Probably the best group of prospects in the league. Hopefully it works out for Minnesota.

I think the Northwest division is on it's way to being a legit division again.

Coyle will end up the best out of this group, easily.

I see his upside like an Owen Nolan in his prime. Power forwards who are genuinely skillful are just so valuable.

Brian,

Hypothetical for you - if Granlund wouldn't have signed by June 1 and he re-entered the draft, what number do you think he would have been drafted at?

Also, out of Granlund, Larsson, and Phillips, who do you see as the best bet to turn into a legitimate 2nd line NHL center?

Brian,

Hypothetical for you - if Granlund wouldn't have signed by June 1 and he re-entered the draft, what number do you think he would have been drafted at?

Also, out of Granlund, Larsson, and Phillips, who do you see as the best bet to turn into a legitimate 2nd line NHL center?
- Chinaski

Phillips to me is the safe bet.

If Granlund goes back in? He probably goes around the same range as Teravainen (mostly because he's a re-entry as well as being one of those boom-bust types like TT).

Coyle will end up the best out of this group, easily.

I see his upside like an Owen Nolan in his prime. Power forwards who are genuinely skillful are just so valuable.
- TommyDeVito

After Granlund, yeah totally agree. Very good skater who drives the net and just loves to score goals. But i don't understand the hype around Phillips. Sure he has a great vision and superior playmaking abilities but his skating is just plain weak. He looks good in the Q but at the pro level he will lack speed.

I'm done work in 2.5hours, and NHL 13 is in my P.O. Box....

I'm freakin' out

If Granlund goes back in? He probably goes around the same range as Teravainen (mostly because he's a re-entry as well as being one of those boom-bust types like TT).
- Brian Huddle

Interesting take. I had just heard some people say he would go #1 and although I've always heard good things about his ability, it was never to the degree that he would have been picked over a guy like Yakupov. Thanks for the input.

I'm done work in 2.5hours, and NHL 13 is in my P.O. Box....

I'm freakin' out
- wolfos412

You better hope no one takes it,.

Interesting take. I had just heard some people say he would go #1 and although I've always heard good things about his ability, it was never to the degree that he would have been picked over a guy like Yakupov. Thanks for the input.
- Chinaski

Yeah.... these people are crazy.

I'm done work in 2.5hours, and NHL 13 is in my P.O. Box....

I'm freakin' out
- wolfos412

Send me a PM after playing telling me if it's worth spending 60$ for....

Interesting take. I had just heard some people say he would go #1 and although I've always heard good things about his ability, it was never to the degree that he would have been picked over a guy like Yakupov. Thanks for the input.
- Chinaski

Based purely on upside? He'd be in the Top 5 mix. But he's so boom-bust, and he's a bit older so that's MY reasoning. I could be entirely wrong.

Send me a PM after playing telling me if it's worth spending 60$ for....
- Scabeh

Picked mine up at lunch -- played the demo. Love the skating. Feels real.

Yeah.... these people are crazy.
- Scabeh

Actually, they are not. However, sometimes when speaking about a specific subject, people may have a tendency to over exaggerate to make a point. I heard this statement made when speaking about Granlund specifically and his ability, not necessarily as a statement to how he compared to the rest of the 2012 draft class. So, I wouldn't necessarily hold anyone to it.

However, when I heard that statement made, it gave me pause. Most of the Wild fans have seen very little of Granlund. To hear the national media discuss where he might have gone had he re-entered the draft may have given us a better view into what the consensus around the league was on this guy. It just would have been interesting to hear.

I'm done work in 2.5hours, and NHL 13 is in my P.O. Box....

I'm freakin' out
- wolfos412

10 2nd line/pairing players!?

Man I wish. Minny will be a powerhouse in 2-3 years, like Edmonton... Vancouver will find themselves 3rd in the division before too long...

Based purely on upside? He'd be in the Top 5 mix. But he's so boom-bust, and he's a bit older so that's MY reasoning. I could be entirely wrong.



Picked mine up at lunch -- played the demo. Love the skating. Feels real.
- Brian Huddle

Man.... I just know I'm gonna end up getting it.....

Will look nice next to me NHL 07,08,09,10,11,12 DAMN YOU EA!

Actually, they are not. However, sometimes when speaking about a specific subject, people may have a tendency to over exaggerate to make a point. I heard this statement made when speaking about Granlund specifically and his ability, not necessarily as a statement to how he compared to the rest of the 2012 draft class. So, I wouldn't necessarily hold anyone to it.

However, when I heard that statement made, it gave me pause. Most of the Wild fans have seen very little of Granlund. To hear the national media discuss where he might have gone had he re-entered the draft may have given us a better view into what the consensus around the league was on this guy. It just would have been interesting to hear.
- Chinaski

Most of the Finnish fans I've talked to think this guy is going to be the next Teemu Selanne. He's the Hockey darling over in Finland... I personally think he's going to be an above average player, but his lack of size and speed could prohibit him from being anything more than a PMB type player. His natural position is Center, but he's considered to be only average at best on face offs. Supposedly the Wild will start him at center, but I'm guessing with Koivu, Cullen and Brodziak already established as top face off men, there's a good chance he'll be moved to winger sooner rather than later.

I think you're right though, not much national media exposure for this guy which might indicate that he's not as revered accross the NHL as much as he is in Finland and Minnesota... I think it may possibly take a few years to find out just how good he's going to be.

Send me a PM after playing telling me if it's worth spending 60$ for....
- Scabeh

Unfortunately it was even more cause I had to pay shipping.

(frank)ing drawn in on that "autographed Giroux jersey" if I order online... then I realized my record for things like this are

0 - infinity

Brian,

I'd like to inform you (don't let your mouth drop open) that Coyle is now past 220 lbs as of the Wild's camp in July.

Beast.

Most of the Finnish fans I've talked to think this guy is going to be the next Teemu Selanne. He's the Hockey darling over in Finland... I personally think he's going to be an above average player, but his lack of size and speed could prohibit him from being anything more than a PMB type player. His natural position is Center, but he's considered to be only average at best on face offs. Supposedly the Wild will start him at center, but I'm guessing with Koivu, Cullen and Brodziak already established as top face off men, there's a good chance he'll be moved to winger sooner rather than later.

I think you're right though, not much national media exposure for this guy which might indicate that he's not as revered accross the NHL as much as he is in Finland and Minnesota... I think it may possibly take a few years to find out just how good he's going to be.
- MnGump

I'm definitely hopeful that he meets expectations, which are obviously high. But I'm just not sure what we've got. I've read/heard several things about him and there seems to be two camps. But the comparisons were difficult because those lauding him were pointing to his point totals in the Finnish Elite League and those tamping down expectations were using his WJC and WC performances, which are obviously limited.

Had there been widespread speculation that he might re-enter the draft, I just think we would have gotten a lot more perspectives on him because more hockey people would have been playing out all the possibilities.

Nonetheless, it never hurts to have a guy with his skills and upside. I'm not too worried about his size but I do wonder if the smaller sheet will affect his creative ability with the puck.

The one thing that struck me when reading Brian's blog was that if all these guys pan out, the Wild are going to have some interesting choices to make at center in the next 2-3 years.

Huddle, me and laughs were wondering if there are any women that have significant jobs at the Junior ranks?

He wonders why there aren't any women in the NHL being Gm's, but for the life of me I can't think of a women who actually have any meaningful input on a club anywhere.