The /u/belcaster 2024 mock draft, v1

It ain’t going well for the Wild right now.

This is potentially the worst possible year that GM Bill Guerin could have had, between his extensions looking premature, his coach being shown the door, and all that front office drama. I’d venture to guess many Wild fans are starting to turn their gaze back to the future, and what life will be like once we’re on the other side of the buyouts.

I mean shit, I know I’ve been spending a lot of time looking at prospects lately. getting my money’s worth out of this eliteprospects subscription, I suppose that’s one silver lining of this train wreck of a season.

Anyway, as always, these posts are meant to be conversation starters and allow more Wild fans to learn about the next generation of hockey players, beyond just the big names that will be picked in the first round. Hope you enjoy!

Without further ado…

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**6th overall:** [Sam Dickinson – LHD – London Knights / OHL](https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/723441/sam-dickinson)

There’ll be a few intriguing defensive prospects available at the Wild’s first round draft choice here, but Dickinson is about as safe as you could possibly get. He’s a mega-savvy defensive defenseman and stands at 6’3. He’s an incredible skater and makes the right read in every situation. Dickinson here is mobile, intelligent, and is more than capable of frustrating attacking wingers on a nightly basis. He’s been producing a ton in the OHL right now – I’m not sure how much of that offensive acumen is going to translate to the NHL, but he’s not without some two-way juice. Comfortable projecting his ceiling as a guy who can make it work on a powerplay unit, while also eating minutes in the top 4.

**38th overall:** [Miguel Marques – C – Lethbridge Hurricanes / OHL](https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/692787/miguel-marques)

I really dig this kid. I think he’s very underrated within the draft class. He’s got a ton of creativity he uses to manufacture offensive chances. He’s patient and hard-working, deceptive, and he takes the right shot more often than not. He needs to work on the passes he chooses to make, but once he figures that out, I think he’s got a real bright future as a productive and versatile forward.

One big issue with his game, though, are the penalties. He’s a hothead and plays with an edge (Guerin may like that) but his penalties aren’t good ones more often than not. Right now he’s sitting at 34 PIM in 40 games played. At a point, that kind of ferocity is hurting your team more than helping it. Would like to see that number decrease.

**103rd overall:** [John Mustard – LW – Waterloo Blackhawks / USHL](https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/737981/john-mustard)

I think there’s a chance this kid doesn’t make it this far, but as of right now he’s not being touted as a super early pick. He’s having a nice little season with the Waterloo Blackhawks, where he plays with tempo and is showcasing a really solid shot. Very toolsy, can move the puck and distribute. I think he’s underrated right now. Committed to Providence College.

**135th overall:** [Artyom Shchuchinov – LHD – Traktor Chelyabinsk / KHL](https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/780044/artyom-shchuchinov)

Shchuchinov is a light 18 year old playing in the KHL. As such, he’s flown a bit under the radar. He’s able to keep up in the KHL despite his low weight due to his mobility. He’s shifty and crafty despite looking overmatched against his opponents, especially in the offensive zone, where his small stature is more of an inhibitor. Still, he’s playing on a nightly basis as an 18 year old, which is impressive when it comes to the KHL. I like his skating and evasiveness enough to take a flyer on him, and if he puts on a little more weight, I think we could see his development continue to trend in the right direction.

**136th overall:** [Jamiro Reber – C/LW – HV71 J20 / J20 Nationell](https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/732963/jamiro-reber)

A Swiss national, Reber is an escape artist, someone who’s great with his hands in the small areas. He’s confident and energetic and plays with a ton of creativity. He’s quick, brings a solid transition game, and has notched a few highlight reel goals internationally. He’s been keeping a nearly PPG pace with HV71 J20, which is interesting for a 17 year old. Good possession player and playmaker. He’s a smaller forward but an exciting one.

**167th overall:** [Jakub Milota – G – Cape Breton Eagles / QMJHL](https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/692916/jakub-milota)

I’ll get on my soapbox about this yet again. You gotta regularly draft goalies. It wasn’t that long ago that the Wild had Kaapo Kahkonen, Filip Lindberg, and Hunter Jones in the system. We were bursting at the seams with goaltenders who had NHL potential, seemingly. But now Lindberg and Kahkonen are gone, and Hunter Jones is struggling mightily in the ECHL. I think Jeseper Wallstedt is the best goalie prospect in the world. But it can’t all be on his shoulders. Even Marc-Andre Fleury had to make way for other goalies during some of those deep Penguins runs.

Milota here is a super interesting goalie to me. He’s been outshone by his countrymen (He’s Czech) but his numbers are great. He’s an aggressive, athletic netminder who’s been putting together some commendable performances for a middling Eagles team in his first year in the Q. Someone to watch.