Michael Russo's Sunday Insider: A spirited (self) defense

Jeff Roberson, Associated Press - Ap

James Sheppard, one of several struggling Wild draft picks, was scoreless heading into the weekend.

Wild assistant GM wishes youngsters (like James Sheppard) were playing better, but he's satisfied he did his job.

By MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune

Last update: October 31, 2009 - 8:38 PM

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Wild assistant GM Tommy Thompson, the head of the Wild draft table, has been under fire lately from fans and media alike for the perceived lack of prospects in the system.

The website hockeysfuture.com recently placed the Wild's organizational ranking at 30th in terms of prospects.

The Wild blew its 2004 first-round pick with A.J. Thelen. Benoit Pouliot and James Sheppard, 2005 and 2006 first-rounders, respectively, haven't developed as planned.

Arguably, the Wild hasn't developed a top-6 forward since Pierre-Marc Bouchard in 2002.

"Mind you, there's one guy I saw score the shootout winner [Thursday] night that looks like a top-6 forward to me -- [Edmonton's] Patrick O'Sullivan," said Thompson, referring to the Wild's 2003 second-rounder who was traded to Los Angeles along with a first-round pick for Pavol Demitra in 2006.

"Does James Sheppard have a point? No. I look at him and I say, 'Why?' Clearly the responsibility's on James Sheppard, no one else, but I'm saying I think this guy has the potential to be a good forward.

"I use the term 'top-9 forward.' I'm not being obstinate, but I think you have nine forwards and four defensemen. ... I use top-9, and I think [Sheppard] can be. Pouliot's been erratic, but I look at his talent level, why can't he be? [Cal] Clutterbuck he's a top-9 guy.

"Right now, if you flip them and say Clutterbuck was our first-round pick in '06 [instead of Sheppard], people would say, 'I like him. I want to buy his jersey and see him play.' [Original free-agent signee Niklas] Backstrom, he's like a pick."

The Wild doesn't have young, top-end players like so many others partially because the Wild has been so competitive that it rarely gets high picks.

"Sure that helps, but you say that, and I look at [Mikko] Koivu, [Brent] Burns, Bouchard and Backstrom as three or four of our most important guys," Thompson said. "I mean, do I wish a guy like Sheppard was scoring a ton of points right now? Yeah, I sure do. I sure do."

Over the summer, Thompson predicted Sheppard would have a breakout season.

"You're darn right, and that was based on how he finished last year," Thompson said. "And he had a solid preseason. He had four points in six games. What does that translate to? A 50-point year? That'd be pretty good right now, and he's got zero."

Asked if he takes that personally, Thompson said, "No. No. I wish guys were playing better that have potential to do that. That's all."

Asked what he saw in Sheppard as a teenager in Cape Breton, Thompson said, "Rephrase your question: What did I see from Sheppard in the preseason? I saw confidence. There is an ability to make a play, go to the net. He scored goals in Chicago and Philadelphia right in front of the net. He made good plays. He worked two ways.

"Not spectacular. But solid."

To be fair, Thompson also hasn't had tons of draft picks in his arsenal (nine total in 2007 and 2008).

Under former GM Doug Risebrough, the Wild traded a third-rounder to move a single spot to take defenseman Tyler Cuma, a second-round pick to move three slots to draft third-liner Colton Gillies and traded many other draft picks. The Wild also let many unrestricted free agents leave for no compensation.

"I'd like to have more cracks at it, sure," Thompson said.

New General Manager Chuck Fletcher traded a second-round pick and a prospect for Chuck Kobasew, but the second was in 2011, giving him two seasons to try to replace the pick.

Then, consider busts such as former second-rounders Roman Voloshenko and Ondrej Fiala, it's no wonder there's so much more young talent on other teams.

All this stuff adds up, which is why some critics say they feel the Wild's future is on rocky ground.

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