The Minnesota Wild are the latest focus of our NHL prospect pool overview series.
Tony Ferrari digs into the Wild’s strengths and weaknesses, latest draft class, positional depth chart, next player in line for an NHL opportunity and more. A player who no longer holds rookie eligibility in the NHL is considered graduated and no longer a prospect for these exercises, with few exceptions.
Initial Thoughts
The Minnesota braintrust has had plenty of success at the draft.
Judd Brackett, the director of amateur scouting for the Minnesota Wild, has an impressive track record of finding top talent, dating back to his days in Vancouver. Along with the rest of the scouting staff in Minnesota, he’s built the Wild’s pipeline with high-end talent and solid positional depth.
Some Wild youngsters could play bigger roles in the NHL this upcoming season, including Liam Ohgren. While he is no longer Calder-eligible because he just surpassed the 25-game limit, this might be the 21-year-old’s quasi-rookie season, where he enters the Minnesota lineup full-time. The Swedish left winger is physical with a high motor and excellent finishing ability. On the forecheck, Ohgren disrupts defenders and forces them into making poor decisions. Ohgren could step into a middle-six role and make an immediate impact as a depth scorer and a hard-to-play-against depth piece.
Speaking of middle-six forwards, Danila Yurov finished his KHL obligations and signed his entry-level contract at the end of this past season, which gives the 2022 first-round pick the chance to come to North America and put his game on display. He will likely step into the NHL lineup right away. He’s a center at heart with the intelligence and two-way acumen to jump into a pivot position as well. Yurov, 21, doesn’t drive play, but he does all the little things that allow his linemates to shine. He’s a bit of an unsung hero in that sense.
Charlie Stramel has had a somewhat rocky ride since being drafted. His freshman season at the University of Wisconsin was his draft year, and he scored at a decent clip for one of the youngest players in college hockey. His physical tools, flashes of skill and nifty passing attracted teams, but his total package was a bit raw, and his skating was a concern. After a sizeable step back as a sophomore, Stramel transferred to Michigan State University, where he improved significantly this past season. He is still a project and will likely need some AHL time after college, but the size, physicality and playmaking are all interesting bets.
Hunter Haight had a very solid rookie season in the AHL, putting up 20 goals and 34 points over 67 games. He finished second in goal-scoring on the team and fifth in points. Haight is a very skilled and tactical player who hasn’t ever been an elite scorer, but he’s always found a way to make himself a more than capable depth scorer. The biggest question is whether he can find a way to mesh his tools and see the same kind of success at the pro level on a consistent basis.
Ryder Ritchie must also find a way to blend all of his skills and tools together. The former Medicine Hat Tiger is headed to Boston University, which is an excellent place for the crafty puckhandler and dual-threat scorer to hone his craft. Ritchie flashes high-end potential in the offensive zone and in transition. Hopefully for him, college will help him turn those flashes into consistency.
While the forward corps is loaded, the same can be said about the defense.
Zeev Buium is one of the most exciting young defenders in hockey. Over two seasons at the University of Denver, he helped lead the team to one national championship and another final appearance, earning first-team all-American honors both years. He led the nation in scoring by a defenseman both years as well.
Buium is a true difference-maker who can control the game at both ends of the ice. He calms play defensively and drives chances offensively. Buium isn’t quite as dynamic as Lane Hutson, but he is more well-rounded and could impact the Wild lineup in a similar fashion to Hutson’s impact on the Montreal Canadiens this past season.
David Jiricek isn’t a rookie anymore because of the NHL games he’s played between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Wild. That said, Jiricek has yet to establish himself as an NHLer, but the potential that remains in his game is incredible. Jiricek enjoys the physical side of the game and also has some intriguing offensive skills. If Jiricek can be a bit more fluid on his feet, he could become an effective top-four defender.
Carson Lambos is also set to challenge for a roster spot in training camp. The 22-year-old is a very capable two-way blueliner who has grown so much defensively that it may be his strength. Lambos is fluid on his feet and strong in the tough areas. He has some impressive passing and a big shot. He can do a bit of everything, and if he can continue that trend at the NHL level, he could very well be a key piece.
Aron Kiviharju’s stock fell dramatically after coming into his draft year as one of the top defenseman in the class. Injuries, inconsistencies and lack of physical development were among the reasons. Kiviharju is still one of the most impressive passers among defenders in the draft over the last few years. His feet don’t always keep up, and that’s affected his ability to excel at both ends of the ice. Kiviharju’s upside remains intriguing, but he may ultimately prove to be a very good European pro player.
David Spacek took a big step in the AHL. He’s become a fixture on the Czech men’s team over the past couple of years as well. Spacek is a solid rush defender who keeps good gaps and understands how to read incoming attackers. He isn’t a flashy player, but he knows how to maneuver the puck around the ice. Spacek could be a solid depth defender.
One of the best goalie prospects in the world, Jesper Wallstedt, will finally get his shot in the NHL now that Marc-Andre Fleury has retired and opened a full-time spot. Wallstedt is one of the most technically sound netminders we’ve seen come through the draft in years. He understands how to track the puck in open ice and identifies where he needs to be to cut down the angle. Filip Gustavsson is the starter in Minnesota coming into the season, but it wouldn’t be a complete shock to see Wallstedt earn his way into split starts by season’s end.
U-23 Players Likely to Play NHL Games This Season
Zeev Buium (D), Danila Yurov (C/W), Carson Lambos (D), David Jiricek (D), Liam Ohgren (LW)
2025 NHL Draft Class
Round 2, 52nd overall - Theodor Hallquisth, D, Orebro Jr. (Swe.)
Round 4, 102nd overall - Adam Benak, C, Youngstown (USHL)
Round 4, 121st overall - Lirim Amidovski, RW, North Bay (OHL)
Round 4, 123rd overall - Carter Klippenstein, C, Brandon (WHL)
Round 5, 141st overall - Justin Kipkie, D, Victoria (WHL)
It was a bit surprising when the Wild took Theodor Hallquisth in the second round, but the bet on the tools finding a way to work makes some sense. Hallquisth’s mobility has always been an issue to a degree, especially in his own zone. If he can improve his skating, his strengths will only be enhanced.
Hallquisth has some very nice passing in transition and starts the breakout as well as anyone outside of the top group of defenders. He appears to understand how to evade pressure at a lower speed and with limited agility. If he can improve those areas, he could be a very valuable player as a transitional defender.
With their first of three picks in the fourth round, the Wild took undersized center Adam Benak. Coming into the year, there were comparisons to Cole Caufield or Logan Stankoven due to their size, but Benak is different from both of those players. He’s more of a playmaker with some of the most dynamic passing and puckhandling of anyone in the draft class. His shot is certainly a weapon, but he isn’t a pure goal-scorer the way Caufield is, and he doesn’t quite have the relentless motor of Stankoven.
Benak brings other special aspects to the game, and he could be one of the best picks of the draft thanks to his cerebral offensive drive. He attacks the middle of the ice as a passer, looking to get the goalie moving laterally. Benak is a big swing, but he might be the best swing any team could have made outside of the top 100.
Lirim Amidovski played for a North Bay squad that barely made the playoffs and finished well below .500, so some felt like there may be more offensive ability there than meets the eye. He has the raw physical tools you want to see from a player with his profile. He skates well, throws his weight around and even has a good shot. His issue is that he’s not much of a puck carrier, and he doesn’t always show the skill to evade pressure with the puck. As an off-puck threat, Amidovski could develop into something interesting.
Physical 6-foot-3 center Carter Klippenstein works his tail off, attacks defenders head-on when forechecking and consistently looks to wreak havoc. His on-puck tools and skating must improve, but he has the base of a sturdy bottom-six forward at the next level. There’s just a lot to work on to get there.
Capping off their draft in the fifth round, the Wild took overage defender Justin Kipkie, who left the WHL to head to Arizona State in the NCAA. He was originally drafted by the Arizona Coyotes in 2023, but they opted not to sign him, likely because he isn’t a very mobile defender. That said, he can fire passes around the ice and use his size from time to time. Kipkie put up 52 and 62 points over the past two seasons, and developing in college should do wonders for him.
Strengths
The Wild have a deep prospect pool with talent at just about every position. The depth and variety are the strengths.
They have forwards with skill, and they have forwards with size. If you want a larger, physical player, you can turn to Stramel. If you want skill and speed, Benak is your guy.
They have shifty puck-movers on the back end and defensively stout defenseman.
Buium is a stud on the blueline, but after him, Lambos, Jiricek and Kiviharju all bring various tools and skills that could make them effective players.
The Wild also have an elite goalie in the system with Wallstedt, and they have other young netminders with some promise.
Since the Wild have a bit of everything, they have plenty of time to develop and allow players to find their niche at the pro level.
Weaknesses
The Wild have are weak down the middle. They have a few players who are listed as centers and wingers, but the reality is that one of their most promising true center prospects is the 5-foot-7 Benak. He may ultimately get pushed to the wing simply because of his height.
Hidden Gem: Riley Heidt, LW/C
Heidt is a feisty and fearless forward who brings as much skill and offensive playmaking ability as he does relentless effort. Heidt jumps to pro hockey after eclipsing 200 points over the last two years in the WHL. Heidt isn’t the largest, but he seems to understand he will have success when he establishes the inside position and even invites contact at times. Heidt possesses some of the elements that make Haight and Ritchie successful, with a higher level of skill and a more intense style of play overall. His first AHL season will be fun to watch.
Next Men Up: Jesper Wallstedt, G, And Zeev Buium, D
The Wild could have an influx of young talent joining the roster this upcoming season, but Wallstedt and Buium are virtual locks.
Wallstedt will start as a backup goalie who could get a larger share of the games by the end of the season. His upside is tremendous.
Buium is the most impressive rookie the Wild may have this season. His two-way impact and ability to create scoring chances from the back end are spectacular. Buium can be a difference-maker in Game 1.
Ohgren and Yurov could fill two spots on the third line, bringing a youthful energy and impressive work ethic at both ends of the ice. Lambos and Jiricek will likely also play games in the NHL this season, bringing some physicality and puck movement to the defense group.
Prospect Depth Chart Notables
LW: Liam Ohgren, Riley Heidt, Rasmus Kumpulainen, Rieger Lorenz, Michael Milne
C: Adam Benak, Caedan Bankier, Carter Klippenstein
RW: Danila Yurov, Ryder Ritchie, Charlie Stramel, Hunter Haight
LD: Zeev Buium, Aron Kiviharju, Carson Lambos, Jack Peart, Aaron Pionk, Stevie Leskovar
RD: David Jiricek, David Spacek, Theodor Hallquisth, Sebastian Soini, Kyle Masters
G: Jesper Wallstedt, Riley Mercer, Chase Wutzke, Samuel Hlavaj
For a deeper dive into the prospect pool with player rankings, check out the Yearbook and Future Watch editions of The Hockey News in print.
