Without the coaching of Lemaire of the past few years, the Wild have slipped back into no man's land with the rest of the non-playoff teams. Once a team built to suck all life from a team with stingy defense, the Wild no longer mirror what they once were. A team in desperate need of an identity, Chuck Fletcher returns to the draft floor in hopes of rebuilding his team the right way. Top prospects, Michael Granlund, Tyler Cuma, and Matt Hackett are the first pieces, as Fletcher hopes to continue to add to the farm.
"With the tenth overall pick in the 2011 NHL Draft, Minnesota is proud to select, from the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League... Mark McNeill."
A big two-way center, whom many have compared to Ducks Captain, Ryan Getzlaf, Mark McNeill is a prototypical power forward. While none expected a season like this from the Edmonton native, McNeill capitalized on his opportunities playing as the Raiders' top center, both on the power play and the penalty kill. He would register 32 goals and 49 assists for 81 points in 70 games with the WHL Club, as well as add five points in six playoff games.
Currently suiting up with Team Canada for the Under 18's, McNeill brings a combination of size, smarts and skills to the lineup. A long powerful stride compliments his game, as a good skater for a big man; though he needs work on those quick changes in direction.
At 6'2, 210 lbs, McNeill already has an NHL body and uses it to his advantage. With very little help on his club, McNeill did all the right things to put his club in a successful position Whether digging out pucks from the corner, or being the set up man, a role he excels at, McNeill learned to do it all.
A playmaker by trade, McNeill has good vision and is able to keep the game simple. He's not one to dazzle players with highlight reel plays, but is always in the right position to get the puck to a winger in a scoring area. To add to his offensive abilities, McNeill is one of the better defensive centers of this draft class, seeing ample time on Prince Albert's penalty kill. He's also played that role well with Canada at the Under 18's, so far.
Good hockey IQ and soft hands are always an asset for a club looking for a centerman, but wish his size, McNeill could legitimately slot into almost any role a club asks; penalty kill, power play, top 6 center, checking line center, power forward winger... you name it, he's a guy who can fill it.
There have been many comparisons in McNeill's rise, to that of center Ryan Johansen. Coming from relative obscurity, McNeill took the bull by the horns, rising into Top 15 status.
All clubs want size down the middle, but when you can add that size with tremendous skill, people start to take serious notice.
Taken Previously...
1. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
2. Gabriel Landeskog
3. Jonathan Huberdeau
4. Dougie Hamilton
5. Adam Larsson
6. Sean Couturier
7. Ryan Strome
8. Ryan Murphy
9. Duncan Siemens
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