Last Updated:  2010 Jan 13
Each player is projected on making it to
the NHA on a grading scale of 1-10.
PLAYER LEGEND - (HIGHLIGHT COLOUR DEFINES LEAGUE PLAYING IN)

Playing in the N.H.A.
Playing in the N.H.A. Farm League
Playing in N.A. Development League (Prospect)
Playing in the NCAA or other Amateur League (Prospect)
Playing in Europe (Prospect)
Minnesota Muskies

Organization Ranking (15)
              Change  (-3)
Top Prospects
Other Notables
Graduated
Summary Strength Average Weakness
       
Goaltending X    
Defense   X  
Centers     X
Wingers X    
Drafting   X  
Draft Picks     XX
Left Wing Center Right Wing
1) T.J. Oshie  8.0 B 1)  David Bolland  7.0 A 1)  Ryan Callahan  6.5 A
2)  Robin Figren  7.0 D 2) Perttu Lindgren  7.0 D 2)  Raymond Sawada  6.5 B
3)  Brandon Prust  5.5 B 3) Jacob Dowell  6.0 C 3)  Tim Wallace  5.0 B
4)  Frederik Cabana  6.0 C   4)  Dan Collins  6.0 D
5)  Juha-Matti Aaltonen  5.5 D   5)  Zbynek Hrdel  5.0 D
    6)  Duncan Milroy  3.0 B
     
Defense (L) Defense (R) Goaltenders
1)  Thomas Hickey  8.0 C 1)  Jamie McBain  7.5 B 1)  Pekka Rinne  7.5 A
2)  Joonas Lehtivuori  6.5 C 2)  Robert Bortuzzo  7.0 C 2)  Brian Foster  6.5 C
3)  Jonathan Sigalet  6.5 C 3)  Josh Meyers  6.0 D 3)  Riku Helenius  6.0 D
4)  Vjateslav Buravchikov  6.5 D   4)  Adam Munro  6.5 F
5)  Patrick McNeill  5.5 C   5)  Gerald Coleman  5.0 C
6) Johan Fransson  6.5 F    
     
     
Halifax
Mooseheads
Draft Review  -  Minnesota Muskies                                                                                                          by Robert Michaud

Transactions (leading up to and throughout the draft):

     OUT:  2nd Round Selection (39th OV); 2nd Round Selection (41st OV); 3rd Round Selection (60th OV);
                4th Round Selection (99th OV); 5th Round Selection (123rd OV)

     IN:      Tony Lydman (D); Petr Prucha (LW)

The Muskies were another NHA team that did more to prepare for the coming season than for the future, as they traded away a total of 5 picks, retaining only their 1st round selection and one late-rounder. With the out-going picks GM Wheeler brought in reliable defenseman Toni Lydman (from the Wildcats) and youthful left winger Petr Prucha (from the Eagles).

Organizational Weaknesses (prior to Draft):
     Skilled Wingers; Defensemen

NHA Draft Preview Prediction:     Kevin Shattenkirk to MUSKIES at #11 overall
Actual Result:                                 MUSKIES select Thomas Hickey at #11 overall

2007 NHA Entry Draft Selections
     Thomas Hickey, D      (WHL)     [1st Round (11th Overall)]
     Robert Bortuzzo, D     (OHL)      [4th Round (96th Overall)]

With their two entry draft selections Minnesota took two defensemen; in the first round, the Muskies were pleased to get offensive gem Thomas Hickey to be their future power play quarterback, then in the 4th round, they picked up defensive prospect Robert Bortuzzo. The Muskies will soon need to start looking for some skillful wingers to bring into the fold as they are very weak in offensive prospects along the flanks.

Possible draft-day steals:     Too early to predict
   1)  Pekka Rinne, G
        Acquired:  45th OV, '04 Draft
   2)  T.J. Oshie, RW/LW
        Acquired:  11th OV, '05 Draft
   3)  David Bolland, C
        Acquired:  17th OV, '04 Draft
   4)  Jamie McBain, D
        Acquired:  46th OV, '06 Draft
   5)  Thomas Hickey, D
        Acquired:  11th OV, '07 Draft
   6)  Ryan Callahan, RW/LW
        Acquired:  73rd OV, '04 Draft
   7)  Raymond Sawada, RW
        Acquired:  101st OV, '04 Draft
   8)  Robert Bortuzzo, D
        Acquired:  96th OV, '07 Draft
   9)  Joonas Lehtivuori, D
        Acquired:  102nd OV, '06 Draft
10)  Brian Foster, G
        Acquired:  207th OV, '05 Draft
11)  Jonathan Sigalet, D
        Acquired:  50th OV, '05 Draft
12)  Robin Figren, LW
        Acquired:  74th OV, '06 Draft
13)  Perttu Lindgren, C
        Acquired:  83rd OV, '05 Draft
14)  Brandon Prust, LW/RW
        Acquired:  86th OV, '04 Draft
15)  Jacob Dowell, C
        Acquired:  96th OV, '04 Draft
16)  Frederik Cabana, LW/C
        Acquired:  178th OV, '04 Draft
17)  Vjateslav Buravchikov, D
        Acquired:  111th OV, '05 Draft
18)  Tim Wallace, RW/LW
        Acquired:  Free Agent signing
19)  Patrick McNeill, D
        Acquired:  123rd OV, '05 Draft
20)  Riku Helenius, G
        Acquired:  18th OV, '06 Draft
     Juha-Matti Aaltonen, LW/RW
     Gerald Coleman, G
     Dan Collins, RW
     Johan Fransson, D
     Zbynek Hrdel, LW
     Josh Meyers, D
     Duncan Milroy, RW
     Adam Munro, G
     Joe Pavelski, C
     Brian Sutherby, C/LW
2009/06/01  Minnesota Muskies - Facing the Future
With the Muskies playing perrenially competitive hockey, Minnesota fans have much to be thankful for since the NHA began, though the future is looking to be equally as bright with some of the young talents in this organization. The Muskies possess some exceptional offensive talents, such as Jason Spezza, and several other young forwards (Oshie, Pavelski, Bolland) who will eventually carve out their places on the roster. They have also drafted well for goaltenders, with a couple of netminders standing out from the rest (Rinne, Huselius). Young defensemen, whether plying their trade in Minny or simply blue-chip prospects are lacking in the organization; the future of the blueline is a great concern at this point.

Left Wing - The wings are not where this team's offensive strengths are to be found, especially along the port side. Among the young players available at this position, the only one projected to have much of an impact (and then only in the Bottom 6) might be Brandon Prust, who plays a tough, physical game.

Center - There is a lot to like about the centers on this club. Jason Spezza is already one of the league's young offensive wizards and there are more on the way, such as Joe Pavelski and T.J. Oshie. Also, there is David Bolland, who looks to become a good two-way threat. Expect one or more of these youngsters to be shifted to the wing in coming years in order to alleviate the logjam of pivots and compensate for the lack of wingers.

Right Wing - As stated earlier, there are not a lot of quality young players on either wing. The one exception is Ryan Callahan, who should develop into a good 2nd line option on the right side.

Defense - The blueline future in Minnesota is murky, as there very few blue-chip players at this position within the organization; Joni Pitkanen is the one notable exception to this but he has his own issues, most notable being the questions of his commitment and maturity.

Goaltending - There is a lot of hope within the organization that one of their two young Finnish netminders, Pekka Rinne and Riku Helenius, will eventually take over for the 'Bulin Wall'; Rinne being the older of the two, is naturally progressing at a faster rate.
Muskies 2006 Draft Review

Muskies 2005 Draft Review

Muskies 2004 Draft Review