Pertinent bits:
"13. Minnesota Wild: Konsta Helenius, C, HIFK
I had Eiserman to the Wild in my first mock and nearly picked him this time again for the same reasons, but I still believe they need and want to add down the middle and his smarts and work ethic are things they’ve targeted in players in the past. I actually think there are some lines to draw between Helenius and Marco Rossi and Marat Khusnutdinov, and I’m sure they’ll have a conversation about whether you can have too much of that thing, but the same things that drew them to those players will likely also draw them to Helenius and he might be the best of the bunch in the end."
"45. Minnesota Wild: Alfons Freij, LHD, Vaxjo Lakers
After going forward with their first pick (and each of their top-three-round picks in the last two drafts), I’d wager the Wild go D here. Freij, though he’s not viewed nearly in the same light by NHL teams as he is on public lists, would give them something a little different from the type they have a lot of (guys like Ryan O’Rourke, Kyle Masters and Daemon Hunt). Aron Kiviharju, Luca Marrelli and Leon Muggli could make some sense for them as well, though Kiviharju’s stock feels really cool these days."
1 comment
I’m cool with Helenius if they’re going to make the pick.