Circulartheory
Registered User
Summary
1st Round - #11 - Erik Brannstrom - D
3rd Round - #72 - Maksim Zhukov - G
4th Round - #113 - Joel Teasdale - LW
5th Round - #136 - Drake Rymsha - C
6th Round - #165 - Denis Smirnov - LW
7th Round - #195 - Mark Rubinchik - D
7th Round - #196 - Lukas Zetterberg - RW/LW
#11 ERIK BRANNSTROM - D - HV71 (SHL)
5'10" 193lbs
Very few youngsters play see regular ice time in the SHL; even less play 20 minutes in games. But that is exactly what defenseman Erik Brannstrom did. He may be small, but he's stocky, smart, and mobile. He was the SWE-JR defenseman of the year as well as led ALL players (not just defenesmen) in shots during the WJC-18. As one of the youngest players in the draft, he hope he still has alot of room to grow. He expect him to command top four minutes in the SHL and command a key role in many future Swedish international games.
#72 MAKSIM ZHUKOV - G - GREEN BAY (USHL)
6'2" 194lbs
NHL size combined with mobility, agility, and athleticism, no wonder why he was named the WJC U-18 top goaltender. He is quick but doesn't make too many wasted movements. With the uncertainty of whether the Wild's top goalie prospect Elvis Merzlikins will ever make it over the pond, grabbing a top goalie like Zhukov in the 3rd was exciting!
#113 JOEL TEASDALE - LW - BLAINVILLE-BOISBRIAND (QMJHL)
5' 11.25" 192lbs
Heading into Day 2, the aim was to find character and versatile prospects and none top the list like Teasdale. Teasdale is known for his tenacity on the forecheck and competitiveness. Not only is he projected to be over 200lbs in his stocky frame, he also brings an offensive skillset as he was 2nd in team scoring. He will be a prospect that can play in any role on any line; exactly what the Wild were aiming for with the later picks.
#136 - DRAKE RYMSHA - C - SARNIA (OHL)
5' 11.75" 187lbs
Some online scrub did say this about Drake:
#165 - DENIS SMIRNOV - LW - PENN STATE (BIG-10)
5' 8.25" 185lbs
With Joel Teasdale and Drake Rymsha drafted as character, versatile forwards, it was time to take a gamble on a high risk/high reward prospect with a late pick - that being Denis Smirnov! In his first year of college hockey, he was top 20 in NCAA Div 1 scoring, led the entire nation in freshman scoring and setting a Penn State single-season record for points and assists. The main problem is his lack of size and speed to make up for his height but it should well worth a 6th round pick.
#195 MARK RUBINCHIK - D - SASKTOON (WHL)
5' 11.75" 179lbs
After drafting Libor Hajek last year, the Wild scouts had ample time to evaluate Rubinchik and were generally surprised to still see available in the 7th round. After all, Rubinchik was named Top 3 Player on his team during the WJC U-18 with points in 7 games and is known for his hard-hitting antics from the blueline. He brings a mix of mobility, offense, and grit that is very welcome nearing the end of the draft.
#196 LUKAS ZETTERBERG - RW/LW - VASTERAS (SWE-2)
6' 1.0" 201lbs
And the Wild draft the son of Henrik Z....wait, this isn't his son? A different Zetterberg? Who would have known there was another Zetterberg in Sweden. Either way, Lukas Zetterberg is a stocky 6-1 201lbs player who produced very well in the 2nd best Swedish league so its a promising sign moving forward.
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