Minnesota Wild 2016 Draft Class with Analysis

Over the weekend, the Minnesota Wild added a few new prospects through the 2016 NHL Draft. Here is a look at their picks, and some analysis.

Starting on Friday, the 2016 NHL Draft took place and the Minnesota Wild added a few new faces to their roster.

Before the draft, the Wild put together a buyout of Thomas Vanek’s contract. This cleared up cap space so that the team could have some flexibility for any situation that arose during the draft.

There were many rumors throughout the first day of the draft, including possible trades that the Wild might make.

The Wild were fielding, and making calls on draft night to make their team better. Most of the trades they were seeking were too sure up their front line. As the draft went on, the Wild had not made any player trades.

Our friends over at Fox Sports North put together an analysis of the Wild’s draft picks.

Round 1, pick 15 — C Luke Kunin (6-0, 193) Wisconsin (NCAA)

A goal-scorer from Missouri, Kunin accelerated his high school education before enrolling at the University of Wisconsin for the 2015-16 season. Kunin spent two years with the U.S. National Team Development Program, captaining the U18 team to a gold medal at the 2015 world championships and scoring six goals in seven games. That team also included No. 1 overall pick Auston Matthews and No. 6 overall pick Matthew Tkachuk. The second-youngest player in college hockey last season, Kunin scored 19 goals and 32 points for the Badgers, maintaining a point-per-game pace on a Wisconsin squad that managed just eight wins.

Round 4, pick 106 — RW Brandon Duhaime (6-0, 198) Tri-City (USHL)

Traded from the Chicago Steel to the Tri-City Storm mid-way through the 2015-16 season, Duhaime would go on to score 32 points in 39 games during the regular season, before helping lead the Storm to a three-game sweep of Dubuque in the Clark Cup Championship. Originally from Florida, Duhaime spent two seasons in the Junior A BCHL, cracking Central Scouting’s pre-draft rankings at No. 92 following his run with the Storm. Duhaime is set to attend Providence College in the fall.

Round 7, pick 196 — RW Dmitry Sokolov (5-11, 229) Sudbury (OHL)

The third overall pick in the 2015 CHL Import Draft, Sokolov was tabbed as a potential top-10 pick last summer, before plummeting down draft boards after scoring 52 points for the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves last season. Despite leading all OHL rookies in scoring with 30 goals Sokolov’s conditioning and defensive play soured scouts on his NHL potential, making the Russian scorer one of the most intriguing wild cards of the draft.

Round 7, pick 204 — D Braydyn Chizen (6-8, 191) Kelowna (WHL)

A hulking defenseman who logged just two points and 40 penalty minutes for the Kelowna Rockets last season, Chizen has some work to do in the weight room if he wants to fill out his 6-foot-8 frame. His skating ability and size make him a project that could be worth investing in for the Wild.

Next: Kris Dunn Could be the Perfect Fit in Minnesota

With NHL free agency coming up quick, it will be interesting to see what moves the Minnesota Wild make to get this team over the hump of the first round of the playoffs.