Nick, we should be trying to trade down again.
We got 2 extra picks, so I wouln’t mind trading the first in a package for Clowe
haha watch us pick a MN kid and everyone (Sid, Souhan, Slover, MKVN, etc….) go on and on about how Fletch is the savior and DR was a hater who never picked the MN boys and now because of 1 player we’re going to win the Cup next season.
I’ll jump on the carter ashton bandwagon ATX
Thanks Jim! It was getting lonely up here!
Word, ATX.
If it is Leddy, hopefully we can move down a few more for maybe a 2nd rounder!
not leddy. they’ll take budish, but only after trying to move down again.
She’s cute! Kulikov’s … woman? Sister? Girl sitting next to him?
Yeah, I wouldn’t be surprised if we move down again, and I’m okay with that.
No prob ATX. we share the PMB love. It will be interesting to see what he does in a new system.
*yawn* Draft is boring now.
Brian — why not Leddy?
Ryan Clowe? Really? That’s ridiculous.
Hey, I don’t hate on little kids. I hate on players, GMs, trade rumors, posters’ suggestions but I leave little kids alone.
Maybe I’m biased and all this “best available” business, but wouldn’t the wild taking a D with the first pick be like the Broncos taking a RB instead of addressing their glaring need at D?
No, not related to our Kassian.
yawn* Draft is boring now.
Oh yeah!? Well, your’re boring!!
Or something…
You take the best available player. Not NHL ready for 2 or 3 years by then your needs have changed.
Do you think Fletch is already working the phones to trade down again? Seems like a lot of players that have been discussed are still available…
Lemm, I agree…
I’d say take either Ashton, Leblanc or Schoerder
Well, so far I’ve watched more of this draft than any other one I can rememeber.
Maybe it’s because now the Wild have hope…
I’m on board with you, WRT!
TT, IMO, is shifting focus on him. We have Cuma and Burns. Leddy is too small. Budish adds much more. Just a hunch.
I’m pretty sure I watched the entirety of the 2003 draft, but that was due to special circumstances, not by excitement.
This is the first one I was embarrasingly excited for!
Schroeder???
Schroeder or a trade down again
Don’t like the way Holland skates.
Fletch is on the phone again….
I wanted to see something from the Wild that would give the fans some hope. A 3-for-1 draft pick swap is not a bad start.
There are two defenseman that could go late 1st round, in CO Roussel and Dylan Olsen.
CO is the youngest in the draft, physical, fast and can shoot. Olsen is one of the most physical defenseman in the draft and can also shoot the puck. Olsen will be at UMD
3-for-1 is even better when we didn’t really want any of the guys already gone.
Ms. ATX -
+10
Where are the hot, hockey loving lawyers watching the draft?
Columbus GM just ran up to Fletch
Please no Schorder.. or whatever you call him.
I’m from EP, played varsity there, and would love to see them take Leddy but I hope if they do it’s because they really think he’s the one. Don’t take someone because he’s local.
Where are the hot, hockey loving lawyers watching the draft?
In Austin TX!
I’m ready for this blog to explode.
Looks like the Wild will use the pick..
Damnit… Defense? Ugh.
Russo was right.
Good call Russo. Now, good pick?
F*!@*! So scoring anyone?
Well a Minnesota is a Minnesotan eh
wow
Thank god, its not Schroeder.
I wanted Carter Ashton!!!!!! Waaahhhh!!! *throws hissy fit*
Nick Leddy will be good
Pierre is hating a bit, but this is an interesting pick.
OMG HORRIBLE pick
Fletch, you better rebound since you already let Kassian & Kulikuv slip away!
I’m hoping he’s another Burns.
Thank god, its not Schroeder.
Agreed.
Couldn’t get that 2nd or 3rd rounder so they reach for Leddy? Mistake, just shows that some of the old regime (Tommy Thompson)still control too much.
However, I would rather we picked a forward.
Let the, “Thank god we got a MN kid” posts start flowing like the salmon of Capistrano
Schroeder wouldn’ve been better. Looks like the plan is to have active D for years to come.
I hope Russo can explain why they picked a defensemen….
Someone fill me in: Leddy a D or W?
Hmmm, must not have been able to trade down any further.
I hope we can still do the Harding for St. Louis’ second deal.
Russo do you have a seast at the draft table?? Good call!!
Agree Lurking… I don’t understand picking a D.
WRT: that’s a big fat D
Leddy is a D-men
Fuhgeddabouit. Leddy’s a D…
Let the, “Thank god we got a MN kid” posts start flowing like the salmon of Capistrano
LOL! Awesome Lemmi.
Leddy = Offensive D-Man.
so will our pick play when the season starts or will he go to camp
Nick Leddy may not even make the NHL.
I think this has AJ Thelen written all over it.
I don’t think Schroeder would have been better. And I also don’t think that we could have traded down again and gotten someone near the top of our “list.” But, I am a little disappointed that we didn’t pick a pure goal scorer… or at least a forward.
a high school player with a first round pick? homerism won out and likely won’t pan out. Leddy over Kassian?…we could have had Kassian. So far, Fletcher, I’m not impressed
The answer to the why Leddy will likely be “we took the best player available” although I tend to disagree. Ashton is a missed call I think.
Just what we needed, another undersized defenseman.
I hope we can still do the Harding for St. Louis’ second deal.
I hope you mean a second and a player. Harding is worth much more than a second.
I like the pick of Leddy, but this team needs offense from the forward position, and passed on Jordan Schroeder twice. I hope they don’t end up regretting it.
Simon says:
June 26th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Couldn’t get that 2nd or 3rd rounder so they reach for Leddy? Mistake, just shows that some of the old regime (Tommy Thompson)still control too much
WTF! already questioning Fletch. You guys are comical.
Why is a great call when TT has been crushing on Leddy? TT adores Leddy. Its not like TT tried to hide their love for Leddy.
I was hoping it was a front and we go for a forward but I guess I was wrong.
Leddy is heading to the U of M in the fall.
Wild1 - Leddy will play at the U for at least a few years.
Can someone please make the pitch for Leddy over shroeder? Esp given our current situation? I’m real confused here…
Maybe Budhish will drop to 87th . . . .
Harding is worth much more than a second.
Based on his 58 games in four seasons?
so will our pick play when the season starts or will he go to camp
He won’t play at the NHL level for a few years at least.
Stupid. I dont like this. He will be another AJ Thelen. Passing on Schoeder,Leblanc,Ashton, just dumb. Well all you have to take a MN guy you got your wish, a screwed up draft pick. I hope they have something with Harding cooking to get back into the first to draft a forward.
Simon: We got a 3rd rounder when we traded down — #77.
Hmmmm….AJ Thelen ring a bell? not a good pick.
TDC — he’s a high schooler. I don’t think he’s quite fully developed.
And can anyone give me a phonetic pronounciation of Schroeder?
PB ok i was’nt sure how that worked thank’s
Based on his 58 games in four seasons?
Fair point. But I would like at least a prospect plus a second for him. I wasn’t asking for Oshie or anything.
You guys are funny with bashing this pick immediately after it’s made. Can’t even give the guy a chance to show what he can do.
You really don’t think we can get more than a 2nd for a legit potential top 20 goalie? That is a bit short-sighted IMO. Hold out, there is no hurry to trade Hards now, we won’t be contending for a few years anyway…
Harding is a dime a dozen goalie, I would be surprised if any team traded for him since there are so many proven backups or possible starters that will be available.
Kent — why bring up Thelen? He was a Minnesotan and a defensemen, too. Is Michigan in the WCHA? Now, you are worrying me.
Well, I guess the X will finally sell out now that we have a MN player. Thank god because I didn’t know if Mister was ever going to go again. Still hoping for the best out of the kid.
From Russo’s twitter it sounds like columbus wanted to trade picks, but fletch was too uneasy about having the 26 pick - maybe not enough coming back to him.
Don’t necessarily understand the Leddy pick, but then again we need scoring now, not in three years. Leddy will take a few years to develop. Fletch & co will probably try to add scoring through trade and FA.
Central Scouting: Leddy is such an explosive skater. It’s pretty obvious he’s a target of every opposing team because he’s the engine that drives the train. Really, though, he’s a world-class skater. I’d say he’s in the same class as John Moore (Central Scouting’s No. 8 ranked skater) and Josh Birkholz (No. 33) of this year’s class.”
I wasn’t questioning Fletch, he didn’t make the decision, Tommy Thompson handles scouting and was hired by DR
I think we passed on Schroeder because he is PMB-like.
Kevin, to be fair, I think all these possible picks have been discussed at length over the past few weeks. It’s not like we’ve had Wild playoff hockey to keep us entertained….
Kevin, I won’t bash it by calling it AJ Thelen… but I will say I am disappointed. I was hoping for a forward. Carter Ashton specifically
You really don’t think we can get more than a 2nd for a legit potential top 20 goalie?
The bolded word is the problem. Harding is completely unproven. No one knows if he can handle the grind of being a night-in, night-out starter over 60-65 games. Personally I think he’s being overvalued a little.
Leddy would have been there at 26th.
I agree 100% Kevin.
The Wild had Leddy as the next best available player in the entire draft? Nothing against him and he may turn out great, but seems to be a real stretch here.
I think with Leddy is his size. Remember that Burns was only 5′9 at the start of the junior hockey season then he grew several inches during his 18th year to 6′+ before the draft. I hope Leddy grows a few more inches.
but then again we need scoring now, not in three years. Leddy will take a few years to develop. Fletch & co will probably try to add scoring through trade and FA.
EXCELLENT point. Way to be level headed.
A forward would have been nice but Leddy was wicked good in hike school. Hopefully it pans out. The U isn’t a bad place to develop. I’m predicting he will leave early.
All I can say to the disappointment is ask if any forward chosen at No. 12 or 16 would be NHL-ready this fall. I don’t know the answer because the draft is such an inexact science that I rarely read up on any potential draft pick. If any forward chosen in the mid-teens wouldn’t be ready for two or three years, then would it be much different? His impact wouldn’t be felt, and maybe over the next two years, Fletcher finds free agents or makes trades to bring in some scorers.
Boomer — he was the top player left on their list. It’s all subjective.
There won’t be many forwards for us in free agency, it’s gonna have to come through trades, and good luck there Fletch.
Well, Simon, Leddy could have been there at #26 but we don’t have that pick.
IMO: the jury will be out on Leddy for a while. Should he develop as the Wild want him to, the next generation of Wild ‘D’ should be set.
Now, about those centers…
Wild draft history:
- 46 Forwards
- 18 Defensemen
- 5 Goalies
oh great another minnesota player for the state of hockey. and not even the best one. their turning into the t-wolves
Simon, the free agent list is loaded with forwards.
Columbus wanted their 16th back for their 26th and probably their 4th is my guess.
I think we realize that the draft pick isn’t going to bring us offensive this fall. But, we were hoping to have a “home-grown” sniper or pure goal scorer. We haven’t had one of those since Gaby, and we’re about to lose him.
rocvik: you mean they’re turning, not their. Keep studying young man.
If I am a FA, I have no interest in coming to MN unless you are going to overpay me. Don’t you remember last year?
What is tonight all about? “Potential” & “Opportunity”. Hards has shown flashes of being a dominant goalie, but has never been given a full chance. I go back to the Mike Smith trade for Richards. I would much rather have Hards than Mike Smith. Granted there were other pieces to the deal, but essentially it was Mike Smith for Richards. Not exactly the same as Hards for a 2nd.
And the trolls will file through now.
Kevin. I am with you on that last point. It really doesn’t matter if it’s D or O if they won’t play for awhile. I guess a NHL-ready Forward is pretty tough to get at pick #16.
In FA, you are likely to overpay regardless because you are in a bidding war.
I bring up Thelen because he is a Minnesotan and a D-Man. I know Michigan isn’t in the WCHA, but there are things to compare there. If we were going to go D, thats fine, but we should have gone with John Moore,Stefan Elliot or David Runblad instead. All played against higher competition than Leddy.
Is it the 77th pick yet?
KIPA - thanks for that. what i was trying to say, but better said with the emphasis that anyone we would have picked wouldn’t have made an impact on our team this year.
I mean come on, right? These are the same people who hate James Sheppard because he doesn’t produce like Gaborik as a 20 year old. wtf? He should have been kept in juniors or whatever was available. Put your picks in the oven. The wild aren’t winning the cup next year, or the year after. We have to bake the cake.
The SI.com guy had him going 21 in his mock draft. Not exactly a huge reach. I am a little surprised at all the immediate armchair Gm’ing after taking an offensive defensemen. Simmer down…
Mike Smith was good because of Dallas’ system, whose to say Harding isn’t the same?
I like the Wild picking Leddy. He’s going to the U where they’ll be able to keep a close eye on him. What I would be upset with is if they drafted a center at 16 and tried to put them on the NHL roster next year to address an immediate need. They can address the needs of next season with free agency and maybe dealing Harding.
I’ll email Russo and tell him to relay to Fletcher to trade Leddy, because Leddy’s already doomed to the annals of Minnesota busts. Tell the kid he shouldn’t even try to be successful. His fate’s been sealed.
Well Simon I guess its good your not a FA. Those who can do those who can’t teach or complain about it.
Simon, new regime. I think players will have a different perspective on the Wild as an organization. They will at least think twice where they may have dismissed last year.
John Moore would have been a great pick. Stefan Elliot compares to Mike Greene. Leddy’s potential is Paul Martin. A good player, but nothing flashy, Moore and Elliot have much more upside.
thanks spellchecker plus
I’m not saying he wasn’t but getting Richards for him was a good pull. Thats my point.
I’ll email Russo and tell him to relay to Fletcher to trade Leddy, because Leddy’s already doomed to the annals of Minnesota busts
*evil laugh*
“spellchecker” is actually two words. Again, hit those books son.
I think it will take at least a year for the new guys to show that it isn’t going to be Lemaire’s system, and who knows how offensive it can get with a team of 4th line checkers and Koivu.
But I guess we should just pray that the scouting in the later rounds will produce some quality players.
Again, can anyone give me a phonetic pronounciation of Schroeder?
Gees, the Wild don’t have enough Minnesotans, then what’s the Wild doing taking a Minnesotan?
I love how folks have all these opinion about players that, let’s be honest, few of us have really ever seen play and even fewer have heard their names before reading a mock draft list. These picks are judged 2-4 years from now, not today.
wow must not have much to do. and you must be from eden prairie.
I thought I watched a lot of hockey. Some of you are amazing with your ability to asses talent. I didn’t realize people could watch every OHL, college, high school, european, and russian league game while still maintaining a normal life. Congrats.
shray-der
I agree with Ms. ATX. With drafting Cuma last year, Scandella, and maybe finding 1 D from Houston, we have a couple of potential NHL D in the pipeline…now switch the perspective to potential NHL scoring Ws or Cs, and the list doesn’t really exist. Gillies is a checking C, Sheppard needs to break out, Poutine needs to work. Eero Elo anyone?
That’s the way I was looking at it, anyway. Bringing in FA/trading for players only lasts so long. Need to draft the scorers, too.
Thank you hockeydad. Basically, if you’re not in the top 5, you won’t get an immediate impact player.
I would have liked an O man… but I can live with this pick. My hissy fit eariler was just a joke anyway.. I really do like that Ashton kid. Anywho… I am going to punch 3D rendered doods in the face in Fight Night. Later Russoville!
SHRAY-DER
Well let’s turn to free agents, who do the Wild have a realistic shot at?
I’m still hoping Fletch can make some progress on the Ryan Clowe trade.
Shrayder.
rocvik: If people in Eden Prairie understand how to use the English language intelligently, I would be happy to claim that as my home.
Thank you Lemmi.
To me, it’s about looking at what you have in the pipeline, and what you don’t. We don’t have goal scorers in the pipeline. We do have a defenseman. Alternate, eh? Especially when you pick at a point where “the best player available” is subjective. And no, I didn’t want them to pick Schroeder. (and really? it’s pronounced Shray-der?)
and on second thought, to add to the last post, the Wild haven’t exactly been dynamite in drafting players past the 1st or 2nd round…I’m optimistic that Fletch and Co. will start to find some better players in later round in the future. Is it tomorrow yet?
Lemm,
That’s what I was thinking too, we don’t have any scorers in the pipeline. I know draft picks are not going to be on the roster for a couple years. I just felt we have enough D coming up we should get something on the O side.
You’re clearly a football fan in a hockey forum. Go back to your Vikings chat board. You made a stupid point with poor grammar. Done.
I love how folks have all these opinion about players that, let’s be honest, few of us have really ever seen play and even fewer have heard their names before reading a mock draft list. These picks are judged 2-4 years from now, not today.
+1
Another thing: Fletcher came from Shero’s system, and Shero loves having offensive defensemen. Some of that probably rubbed off on Fletcher.
Hopefully, this puts an end to the rumors that we’re trying to pick up a D. Who knows, Gabby might come crawling back. Literally with the way his groin is.
I’ll make a cameo appearance, outside of the first 2 or 3 guys taken, nobody else was projected to make an immediate impact on the current team.
This isn’t NFL, it’s the NHL.
Personally, I’d have liked some O. But, we are building “assets”. Maybe the Leddy pick makes it easier to include Cuma in a deal. Who knows?
Gillies a checking center? At 6-4 200 and a winger, thought he was someting else?
Leddy is fine but like a few folks are saying — we need forwards, specifically centers.
WHY WHY WHY Drop down a few more and get him. Quite frankly, he would have been there much later. And this does NOTHING to address our lack of scoring.
Oh! I forgot about Eero Elo!
Sucks to be Schroeder right now.
Gillies is a winger. I think he filled in at center when his junior team was short on centers but he is a winger.
Does anyone remember who they had Leddy compared to? I was so mad at the pick I forgot to look.
TT: “Dood, take Leddy.”
Fletcher: “No way man, I said I wanted to play uptempo offensive hockey”
TT: “Come on doooood… Puhleeze! I have a wicked man-crush on him.”
Fletcher: “Seriously Tommy, I really want a forward that can shoot.”
TT: “Seriously, I will wash your car every week for a year. Comeon, comeon, comeon, comeon!! Puhleeze!”
Fletcher: “Ugh.. Fine… you’re about as bad as my dog when she wants a treat.”
Let’s just hope this in not another AJ Thelen.
What’s with this Ryan Clowe wish? I’m not impressed and I don’t think he fits the run-and-gun style the Wild are touting. He’s more of a grinder, albeit with some offensive talent, along the lines of SV or Fritsche. And, he played on a great regular season team.
I’ve heard Leddy comparisons to Paul Martin in the past.
is Leddy going to UofM or UND for college?
Ducks are quacking this year.
Could we have gotten picks 26 and 37? That would have given us our second rounder. Interesting.
he would have been there much later
I don’t buy this argument either. The Islanders took a guy at least 10 spots earlier than he “would have” gone. Some other team might have had Leddy ranked fairly high and ended up taking him before the Wild would’ve had a pick if they traded down. It’s another example that in the draft there are NO GUARANTEES.
Crap….I am with you. Fletcher trade of 12 and only getting a third rounder is the sign of a crap rookie GM.
He’s going to Minnesota, UND sticks to Canadians and Shattuck
Simon, exactly. You know what you’ve “heard.” Without first hand knowledge, you have to give a guy a chance before you cast him off.
Kevin in PA…..you don’t know that either. Works both ways.
brian.. U of M Gophers
Does anyone remember who they had Leddy compared to? I was so mad at the pick I forgot to look.
Style: Paul Martin
And Stefan Elliot compares to Mike Greene. Which upside would you want?
I’m not saying that’s a bad comparison, that’s what I heard McKenzie say on TSN before. I don’t know if it is true or not, if it is then great, if it’s not, oh well.
Hope that Leddy has his head screwed on straight. It will be interesting to see his development at the U and under a pretty bright spotlight.
Man….the more I look at Fletcher only getting a third rounder in addition to dropping down 4 spots, the more I think he didn’t get nearly enough. I would rather have 26 and 37 instead of what we got. And 26 and 37 was for a much later pick. Fletcher blew it big time.
People here seem to have something against Schroeder. What is it? Seems to me he’s going to be outstanding at any level he plays at and I think the Wild may have made a mistake.
Simon says:
June 26th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
I wasn’t questioning Fletch, he didn’t make the decision, Tommy Thompson handles scouting and was hired by DR
WHAT?? no way this was’nt Fletch’s decision.
you don’t know that either. Works both ways.
Sure does, but I’m not the one saying he would’ve been available later. I’m just saying you don’t know if he would’ve been so you can’t flat out say what you did. So it works both ways for you and others who are saying Leddy was drafted too early.
And Fletcher got three picks for the No. 12 selection, not just a third rounder.
Well hindsight is 20-20, Moore wasn’t supposed to fall that far I guess
I went to plenty of games at Eden Prairie. Leddy was solid, but I am a bit amazed that he went this high. Let’s hope he bulks up because he does appear a bit fragile. He was definitely supported by a great team at EP. The Rau’s will be the ones going in the first round in a few years.
Getting a 2nd would have been nice, but we still could if we find the right trade.
TJL — I’m not that well versed, but apparently Schroeder is in the vein of PMB, who people around here aren’t always fond of. Except me. And a few others. But generally, they’re not fond of PMB. So Schroeder by extension?
Man….the more I look at Fletcher only getting a third rounder in addition to dropping down 4 spots, the more I think he didn’t get nearly enough. I would rather have 26 and 37 instead of what we got. And 26 and 37 was for a much later pick. Fletcher blew it big time.
LOL!!!
Lol, do you think Schoeder will go to the rival Nucks? I dont think so, they will pick Stefan Elliot. Or Asthon and either one of them will crush the Wild and make them wish they had taken one or the other. I think the Wild wanted Ellis and settled on Leddy. I think Schoeder will end up feeding Ovie in the future, selected at 24 by the Caps.
I dont think that its just people here that have a problem with Schroeder. There must be questions about him since he was predicted to go so high and is still on the board.
Those of you complaining about not getting a forward here, this is not the NFL or NBA. There are not many rookies who make an immediate impact in the NHL. We’ll get our forwards elsewhere. For now, this team just needs to acquire some talent it can put in its system since DR couldn’t scout, couldn’t trade, and couldn’t sign FA’s.
I don’t know how you can say Fletcher blew the trade down. The pick, perhaps but only time will tell. They got the guy they wanted (may not be what we all-knowing fans wanted) and we got 2 more picks.
So where will Schroeder fall, Boston, Chicago?
Whover picks Jordan now gets a steal this late in the draft. He is a skating machine. Too bad that bonehead Risebrough traded away all of our draft picks. RIP Risebrough.
Were there more player trades last draft year?
To play uptempo offensive hockey, you need D guys who can skate and get the puck out of your own end asap. Not to mention get back to play D.
This is from Feb, much has changed since then but it is informative. http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/10926/2009_prospects_nick_leddy/
I don’t think it’s a bad pick. They LOVED Leddy and they weren’t going to reach for him to please the MN fan base. If they wanted to do that, they’d have taken Shrayder.
Wonder if taking Leddy makes Cuma easier to include in a deal… Just thinking out loud.
I would rather have 26 and 37 instead of what we got. And 26 and 37 was for a much later pick. Fletcher blew it big time.
I dunno if he blew it. That deal could have been in the works since before the draft started. I imagine that the BJ’s and whoever they traded with (I forget already) were probably working that deal from the beginning.
I agree there, Schroeder this far down could be the steal of the first round if things pan out.
I don’t mind the pick but feel that we could have gotten 26 and 37 pick for 16, and gotten a player of the same risk/reward at 26 as Leddy plus a 37th pick…
TJL, I would have thought that too…but there are now 5 other teams that passed on him other than the Wild…maybe they know something we dont.
People here seem to have something against Schroeder. What is it? Seems to me he’s going to be outstanding at any level he plays at and I think the Wild may have made a mistake
It’s because he is a carbon copy of PMB. We don’t need another passer. We need a scorer.
That’s a interesting idea Dickie, never thought of that one but it could make sense.
I think I like Schroeder better than PMB, but maybe PMB will turn out better if he is switched to center.
Haha! Luongo doesn’t know how to say “Schroeder” either.
Let’s hope we don’t regret letting Schroeder fall to the Ca*ucks.
Schroeder is a Canuck.
ha schroeder to the enemies
That’s a surprising move by the Canucks, doesn’t really fit their style.
I don’t know why every GM isn’t tuned into this blog. If they did, every team would get the best deals possible. I guess Fletch blew it by not logging on. Fire Fletch!!!!
surprising move by the Canucks, doesn’t really fit their style.
So you mean to say Schroeder is a nice guy.
2 questions:
1. Was Leddy a reach where the Wild took him? I wasn’t really thinking we needed to go dman but I am not about to rip Chuck at this point.
2. Have the Wild ever hosted the Draft?
I just wonder how long before the handle “Dump Fletch” or “Fletcher Sux” start. I give it less than 24 hours…
I just sense that Cuma is a better defensemen — he’s suppose to be a good puck-moving defensemen.
Haha well for everyone who hates Schroeder, they can all hate him more now that he plays for the enemy. He might look really good feeding Gaborik for years though.
Let’s note wait…
– Wonder if taking Leddy makes Cuma easier to include in a deal… –
Now that is an interesting point.
Ben, you’re assuming we could’ve gotten the same deal as CBJ. You’re also assuming that there wasn’t more than just draft picks traded. We all know what happens when you assume.
Chuck Sux would be before Fletcher Sux if I know the creativity of MN sports “fans” who are clearly haters…
I would much rather have Schroeder than Leddy. After all…we have Johnsson and Skoula.
I’m not an expert by any means, but from watching the gophers last year I felt Schroeder had an excellent shot. His passing is world class, which causes his shot to get overlooked. I think he’s a sure thing to be a top two line player and perhaps a legit #1 center. tough to pass up at 16.
Well, it only took one year after the Risebrough Sux nickname before that POS got the yank he deserved. SIGN GABORIK!!!
Simon, feeding Gabby for years? Maybe spoon feeding him while he’s on the couch with a bum groin.
I think Skoula is a UFA, no? So really we only have Johnsson..
should have moved down to 26 and got that #37 from columbus. Leddy seems like a goofball but I’m hopeful for another burnzie
Okay, I am really done now. Let me know where Carter Ashton ends up.
Prediction…Gabby will be healthy, play a full year, and will be in the top 10 in scoring this upcoming year. RISEBROUGH SUX.
Anaheim is smart, my god.
God Do I hate Cancucks and if Leddy doesnt work out and Jordon does in Cancucks land Tompson should be the next one to leave . lemaire was right they are not changing their style
Casualobserver,
I understand there is no way to confirm what was offered but the fact that 21 to 26 got that…there is no way Columbus was asking more back from us to drop 10 spots…I’d bet anything on that.
I think it is pretty logical to conclude that is what was offered to us, if not an additional late round pick.
Well, I guess the haters aren’t as creative as I thought they were.
What will it take now to get Kessel?
We might not have Skoula if his contract is not extended and Johnsson might be leaving after this coming season if his contract is not extended.
TJL - we’re at 24 now and Schroeder is still being passed up. Perhaps the scouts have more insight than you?
Maybe Gabby stays since his ego must get deflated being not talked about much lately
NO SKOULA>>>>>>>I am about to have a few drinks if that is the case. Too bad we can’t unload Johnsson and the HUGE salary Risebrough gave him. FIRE RISEBROUGH!!!
Gaborik is too busy renting a U-Haul on his way to Vancouver.
McGuire’s just pissed because he didn’t get the job…
Kessel is on the block. Again…damn Risebrough traded all our picks for CRAP. FIRE RISEBROUGH!!!
Ben, there is no way to confirm that CBJ got desperate and gave up more to ANA then they would’ve to us at 16. Let’s agree to disagree, move on, cheer for the Wild, and tell Pierre McG sorry you didn’t get the job but no need to be a hater.
Sorry, Schroeder got picked. But still, got passed over by more than just us. Our VS went out for a bit.
what in the wild world of sports are we doing? Did Kahn have a hand in this. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE WE WENT LOCAL, but…Minnesota needs centers like the desert needs the rain, and we pass on Schroeder? Am I missing something? WTF
Leddy and Shepp for Kessel, oh how i dream.
Would you trade Sheppard and Cuma for Kessel and Sturm?
Well it’s official, Schroeder will be a 75to85 point per year player.
If he had gone to someone else maybe he would have turned out average, but because the Nucks are our most hated rival, he will of course be a stud.
If Vancouver signs the Sedin twins…they can not afford Gabby. Gabby is the backup plan.
Holland would have been a solid pick, should have just took him at 12. The guy is going to be a beast.
OK. Cameo over. Came in, saw, going back on sabatical.
Ok, so I think we may go play some Rock Band, so I will just say this: aside from hoping that we’d get a potential scorer in the organ-eye-zation, I was also really hoping that Fletch would have the magic to get us a second. But, for now I will be happy with the third he did get us, and hope that we have now drafted Burns 2.0!
And by potential scorer, I meant potential scorer for 5 years down the road….
Let’s just hope it isn’t the 2008 2009 version of Burns. That Burns kinda sucked.
Oh, I’ll be cheering for the Wild. I am not up in arms over the pick at all. I just wish we had some more picks as there are many from 20-40 with the same risk/reward.
Sure looks like Burnzie….hey matching wild tattoos and house zoos…THE BASH BROTHERS
Man…still ticked. I love Schroeder. Will find it tough to root against him. And you can bet Vancouver will stick it to Minny and put pressure on him to come out early. No surprise…but they will love doing it. Only good news is that we will get to see alot more of him since he play for Vancouver. Hardly ever get to see Wheeler, Parise, Kessel, Martin or Vanek.
One way to look at the nice stable of defensemen is to look at Nashville. They have lots of good defensemen and can always trade them for forwards.
Sunshine…not sure I understand your point. Nashville isn’t exactly the model NHL franchise.
What are the odds that Budhish drops to our third round pick?
Simon….ZERO
No, but they can convert their NHL or prospective defensemen for forwards because they have several good d-prospects in the pipeline.
You think he’s gone in the 2nd or earlier in the third?
He is worth losing a third and fourth to get a second.
Fact is….the Wild have no depth anywhere…and no scoring. That is why they missed the playoffs. Going to be a looooong rebuilding process. THANK YOU DOUG RISEBROUGH.
I bet he goes mid to late second. But because of his injury, it might scare some suitors away.
Simon, wont happen. I have a feeling the Wings take him and let him develop. Or Pittsburgh. The Pens I have heard are in love with him. But the Wings, I just have this feeling they are going to take him.
First round Kent????
What time does the draft continue tomorrow morning??
Thanks in advance!
Budish fits the Wings arsenal. Take a risky guy, let him develop for 5-6 years, lets face it they dont need him now, and then when they are 23-24 they could be a beast. Budish fits that mold. I think he will be a beast someday, but not for a while. The Wings need a big physical forward on the wing, as do the Pens to compliment Crosby,Malkin,Stall. I think its Detroit, probably wrong, but just a hunch.
That is too bad. He’s got that power forward style to him that we have always lacked. Oh well. How can we convince Mike Camalleri to come here other than driving truckloads of money to his doorstep?
This draft has been pretty boring. Only 1 NHL-player related trade. Disappointing.
Still pissed. Schroeder will have T.J. Oshie impact and playing NHL Hockey next year…ERRRRR!
How can we convince Mike Camalleri to come here other than driving truckloads of money to his doorstep?
Um…sailing boatloads of money to his doorstep?
Simon - any team going after Cammy will have to back up the Brinks truck to him. That’s a given.
WTF!!!!! Aggresive offense???? Leddy???????????
The Nucks dont need Schoeder now. I wouldnt be suprised to see him stay through his junior year, maybe senior. They are a well stocked team, they wont let the Sedins go, and now that Burrows has emerged as a goal scorer, they are 3 almost 4 lines deep in scoring. They dont need Schoeder.
But if you have Hossa, Gaborik, the Winger Sedin, Cammy, and Havlat as potential UFAs, maybe Cammy might not get as expensive.
This year’s UFA is much, much better than last year.
No way Schroeder will be here as a Senior. And I would say it is less than 50 50 that he is here as a junior.
Well..no Zack to Detroit.
I just hope we do more in free agency/trading than get saku koivu, who is good, but not what we need
Talk english…you represent Chicago Scotty
Saku is aging and has fallen off lately. We need young blood like Chicago, St Louis and Pittsburgh has. Although age has served Detroit well.
Let’s judge the Leddy pick down the road. We can’t complain that the Wild have no assets, then grumble when we pick up three assets (Leddy and the two extra picks). Across many sports, drafting for “need”–a scorer, for instance–has driven more rotten decisions than good ones.
I have no clue if Leddy was the best player available, but if the Wild thought he was, he’s exactly who they should have taken. If someone taken later turns out to be a 60-point center next year, then *maybe* we goofed, but we won’t know until Leddy (hopefully) makes his debut down the road.
It’s not fair to blast Fletcher for unproven assumptions.
DRSux, you could very well be right. But my point being is that this gives Schoeder a better chance at staying at the U long term than being drafted by a team like the Predators who are offensively challenged or another team in that mold. Well, the number could still be right. Maybe the Bolts take him. Maybe the Wings take him 2nd round. I never said first round.
WTF???????????? Same old same old
scrib 38…those 2 extra picks are not that great. 3rd rounders are iffy, and I think the other pick is in like the 300th round. Right now…nothing that will help us in the next 3 or 4 years.
I only have this final thing to say about Leddy, I hope he is not David Fisher.
Kent…which is why I asked you to clarify which round.
Now that the gophers have two more NHL players, it’s going to be that much more awesome when SCSU owns them next year.
Very similar to Fisher. He certainly won’t be a Pronger.
Detroit gets a higher second round pick that we do. I still say the Fletcher trade could have been better.
I’d much rather he be a Ballard or Leopold.
nothing that will help us in the next 3 or 4 years.
Same with Schroeder if you’d picked him, or likely anyone else that would’ve been picked at No. 16. Minnesota’s system needs draft picks and believe it or not, good players can be found in any round, no matter which it is.
SCSU could. For some reason Lucia’s teams falter badly. I personally think it is time for a new coach at the U. Thank Lucia for his time, but it might be best to let a coach willing to put in time and is hungry to coach the team. Same complacency hurt Wooger.
Detroit doesn’t get the latter pick that we have though. It was a good move.
I wish the U would have hired Dean Blais, but oh well.
When does the draft resume tomorrow?
Nice Risebrough Sux. If the U had a GM I’m sure you would be on board to can him.
When the grades come out, the experts will give the Wild no better than a C+. Guess we will wait and see. If Leddy really did impress, why didn’t anyone take him before 16? Face it, it was a hometown pick to appease the Minny fan based that complained about Risebrough adversion to selecting American born players.
Regarding the value of the lower round picks….
Well, 77 or whatever it was isn’t as great as 37 or whatever it might have been, but *if* Leddy was their guy (as Russo implied), we got two completely free picks. Perhaps a budget dinner instead of gourmet, but not a bad haul from an empty cupboard.
Besides, the later rounds can yield results. Kim Johnsson was #286. Clutterbuck was #72 (pretty close to our #77). Brunette was #174. Hey, Boogie was #202! Admittedly I’m picking and choosing, but value *can* be had down there.
Dean Blais has a brilliant hockey mind. And he is not an excuse maker unlike some WCHA coaches.
Does anyone know when the draft resumes tomorrow?
Johnsson is not a good example. He is really not that good. Now…look at the Wilds picks overall in the 3rd round or later. I bet more than 50% never made the team for a full season.
Risebrough, you can ask that question about any player. If the #2 is so good, why didn’t he go #1? Each teams sees the guys differently, and each team has different needs. We weren’t getting an impact forward out of this draft. We have to let Leddy develop, just like we have to let Fletch develop his team.
Let’s get Budhish tomorrow!!
Simon, according to the TV schedule, round 2 starts on NHL Network at 9 a.m. central.
Simon, get off your lazy butt and google it. Go to NHL.com. Versus.com. Or any number of other sites.
Well, I here is to hoping we can somehow sign Gabby. And if we don’t, will the rumored wallet tightening by Leipold prevent us from getting any decent offensive FA’s. I certainly hope Leipold spends up the cap and gets us a decent team next year. The past 2 years have been disappointing.
DRSux … hey, no fair holding the DR era picks against the worth of the pick itself. I think we’re agreed that *our* picks, historically, haven’t always made us giddy
I would like Zach, but still am ticked we passed on Schroeder…and I am an Eden Prairie alum who loved watching Leddy. But my personal bias aside, Schroeder would have been a better pick.
Johnsson was the LAST pick in his draft year. He’s a pretty good defensemen. Lemaire had him playing in a defensive defensemen role rather than in a more of an offensive defensemen. Under Richards, he will more of an offensive role.
He was our best defensemen last year, IMO.
I know….I just live in the past and think what could have been. Minnesota deserves a Stanley Cup more than Pittsburgh…PITTSBURGH????? Heck, Sid Crosby even played at Shattucks. Minnesota has given so much to the NHL. Time to get some back.
Bottom line, it’s WAY to early to give grades. Don’t forget that Brent Burns was pretty much seen as a WTF? pick at the time….
I cannot believe the pissing and moaning over our first pick. it is likly there would have been pissing and moaning over anybody the wild would have chosen…’cause you can’t please everyone…unless of course, the 1st pick overall was still available. Geez…you folks are not that smart that you should waste your supposedly valuable life forces getting yourself all tied up in your grundies. Relax. And wait a few days. The crytal ball says things will play out in an interesting manner
Best defenseman…we will just agree to disagree. Highest paid…yes.
Word from the Draft floor is that John Tavares may fall right into the hands of the Northwest Division Colorado Avalanche. That’s because word seems to be leaking from the floor that the Islanders plan to take Brampton center Matt Duchene with the first overall pick.
Wow Russo, low blow at AD - with the Tavares feature and all.
Nice draft gossip from you above.
Time to get some back? To quote a former coach: “No doubt.”
From Eklund:
There is a Heatley deal on the Table…. All I can say is a three way deal sending a goalie elsewhere with Wild getting Heatley (e3).
Never universal agreement on a pick, but the Wild need scoring. And experts had Schroeder ranked MUCH higher than Leddy. Seemed to be a good fit for the Wild (Schroeder). I just hope the Wilds minds have several key FA offensive players lined up, otherwise Backstrom will have to earn every overpaid dollar he is making. That is another Risebrough mistake…waiting till the 23rd hour to sign Backs. Not to mention letting Gabby go for nothing..but I digress…good night.
Heatley is not going to happen. Another team has the inside track on him.
How smart are those experts because Schroeder went MUCH lower than predicted. Don’t forget the other teams that passed on him. We got one MN pick. Done. Let’s move on.
Joe, pray tell of this other team.
I don’t think there is anyone that thinks Schroeder will be in the league for at least two or thre years at the earliest.
My point is that the wild don’t have jack squat for forward prospects right now.
I’m not trying to blast Fletcher already, I just hope that the team does’nt end up regretting the fact that they passed up a higher rated prospect by many twice, and then end up picking a player that plays the same position as their top two prospects.
that should be THREE
If Eklund said it, you can be assured that it won’t happen. Sort of like when kj has “foreseen it”…..
The Leddy pick is great. Anyone trying to compare him to Thelen is stupid. First, he is playing for Minnesota at college not an extremely bad Michigan State team (seriously look at the numbers when Thelen was with them, the CCHA was an awful league). Second, had they taken Schroeder they would have been getting a player who can play pretty well in non-important games but in big games against big players he does not perform. Look at the medal rounds of the world juniors.
Plus, now we can all start to Boo Schroeder at gopher games when he doesn’t score because he is going to Vancouver…F****** Vacouver
What a bunch of provincial, parochial, narrow-minded ninnies some of us are…
So Leddy was a good pick or Leddy was a bad pick. Fine, whatever. We’ll know in 5 years. Where’s my new blog post?
We were wondering where you were tonight Nick!!! I needed a drink from the bar!
Or, alternatively, I should stop drinking these imperial stouts…
Did you see the draft? Are you a fan of the defense pick? Most importantly, do you know what his favorite pizza in MN is?
Wow, I have been arguing with people on this blog about the importance of having Minnesota born players. I guess my message is better understood tonight and I wont be having that argument anymore
The thing is this. The Wild wont be a top tier team and even if they were you can see the attendance dropping in Detroit during the regular season. You have to have your team draw the passion of the people and in Minnesota its our home grown talent
Mister Know it all has never said you need all 22 skaters to be from Minnesota. Maybe 2 is a good number on the team and maybe 4 in your system would make sense.
The State of Hockey is not the State of hockey until they put their money where their mouth is
See, this is why I didn’t want them to draft a MN-born player. Oh well.
What a bunch of provincial, parochial, narrow-minded ninnies some of us are…
I love how Nick just slices right to the heart of things.
Misterknowitall…so should the Wild draft me then? Personally if the whole Wild team was from Iraq and Afghanistan I wouldn’t care if they were winning Stanley Cups. Its about winning,winning,winning. Plus the economy in Detroit, while not great here either, is worse than anywhere else in the country, so that analogy doesnt make sense.
I’ll be happy if Leddy turns out to be a good player for us. But I’d be just as happy with anyone else. I don’t care whether we draft MN players or not. I generally route for Minny kids to succeed no matter where they go in the NHL. That, to me, is the way to take pride in our local hockey tradition - not demanding that they succeed professionally here.
Going back to a post like two hours ago. Zetterberg was 210 overall.
Tom Lynn’s got another blog up at THN.
Food
Minnie Sotan,
Are you cracked? Jordan Schroeder…big games…fill in the blanks in your logic there. What big games has Nick Leddy played in? I know the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament is just like the World Junior Championships right? Schroeder put up more then twice the points then Leddy when he was a FRESHMAN in highschool! CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN THIS PICK TO ME! Seriously. Aaron Ness had a better upside and went 40TH LAST YEAR! God this pick SUCKED
you are dead on minnie sotan they better do some good things on the second day of the draft.
