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Bode Wilde

Bode Wilde Signs With Saginaw Spirit

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After deciding earlier this summer to not attend the University of Michigan, Bode Wilde has officially signed with the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL for the upcoming season. Selected 41st overall by the New York Islanders, the big American defenseman will try to traverse the CHL ranks instead of heading the collegiate route for the next step in his hockey career.

Wilde may have been recruited by former US National Development Team teammate Blade Jenkins, who also was drafted by the Islanders in June and spent last year with the Spirit. Jenkins will be back in Saginaw this season and with Wilde should give them a big boost this year. Last year the Spirit were able to sneak into the playoffs despite a losing record, one that should improve dramatically this season.

For the Islanders, having Wilde go to the CHL and renounce his NCAA eligibility can only mean positive things for their ability to sign him. While the argument can be made that spending a few seasons at a top program like Michigan would be better for his development, there is now very little risk that they will lose him to free agency. Wilde will also likely be given a bigger role in Saginaw than he could have received with the Wolverines, given Quinn Hughes’ return to the college for this season.

An extremely smooth-skating defenseman for his size, Wilde should find success in the CHL and translate that to a promising professional career in the coming years. Though he slipped out of the first round and was not invited to the recent Summer Showcase, there are plenty of reasons to believe he can turn things around to become the top-end two-way defenseman many have projected him as.

Snapshots: Sharks, Trottier, Vitale

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Are the San Jose Sharks done for the summer? In a mailbag for The Athletic, Kevin Kurz addresses the concerns of some fans that the team has not done enough this off-season after missing out on John Tavares. Kurz states that GM Doug Wilson still has the full faith and support of ownership – as he should seeing that the Sharks have the highest average finish in the league during his tenure – and reiterates that Wilson always says that the roster isn’t complete until the trade deadline. Given that San Jose hit a home run with the Evander Kane trade this past spring and fueled their Stanley Cup run in 2016 by adding James Reimer, Nick Spaling, and Roman Polak, that mantra has been proven true. However, is waiting until March going to cut it this season? Kurz points out that between Tavares, Ilya Kovalchuk, and Max Pacioretty, it seems that the Sharks wanted to do more this summer. Pacioretty is still one of several potential trade targets prior to the beginning of the season, but it seems more likely that the Sharks will go into the season as is and let their play in the first few months of the season dictate whether a big move is necessary or not. However, a slow start or a major injury could cause Wilson to reinvigorate his search for scoring depth.

  • The New York Islanders have had a far worse summer than the Sharks and maybe any team in the league, but one of the franchise legends is still confident in the direction of the team. Hall of Famer Bryan Trottier sat down with NHL.com’s Dave McCarthy recently and spoke about the “bright future” of Mathew Barzal and the Islanders, despite the departure of John Tavares. “For him to… have the kind rookie season he had, he’s not disappointing anyone… I see wonderful things for Mathew in the future and for the Islanders”, Trottier stated. Between a legitimate rising star in Barzal and an impressive pipeline featuring the likes of Kieffer Bellows, Oliver Wahlstrom, Noah Dobson, Bode Wilde, and Robin Salo, Trottier is right that the future is bright, but the Isles will likely have to endure a few brutal years before they reach that point. Yet, Trottier also spoke to the credibility that new GM Lou Lamoriello and new coach Barry Trotz bring to the team and feels that with their leadership and the talent on the roster, the team can still succeed if others step up. This first season without Tavares will be telling as to how the team will fare in the coming years.
  •  One recently retired NHLer is getting back into the game. The Blues have hired St. Louis native Joe Vitale as their new radio analyst for next season, writes Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Vitale announced his hiring live on the Blues’ radio affiliate, KMOX, saying:

    “This is my city… I always wanted to be a Blue. I’m so passionate about this team, since I was born from the very get-go with my dad bringing me to games as a kid.”

    Vitale played six seasons in the NHL, mostly with the Pittsburgh Penguins but wrapping up his career with the Arizona Coyotes after head injuries forced him into premature retirement. Now, he’s feeling positive about getting back into the game with his hometown team. Vitale was a high-energy player, a checking line regular and face-off specialist during his career, and will likely bring that same energy to the Blues broadcast.

 

East Notes: Simmonds, Wilde, Noel

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The Flyers are hopeful that they can sign Wayne Simmonds but GM Ron Hextall indicated at a press conference today that they have no issue with talks for the winger leaking over into next season (quote via the Flyers’ team website):

“If we get something done before training camp or going into the year, I don’t have the answer for that… Simmer’s got the character that something like that is not going to affect him. It’s not going to affect our team. I can certainly live with it. I’m sure he can too.”

Simmonds is entering the final year of what has become a very team-friendly deal with a cap hit of $3.975MM.  The 29-year-old has scored at least 24 goals in each of the last five years and is one of the better pure power forwards in the league.  As a result, he’ll undoubtedly garner plenty of interest from elsewhere if the Flyers can’t lock him up on a new deal.

Elsewhere out East:

  • Islanders prospect Bode Wilde expects to play in the OHL next season, he noted to Brian Compton of NHL.com. The 2018 second-rounder (41st overall) spent last season with the US National Team Development Program which allowed him to maintain his college eligibility but the prospect of a longer schedule has pushed the defenseman to the major junior ranks instead of Michigan where he was originally expected to go.  Saginaw holds his junior rights but Wilde mentions that he’s not sure where he will actually play next season but expects to know where he’ll suit up soon.
  • Panthers prospect Serron Noel has been added to Canada’s entry for the upcoming World Junior Summer Showcase, Hockey Canada announced. The winger was Florida’s second-round pick (34th overall) last month and will be taking the place of Penguins fifth-round center Justin Almeida, who is unable to play due to injury.

2018 Draft Results By Team

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The 2018 NHL Entry Draft is now complete. Check out how each team did with accruing talent and filling needs with each of their selections this weekend:

Anaheim Ducks

1-23.  F Isac Lundestrom, Lulea (SHL)
2-54. F Benoit-Olivier Groulx, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
3-79. F Blake McLaughlin, Chicago Steel (USHL)
3-84. G Lukas Dostal, HC Kometa Brno (Czech Republic-Jr.)
4-116. F Jack Perbix, Elk River HS (USHS)
5-147. G Roman Durny, Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
6-178. D Hunter Drew, Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)

Arizona Coyotes

1-5. F Barrett Hayton, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
2-55. D Kevin Bahl, Ottawa 67’s (OHL)
3-65. F Jan Jenik, HC Benatky nad Jizerou (Czech Republic-2)
3-73. D Ty Emberson, U.S. National Development Program (USHL)
4-114. G Ivan Prosvetov, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
5-142. D Mitchell Callahan, Central Illinois Flying Aces (USHL)
5-145. D Dennis Busby, Flint Firebirds (OHL)
6-158. G David Tendeck, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
7-189. F Liam Kirk, Sheffield Steelers (England)

Boston Bruins

2-57. D Axel Andersson, Djurgardens IF (SuperElit)
3-77.  F Jakub Lauko, Pirati Chomutov (Czech Republic)
4-119. F Curtis Hall, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
6-181.  D Dustyn McFaul, Pickering Panthers (OJHL)
7-212. F Pavel Shen, Mamonty Yugry (MHL)

Buffalo Sabres

1-1. D Rasmus Dahlin, Frolunda HC (SHL)
2-32. D Mattias Samuelsson, U.S. National Development Program (USHL)
4-94. F Matej Pekar, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
4-117. D Linus Lindstrand Kronholm, Malmo Redhawks (SuperElit)
5-125. D Miska Kuukonen, Ilves (Jr.-Liiga)
7-187. D William Worge Kreu, Linkoping (SuperElit)

Calgary Flames

3-105. F Martin Pospisil, Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
3-108. F Demetrios Koumontzis, Edina HS (USHS)
4-122. F Milos Roman, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
6-167. F Mathias Emilio Pettersen, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
7-198. F Dmitri Zavgorodny, Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)

Carolina Hurricanes

1-2. F Andrei Svechnikov, Barrie Colts (OHL)
2-42. F Jack Drury, Waterloo Blackhawks (USHL)
4-96. F Luke Henman, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
4-104. F Lenni Killinen, Espoo Blues (Jr.-Liiga)
6-166. D Jesper Sellgren, MODO (Allsveskan)
7-197. G Jake Kucharski, Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)

Chicago Blackhawks

1-8. D Adam Boqvist, Brynas IF Gavle (SHL)
1-27. D Nicolas Beaudin, Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
3-69. F Jake Wise, U.S. National Development Program (USHL)
3-74. F Niklas Nordgren, HIFK Helsinki (Jr.-Liiga)
4-120. F Philipp Kurashev, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
5-139. F Mikael Hakkarainen, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
6-162. G Alexis Gravel, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
7-193. F Josiah Slavin, Lincoln Stars (USHL)

Colorado Avalanche

1-16. F Martin Kaut, Dynamo Pardubice (Czech Republic)
3-64. G Justus Annunen, Karpat (Jr.-Liiga)
3-78. F Sampo Ranta, Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
4-109. F Tyler Weiss, U.S. National Development Program (USHL)
5-140. F Brandon Saigeon, Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)
5-146. D Danila Zhuravlyov, Irbis Kazan (MHL)
6-171. F Nikolai Kovalenko, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (MHL)
7-202. G Shamil Shmakov, Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk (MHL)Read more

Bode Wilde Will Not Attend Michigan In 2018-19

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A top prospect expected to go in the first round of the NHL draft has decided to change his plans for the future, as Bode Wilde will no longer attend the University of Michigan in the fall. That’s according to Bob McKenzie of TSN, who reports that Wilde will instead decide where to play after he finds out who drafts him on Friday. Wilde’s rights are owned in the CHL by the Saginaw Spirit, who just last week convinced Cole Perfetti to give up his commitment to Michigan and sign in the OHL.

Wilde, 18, had previously been linked to Harvard as well, and played this season with the US Development Program. The smooth skating defenseman has everything you’d want from a prospect except perhaps an elite playmaking ability. His biggest strength is skating the puck out of trouble, and he has the size and frame to grow into a physical presence on the back end. Interestingly he was recently kept off the roster for Team USA at the upcoming World Junior Summer Showcase, which could hurt his draft stock on Friday night. This decision to avoid the NCAA could improve it again, though teams rarely avoid taking college players that high due to any risk involved with them staying all four years. The prospect of a first-round pick waiting four years to become an unrestricted free agent is possible, but very unlikely given the expectation of playing time.

If Wilde does join the OHL, he’ll be a huge addition to a Saginaw team that looks ready to really turn things around. The team finished with a 29-30-9 record last season, but should expect a sizable step in production from Blade Jenkins and a potential return by overage Keaton Middleton, who failed to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Wilde would give them another elite defenseman that can change a game by himself, something that an NHL team will snap up somewhere in the middle of round one in just a few days.

2018 NHL Scouting Combine Player List

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The 2018 NHL Entry Draft is fast approaching on June 22nd, and the league has released the list of 104 players invited to this year’s scouting combine. The group includes top prospects like Rasmus Dahlin, Andrei Svechnikov and Filip Zadina, along with many others who are just hoping to hear their name called at some point in a few weeks.

Starting today, teams are able to meet this week with potential draft picks for 1-on-1 interviews to better determine the kind of person they are. Though obviously these discussions likely won’t change the first-overall selection, they could bring a player further onto a team’s radar for later in the draft. It’s a chance to impress with your dedication and drive, before getting the opportunity to show them your physical attributes next weekend. The fitness testing will commence on Saturday, with potential top pick Rasmus Dahlin getting involved early (currently scheduled for 8:30am CT).

Below is a full list of the attending players, but for more detailed information check out Scott Wheeler of the Athletic’s Twitter image.

Read more

Snapshots: Prospects, Olympics, Savard

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The NHL’s Central Scouting has released their midterm rankings for North American and International skaters, with Andrei Svechnikov and Rasmus Dahlin leading the way respectively. Dahlin is about as locked in as a prospect can be for the first-overall selection, but several others will be battling for the number two spot. Svechnikov, Filip Zadina, Adam Boqvist and Brady Tkachuk are all top options who could be in the top three selections, and should b considered blue chip pieces for whoever ends up with them.

Interestingly, players like Ryan Merkley (#21 among North American skaters) and Bode Wilde (#22) find themselves relatively far down the list despite their previous top-10 projections. Whether that has more to do with their own play slipping this season or the influx of talent throughout the draft class is unclear, but it should excite even teams in the playoff picture with the prospect of adding an impact player on defense.

  • Many of the Olympic rosters have now been released, with young players like Dahlin, Miro Heiskanen and Eeli Tolvanen dominating the headlines for Sweden and Finland. Rosters for the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland and host Korea are available on the IIHF website. Igor Eronko of Sport-Express reports that the Olympic Athletes from Russia squad will release their roster on Thursday, which should be one of the powerhouses of the tournament.
  • Marc Savard has officially announced his retirement, exactly seven years after his last game in the NHL. The exquisite playmaker was forced from the game due to concussion problems, but was still technically under contract through last season. His career ended in 2011 with the Bruins after 807 games, in which he registered 706 points including seasons of 97 and 96. According to Chris Lomon of the NHLPA, Savard is looking to move up the coaching ranks after spending some time behind the bench of his sons’ triple-A teams.

Mattias Samuelsson De-Commits From Michigan, To Attend Western Michigan

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The U.S. National Development Program sent presumptive 2018 top ten pick Quinn Hughes to the University of Michigan this season and were set to send fellow likely 2018 first-round defensemen Bode Wilde and Mattias Samuelsson to Ann Arbor next year. While two top picks on your blue line is impressive enough, the Wolverines were likely disappointed to hear yesterday that they had lost their commitment from Samuelsson. The big Swedish-American 17-year-old announced that he would no longer be attending Michigan next fall, but instead in-state rival Western Michigan.

While on it’s face the decision seems strange – Michigan is a far more storied college hockey program than WMU – there is some reasoning behind Samuelsson’s change of heart. The first, and the one stated outright, is that Mattias will now play with brother Lukas Samuelsson on the Broncos. Lukas, 21, is a forward for Western Michigan, though he has played in just one game thus far in his first season with the team. In addition to playing with his brother, the choice may have had just as much to do with who who he will no longer be playing with. With the likes of Hughes, Wilde, and Luke Martin slated for major roles on the Michigan blue line next season, Samuelsson may have struggled to find the top-pair minutes he desires for his further development. Another reason for Samuelsson to change his mind may be the recent play of the Broncos. Western Michigan is currently ranked #11 in the NCAA with a solid 12-9-1 record, whereas Michigan is ranked #20 with an even 10-10-2 mark. While the history and even current talent on the Wolverines roster would still suggest they are the better hockey school, Philadelphia Flyers’ 2016 second-round pick Wade Allison is leading the Broncos to a strong campaign and WMU boasts other notable NHL alumni such as Keith Jones and current Arizona Coyotes rearguard Kevin Connauton. Yet, Samuelsson has even been considered a top-15 pick by some and at the end of the day could wind up being the best player to ever pass through Kalamazoo.

At 6’4″, 216-lbs and not even 18-years-old, there is no doubt that Samuelsson has NHL size. Yet, he also brings a strong skating game that is uncommon for a big, lanky teenager. The son of Kjell Samuelsson, a veteran of over 800 games, Mattias also has NHL blood and the intelligence and intangibles that usually accompanies it. The ceiling is high for this promising defenseman and he’ll likely make Wolverines fans jealous as he shows off his abilities while developing with the Broncos over the next few years.

 

Prospect Notes: Gawdin, Plant, Rising Stars

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The Calgary Flames have inked another young CHL player to an entry-level deal, signing Glenn Gawdin to a three-year contract. Gawdin was originally a fourth-round draft pick of the St. Louis Blues in 2015 but never signed, becoming a free agent. He’s currently playing as a 20-year old in the WHL for the Swift Current Broncos.

Though Gawdin has been an effective player throughout his junior career, this season has been spectacular as he plays against younger competition. With 40 points in 18 games, he ranks third in the WHL in scoring and only trails two of his own teammates. He’ll be heading to the AHL next year in all likelihood, but with experience at center ice could be on a fast track to Calgary.

Ryan Merkley Pushing For Top Draft Spot

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We’ve discussed the draft profiles of Andrei Svechnikov and Rasmus Dahlin in the past, the two favorites to be the first-overall pick next summer in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Both have a real shot at going at the top, thanks to dynamic offensive abilities from their respective positions.

Svechnikov is lighting up the OHL with his power-speed combination, scoring eight goals through his first eight games. Dahlin on the other hand is starring in the Swedish professional ranks, and even scored his first Champions League goal yesterday. Improbably, his defensive game looks nearly as developed as his offense, and at this point looks like a lock to play in the NHL for a long time.

Ryan MerkleyWhile those two dominate many of the headlines early on, there are several other candidates to push for the top spot. One of them, Ryan Merkley, was profiled by Aaron Vickers of NHL.com who spoke to several scouts and teammates. The undersized defenseman has wowed spectators and coaches for years in southern Ontario, and is already showing he might be among the best players in the OHL—at 17. It won’t be surprising if Merkley leads all OHL defensemen in points this year, and he could be in for a race to the top defensive spot with Dahlin by the end of the year. Sometimes, even in the world of instant worldwide communication, the player closer to home is given a bit of a boost on draft boards. While every team will certainly have scouts attending Dahlin’s games, many front offices can attend Merkley’s games in person on a regular basis if they choose.

None of this is to say that Merkley is a lock for the top spot, or even the first few. While his ability to skate the puck out of trouble and distribute scoring chances for his teammates is incredible, he’s still listed at just 5’11” 170-lbs (which seems generous) and will always have his size working against him. While the league is slowly moving away from lumbering giants and embracing smaller skilled players, there are still some teams who would rather take the risk on a 6’1″ Jared McIsaac or 6’2″ Bode Wilde to plug into their blueline. Both are wonderful prospects in their own right, and have distinct size advantages over Merkley.

The biggest thing to take from Vickers’ profile, is how strong the 2018 draft is shaping up to be. There is a real chance a prospect like Merkley could fall to the middle of the first round, given the immense group of high-impact names that will be available. While last year had a deeper talent pool than some realize, 2018 is shaping up to be one of the best draft classes in several years, with at least a handful of players that have franchise-altering potential. Obviously many of them won’t reach that potential, but their ceilings will make for an interesting draft floor—expect teams to be very active trying to get their favorite new toy.

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