Team Cheat Sheet: Minnesota Wild

Fast rundown for draft plans. DND = Do Not Draft

Minnesota Wild:

Backstrom, Niklas G - :UPDATE: The Wild signed Backstrom to a two year deal. No trade clause for year one. He will start next season as the number 1, but if you have him you better get Harding as insurance:He came from no where to top fantasy NHL goalie. I would not want to reach for him because He has no proven track record. Especially with Harding waiting in the wings.

Belanger, Eric C - UPDATE Reports say Eric was told he would play as the number one center in MIN. If thats true, his value jumps greatly. He did show he could handle the role playing with Kozlov and Hossa at the end of last year. He could be a solid mid-round pick.

Belle, Shawn D - This is one big man. He is young and has a lot to learn. DND

Boogaard, Derek LW - Speaking of big men... He is a great player for PIM leagues and a must have for leagues that use fighters.

Bouchard, Pierre-Marc C/RW - Has yet to become the fantasy stud many had hoped. A solid mid round pick. Better value in keeper leagues.

Burns, Brent D - This kid has size, can play wing and has good instincts. Worth a look if in need of a D-man. Especially in keepers if he has a break out year.

Carney, Keith D - His stats are too easy to find. DND

Demitra, Pavol C/RW - Great in SHP leagues, injuries always seem to hold him back. Solid pick in most leagues. He is getting a little long in the tooth for keepers.

Foster, Kurtis D - This kid had some fluke injuries last year and fell out of favor with the coaching staff. Look for him to bounce back. Few D-Men have his cannon from the blue line.

Foy, Matt RW - MIN does not like to play young guys, and this one looks like a grinder. DND

Gaborik, Marian LW/RW - No one can score goals like this kid, not even Ovechkin. The problem is this kid has not played over 65 games in 3 seasons. The good news is before his groin issues he did play 70-80 games. He is a 1st round pick, easy.

Hall, Adam RW - Has the ability to be a 20 goal scorer. Keep an eye on him to see how MIN uses him next year. DND

Harding, Josh G - I love this kid. He is a must snag in keepers as he looks to be the real deal. He could end up the starter in MIN next season by the end of the year.

Hill, Sean D - UPDATE Once he gets back from his 20 game suspension he will bring the same value to fantasy owners he had during the suspension, none! DND

Johnsson, Kim D - His play last season hurt Foster's PP time. I would not take him though, good match up play. DND

Kalus, Petr LW/RW - UPDATE This kid is an electric goal scorer, has super wheels and hits and fights with the best of them. I have him on my keeper team, and while he is not a sure thing to be in the NHL next season in MIN like he was BOS, I think he is a must draft in keeper pools. If he catches fire with Gabby and makes the team you might lose him forever. Imagine having the next Eric Cole who can score more and fights more. I know he is just a prospect still, but I am very high on this kid.

Koivu, Mikko C - He could see a large rise in stock if he plays with Gabby next year. Decent mid to late round pick.

Moore, Dominic C - Carries the puck well and has a good shot. Match up play only. DND

Nummelin, Petteri D - Match up play, too old and inconsistent to draft. DND

Parrish, Mark RW - I feel like he is a dime a dozen. Good late round grab in deep pools.

Pouliot, Benoit LW - MIN does not love playing young guys, so he could have a few years to wait. But he is highly skilled, and any LW could end up with Gabby. Worth keeping an eye on, especially in keepers.

Radivojevic, Branko RW - While he has a cool name, not even Gabby and Demitra could make him valuable. DND

Rolston, Brian C/LW/RW - He found the fountain of youth but sooner or later time will catch up with him. He might be worth letting someone else draft. Solid numbers last two seasons.

Schaefer, Nolan G - UPDATE Word is that Nolan will backup Backstrom next season, allowing Harding to continue to develop in the AHL. But if Backstrom gets hurt, its Harding's job.

Schultz, Nick D - Nothing special for fantasy. DND

Sheppard, James C - Still very young, Sheppard looks to be a second line power forward. He is listed as a C but likely will play the wing. Could be years before he cracks the line up in MIN.

Skoula, Martin D - Like his game but he does not get the points he should. DND

Smith, Wyatt C - Blah... DND

Veilleux, Stephane LW - Tough kid. Match up play only. DND

Voloshenko, Roman LW - Has more raw talent than Pouliot but Pouliot passed him last season on the depth chart due to his better work ethic and effort. Volo is still a major scoring threat. Keep an eye on him, especially in keepers.

Walz, Wes C - Match up FA use only. DND

Thats it for now. Check back for updates as players move and prospects jump up the food chain.