Minnesota Wild: Hockey Team Looks for Young Players to Make a Difference

Minnesota is arguable one of the top hockey cities in the United States. Besides Boston and possibly Detroit, Minnesota is where many of the greatest players emerge. Minnesota Wild fans hope that some of their young talent will make it into the lineup this coming season. During this year's NHL Entry Draft the Wild focused on defense as they selected a defenseman with three of their first four picks. This year's draft featured many quality defensemen, one of which was Tyler Cuma, who the Wild selected with the number twenty three pick overall. In the past, the Wild selected mainly talented forwards who could provide an offensive punch, but with the year's defensive depth, they hope that a good mix of young talent will round out the rest of the team. The Wild have hopes that the combination of defensive muscle and offensive finesse will lead them deep into the playoffs next season.

Let's focus first on the offense. Minnesota's first round pick in 2007 was Colton Gillies, a 6-foot-4 power forward that has the size and skill to make the cut next season. The 19 year old forward made the jump to the AHL last season where he recorded a goal and seven assists with Minnesota's farm team the Houston Aeros. Whether he'll make the team is up for grabs, but if he performs well in this year's training camp, it's definitely a possibility.

With the fourth overall selection in the 2005 draft, Benoit Pouliot has developed slowly but steadily in Minnesota's system. Playing for the Wild's farm team, the Houston Aeros in 2006-2007, he recorded 19 goals. Last season he made his debut with the Wild and performed well. Pouliot is set to have a breakout season in 2008-2009 if he can make a strong statement in training camp.

Let's move on to the backend now, where Minnesota has made the most improvements during the off season. Tyler Cuma was the first defenseman taken by Minnesota in the first round in four years. This shows the confidence Minnesota has in Cuma's abilities. Cuma becomes the main focus for the Wild's ever emerging defense. Cuma has great vision on the ice, and is known to carry the puck into the offensive zone. Minnesota management was thrilled to be able to grab a player like Cuma so late in the first round. They are hoping Cuma will be a defenseman they can built a championship team around in the future.

The next prospect comes in the form of 6-foot-7 defenseman John Scott. Much like a Zdeno Chara type player, Scott struggles in the skating department, but his size and mean streak will be a great asset to a team full of talented forwards. Scott signed with the Wild after going undrafted and played last season with the Houston Aeros. The 25 year old will have a chance to make next season's roster, but his skating will need to improve if he's going to make it in today's NHL.

Last but not least is goaltending. Anton Khudobin will most probably take the job of anchoring the Houston Aeros in net. With the Wild already having steady goaltending with Niklas Backstrom and Josh Harding, it would be surprising for Khudobin to make the NHL squad. The Kazakhstan native is coming off a ridiculous season at the minor-league level where he went 20-1-4 with a 1.98 GAA and .934 save percentage. With numbers like that, look for Khudobin to make the push to the next level.