WildHBcommunity: Chuck Fletcher Adding Young Talent to MNWild Without Giving Up a Thing
The signing of Michael Keranen by the Minnesota Wild is yet another example of how much has changed here in the State of Hockey with the brand of this organization. Chuck Fletcher the Wild's general manager has been gathering up young talent at the forward position in the past couple months through free agent signings of young players not drafted by the organization.
The addition of Keranen on a one year two-way deal is a NO risk high reward potential type of move for the Wild. This is a player that at 24 years old is coming off a break out point per game year playing in Finland. Keranen I hear will be training with Mikael Granlund and his brother Marcus before coming to North America for training camp and HOPEFULLY the prospects camp this summer.
I view Keranen as a great flier opportunity on a kid that is a late bloomer and fun player to watch. Will he make the NHL roster? Probably not but maybe this kid catches lightning in a bottle because if you watch the highlight reels I provided below and read about him the limited information available he certainly can skate, handle the puck, score goals, and gets involved defensively despite being a bit slight of build.
Very good read from April 26th 2014 by: Ryan Kennedy
MICHAEL KERANEN, RW, ILVES (FIN.)
The 24-year-old is a late bloomer who has a great shot and loves to use it. The only point-per-game regular in the Finnish League, a.k.a. the SM-Liiga, Keranen posted 17 goals and 52 points in 52 games. He was Ilves’ MVP and has parlayed that success into an invite for Finland’s World Championship team. A speedy and flashy player who puts defensemen on their heels and can dish the puck deftly, Keranen is also responsible defensively. At 6-foot-1 and 176 pounds, he has an NHL frame, though a few more pounds would serve him well.
from: http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/the-best-players-in-the-world-youve-never-heard-of/
I think Fletcher has done a very good job of back filling with signings of players that could have a NHL future without giving up assets to do so. I have gushed over the Christian Folin signing as a NCAA free agent but also the Canadian Juniors free agent signings of Brady Brassart and Zack Mitchell are good additions to the Iowa Wild roster and organizational prospect ranks.
In Mitchell the Wild added a player that is well rounded from the Guelph Storm of the OHL. Mitchell was a leader for his team in addition to playing a strong 2 way game with strong scoring production in his Juniors career. Mitchell should be a fun player to watch he is skilled but plays with a nasty streak which will be interesting to see how his game translates to the AHL.
As far as an NHL future for Mitchell, he seems to be the type of player that could develop into a bottom 6 call up type in a couple of years for the Wild. Certainly he will get a very good opportunity to earn playing time with the Baby Wild as part of a new core there under the tutelage of Kurt Kleinendorst. The Wells Fargo arena in Des Moines should be a fun place this season and fans should enjoy the energy and rugged nature of Mitchell's game.
The addition of Brassart helps to supplement the organization depth down the middle of the ice adding a 6'2" 200LB pivot to the mix. The view of his potential is as a 2-way center to play bottom-6 minutes with special teams potential. Brassart scouting reports remind me a lot of the role Kyle Brodziak has played here in Minnesota.
Brassart will add some muscle and grit to the Baby Wild lineup as he will most likely slot in as the 3rd or 4th line center to begin next season. I could see him being paired up with Mitchell on a line to get their feet wet. Brassart joined Iowa last season for 9 games when his WHL season with the Calgary Hitmen ended.
Brassart will get an opportunity to play tough minutes and groomed in a defensive role so that he may crack an NHL lineup one day. He has shown that although he might now have top end skill, he is going to earn playing time on special teams.
These four young free agents(Folin, Keranen, Mitchell, and Brassart) signees will supplement the Wild's draft picks turning professional and eligible to play in the AHL. Those players include Mathew Dumba, Gustav Olofsson, Kurtis Gabriel, and Dylan Labbe. The Wild had several first year professionals on the roster in Iowa like Raphael Bussieres, Tyler Graovac, and Johan Gustafsson.
Wild 1st round draft pick Tyler Cuma is a restricted free agent this year and I have to believe that he will move on with his career outside of this organization. Cuma has been afflicted with terrible injury luck and bad timing. Cuma could well be retained but not getting a call up and with younger defenders by passing him to the NHL the writing is on the wall.
I have this sneaky suspicion that Fletcher has back filled young players to give the Baby Wild a good opportunity to compete and reward the fan base in Iowa, while also realizing that if he is going to swing for the fences in the trade market it will mean giving up one of his prized young core or more. I think we get to see the shape of Fletcher's offseason plan starting with draft day maneuvering June 27th and 28th. Stay tuned WildHBcommunity for updates!
Just My Take,
Tony Dean
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