There's something to be said for prospects growing together. That's what Anaheim did when Bryan Murray was general manager and Chuck Fletcher, the Wild's now-GM, was his right-hand man.
In 2005-06, Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Dustin Penner were thrust jointly into the NHL, and several less-heralded guys began their careers together as well. The Ducks wound up soaring all the way to the conference finals. One year later, they won the Stanley Cup.
That's the grand plan in Minnesota as well.
Next year, the expectation is that six forwards -- 2010 first-rounders Mikael Granlund and Charlie Coyle, 2010 second-rounders Brett Bulmer, Johan Larsson and Jason Zucker and 2011 first-rounder Zack Phillips -- and potentially one defenseman -- 2011 first-rounder Jonas Brodin -- will turn pro together.
"The chemistry that's formed and the trust that's built is really neat," Fletcher said. "Not only do they become buddies, but they push each other and become better players because of that competition and that chemistry and those relationships."
This summer's development camp and next September's training camp (assuming a collective bargaining agreement is ratified by then) will be exciting.
Not every player will make the Wild out of camp. But the expectation is two or three could earn roster spots immediately.
Granlund, who has played three years professionally in Finland, has won a league title and a world championship, is a lock. But could Coyle, a huge body who is dominating the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League since leaving Boston University two months ago, be ready? How about Larsson, Team Sweden's captain during its run to a world junior championship in January? Or Brodin, the all-world skater who thrived on the NHL-sized rink during world juniors?
