Wild Prospects of the Year: Kaprizov, Kunin live up to the hype
The Wild's pipeline is stocked with high-end talent, so from the Big Ten to the KHL, we've spent the last few months keeping tabs on the Minnesota Wild's top prospects.
But with the KHL championship in the books and the NCAA Frozen Four looming, it's time to take one last look at the Wild's future.
Check out our picks for the best Wild prospects of the year.
FIRST STAR
Kirill Kaprizov, Salavat Yulaev (KHL)
A budding star in his native Russia, Kaprizov burst onto the international stage at the World Junior Championships and hasn't looked back. After leading the tournament in scoring with nine goals and 12 points, Kaprizov broke countryman Evgeny Kuznetsov's KHL record for points by a U20 player. He racked up 42 points in 49 games, leading Salavat with 20 goals at just 19 years old. Kaprizov is under contract in the KHL through next season, but is expected to make his way to North America in time for the 2018-19 season. A remarkable find in the fifth round of the 2015 draft, Kaprizov's U20 numbers stack up favorably against other KHL alums like Vladimir Tarasenko and Artemi Panarin. And while there's no guarantee that he'll reach that level, Kaprizov's potential should have Wild fans champing at the bit for his arrival.
SECOND STAR
Luke Kunin, Wisconsin (Big Ten)
Kunin signed an amateur tryout deal Thursday, and will report to the Wild's AHL affiliate in time to make his pro debut Friday night, before his entry-level deal kicks in next fall. The 15th overall pick in last year's draft, Kunin will still be just 19 years old when the Wild reconvene next season, but the former Badgers star plays a game that's well beyond his years. The second sophomore captain in program history, Kunin led the Badgers in goals in back-to-back seasons, finishing with 41 goals and 29 assists in 69 games at Wisconsin. Kunin has been a leader throughout his career, winning gold as a member of the USNTDP's U17 and U18 teams, while captaining Team USA to gold at last year's World Junior Championships. A high-percentage shooter who creates with his top-level speed, Kunin is as comfortable dishing the puck as he is shooting it.
THIRD STAR
Dmitry Sokolov, Sudbury (OHL)
Based solely on potential value, Sokolov could be one of the best gambles of Wild GM Chuck Fletcher's career. A seventh-round pick last summer, Sokolov racked up 48 goals in his second season in the OHL, second only to Chicago Blackhawks prospect Alex DeBrincat. His draft stock suffered following a rocky debut North American debut, while questions about his conditioning and compete level emerged as well. However, it's hard to argue with the results. A stocky winger at six feet, 200 pounds, Sokolov's size allows him to be bullish on the puck, creating opportunities for his lethal wrist shot to find pay dirt.
