Wild GM Bill Guerin not afraid to move up in 2023 NHL draft if moment calls for it
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — With the ghosts of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter still eating up a significant amount of cap space, the Wild understand the importance of their farm system perhaps now more than ever. They have been relying on some of their young players to make an impact as a way to offset the money tied up in the massive buyouts.
That’s put an added emphasis on drafting and developing players.
Though the Wild have done a good job stockpiling assets over the past few seasons with general manager Bill Guerin at the helm, they are hoping to add to an already deep prospect pool in 2023 NHL draft, which starts on Wednesday night at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
In total, the Wild have six picks to their name, including the No. 21 overall (first round), the No. 53 overall (second round), the No. 64 overall (second round), the No. 149 overall (fifth round), the No. 181 overall (sixth round) and the No. 213 overall (seventh round).
“It’s a big week for all of us,” Guerin said. “The draft is extremely important to every franchise and we’re no different.”
The depth of this particular draft class has been highly publicized. Though future star Connor Bedard and certified sniper Adam Fantilli have garnered the most attention in the lead up to the annual spectacle, the Wild feel like they can get a solid player even if they choose to stay put in the first round.
“It’s a strong draft,” director of amateur scouting Judd Bracket said. “It’s not just going to end in the first 10 or 15 players.”
That said, Brackett has also provided Guerin with a wish list of sorts, and the Wild won’t be afraid to move up in the first round if the moment calls for it.
“It would have to be a player that we really covet to move up,” Guerin said. “Anything is possible. The possibility of moving up is definitely there. Let’s see if we want to do it.”
Since taking over as the man in charge, Guerin has overseen the selection first rounders like Marco Rossi (2020), Jesper Wallstedt (2021), Carson Lambos (2021), Liam Ohgren (2022) and Danila Yurov (2022). All of those players figure to make an impact at some point with Rossi likely the closest to being a regular at the highest level.
Aside from that, the Wild currently have a farm system loaded with talented blue liners, meaning that they might opt to draft a position of need over the best player available.
“When we get there we’ll see who’s available in that little pocket that we have and make our decision,” Guerin said. “This might be a time to do that.”
The draft board will ultimately determine how the Wild choose to proceed.
“This is where I really have to listen to Judd,” Guerin said. “He’s got a very good handle on who’s going to go where.”
Even if the Wild decide they want to move up, however, that’s only half the battle when they’re on the clock.
“You’ve got to have a partner, right?” Brackett said. “Just because the values add up doesn’t mean they’re going to make that trade.”
In other words, the Wild could be at the mercy of some other teams, at least to some degree.
“If the opportunity arises, we’ll definitely think about it,” Guerin said. “We have to expect the unexpected and be ready for it.”
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