Minnesota Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher has been busy.
Just two months after their season ended in the first round of the playoffs the Wild look radically different behind the bench, with former Anaheim Ducks boss Bruce Boudreau now calling the shots alongside Hall of Famer Scott Stevens and AHL stalwart John Anderson.
With his coaching staff finalized Fletcher can now turn his attention to the NHL Draft, and the experts have lots of ideas about what he should do.
Plenty of analysts have the Wild focusing on the blue line with one of their young defenders likely lost in next year's expansion draft, however 2016 presents a deep group of scorers should one of them fall to Minnesota at No. 15.
After averaging just 2.60 goals per game last year Minnesota could covet a forward like Boston University commit Kieffer Bellows or Wisconsin sophomore Luke Kunin, both of whom would add some youthful firepower to the Wild's top six.
Chris Peters of CBSSports.com: Jack Bean, D, Calgary (WHL). "After going with forwards in each of their last two first rounds, the Wild can look to defense again. Also, considering that they run the risk of losing one of their better young defensemen in a potential expansion draft, nabbing a player of Bean's caliber at 15 will feel like a steal. Bean had 24 goals and 64 points for the Calgary Hitmen in the WHL last year as he showed some dynamic offensive abilities."
Kyle Woodlief of USAToday.com: Luke Kunin, C, Wisconsin (NCAA). "Talked to a scout recently who said the last time he saw Kunin play he reminded him of Dylan Larkin. That's high praise, and reason to take him a few picks earlier than anticipated."
Kevin Allen of USAToday.com: Jake Bean, D, Calgary (WHL). "Could end up being the top offensive-minded defenseman in this draft."
Craig Button of TSN.ca: Michael McLeod, C, Mississauga (OHL)
Gare Joyce of SportsNet.ca: Jakob Chychrun, D, Sarnia (OHL). "It's one of those precipitous drops that can ambush a scouting staff. Precedent: When their turn at the 2010 draft came up, the Ducks staff didn't have much of a book on Cam Fowler simply because he had started the season as a potential first overall pick whose stock dropped off and they knew they were very unlikely to own a pick in the top five overall. In Fowler's case, no one saw him falling right out of the top 10. In Chychrun's case, though, the drop has been out there long enough for organizations to have a ready handle on his game. He will play, no doubt about that, but he's probably closer to his ceiling than any player in the draft."
Sam Consentino of SportsNet.ca: Jack Bean, D, Calgary (WHL). "Much like his defense partner Travis Sanheim two years ago, Bean has come out of nowhere to be a first round pick. Puck mover, skater, with unique ability to get pucks through to the net."
Jeff Marek of SportsNet.ca: Charlie McAvoy, D, Boston University (NCAA). "The Wild grab the offensively minded right hand shot defenseman from Boston University."
Damien Cox of SportsNet.ca: German Rubtsov, C, Russian U18. "Few think meldonium controversy at under-18s will hurt the Russian centre. Strong, two-way pivot."
Adam Kimelman of NHL.com: Kieffer Bellows, LW, USNTDP (Committed to Boston University). "A 50-goal scorer this season with the NTDP U-18 team, Bellows (6-0, 197) would bring some needed skill and physicality along the wing to the organizational pipeline. He'll spend next season developing his game at Boston University, but scouts already like his shot and his willingness to use it in all areas of the ice."
Peter Prohaska of HockeysFuture.com: Tyson Jost, C, Penticton (BCHL, Committed to North Dakota). "Although the idea of cheering for the University of North Dakota next season might cause some cognitive dissonance for many Minnesota Wild fans, Tyson Jost is the kind of scoring threat the Wild needs. Jost is a good skater, scorer, and playmaker, so he should enjoy the kind of breakout season that Vancouver prospect Brock Boeser did under Brad Berry. Jost was Canada's best player at the U18 World Championship, and one of the best in that tournament, so his obvious talent may keep him from landing in the Wild's lap.
Joe Haggerty of CSNNE.com: Julien Gauthier, RW, Val D'Or (QMJHL). "There is much to like about Gauthier's game. He's big at 6-foot-4, 221-pounds, he can skate and he can score while giving the Wild another premium forward to go along with Zach Parise and company. His 41 goals, 11 power play strikes, in 54 games last season is mighty impressive, and lets you know he's much more than just a big body steaming down the wing. Gauthier might have initially gone higher, but faded offensively down the stretch when scouts were making their final judgments. That will be to Minnesota's benefit when it's all said and done."
Tom Dougherty of CSNPhilly.com: Luke Kunin, C, Wisconsin (NCAA). " Minnesota might be familiar with Kunin from Big Ten hockey. He's a finisher who creates scoring chances for himself. He's also an A-rating skater. Also had a good combine."
Gus Katsaros, RotoWorld.com: Charlie McAvoy, D, Boston University (NCAA). "Swift, puck moving blueliner adds mobility without sacrificing defensive presence."
Dustin Nelson of TheHockeyWriters.com: Kieffer Bellows, LW, USNTDP (Committed to Boston University). "The Minnesota Wild grab a homegrown product and the son of a Minnesota North Stars great. Kieffer Bellows is a strong forward with a lot of upside. His 81 points for the US National Team Development Program was the seventh most points any player has ever put up while playing with the program. 50 of those points were goals, which is a good balance for the Wild, who have been in need of a prospect who has the potential to light the lamp on a regular basis."
