How the Wild should approach the NHL Draft

<em>Who are some Draft Targets for the Wild? We got you covered. </em>

It's draft day. We have finally made it. It is my favorite day of the year and one of the most exciting. Hockey fans all around the World get to see the next superstars of the league step up on stage and put on the jersey of the team that just drafted them.

The Minnesota Wild as of now, have the 13th overall pick in the Draft. They also have the 45th pick in the second round. Here are 20 guys the Wild could select in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Make sure to read each card below to find out more in-depth information and a breakdown of each player's game.

Zeev Buium, LHD, University of Denver (NCAA)

Buium would be my second favorite prospect on this list. In no World do I think he would be available at pick 13 but I wanted to write about him because of how good he is. His pre-season draft stock was a mid-to-late first round pick and it has now risen to a top-ten projected pick. Buium is gonna be a star two-way defender at the NHL level. He can run a team's top power-play but he might be better suited to run a team's second unit. He is a tremendous skater who creates a lot of offense for himself and his teammates.

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW/LW, Mora IK (HockeyAllsvenskan)

Like Yakemchuk, Brandseeg-Nygard makes sense for the Wild. The 6-foot-1 forward may be the hardest hitting forward in the draft. The best part is, he is pretty offensive as well. The Norwegian forward played with Wild's Mats Zuccarelo at the Men's World Championships and he fit well. All three of his goals in the tournament were assisted by Zuccarello. He likely won't by a dynamic scorer or point-getter in the NHL but he will be an incredible forechecking machine and a hard hitting power-forward that any team would love to have.

Cole Eiserman, LW, USA (NTDP)

Like Parascak, Eiserman is a dynamic scorer. Although Eiserman is the best scorer in the whole draft. Eiserman broke the USNTDP record for most career goals with 127 in 119 games. Cole Caufield had the original record with 126 goals in 123 games. He may be a bit selfish at times but you can't ignore the fact that he can put the puck in the net with ease. The 6-foot forward scored 58 goals in 57 games in the NTDP. I'm not that good at math but that equals over a goal-per-game.

Michael Hage, C, Chicago Steel (USHL)

Hage is another prospect who has jumped up in rankings a bit. The projected first-round pick won the E.J. McGuire Award which is presented annually by the League to a candidate who best exemplifies commitment to excellence through strength of character, competitiveness, and athleticism. His 33 goals (33-42—75 in 54 GP) led the Chicago Steel and were the sixth-most in a single season in franchise history. Hage will play for the University of Michigan next season.

Berkly Catton, C, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

A year ago I figured Catton wouldn't even slide out of the top-five in this draft but now it seems like that could be a possibility. The 5-foot-11 center scored 54 goals in his draft season for the Chiefs and recorded 116 points as well. He is a dynamic playmaking and offensive center and would be a home run pick for the Wild if they were to land him.

Carter Yakemchuk, RHD, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

This pick screams Minnesota Wild to me. Yakemchuk was the first player I decided to write about because I think he fits the best based on the Wild's team needs. Brock Faber and Zach Bogosian are the only two right-shot defenders on the Wild. They have Kyle Masters, David Spacek, and Kalem Parker in the organization as the other right-shot guys. Other than Bogosian the Wild don't have many physical defensemen either. Yakemchuk is 6-foot-3, shoots right, is extremely physical, and scored 30 goals in the WHL.

Konsta Helenius, C/RW, Jukurit (Liiga)

Helenius is one of my favorite prospects from this draft. I believe he will be a threat in the NHL as a center and a top six forward. Whether you don't believe he will be a center in the NHL, Helenius has tons of top-six upside.

Terik Parascak, RW, Prince George (WHL)

I'm not sure what teams think of Parascak but he has shown he can score goals. He continued to display his goal scoring abilities in the playoffs with Prince George. I wouldn't say he is a sure fire top-15 pick but if he continues to fall, Parascak would be a nice add for the Wild.

Nikita Artamonov, RW, Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

I wouldn't necessarily say Artamonov should be someone they consider at pick 13 but if the Wild were to move back in the draft, Artamonov should be their guy. The Russian forward is getting talk as the possible steal of the Draft for whoever drafts him.

Zayne Parekh, RHD, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

Parekh is one of two defensemen in this draft to have scored 30 or more goals in their draft year. He is extremely offensive and projects to be a top pairing defender at the NHL who can run your top power play. Only problem is, he probably won't be available when the Wild are picking.

Tij Iginla, C/LW, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

Son of former NHLer Jarome, Tij is very good. It's hard to imagine that if he falls past pick 10 when the Calgary Flames are picking, but if the Flames don't take the long-time Flames star's son, the Wild should and avoid another Iginla torching Minnesota for years by drafting him.

Sam Dickinson, LHD, London Knights (OHL)

Dickinson could be available at pick 13 or he could be taken before the draft reaches pick 6. We will find out. He is a bigger defensemen who is considered to be a good two-way defenseman. I would think Yakemchuk will have a higher chance at being available when the Wild are picking but if Dickinson is, sign me up.

Liam Greentree, LW/RW, Windsor Spitfire (OHL)

Greentree is another player I think would fit well in the Wild's organization. He has the size to be a power-forward at the NHL level and has the skill to be a top-six winger as well. The 6-foot-2 forward recorded 36 goals and 90 points in 64 games for Windsor and was their captain. If the Wild trade back, Greentree could be an option.

Beckett Sennecke, RW, Oswaha Generals (OHL)

Sennecke continues to shoot up rankings and is now in the conversation at pick 13 when the Wild are picking. There are now some people who think the big forward could become a center at the NHL level. Which is intriguing considering his size.

Sacha Boisvert, C, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)

The 6-foot-2 center had a great year in the USHL and will play for the University of North Dakota where he will look to translate his offensive game to the NCAA. Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News has Boisvert best case scenario of becoming Charlie Coyle, the former Wild center.

Luke Misa, C, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)

Misa won't be an option for the Wild in the first round but his offensive game at the center position could make him a real intriguing option as a second round pick. The 5-foot-10 center finished this year tied for 18th in the OHL in scoring.

Minnesota Wild 2024 NHL Draft Guide: 20 Potential Draft Targets