Minnesota Wild 2020 mock draft roundup

The 2020 NHL Entry Draft starts tomorrow and the Minnesota Wild will get its first chance to draft with the No. 9 overall pick.

There are many ways the Wild can go, and whether it is a winger, a center, or a defenseman, it will be interesting to see what general manager Bill Guerin decides to do when Minnesota is on the clock.

Here’s what the experts think the Wild will do:

Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News: Marco Rossi, C, Ottawa 67’s (OHL). “One scout called Rossi the most NHL-ready draft prospect in the OHL and that should be good news for the Wild, who need to keep up in the Western Conference’s talent drive. Rossi is a complete player with loads of skill and smarts. The Austrian import was the league MVP this past season after piling up points on a loaded 67’s squad.”

Craig Button of TSN: Anton Lundell, C, HIFK Helsinki (SM-Liiga).

John Matisz and Josh Wegman of The Score: Alexander Holtz, RW, Djurgarden (SHL). “Of any team in the top 10, the Wild seem the most likely to trade up to fill a gaping organizational need at center. It would probably be a reach to draft a center at this point, so trading down is also a possibility for GM Bill Guerin. However, Holtz would be a fine selection if they stick with the pick. He’s the best player available, and he checks off some boxes. He has an elite shot, a big plus for a team that consistently has trouble scoring. His right-handedness is another bonus for lefty-heavy Minnesota.”

The Athletic’s Corey Pronman ($): Alexander Holtz, RW, Djurgarden (SHL). “New Wild general manager Bill Guerin has been public about the importance of adding to the team’s center depth, but if the board plays out like this, the talent doesn’t make a lot of sense to pass on a player like Holtz unless they trade down. Askarov is a candidate here; or if the goalie or Quinn/Holtz goes higher, it could create a scenario where Rossi is the pick here.”

McKeen’s Hockey via Rotoworld: Yaroslav Askarov, G, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL): “The true wild card of the draft, Askarov seems to be locked in as a lottery selection. It is just a matter of where and by whom. If it is inside the top 10 (like we are predicting here), he would be the first goaltender taken inside that range since Carey Price in 2005 (when he went fifth to Montreal). Askarov’s fantastic international record speaks for itself (outside of a tough performance at this year’s U20’s) and he has been fantastic in limited KHL action to start the 2020/21 season. The Wild are bringing in another potential Russian superstar next year in Kirill Kaprizov, so they feel confident rolling the dice on Askarov to be their goaltender of the future.”

.@mnwild‘s director of amateur scouting Judd Brackett talks prospects and preparing for next week’s NHL Entry Draft pic.twitter.com/jwHcYrvKtC

— FOX Sports North (@fsnorth) September 30, 2020

TheHockeyWriters.com: Anton Lundell, C, HIFK Helsinki (SM-Liiga). “It is no secret the Minnesota Wild need playmakers at the center position to go along with the emergence of dynamic wingers Kevin Fiala and Kirill Kaprizov. Lundell was productive playing for Finland’s elite SM-Liiga at 0.91 points per game and possesses good size at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds. According to most scouting reports, Lundell possesses a powerful skating stride with great puck protection. He is strong on his stick and the puck but is not really an elusive stickhandler. He has a heavy shot, he dominates down low, and is then able to thread touch passes through traffic to hit wingers in good scoring areas. He pays attention to every detail. He’s strong on face-offs and responsible defensively. He plays a complete 200-foot game that should translate well at the NHL level.”

Bleacher Report’s Joe Tansey: Jamie Drysdale, D, Erie (OHL).

MyNHLDraft.com: Alexander Holtz, RW, Djurgarden (SHL).

Draftsite.com: Anton Lundell, C, HIFK Helsinki (SM-Liiga).

Tankathon: Jake Sanderson, D, USA U18 team (North Dakota commit).

Larry Fisher of The Hockey Writers: Jake Sanderson, D, USA U18 team (North Dakota commit).

Russ Cohen of Featurd: Lucas Raymond. LW/RW, Frolunda (SHL). “A safe pick to get this terrific offensive talent who can play an all-around game and has a lot of upside.”