By: Patrick Knight

Email: pat@k102.com I Twitter - @patknightk102

The Minnesota Wild held their first of two Developmental Camp scrimmages tonight at Xcel Energy Center. Over 6,500 fans showed up to watch all of the young kids that the organization has been touting for the past few years. Here are a few of my thoughts on the prospects that played in tonight’s scrimmage.

Mikael Granlund – This kid is unbelievable. He is on an entirely different level then the other players on the ice. As I watched him, it seemed that he has been able to slow the game down in his mind so he knows where the puck is heading or where the puck needs to get to for a scoring chance. I can’t wait to see his overall game improve when he gets around NHL players on a full-time basis. He needs to continue to add muscle to his frame.

Charlie Coyle – He is very close to being ready to play consistently in the NHL. The only thing left for him is getting used to competing against other players that can match him in size. He does a great job of using his size to be able to disrupt everything in each zone on the ice. Coyle has a big shot and is not afraid to use it whenever he can. I think he will benefit the most from starting the season in Houston, on their top line, and getting top minutes in every key situation. I can’t wait to see him play in St. Paul and will end up being the best piece we got from San Jose in the Burns trade.

Jason Zucker – Arguably the MVP of tonight’s game. He was everywhere and playing like a guy who doesn’t want to lose his spot on the roster. I was confused last year as to why the Wild signed and played him at the end of the season but you can see now as to why they did it. Mike Yeo wants his players to play a “fast” game and shoot the puck whenever they can. Zucker took what he learned last year to heart and is doing exactly that. I wouldn’t be shocked at all if he makes the team this fall and is playing on the third line.

Brett Bulmer – Another prospect who got some run on the big squad last year. Again, like with Zucker, Bulmer took what he learned and worked on his game last year in Kelowna. His progression is right on track and I love what the future holds for him. There is no shame saying he will be a fantastic third line winger with the ability to move up to play with a top line if need be. He is quick, uses his size to his advantage and, I feel, is shooting the puck more than he did last year. A great pick by Chuck Fletcher and his staff.

Jonas Brodin – He is without a doubt, the best skating defenseman in the Wild prospect stable. A player that is able to get the puck out of the defensive zone by either skating it out or making crisp direct outlet passes that are right on the tape. In the offensive zone, he uses his skating ability to get to open areas for shots that are on net. Brodin has a very quick release is not afraid to fire off a good snap shot to get the puck on net. The only thing that will hold him back coming up this fall is his size. He needs to add a lot of weight to his 6-1 frame. The Wild have him currently weighing in at 180 pounds and I would like to see him get to around 200 to be able to handle playing in the NHL.

Quick Hits –
Matt Dumba – You can see why the Wild likes this kid. His offensive talents are very evident; he has good gap control and a quick stick to disrupt passing lanes in the defensive zone. He needs to continue to work on his skating and, like Brodin, add weight. The biggest thing for Dumba is slowing the game down and making sure he finds a balance of playing his style and staying in control.

Daniel Gunnarsson – A draft pick from this year that could turn out to be a very valuable asset. All I knew about this defenseman going into camp was that he has a big frame to work with. I was impressed with his skating ability, vision and passing skills. It will be fun to see how he continues to develop over the next few years.

Raphael Bussieres – Another draft pick from this year that was impressive at first glance. Bussieres looks to be the type of player the Wild wants to start stockpiling on the offensive side. What I mean by that is someone with size (he is 6-1), that can put up points and be a disruptive in the offensive zone.