The Minnesota Wild have been one of the most successful teams in recent NHL drafts, accumulating high draft picks as well as finding bargains in the later rounds, which has resulted in them building a very impressive prospect pool.
Honorable Mentions: Ryan Healy, Hunter Haight, Graham Clark, Aaron Pionk, Rasmus Kumpulainen, Charlie Stramel
10. Vladislav Firstov, 23 years old (LW)
Vladislav Fastov is a 23-year-old winger selected by the Wild in the 2019 draft. The Russian is under contract with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) through the 2024-25 season, so he won't join the NHL club right away, but he's definitely a top-five prospect in the Wild's pool. He's fast and has a strong shot, which has been evident from his production throughout his career. If he comes to North America next season, he could very well develop into a 20+ goal, 50+ point player as part of the Wild's middle six.
9. Carson Lambos, 21 (LD)
Carson Lambos is a defenseman who was selected last in the first round by the Wild in the 2021 draft. He finished his first professional season last season with the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League (AHL), recording just four goals and 10 assists in 69 games. However, he was one of the best defensive defensemen on the team and his strong defense deserved this praise. He is a few seasons away from reaching the NHL, but he has the potential to be a strong bottom-four defenseman and penalty killer.
8. Marat Khusnutdinov, 21 years old (C/LW)
Marat Khusnutdinov is a Russian center who moved to North America at the end of the 2023-24 season. After playing 49 KHL games with HK Sochi, scoring 6 goals and 20 points, he played 16 NHL games with Minnesota, scoring 1 goal and 3 assists. He is quite small at 5'9″, but plays well-balanced. He needs to improve his offensive power, but at just 21 years old, he has the potential to become a great third driver in the future.
7. Ryder Ritchie, 17 (RW)
Heading into the 2024 draft, Ryder Ritchie was rated a first-round pick by many scouts, but he fell to 45th overall and the Wild quickly selected the speedy winger, who has a well-rounded offensive toolset that ranges from his underrated shooting to his impressive playmaking ability and elite hockey IQ.
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Ritchie scored 19 goals and 44 points in 47 games with the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League (WHL) last season. Those numbers don't stand out on the scoresheet, but his production is very impressive considering he missed the 2024 draft by just over a month. He's a few seasons away from reaching the NHL, but if he continues to develop he could be a part of the middle six.
6. Aron Kibiharju, 18 years old (LD)
Two years ago, Aaron Kiviharju was ranked as a top prospect for the 2024 draft. A decline in his performance and serious injuries led to him being projected as a late first-round pick by most scouts. NHL teams weren't as generous, and he fell to the Wild with the 122nd overall pick. Still, he's a great prospect.
Kiviharju is only 5'10″, which is quite short for a defenseman. However, he is very skilled and has the potential to develop into a top-four defenseman. It will probably take him 3-4 seasons to reach the NHL, as he will need constant time on the ice to hone his skills. Although his current ranking is high, it should not be taken with a pinch of salt, as the upcoming seasons will be key to whether he can develop into the player many expect him to be. If he plays to his potential, he could end up scoring 40+ points in a season.
5. Liam Ogren, 20 (LW)
Liam Ågren is a first-round draft pick by the Wild in 2022 and has a very high ceiling and depth. He is a two-way center who has impressive offensive numbers while providing great defense. Last season, he played just 26 games in the Swedish Hockey League but scored 12 goals and 19 points. On a per-game basis, he outperforms players like Jonathan Reckermäki in goals, assists and points. Ågren will spend this season in Iowa, but could be called up to Minnesota soon if he proves he can capitalize on his game in North America. What makes him good is that he can be one of the best two-way forwards in the NHL while scoring over 15 goals and 55 points per season.
4. Riley Height, 19 (C/LW)
Riley Height joined the Wild with the 64th overall pick in the 2023 draft and quickly proved doubters wrong, scoring 37 goals and 117 points in 66 games as an alternate captain for the WHL's Prince George Cougars. He finished second in the league in assists and third in points. His high-capacity offensive production is already at the NHL level, but he needs to perfect his two-way game. After one more season in the WHL and one year in the AHL, Height could be part of the Wild's top six and power play and eventually develop into a 60-70 point forward, perhaps on the left wing.
3. Danila Yurov, 20 years old (RW)
It's pretty surprising to say that Danila Yurov is the team's third-best prospect, but here's where he is. The left-handed forward played in 62 games with Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the KHL last season, scoring 21 goals and 49 points. He's good on both sides, is a good skater and has top-notch hockey IQ and vision. His hands are very impressive, making him adept at making passes between defenders.
Yurov's potential is as good as anyone on this list, with the potential to score 30+ goals and 90+ points in the NHL. Last season was his first time putting up that many points, so it will be interesting to see if he can keep this up. If he does, he'll likely join the Wild in 2025-26 and become an immediate first-line contender.
2. Zeev Buium, 18 years old (LD)
The Wild selected future top-pair defenseman Zeev Bouium with the 12th overall pick in the 2024 draft. He plays a complete game and has the ability to lead an offense with his excellent playmaking ability and accurate wrist shot. Defensively, he is well above average as a strong skater who uses his body well. He is never out of position and uses his body to win puck battles. His small size has caused him to struggle physically at times, but he has the potential to grow and put on weight before reaching the NHL.
Bouium will sign an entry-level contract with the Wild after the 2024-25 or 2025-26 season and immediately join the NHL team. He will immediately contribute offensively at even strength and on the power play and will work his way up the depth charts. It is not impossible to see him joining the top pair alongside Brock Faber in a few seasons. Bouium's offensive potential could reach 65+ points per season in the right situation.
1. Jesper Wallstedt, 21 years old (G)
Any Wild fan knows how dominant Jesper Wallstedt is. All he needs is an opportunity in the NHL. He had a dominant AHL season last year, going 22-19-4 with a 2.70 goals-against average and .910 save percentage. He also played in three NHL games. After a disastrous NHL debut against the Dallas Stars, where he allowed just seven goals on 34 shots, he bounced back in his next two games, allowing just two goals on 53 shots and winning both games.
Unfortunately, the Wild are under contract with Marc-Andre Fleury and Filip Gustavsson this season, making it difficult to add to the NHL duo. If no trade is made, Wohlstedt will begin the season in Iowa, but it would be hard for Wild management not to call him up. At his peak, Wohlstedt would lead the Wild to the playoffs and be a Vezina Trophy candidate. It is no exaggeration to say that he is one of the best goaltenders in the NHL, competing with Yaroslav Askarov (Nashville Predators) and Dustin Wolf (Calgary Flames).
The Wild have a deep and talented roster of top prospects, and with the extra cash available after Zach Parise and Ryan Suter's buyouts hit their peak, they could add some top free agents to play alongside the top prospects and build a strong roster capable of winning multiple Stanley Cups.
