Fansided

2018 NHL Draft: Report card grades for every team

By Jeremy Lambert

DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres, Andrei Svechnikov of the Carolina Hurricanes and Jesperi Kotkaniemi of the Montreal Canadians pose for a picture of the 2018 NHL draft on June 22, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres, Andrei Svechnikov of the Carolina Hurricanes and Jesperi Kotkaniemi of the Montreal Canadians pose for a picture of the 2018 NHL draft on June 22, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – JUNE 22: Filip Johansson speaks to the media after being selected twenty-fourth overall by the Minnesota Wild during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – JUNE 22: Filip Johansson speaks to the media after being selected twenty-fourth overall by the Minnesota Wild during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

Minnesota Wild – B

First Round Pick: Filip Johansson (D) (24)

This feels like the perfect pick for Minnesota. By that, I mean Filip Johansson is just good enough to make you take notice, but when push comes to shove, the Wild are still losing in the first round. I like Johansson, but I liked him as a second round player. There was more defensive value on the board at No. 24. We know Paul Fenton loves defensemen from his time with the Nashville Predators. He even mentioned Ryan Suter, who Minnesota will still be paying when Johansson is just good enough to be traded for a third line player, who will definitely get Minnesota over the hump this year. He’s a good skater. In that sense, he’s already better than Suter.

Other Notable Picks: Jack McBain (C) (63), Alexander Khovanov (C) (86)

I’m angry at Minnesota getting Jack McBain because I think highly of him and he deserves better than being in Minnesota. They got a second-round talent in the third-round, so good job by you, Wild. Excuse while I go wash my hands after typing that sentence. He’s a big kid with great two-way skills. He also models him game after Ryan Getzlaf, which means he’s going to be annoying to play against for years to come. Along with McBain, Minnesota nabbed Alexander Khovanov and Connor Dewar in the third round. Khovanov is a bit of a risk due to health and work ethic concerns. But if he gets those straighten out, he’s a top-end talent. Dewar is a solid two-way player who averaged a point-per-game in the WHL last season.

The Wild reached a bit in the first round, but crushed the third round. My gut feeling says they deserve a C, but my reasonable mind say that’s my Wild hatred getting in the way.

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